10-Day China Classic Tour of Chengdu, Leshan, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Kunming

Attractions: No
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Chengdu

Welcome to Chengdu! After retriving your luggage, you’ll find your local guide waiting for you in the airport arrivals hall holding a welcome sign with your name on it. After a warm greeting, our guide will take you to the hotel in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle, and your guide will assist you with check-in.

Attractions: Leshan Giant Buddha, Baoguo Temple
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Leshan

In the morning, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Leshan Giant Buddha which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. It was carved during AD713~803 on a mountain rock cliff by the river, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. Its insteps can hold over a hundred people.

After the Giant Buddha visit, go to Baoguo Temple, the biggest temple of Mount Emei at the mountain foot. It has several serene gardens with rare plants, a library of sutras and a huge porcelain Buddha.

Attractions: Mount Emei
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Chengdu

This morning set out for Mount Emei. As one of the few World Heritage Sites of both cultural and natural heritages. It is one of the Four Great Buddhist Mountains in China, also the home to 5000 kinds of plants (more than the total species in Europe) and over 2300 kinds of wild animals.

Once you reaching at Leidongping, keep on walking about 30mins along stone steps to the cable car station, along which you will have a chance to see the wild monkeys. Take a cable car up to the Golden Summitwhich is the biggest highlight and very essence of Mount Emei. Once you get to the Golden Summit, the first view appearing in front of you is a towering multi-faced golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

Next to the golden statue sits the bronze Huangzang Temple which is the first temple established on Mount Emei whose history can be traced back to the 1st century CE. You can stroll around the Golden Summit to explore Buddhist architecture and tradition, and enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Emei and surrounding. On clear days, you can even see the snow-clad of Mount Gongga, Asia’s largest table mountain – Wawu Mountain and winding rivers flowing through Emeishan city.

Attractions: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, People’s Park, Wenshu Temple
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Chengdu

This morning you will make a stirring visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is not only the most important panda scientific research center, but also dwelling home to more than 100 Giant Pandas.

Chengdu is famous throughout China for its relaxing and leisurely pace and lifestyle, which will be demonstrated by a visit to the City’s People’s Park. Later, you will be taken to Wenshu Temple. Surrounded by old cypresses and classical red walls, the temple creates an atmosphere of nostalgia.

Attractions: Lijiang Ancient Town
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

After a short break, you’ll start a memorable tour in Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial center, Lijiang Ancient Town is a well-preserved 800-year-old town for Naxi ethnic group, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Walk to the central area of the old town and visit Mufu Palace. A saying goes “ there is Forbidden City in the North, Mu’s Residence in the South ”, Mu’s Residence was called the miniature Forbidden City. Looked from a far distance, it likes a grand imperial palace and it is famous for the grandness and architectural buildings. Getting into the palace, you can know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. Then, wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself.

Attractions: Yuhu Village, Baisha Mural Paintings, Shuhe Ancient Town, Dongba Culture Museum, Black Dragon Pool Park
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

First, you’ll be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you’ll witness unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, a tranquil Yuhu Lake…

Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which depict subjects relating to Buddhism, Taoism and the life of the Naxi people, incorporating cultural elements of the Bai people.

Then, it is followed by a relaxing trip to Shuhe Ancient Town – one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view.

Attractions: First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Old Town
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Shangri-La

First, drive to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn.

Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world – Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. After the hiking tour, you’ll be driven to Shangri-La. Visit to Dukezong Old Town. With a history over 1300 years, Dukezong Old Town is the largest and the best preserved Tibetan community in China.

Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill (or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of both the endless snow-capped mountains surrounded the pure land and the large scale of the old town with countless Tibetan dwellings. Join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world in clockwise direction.

Attractions: Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Local Tibetan Family
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Shangri-La

First, you’ll visit to Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Gompa), reputed as the “Little Potala Palace” for it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Then, drive to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards.It is reputed for well-preserved primitive landscape. After the merry time in the park, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea.

Attractions: Western Hills, Dragon Gate, Green Lake
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Kunming

After a short break, you’ll start a tour to the famous Western Hills which is called “Sleeping Beauty Hills”, looking like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dian Lake (the largest freshwater in Yunnan and famed as the “Pearl on the Plateau”). You will not miss the symbolic visit to the magic Dragon Gate as it says “If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven’t visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven’t been to Western Hills”. Then, go to visit Kunming Green Lake. This pretty park with a lovely lake, old-styled pavilions, corridors, flowers, etc. is the most popular place for an authentic feeling of local Kunming people’s leisure life with citizens singing, dancing, exercising, etc.

Attractions: Stone Forest
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: No

Kunming Stone Forest as the “Essence of World Karst Landform” has been listed as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage with the incomparable coverage of 12 square kilometers’ stone pinnacle groups. Then, continue to ride the bus to explore the Lesser Stone Forest to closely and look at the iconic stone “Ashima” which is like a young lady and listen to the touching love story of Ashima.

After the tour, you will be escorted to the airport or railway station for your flight or train to next destination or home. Service ends!