Day 1 : Chengdu
Welcome to China! Arrive at anytime and join your group and CEO for a Welcome Meeting. Then head out to visit the People's Park & Tianfu Square then opt to join your group for an optional dinner together.
People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit
Chengdu
Built in 1911, the People's Park was the first public park in Chengdu. It's the largest green area in downtown. The park features an artificial lake, gardens, teahouses, and is a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors. Walk to Tianfu Square in the centre of the city, surrounded by museums.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
1h
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2 : Chengdu/Lijiang
Spend the morning free in Chengdu. Opt to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center, visit the Wenshu Monastery or Kuanzhai Alley. Take an afternoon flight from Chengdu to Lijiang.
Enjoy a free morning in Chengdu.
Plane
Chengdu - Lijiang 1h30m
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Optional Activities - Day 2
Giant Panda Breeding Center
Chengdu 3h
Visit the popular pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, created to provide an ideal breeding environment for these endangered creatures. Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures. See a number of other rare species, including the little-known red panda. Arrive in the fall for a chance to see tiny newborn pandas.
Day 3 : Lijiang
After a morning orientation walk of Lijiang, visit the the Black dragon Pool and the spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above the marble bridge. Upon finishing the tour, head to Lijiang Old town to and explore the must see spots like The Giant Water Wheel, Wangu Tower and Lion Hill. Then enjoy a free evening. Opt to visit the Mufu Museum or grab dinner with your group.
Lijiang Old Town Visit
Lijiang
Walk through the charming old town of Lijiang, a World Heritage Site and home to the Naxi minority. Observe scenes from another era, with old men smoking pipes and women in their traditional costumes. Get lost in the small pedestrian lanes that meander throughout the town -- every twist and turn reveals picturesque old buildings, local arts and crafts, fast flowing canals, and beautiful arched bridges. You can also spend an afternoon resting in a pavilion in the Black Dragon Pool Park, gazing at the reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and listening to the local Naxi music.
Black Dragon Pool Park
Lijiang
Explore the gorgeous Black Dragon Pool, a pond in Jade Spring Park, which is a short walk from the Old Town of Lijiang. Take in a spectacular view of the region’s tallest mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the many temples and pavilions in the park, including the Deyue Lou (Moon Embracing Pavillion), the Longshen Temple, and the Wufeng Tower. Tour the Dongba Culture Research Institute and the Dongba Culture Museum, which help to preserve local culture.
Enjoy a free evening in Lijiang.
Day 4 : Lijiang/Shaxi
Drive to Shaxi Old Town first thing this morning and head out for a walking tour of this ancient, medieval town full of Buddhist culture. Visit the iconic spots of the town like the Old Market Square, the Old Theater, and Yujin Bridge. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this beautiful town. Opt to visit the Xingjiao Temple or the Ouyang Courtyard.
Private Vehicle
Lijiang - Shaxi 1h45m 101km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Shaxi Walking Tour
Shaxi 4h
Take a walking tour of the city, hitting the main highlights. Each route will be different, but you can expect to see the best this city has to offer.
Enjoy a free evening in Shaxi Old Town.
Optional Activities - Day 4
Xingjiao Temple Visit
Shaxi 1h
Enjoy a visit to one of the most fascinating and best preserved temples in China. Constructed as a Buddhist shrine in 1415, the courtyard buildings were used as local government headquarters during the Cultural Revolution, which saved the temple from destruction.
Near the Shaxi famous Market Square, visit the Ouyang Courtyard, original Bai folk architecture preserved from Qing Dynasty.
Day 5 : Shaxi/Dali
We head to the next town this morning, the thousand year old village of Xizhou Old Town. Explore the well preserved architecture with a tour led by your CEO. Then after a bit of free time in Xizhou, drive to Dali. Head out for an orientation walk and to Dali Old Town. Join your group and CEO for dinner together at a local restaurant. On the way back to the hotel, admire the lanterns that light up this beautiful town at night.
Visit the Old town of Dali and enjoy its traditional architecture. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the minority cultures (mostly Bai but also with many Yi and Hui) and relax in this unique place.
Private Vehicle
Shaxi - Xizhou 2h 150km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Join your CEO on a walking tour of charming Xizhou Old Town. Visit famous spots like Sifang Street and Yan Family Compound, a Traditional Folk Residences.
Private Vehicle
Xizhou - Dali 0h30m 20km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 6 : Dali
This beautiful lakeside town is yours to do as you wish today! Opt to explore the Old Town, cycle around Dali town or Lake Erhai. Maybe visit the National Geological park of Cangshan Mountain on a hike or on the cable car. A local favorite is the Three Pagodas at Chongsheng Temple or you could learn the art of traditional Tie-Dying by the local Bai people. With so many options, the choice is yours!
Spend today in Dali however you'd like!
Optional Activities - Day 6
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
Dali 2h
Tour these three striking pagoda towers from the Tang Dynasty arranged on the corners of an equilateral triangle. The Central Pagoda is almost 1,200 years old, and represents a period when Dali was a Buddhist Kingdom. Climb to the top of the towers for a beautiful view of Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake below.
Erhai Lake Bike Tour
Dali
Cycle around a portion of the lake and enjoy the beautiful views.
Day 7 : Dali/Kunming
Together we'll catch a morning train to Kunming, known as one of China's best natural phenomenons with all its waterfalls, lakes and karst formations. After an orientation walk of the town, opt to head to lunch to try the famous local rice noodle dish. This afternoon, visit the jaw dropping Kunming Flower Market, the largest flower market in all of Asia. Then head to the Green Lake (Cuihu) Park where not only will you see your first glimpse of this karst mountain, lake filled town, but you'll also witness locals dancing, singing and playing instruments during their leisure time.
Bullet Train
Dali - Kunming
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Kunming Flower Market
Kunming
Visit the largest flower market in all of Asia, the Kunming Flower Market. Enjoy the exotic scents and vibrant colours of of this lively flower market.
Green Lake Park Trip
Kunming 1h
Check out the brightly coloured pavillions, tree-lined walkways, and locals doing tai chi in centuries-old Green Lake Park (Cui Hu Park). Traverse the bridges that connect the park’s four small lakes, or relax with a visit to the many restaurants, shops, and tea houses lining the park's edge.
Day 8 : Kunming
Depart at any time.
