Home > China Host

South West China Tour

Day 1. Arrive in Beijing (Dinner)
 
Wangfujing Park Plaza  ★★★★
   
We arrive in Beijing, the fascinating capital of the nation, it has presided china since 13th century. Ages of ruling under the emperors of different dynasties have given Beijing undeniable mark in every corner of the city. Even though the last quarter a century has transformed Beijing into a modern city filled with skyscrapers and heaving flyovers, still just few steps away people are living peacefully in the ancient hutongs. This city mirrors the whole of China’s fast-growing economy, while at the meantime struggling to keep her own tradition and culture; all these, and much more, make Beijing one of the world’s most impressive cities to visit. From the airport, we directly drive to the Summer Palace. Served as the playground of the royal family during the summer heat, the enormous park comprises various temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes and the world’s longest decorated corridor, and today it offers Beijingers a place where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. We tour the site on foot and enjoy a boat ride on the man-made Kunming Lake. Then we transfer to our hotel for refreshment. After that we continue to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, where, behind some of the world’s largest shopping malls, we visit the night food market. For the brave at heart, a delicious meal of various insects cooked in several ways awaits.

 

 

 

 

Day 2.  Beijing (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Wangfujing Park Plaza  ★★★★
   
We have an early start and leave for the Temple of Heaven. As the world largest heaven worship architectural complex, it used to be where the emperors, considered to be directly descended from heaven and representing the heavenly spirit on earth, asked for blessings for the Imperial Family and for the entire nation. The ceremony lasted three days during which he did not leave the compound. Nowadays the grounds surrounding the temple are filled with Beijingers of all ages, who come to practice tai chi and dancing, and take part in all kinds of recreational activities. We join them for morning exercise before proceeding on a tour of the temple itself. From there, we go to the Tiananmen Square. As the world’s largest central city square, it is a symbolic center of China universe, it is said that no one could rule China without first gaining control of the square. It is surrounded by important buildings, among them the National Museum and the Great Hall of the People (the Chinese parliament), both were build in 1959 to celebrate 10 years foundation of the people’s republic of China. At the heart of the square there is a mausoleum for Chairman Mao, who reshaped the country, leading the People’s Republic of China from its foundation in 1949 until his death in 1976. After that we proceed on foot to the Forbidden City, so called are because it is off-limit to common people in ancient time; it is home to 24 emperors in 505 years in Ming and Qing dynasty. The compound was forbidden to all but the Imperial Family and their servants, and has been the place from which the emperors of China ruled the country for hundreds of years. We will stop at some of the more significant halls, and we will also explore more authentic small courtyard, from where is the royal family’s honor as well as misery really happened. Leaving the Forbidden City, we continue to Coal Hill, an artificial hill built in the Ming dynasty. It is worth us to spend 10 minutes at a fine weather to climb to the top for a breathtaking view over the Forbidden City. From there, we will make a visit to the hutongs, which are alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard, today have been preserved and protected as a living evidence of how Beijing looked during imperial times. We will take a rickshaw through the calm alleys, and get a glimpse of the local life here. With dozens of families living in one courtyard, sharing public toilets, and facilities, this way of life has been lasted for centuries. We will also have a calligraphy class at local family.

 

 

 

 

Day 3. Beijing (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Wangfujing Park Plaza  ★★★★
   
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive out of the city to the famous Mutianyu Great Wall, China’s most prominent landmark and must-see site. Begun the construction 2000 years ago, the efforts required to build the wall through the history is phenomenal, some people call it the longest cemetery in the world, but it is better to be named as the accumulation of Chinese culture and history. The total length of all the walls built in different dynasties around china exceed 20,000 km, however lengthy sections of it has returned to dust in the history, the wall remained today is less than 2500 km. We will take the cable car up, and walk on part of the Wall, and hear about its history and how it failed to fulfill its main goal of stopping the Mongols from invading the country, and then we take slide way down. On our way back to the city, we stop for an outside view over the famous Bird’s Nest and the Water Bubble, the two main venues of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. From there we will make a visit to Zone 798, a modern art compound, in which artists from all over the city create and exhibit their work. We get to talk to some of the artists, hearing from them about what it is like to express yourself in a country where self-expression was taboo until not so long ago.

