Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Arrival in Kunming
After landing in Kunming, you'll have the rest of the day to yourself. The capital of Yunnan province has a laid-back feel, so take your time wandering around the local neighborhoods and getting a sense of how people live here. Grab lunch at a small restaurant, check out the parks, or just walk through the markets at your own pace.
- Day 3
Kunming
Head out early to Stone Forest, where limestone pillars shoot up from the ground like trees in a petrified landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage site takes a few hours to walk through and photograph. Back in Kunming by afternoon, try the local specialty Across the Bridge noodles for dinner. There's an optional evening show featuring Yunnan's performing arts if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Across the Bridge noodles)
Included Activities
- Explore Stone Forest UNESCO-listed formations
- Sample Across the Bridge noodles at dinner
Optional Activities
- Yunnan performing arts showcase
Landmarks/POIs Stone Forest - Day 4
Kunming to Dali
Travel to Dali, a town that feels frozen in China's past. Wander through the old quarter and its busy market to see daily life and local goods. The Three Pagodas are worth a visit to understand the area's history. Later, take an evening stroll down Foreigners' Street where you'll find shops, cafes, and locals socializing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Dali old quarter
- Visit local market
- Visit Three Pagodas
- Stroll Foreigners' Street
Landmarks/POIs Three Pagodas - Day 5
Dali
Spend the morning on a boat crossing Erhai Lake, with the Cang Mountains framing the water nicely. The afternoon is free, so you can either relax back at your hotel or head out to explore nearby villages and temples around the lake area. It's a good day for slowing down after several travel days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise on Erhai Lake with views of Cang Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Erhai Lake Cang Mountains - Day 6
Dali to Lijiang
Start your morning in Xizhou Village where you'll meet Naxi women in traditional dress and browse the local market. From there, drive to Lijiang and check out Black Dragon Pool for clear views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The drive takes a couple hours, so you'll have the afternoon to settle in and grab dinner in town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Xizhou Village
- Visit Black Dragon Pool
Landmarks/POIs Xizhou Village Black Dragon Pool Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Day 7
Lijiang
Take a cable car up to the high meadows of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which peaks at 5,500 meters. The views from up here spread out across valleys and neighboring peaks. On your way back down, stop at Baisha old town to see Ming Dynasty frescoes, then visit the Embroidery School to watch craftspeople at work. Plan for a full day with some physical activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cable car ride on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Explore high meadows with views
- Visit Baisha old town and Ming Dynasty frescoes
- Visit Embroidery School
Landmarks/POIs Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Baisha old town - Day 8
Lijiang
Drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the canyon drops 3,000 meters with snow-capped mountains visible in the distance. It's one of China's most dramatic natural sights. Return to Lijiang in the evening and walk through the old quarter, stepping along cobbled streets past traditional wooden buildings and stone bridges. The area comes alive after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Explore Lijiang old quarter
Landmarks/POIs Tiger Leaping Gorge - Day 9
Lijiang to Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. After you arrive and check in, head out with a local guide to the night food markets. This is where you'll try authentic Sichuanese snacks like spicy skewers, dumplings, and other specialties. It's a good way to see how locals eat and what flavors define the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore night food markets with local guide
- Day 10
Chengdu to Mount Emei
Travel to Leshan to see the Grand Buddha, a 71-meter statue carved directly into a hillside back in 803. A boat trip gives you a perspective you can't get from the shore. From there, head to Mount Emei, which has been a center of Buddhism since the first temple was built on its peak in the 1st century. You'll spend the night here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Buddha at Leshan
- Boat trip for Grand Buddha views
- Travel to Mount Emei
Landmarks/POIs Grand Buddha Mount Emei - Day 11
Mount Emei
A cable car takes you to the summit of Emeishan, where the landscape opens up to show forests, peaks, and valleys. Spend the day walking around at this elevation, visiting temples, and absorbing the quiet atmosphere. If weather is clear, views extend for long distances. Pack layers since it's cooler up here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cable car to Emeishan summit
- Explore mountain and surrounding landscape
Landmarks/POIs Mount Emei - Day 12
Mount Emei to Jiuzhaigou
Transfer back to Chengdu by early afternoon and catch a bullet train to Nine Villages Valley, also called Jiuzhaigou National Park. The train journey takes several hours, and you'll arrive in the evening. Get settled and prepare for several days exploring the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 13
Jiuzhaigou
Spend the day in Nine Villages Valley, a national park that has pristine forests, clear lakes the color of sapphires, and waterfalls dropping through valleys. The park gets its name from nine scattered Tibetan settlements. You'll see unique plants and bird species that don't live elsewhere. The whole place feels quiet and undisturbed, perfect for slow exploration and photography.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park)
Landmarks/POIs Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park) - Day 14
Jiuzhaigou to Huanglong Valley
Travel to nearby Huanglong Valley, where hundreds of mineral pools in bright colors flow through green forests. The pools have built up over thousands of years from mineral-rich water, creating an otherworldly landscape that doesn't get as many visitors as it deserves. Before heading back to catch your bullet train to Chengdu, visit Huanglong Temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Huanglong Valley and colourful mineral pools
- Visit Huanglong Temple
Landmarks/POIs Huanglong Valley Huanglong Temple - Day 15
Chengdu
Spend your morning at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre watching the bears and learning about conservation efforts. Walk through People's Park afterward to see locals relaxing and exercising. Visit a traditional teahouse for some quiet time, and if you're curious, check out Matchmaker's Corner where parents gather to find partners for their children. Dinner features spicy Sichuanese dishes and local specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sichuanese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Conservation Centre
- Stroll People's Park
- Visit traditional teahouse
- Visit Matchmaker's Corner
- Dine on Sichuanese cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre People's Park - Day 16
Departure from Chengdu
Fly out of Chengdu back to the UK. Depending on flight connections, you'll arrive home the same day or the following day. The journey home typically involves at least one connection through a major hub.
