Itinerary
- Day 1
Chengdu
You'll arrive in Chengdu and get transferred to your hotel, leaving the afternoon and evening open to settle in or wander around at your own pace. Later on, sit down for an authentic Sichuan hot pot dinner to get a real taste of the region's bold, spicy flavors.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Sichuan hot pot dinner)
Included Activities
- Traditional Sichuan hot pot dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Chengdu surroundings
- Day 2
Chengdu
Head out early to the Giant Panda Breeding Centre to see these animals up close and learn about conservation work. After that, walk through Chengdu People's Park to watch local life, including the Matchmaking Corner. Spend time exploring the Wide and Narrow Alleys with their restored Qing Dynasty streets, teahouses, and folk performances. By evening, hop on a tuk-tuk with a local guide to check out Chengdu's night markets, where you'll try fiery street snacks and craft noodles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Street snacks and craft noodles in Chengdu night markets)
Included Activities
- Giant Panda Breeding Centre visit
- Chengdu People's Park visit
- Matchmaking Corner experience
- Wide and Narrow Alleys guided walk
- Chengdu night market food tour with local guide
Landmarks Giant Panda Breeding Centre Chengdu People's Park Wide and Narrow Alleys - Day 3
Chengdu to Jiuzhai Valley
Get up early and head to Pengzhen village to visit the century-old Guanyin Hall Teahouse on the Yangliu River, where you'll see locals gathering over tea, cards, and newspapers. Board a high-speed train to Jiuhuang Station, traveling through rural Sichuan. If time allows, stop at Songpan Ancient Town to walk around its stone walls and centuries-old dwellings. Then drive about two hours through rising elevations to reach Jiuzhai Valley and check into your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guanyin Hall Teahouse visit
- High-speed train to Jiuhuang Station
- Songpan Ancient Town exploration (if time allows)
Landmarks Guanyin Hall Teahouse Songpan Ancient Town - Day 4
Jiuzhai Valley
Spend the day at Jiuzhaigou National Park exploring blue and green lakes, waterfalls, and unique conic karst landforms. The water is so clear you can see ancient trees submerged below the surface. Grab lunch at a local restaurant, then head to a traditional Tibetan home-restaurant for dinner, where you'll have home-cooked food and local entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant), Dinner (Home-cooked feast in a traditional Tibetan home-restaurant with local entertainment)
Included Activities
- Jiuzhaigou National Park exploration
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Traditional Tibetan home-cooked dinner with local entertainment
Landmarks Jiuzhaigou National Park - Day 5
Jiuzhai Valley to Chengdu
Travel to Huanglong National Park to see golden travertine terraces winding through a forested valley. Take a round-trip cable car up through alpine terrain with views of snow-dusted peaks and dense forests. At the top, explore the Five-Colour Pond with its brilliant turquoise and jade pools. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the railway station for your high-speed train back to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Huanglong National Park visit
- Round-trip cable car in Huanglong
- Five-Colour Pond viewing
- Lunch at local restaurant
- High-speed train to Chengdu
Landmarks Huanglong National Park Five-Colour Pond - Day 6
Chengdu to Kunming
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Kunming, known as the City of Spring. When you arrive, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore on your own. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight from Chengdu to Kunming
- Dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Kunming independently
- Day 7
Kunming to Jianshui
Leave Kunming early for the Naigu Stone Forest, about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road. This UNESCO World Heritage site features towering limestone pillars shaped over millions of years. Use an electric vehicle to get to the scenic area, then do a guided two-hour walk on well-marked paths with gentle stone steps and benches for rest. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive south to Jianshui, a historic town with over 1,200 years of cultural heritage along the ancient Southern Silk Road.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Naigu Stone Forest visit
- Guided two-hour walk through Stone Forest
- Electric vehicle transfer at Stone Forest
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Naigu Stone Forest - Day 8
Jianshui
Start by visiting the Double Dragon Bridge, a 17-arch masterpiece of ancient Chinese engineering from the Qing Dynasty. Continue to Tuanshan Village with its ancient alleyways, stone courtyards, and ornate wooden homes showing Han and Yi cultural fusion. Check out the adjacent Garden of the Zhang Family. In the afternoon, walk through Jianshui Old Town and see the Chaoyang Gateway, the 700-year-old Jianshui Confucius Temple surrounded by cypress trees and lotus ponds, and the Zhu Family Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Double Dragon Bridge visit