 

 

 

 

Day 4.  BeijingQXi'an (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Grand Noble Hotel  ★★★★
   

With an early transfer to Beijing’s airport, we take the first available flight to Xi’an. Known as ‘The Eternal Peace’ during the Tang Dynasty, Xi’an was the center of the ‘old world’ and also the center of the first Chinese Empire after the first Qin emperor conquered the nearby feudal kingdoms and laid the foundations of the great united Chinese empire. On arriving in the city, we head towards the Terracotta Army Site. Discovered accidentally in 1974 by two farmers plowing their plot, one of the most amazing historical discoveries of our time was made. An entire army made of terracotta, each of the soldiers with different characteristics and fully armored, was created to protect the tomb of the first Qin emperor. We explore this breathtaking site and then visit the nearby museum to see the permanent exhibition displaying the rare artifacts found in the site and also describing its discovery, excavation, and the restoration works. After that, we take a walk along the City Wall, which dates from the Ming Dynasty. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. 

 

 

 

  

Day 5. Xi'an (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Grand Noble Hotel  ★★★★
   
In the morning we first visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in AD 647, it was originally constructed to house holy scripts brought from India, which contributed to the adoption of Buddhism as the main religion in China many years later. Then we proceed to the Shanxi History Museum. Because of the significant role Xi’an played during the Tang Dynasty, the museum has numerous archeological finds from this era.

 

 

 

 

Day 6.  Xi'anQ Chengdu/Leshan/Ya'an(Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Moon and Start Hotel ★★★★
   
In the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival, we drive to Leshan. On our arrival, we take a short boat trip to see the Giant Buddha, the world’s tallest statue of a seated Buddha. It is believed that the statue, carved into the mountain, was built by ancient sailors to protect them from the turbulent waters of the swiftly flowing rivers. Indeed, once the statue was built, the turbulence stopped, and, when we are on site, we shall understand how this mysterious change came about. Leaving the Buddha, we continue to Ya’an.

 

 

 

 
 

Day 7.  Ya'an/Kangding (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Love Song Hotel  ★★★★
   
Today drive to Bifengxia, formed by two valleys that look like a V, is covered with green trees all year round, watered by clear rivers and lakes, decorated by beautiful waterfalls and veiled by mysterious stories. It is an obscure poem, waiting to be tasted; it is a Chinese ink painting, waiting to be appreciated. Over there we will visit the Panda Resort. We visit the station in which researchers from all over the world have joined forces to save this rapidly declining species. We shall learn about the rescue efforts and get to see these cuddly, playful bears. We then proceed to Kangding, a breath-taking beauty spot located in an area of various landforms between Sichuan Basin and Tibet Plateau, is well-known for mountain climbing, sightseeing, hot springs, relaxation and so on.

 

 

 

 

Day 8.  Kangding (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Love Song Hotel ★★★
   
In the morning we go to visit Mugecuo Nature Reserve, as one of the highest lake in west sichuan-3700 KM, trails of the lake also have “red sea”, “7 color lake” and so on, together with hot spring and well preserved forest and river, make Mugecuo a must see nature reserve in west Sichuan.

 

 

 

 
 

Day 9.  Kangding/Danba (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Danba 318 Hotel  ★★★
   
Today we drive to Danba, glorified as the most beautiful village and the natural geologic museum in China is located in the west of Sichuan, with unique scenery of high-peaked mountains, overlapping peaks, deep canyons and so on. En route, we will pass Xinduqiao, so called the paradise for photographing, and also we will see the beautiful Bamei Grassland. Then we continue driving to Tagong Monastery via Zheduoshan. Tagong Monastery has a history of more than one thousand years, is a one holy place for worship by the Tibetan.

