Taiwan is a land of contrasts: bustling markets, ancient temples, and vibrant cities blend with extraordinary nature :from towering mountains rising above 4,000 meters to coastal coral reefs where sea turtles swim. The east coast lies close to Taroko National Park, with its valleys and dolphins, it’s only missing dinosaurs and we could say “Welcome to Jurassik Parc”.
This photography experience combines authentic daily life, landscapes, and Taiwanese culture under the guidance of professional photographer Régis Binard.
Operated by Curious Taiwan, a high-end travel agency based in Taiwan, and accompanied by a professional guide and fixer, Vincent Verdier, to facilitate interactions with locals, optimize the itinerary, and take you beyond the usual tourist routes.
Régis is a French humanitarian photographer who has always placed strong emphasis on people-centered photography. He has built solid experience working with NGOs, non-profit organizations, the press, and magazines around the world, while successfully leading photography workshops across Asia for years.
Patient, passionate, humble, and deeply committed, he brings great energy, knowledge, and joy to every journey, making the experience truly exceptional beyond photography alone.
Vincent has lived in Taipei for over ten years. After arriving in Asia 25 years ago, he spent a decade in Tokyo. Married to a Taiwanese woman, he settled in Formosa and quickly developed a passion for the island, exploring it in every corner.
Well known among locals and closely connected to several Indigenous tribes, Vincent, together with his team, has developed unique off-the-beaten-path experiences, perfectly suited to a photography workshop led by Régis.
The aim of this first day is to get your bearings, get to know each other, relax, and gently start immersing yourself in the city. After a long flight with staggered arrivals, this initial step to recover will be most welcome. The hotel is located in the heart of the historic center.
Arrival, transfer to hotel
Briefing with Régis
Dinner, a first group culinary discovery of Taiwan.
Early departure for a street photography session, with a focus on portraits and everyday life. Lunch in a historic district, where the architecture will offer opportunities to work on composition. Coffee break in an old-style café to review images. Casual izakaya-style dinner.
Local Market : street photography, portrait, immersion
Historical district : Composition work, temple
Dinner at leisure in Taipei
Gentle start in Songshan, exploring a quieter, design-oriented side of Taipei through cafés, galleries, and peaceful streets. Lunch at a friend’s restaurant for a culinary photography workshop, followed by an afternoon in Xinyi’s architectural district, Taipei’s opulent financial center.
Songshan district : Ambiance, design, street
Xinyi district : Architectur, luxury and portrait
Songshan district : Night market
A full day immersed in tea fields and farm life. A simple yet meaningful bonding experience in a private area. Photography will focus on craftsmanship, nature, and portraiture—above all, a lived experience. Return via an old Hakka village, with its temple, narrow lanes, and traditional houses.
Hsinschu, Beipu : Tea fields & farm
Hsinschu, Beipu : Tea Farm & old streets
Dinner at leisure, Taipei
On the way to the east coast, stop at the famous lantern village of Shifen, where a train runs through the heart of the main street, before heading to an Indigenous restaurant facing the ocean. In the afternoon, a boat trip around the active offshore volcanic island of Guishan to observe dolphins and whales.
Shifen : Flying lanterns & train
Yilan, : Cruise, sceneries and wildlife photography
Dinner at leisure, Yilan
A unique day fully immersed in an ancient village of the Atayal tribe. Access by 4×4, meeting with the village youth, forest walk, shared lunch, and many moments of exchange. Traditional architecture and craftsmanship, portrait work, and light-focused photography in a stunning setting.
Bulau : Village & meeting
Bulau : Craftmanship & exchanges
Dinner at leisure, Yilan
Access to Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, a former agroforestry zone from the Japanese era. Ancient trees, an alpine lake, and rich wildlife and flora. Lunch in the park, followed by an accessible hike along trails that wind over former railway lines. Hot springs to finish.
Taipingshan : Landscapes, composition, and hiking (easy)
Taipingshan : Millennia-old trees and hot springs
Dinner at leisure, Yilan
After these nature-focused stages, a return to the urban environment with this highly cinematic historic city. Old alleyways worn by time, traditional markets, and a strong cultural heritage—an incredible playground for portraits and street photography.
Coastal drive to Keelung with stops along the way
Keelung : StreetPhotography & portrait
Keelung : Night market and a 2 a.m. fish auction for the motivated ones
Head toward the Datun Volcano, with its craters and fumaroles, sulfur vents, and national park protecting endemic species. Lunch at a farm in the heart of the massif, then continue to the old colonial town of Tamsui and its layered heritage : Spanish, Dutch, British, Japanese…
Datun: volcano and national park
Tamsui: alleys and architecture
Dinner at leisure, Tamsui
All good things come to an end. In the morning, depending on everyone’s flights, a workshop debrief over coffee by the ocean. A chance to review the entire experience, share each participant’s highlights, and discuss photographic challenges encountered, ending with a final convivial moment before the transfer.
Tamsui : Debrief & café
Transfer to the airport
Departure
Simply fill out the registration form and our team will contact you with all the details and information, answer your questions, and secure your spot if everything suits you.
We understand that unexpected events can arise. Our workshops have flexible cancellation terms, which will be communicated before any commitment. We will always do our best, even at the last minute.
To ensure a human-scale, high-quality workshop and avoid the challenges of large groups, we limit participation to a maximum of 6 people. To offer a reasonable price, a minimum of 4 participants is required.