18-day Classic China Tour with Yunnan

Your private guide would be waiting punctually for you in arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) and an experienced driver would transfer you directly to your hotel.

Your adventure in China would begin with Yu Garden, providing classic examples of Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) architecture as well as a verdant garden in the old quarter of Shanghai.

Yuyuan Market is located adjacent to Yu Garden, offering a delightful blend of shopping, dining, and cultural exploration.

Shanghai World Financial Center, reaching a height of 492 meters (1,614 feet), is now a modern landmark of prosperous Shanghai and it's a perfect spot for a bird's-eye view over the city.

Your day 2 tour would finish on the Bund, the famous waterfront promenade.

You would fly to Guilin in the morning.

Your personal guide and driver would escort you from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport straight to Longsheng. After a 2½-hour drive, you would reach Ping'an Zhuang Minority Village.

Longsheng's terraced fields span across rolling mountains, creating a breathtaking landscape. You could hike along the terraces, exploring the various viewpoints to enjoy the stunning vistas.

Before returning to Guilin, you would visit a local minority family and learn how to make bamboo-tube rice, cooking a rice meal the local way.

You would enjoy a 4-star Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. It is considered to be one of the most scenic river cruises in the world, famous for its picturesque landscapes, majestic karst peaks, and serene countryside.

After disembarking from the ship, you would take a stroll along Yangshuo's vibrant West Street, where you would find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural performances.

You would experience the local farmers' lifestyle by visiting an old couple in a traditional house and learning about their lifestyle and philosophy.

Next, you would drive past an old ferry on the Li River, where ancient-style buildings reflect the river's historical significance in water transportation.

Afterward, you would take a ferry to Fuli on the north bank of the Li River and use a local motorbike taxi, like the villagers, to reach the market.

Lastly, you would take a high-speed train to Kunming in the afternoon.

After a 1½-hour drive, you would visit a fantastic natural phenomenon — the Stone Forest. The various limestone shapes were formed as a result of oceanic shell deposits, tectonic uplift, and weathering. The Stone Forest area is the home of the Sani people, and their folk customs and location make for a spectacular scene.

In the afternoon, you would be transferred back to Kunming and visit Yuantong Temple, the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Kunming. There, you would learn about the differences between the halls of the three denominations of Buddhism.

You would take a 2-hour bullet train ride to Dali in the morning. Upon arrival, your Dali guide would be waiting to start a colorful day with you.

First, you would visit the houses of the Bai minority people in Xizhou Village. You would see typical Bai traditions and dresses. Some of the buildings are old and have typical ancient architecture — they are the real local houses.

Then, you would take a cruise on Erhai Lake to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the peaceful charm of this enchanting lake.

Your personal guide and driver would transfer you directly from Dali to Lijiang.

Then, you would have lunch and start your tour of Lijiang. Lijiang Old Town is characterized by its intricate network of narrow cobblestone streets, traditional Naxi-style buildings, and flowing canals. You could climb up Lion Hill to have a bird's-eye view of the whole town.

Lastly, you would pay a visit to Black Dragon Pool Park, where the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China.

Welcome to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain of the Naxi people. You would use the cable car and find yourself in a real paradise as you overlook stunning and variant natural beauty, including spruces, meadows, pines, and clouds.

You would make your own Naxi pancake (Naxi baba) as the main dish for your lunch.

Next, you would visit a Naxi shaman (called a Dongba in the Naxi language) in Baisha Village. You would have the chance to understand more about the mysterious Naxi culture, its words, and its music.

Your guide and driver would escort you from Lijiang to Shangri-La. Along the way, you would visit one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges — Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The dashing water from the magnificent Jinsha River flows into the narrow valley with a stone in the center. There is an ancient saying that the gorge is so narrow that a tiger was able to leap over to the other side of the river, hence the name.

After lunch, you would continue with a 2-hour drive to Shangri-La. You're recommended to have a good rest in your hotel to adapt to the high altitude of 3,200 meters (10,500 ft).

In the morning, you would visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province — Songzanlin Lamasery — which was built in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and represents Tibetan culture, housing Buddhist statues and many precious cultural treasures.

Afterward, your guide would take you to a lama dormitory. The lamas who live there would show their hospitality and be happy to talk with you about their lifestyle, religious beliefs, and discipline. If you are lucky, you might meet a living Buddha.

You would then visit the pristine natural reserve, Pudacuo National Park, in the afternoon.

Lastly, you would fly to Chengdu in the evening.

In the morning, you would head to People's Park to get some fresh air and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of vibrant scenes: square dancing, a marriage market, ear massages, and mahjong, to name a few.

In the afternoon, you would step into an experienced chef's kitchen and cook real Sichuan cuisine together. Unearth the secrets of Sichuan cuisine as you cook three typical Sichuan dishes with the chef and invent your own recipe.

Your first stop on day 13 would be the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to nearly 50 giant pandas and red pandas. It is best to go early in the morning to see the pandas feeding at around 9:30am when they are most active

After lunch, you would follow your guide and have the chance to step backstage at a Sichuan Opera. There, you would see how the actors and actresses apply their make-up and you could chat with them.

Lastly, you would take a high-speed train to Xi'an

In the morning, you would visit the Terracotta Army Museum to uncover the mystery of the life-sized underground army, which has remained untouched for 2,200 years. You would gain an insight into the military might, artistic achievements, and burial customs of ancient China.

You would then visit a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

You would visit the medieval Xi'an City Wall on your way back to the hotel, where you could immerse yourself in the captivating history and architectural legacy of Xi'an.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as Jianfu Temple, is a captivating destination that combines history, religion, and cultural significance.

Xi'an Museum is near the pagoda. This museum collectively reflects the long history of Xi'an, integrating with Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the national key cultural relics protection unit, the ancient building groups of Jianfu Temple, and the modern cultural relics exhibition hall.

Then, you would take a high-speed train to Beijing after lunch.

You would first visit some iconic sights of the city: Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tian'anmen Square, at the heart of Beijing is the largest famous square in the world and has witnessed many major historical events.

Walking northward from the square, you would enter the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace where treasures are hidden and centuries of royal history took place.

The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal park in China. It greatly influenced Chinese horticulture and landscaping, with its famous natural views and cultural interest.

The less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers superb views as it snakes across the mountains. Cable cars are available to take you to a good section (avoiding climbing up steep steps), where you could walk along the wall and enjoy the view.

After lunch at a nearby restaurant, you would drive back to the city and visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors held grand ceremonies to pray for good harvests. You would see local people enjoying a leisurely time inside the park, singing, dancing, and playing chess or musical instruments.

Your tour guide, driver, and van would pick you up from your hotel for your airport transfer and flight. Your guide would accompany and assist you as far as the security check and would then wave goodbye.