 

 

 

 
 

Day 10.  Danba/Maerkang (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Maerkang Jinjinlong Hotel  ★★★
   
After breakfast we drive to Jiaju Tibetan village-Jiaju village is one of the most beautiful village in China, has been listed the No1 most beautiful village in China by National Geography since 2005, The Tibetan village in Danba are famous for the very unique building with white color wall and paintings of sun, moon, stars and Buddhism symbols, and all these surrounded by beautiful mountain and river, shows a harmonious combination of human and nature; Then we proceed to visit Zhongci Tibetan village-with hundreds of years building and watch towers owns by private farmer, they have inherit and protect their home generation to generation, with less developed economy, people here are still living in a tranquil and peaceful life without really touched by today’s technology .Leaving there we drive to Maerkang (167km). We then visit the Zhuokeji Tibetan Mansion-with its magnificent construction, has won China Mao praise-that it is the most amazing building he had ever seen, this 5 floor mansion today has become a museum displays local culture and chairman Mao’s life while he stays here for 1 week.

 

 

 

 

Day 11.  Maerkang/Chengdu (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Chengdu Celebrity Hotel  ★★★
   
In the morning we drive to Chengdu, on the way we visit the beautiful Taoping Qiang minority village (Qiang village), Qiang nationality as a small tribe in China, has slowly losing its culture, while Taoping Qiang village is the only and best preserved Qiang Village in the world, while these years with tourist come in, has make this ancient village more and more commercial. Upon arrival at Chengdu, we stroll around the unique Jinli Old Town. In the evening we roam the bustling Chunxi Lu, a pedestrian street well known for its shops selling internationally known brands and its brightly lit advertisements. This is a great place to try the local food from stalls scattered throughout the street.

 

 

 

 
 

Day 12.  ChengduQ Dali (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Landscape Hote ★★★★
   
Today we take the morning flight to Dali. Located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain in Yunnan Province, Dali city is the economic and cultural center of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. The area is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south, and has the Erhai Lake, one of the best sights there, in its center. Upon arrival we take the cable car up to Chan Mountain to have an overview of Dali and then hike on the mountain for about 2 hours. Leaving the mountain, we continue to visit the Three White Pagoda, which has history more than 1000 years, used to be the sacred Buddhism temple in the flourishing old dynasty in south part of China. Then we will explore the local authentic villages around Erhai lake by car, In the evening we spend our time to explore Dali Old Town.

 

 

 

 

Day 13.  Dali/Shaxi (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Laomadian Boutique House
   
Today we go to visit the Xizhou Morning Market & Xizhou Old Town. As the birthplace of Dali culture, Xizhou Old Town is a main residential district as well as a famous historic cultural town of Bai Nationality. Leaving Xizhou, we continue to drive to Shaxi. On the way, we pass Liantie and Eryuan County and we are able to enjoy beautiful landscapes and local villages around.We pass Xinzhuang village, Qiao hou village, old bridge road, and arrive at Shaxi around evening.

 

 

 

 

Day 14. Shaxi/Lijiang (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Lijiang Golden Path Hotel ★★★★
   
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang is a town combining different cultures, beliefs and architectural styles. We start our day with first visit the Morning Market, where we can see dozens of local mushrooms as well as frogs and things we can’t have opportunity to imagine in the west. Then we go to the Black Dragon Pool with Naxi Museum. Covering an area of about 40 hectares, this huge lake is a natural habitat for all kinds of waterfowl and fish. We take a walk around the lake and to the several temples surrounding it. After that, we continue our visit to Baisha village. Baisha Village is the village in the Lijiang Basin at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Houses there were built of a peculiar rough stone without plaster or painting. From there, we proceed to Yuhu village and Yufeng Temple. Yuhu village was one of the first residential places of Naxi ethnic group. Located at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yufeng Temple is a historical witness of the peaceful coexistence and syncretism of multinational cultures and religions and a place that helped the Naxi culture develop and enrich. Leaving there we visit the Shuhe Old Town. In the evening we will have a free time exploring the beautiful Lijiang Old Town.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15.  Lijiang/Liming (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Liming Nuomadi Boutique House 
   
Leaving Lijiang, we drive to liming via Shigu village, a local village with beautiful landscapes. Then we explore thousand turtle mountain with round way cable car. It’s China's largest ever found, highest a magical danxia landform area and have many red rock weathering formation on the surface of the beauty of the crack shape. We can enjoy local village and beautiful scenery. After that we visit local village around Liming.

