Day 1: Chengdu
Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, transfer to the hotel and have free time at your disposal. Overnight at Chengdu.
Day 2: Chengdu
Chengdu - Wolong - Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, transfer to visit the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve, the world's largest reserve of its kind. It houses a large number of giant pandas that are cared for by professional staff and volunteers, thanks to a volunteer program open to anyone willing to take part in animal care. Surrounded by mountains, abundant vegetation and fresh air, the Wolong Reserve has become a true paradise for giant pandas. It is a national treasure that serves as a center for the breeding, reproduction and conservation of pandas. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay at a hotel in Chengdu. Overnight at Chengdu.
Day 3: Dali
Chengdu - Dali (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take a morning flight to Dali (in economy class). Dali is a picturesque city in Yunnan, renowned for the Bai ethnic culture, the ancient city walls of its old town, and the unique scenery between Erhai Lake and the Cang Mountains. Once the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom, it blends historical charm, traditional art, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Lunch is at your leisure. In the afternoon, visit the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor–a captivating scenic path that runs alongside the lake, surrounded by nature with its shimmering water, blooming flowers, and traditional villages. This will be followed by a tour of the Three Pagodas, an iconic Buddhist complex with a history of over a thousand years, serving as a historical symbol of both Dali and the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom. Finally, explore the ancient Dali Old Town, whose fascinating walled historic center is filled with traditional architecture, craft workshops, and authentic Bai ethnic culture. Overnight at Dali.
Day 4: Lijiang
Dali - Lijiang (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit the Xizhou Morning Market, a vibrant hub where you can experience the colors, flavors, and daily life of the Bai people, surrounded by an array of spices, fresh fruits, and handcrafted goods. Next, tour the traditional Bai residences–elegant, distinctive houses adorned with floral patterns and internal courtyards, which embody the rich history and refined aesthetics of the local culture. Later, head to the Zhoucheng Batik Workshop, a traditional studio where you can learn the ancient art of batik dyeing alongside a master artisan and create your own decorated fabric piece. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then travel overland to Shaxi. Upon arrival, explore this ancient village, once a key stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. With its flagstone streets, temples, theaters, and historic markets, Shaxi still retains the captivating charm of its bygone era. Continue your journey to Lijiang, a historic city in Yunnan renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Characterized by crisscrossing canals, traditional wooden houses, and flagstone lanes, it is also the heart of Naxi culture, boasting unique music, architecture, and traditions against the backdrop of the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Overnight at Lijiang.
Day 5: Lijiang
Lijiang (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan), one of Yunnan's most iconic natural landmarks. A majestic sacred mountain to the Naxi people, it features perpetually snow-capped peaks standing out against the blue sky. Here, you will watch Impression Lijiang–a grand open-air performance directed by Zhang Yimou, which combines dance, singing and natural scenery to celebrate the traditions of the mountain-dwelling ethnic groups. After lunch at a local restaurant, embark on an exciting ride on the Spruce Meadow Cableway to Yunshanping Grassland. Nestled among spruce forests, this plateau offers breathtaking views of the snow-white mountain peaks. At the end of the cableway ride, visit Blue Moon Valley, a dreamlike area renowned for its turquoise waters and surreal landscapes at the foot of the mountain. It is a fairy-tale wonderland dotted with waterfalls and wooden bridges. Return to Lijiang in the evening to explore the city's historic center. Overnight at Lijiang.
Day 6: Shangrila
Lijiang - Shangri-La (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, depart for Shangri-La by car, with a stop to admire the natural wonders along the way. One of the highlights of today's excursion is a visit to the incredible Tiger Leaping Gorge–one of the deepest canyons in the world. Stretching 16 kilometres long, it is carved through by the Jinsha River. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight accommodation will be arranged in Shangri-La, a land of magical landscapes dotted with 470 snow-capped mountains and villages inhabited by ethnic minorities. Today's excursion is sure to leave you inspired by the wonders of nature. Overnight in Shangri-La.
Day 7: Shangrila
Shangri-La (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we will take a short transfer to the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, dating back to 1678. Its sprawling compound houses a main hall that can accommodate 1,500 people. Two major structures –the Zhacang and Jikang Halls– are situated at the highest point of the complex, standing at an altitude of 3,380 meters. With an average elevation of 3,500 meters, Pudacuo National Park preserves a well-conserved ecosystem within its primeval forests, which are home to numerous species of wild animals and plants. Next, we will visit a local Tibetan family to get an up-close look at their daily life. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Shangri-La.
Day 8: Kunming
Shangri-La - Kunming (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and take the train from Shangri-La to Kunming. Upon arriving in Kunming in the afternoon, meet your tour guide and explore the historic center, including Cuihu Park (Green Lake)–a lush urban oasis perfect for a leisurely stroll. The park features two long banks lined with willow trees. The delightful contrast between the soft green of the willows and the vivid colors of the lotus flowers makes it a much-loved destination among nature enthusiasts. The fresh air invites visitors to enjoy a picnic, take a walk, or simply sit back and savor a moment of tranquility. Overnight at Kunming.
Day 9: Kunming
Kunming (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, the day is dedicated to a visit to the Stone Forest, a cluster of karst limestone formations shaped by over 270 million years of seismic activity and erosion by water and wind. The rocks resemble stalagmites, and over time, caves, ponds, waterfalls, and an underground river have formed here, lending the area the illusion of a bona fide forest. This unique type of karst rock features towers, pinnacles, and cones, which have created natural bridges and gorges across a 400-square-kilometer area. Legend has it that the Stone Forest is the birthplace of Ashima–a beautiful girl of the Yi ethnic group who once lived in this region. She fell in love but was forbidden to marry her beloved; according to folklore, she eventually turned into a stone statue. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight at Kunming.
Day 10:
Kunming (Breakfast)
All good things must come to an end and today sees our ten-day adventure draw to a close.
After breakfast, we transfer to airport to take our home flight.