- Tuanshan Village exploration
- Garden of the Zhang Family visit
- Jianshui Old Town walk
- Chaoyang Gateway visit
- Jianshui Confucius Temple visit
- Zhu Family Garden visit
Landmarks Double Dragon Bridge Tuanshan Village Garden of the Zhang Family Chaoyang Gateway Jianshui Confucius Temple Zhu Family Garden - Day 9
Jianshui to Yuanyang
Leave Jianshui and head south into the Ailao mountain range for about 2.5 hours to reach Yuanyang, home to dramatic rice terraces carved into steep hillsides by the Hani people over more than a millennium. This afternoon, visit the Bada Terraces to see expansive layered views. Later, if weather allows, catch sunset at Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth) Terraces, the steepest site where bold contours and reflections look like an enormous brush painting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Bada Terraces visit
- Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth) Terraces sunset viewing (if weather permits)
Landmarks Bada Terraces Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth) Terraces - Day 10
Yuanyang
Rise early to watch sunrise over the Duoyishu Rice Terraces, where thousands of stepped paddies reflect the sky in silvery blues, pinks, and golds. Later, explore Azheke Village, a traditional Hani settlement with distinctive mushroom-shaped houses built from wood and thatch using ancient techniques. Wander through the village to experience Hani traditions and daily life. This evening, visit a local Hani family for home-cooked dinner and experience their hospitality and cultural pride.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-cooked dinner at local Hani family)
Included Activities
- Duoyishu Rice Terraces sunrise viewing
- Azheke Village exploration
- Home-cooked dinner at local Hani family
Landmarks Duoyishu Rice Terraces Azheke Village - Day 11
Yuanyang to Shangri-La
Depart Yuanyang early for the drive back to Kunming, about 4.5 hours through Yunnan's highland terrain. At the railway station, board your high-speed train to Shangri-La, a 5 to 6 hour journey that climbs steadily into the Tibetan Plateau. Shangri-La remains steeped in mystery and spiritual intrigue where Tibetan culture, dramatic landscapes, and high-altitude serenity come together. Transfer to your hotel and settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- High-speed train from Kunming to Shangri-La
- Day 12
Shangri-La
Begin by visiting Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often called the Little Potala Palace. Explore gilded halls, prayer wheels, and vibrant murals, then step into the monks' quarters for quiet conversation about their daily routines. After lunch, travel into Pudacuo National Park at over 3,500 metres. Stroll along Shudu Lake where yaks and goats graze, continue through Militang Grassland toward Bitahai Lake. As evening falls, head to Dukezong Ancient Town to join a traditional Guozhuang circle dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Songzanlin Monastery visit
- Monks' quarters visit and conversation
- Pudacuo National Park exploration
- Shudu Lake walk
- Militang Grassland walk
- Bitahai Lake visit
- Traditional Guozhuang circle dance in Dukezong Ancient Town
Landmarks Songzanlin Monastery Pudacuo National Park Shudu Lake Bitahai Lake Dukezong Ancient Town - Day 13
Shangri-La to Kunming
After breakfast, transfer to the station for your six-hour high-speed train from Shangri-La to Kunming. The train gradually descends from the Tibetan Plateau to central Yunnan, offering views of the province's diverse landscapes. Your local guide will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed train from Shangri-La to Kunming
Optional Activities
- Explore Kunming at your own pace
- Day 14
Kunming
Explore Kunming's cultural and natural highlights starting with Xishan Mountain, walking along winding cliffside paths to reach the Dragon Gate with grottoes and pavilions overlooking Dianchi Lake. Continue to the Dounan Flower Market, Asia's largest fresh flower trading hub, full of color and fragrance. Visit Yuantong Temple, one of Yunnan's oldest Buddhist temples dating back over 1,200 years, known for its unique sunken courtyard. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with ethnic minority dishes at Cui Fu restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at Cui Fu restaurant focusing on ethnic minority dishes)
Included Activities
- Xishan Mountain (Western Hills) walk
- Dragon Gate visit
- Dounan Flower Market visit
- Yuantong Temple visit
- Farewell dinner at Cui Fu restaurant focusing on ethnic minority dishes
Landmarks Xishan Mountain (Western Hills) Dragon Gate Dounan Flower Market Yuantong Temple - Day 15
Kunming
The morning is yours to relax at your leisure until it's time to head from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Leisure time in Kunming