 

 

 

  
 

Day 16. Liming/Shangri-la (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Shangri-la Kunlun Boutique House
   
Leaving Liming, we drive towards the Tibet Autonomous Region and the north of Yunnan Province. En route, we stop at the Yangtze First Bend and the Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the waters of the Yangtze River rushes into this narrow gorge. In the afternoon we reach the town of Zhongdian, which is often referred to as Shangri-La.

 

 

 

 

Day 17. Shanghai/Deqin (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Deqin Guanjingtiantang Hotel ★★★★
   

After breakfast, we drive to Deqin. Deqin, referring to an auspicious place in Tibetan, is situated in Northwest Yunnan. Thanks to its geological location in the southeast part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and at the center of Three Parallel Rivers Area, Diqing principally exhibits landscapes and sceneries of snowy mountains, grasslands, valleys, alpine lakes, virgin forests and even ethnic cultures, forming a multifunctional tourist destination. Further more, most of major snow-capped mountains of Yunnan distribute in Diqing. It is home to 13 nationalities including Tibetan, Han, Naxi, Yi, Bai, and Hui etc, each of whom is noted for its own ethnic custom and culture. The view along the way is fantastic with different kinds of trees, streams down the valley, prayer flags and stupas, and Tibetan villages. From Deqin County, after one hour driving, you will visit Baimang Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, you will be able to view Baimang Snow Mountain if the weather is clear, pass the top part of today at 4292m altitude at 156km.

 

 

 

 
 

Day 18. Deqin/Shangri-la (Breakfast)
 
Shangri-la Kunlun Resort Boutique House
   

In the morning, you will have a nice sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain from the Sightseeing Platform, where you can see the 13 white pagodas meaning of the 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) above sea level, known as the "Prince's 13 peaks". Drive 6 to 7 hours to Shangrila County (3400m altitude) which is 187km away from Shangri-La. On the way, we will trekking at Mingyong Glacier. Then we are back to Shangri-la.

 

 

 

 

Day 19. Shangri-laQ Kunming (Dinner)
 
Era Hotel ★★★★
   
Today first we visit the Songzanlin Monastery, dating back to 1679, lies at the foot of Foping Mountain and is rich with Buddhist treasures. Leaving the Monastery we drive to Pudacuo Scenic Region including Shudu Lake, Bita Lake resort. Being the highest lake in Yunnan Province at 3500 meters above sea level, this is a great spot to enjoy the beautiful wilderness and landscapes of the region. After that we stop for a traditional tea with a Tibetan family at Xiaji village and hear from them about their daily life. In the evening we transfer to airport for flight to Kunming.

 

 

 

 

Day 20.  Kunming/Stone Forest/Dongchuan (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Red Earth Impression Hotel  ★★★
   
In the morning we embark on a two-hour drive out of town to the famous Stone Forest. Many legends tell the story of the creation of this unique geological phenomenon, but only seeing it for yourself can reveal the entire majestic landscape. It is said that ‘visiting Yunnan without seeing the Stone Forest is like not visiting the province at all’. During our visit to the forest, we meet the people of the Sani, an ethnic group living in the area, who wear colorful embroidered traditional clothing. The Sani are known for their heart-stirring singing and dancing. Leaving there, we drive to Donchuan (4-5hour).

 

 

 

 

Day 21. Dongchuan/Kunming (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Era Hotel  ★★★★
   

In the morning we visit Dongchuan, a rural area in the northeast of Kunming is believed to have the world's most imposing red earth, even more magnificent than that in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.If there is one word that best captures Dongchuan Red Land,it must be "palette". It is such an amazing spectacle that you can never imagine if you have never been  there. God knocked over his palette, dropping the heaven paint, which makes Dongchuan such a stunning masterpiece. Red, green, white and yellow are matched into rolling rainbow  ribbons stretching to sky. Then we drive back to Kunming. 

 

 

 

 

 

About us|Destinations|China tours|Meetings and Events

Beijing ICP No. 10046444 Oriental Legend travel service limited Technical support：汉邦未来  京ICP备19007385号-1