Beijing and Southwest of China in 14 Days

Our English-speaking guide will greet you at airport/train station according to your landing time. Look for a sign of your name out of the luggage claim area (if not specific). Transfer to hotel and check in.

After breakfast, depart to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square. We will have a brief stop here and photograph some national iconic structures surrounding the square. To the north of the square is the South Gate of the Forbidden City, the former palace for over 42 emperors. It has the largest and best-preserved collections of ancient architectures with more than 900 rooms in the palace.

Out of the Forbidden City from its north gate, we continue a short visit to Jingshan Park right on the other side of the road. Located on the axis of the inner city, the park offers good panoramic view of Forbidden City and other historic sites like the Bell and Drum Tower, Beihai park, etc.

After lunch, we will wander through the Hutongs, a type of traditional neighborhood, to touch the real life of common people. For the interests of kids, we will learn a traditional art – Chinese Yoyo. Later, transfer back to your hotel. 

Before heading to the Great Wall, pay a short visit of World Heritage Park- Temple of Heaven which was built for worship and pray for harvest. Architectures in the park are outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese art.

Then drive northeast to Mutianyu Great Wall. This section of the wall ranks number one among all sections on TripAdvisor list with beautiful-restored architectures but less tourists. Round trip cable car is included to save energy and enjoy a fun walk on the top.

We start our city trip from Summer Palace, which is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world and the largest of its kind in existence of China. The garden is like an art gallery with over 3000 man-made pavilions, palaces, temples, bridges and corridors. It is too much to see in the two hours. Then transfer to catch up flight to Kunming in the afternoon.

On arrival, enjoy a private transfer to hotel for check in.

Wake up in the “ever spring city of China” and start the visit from Green Lake in the city center. It is a public park where locals play sports, sing and dance. You can see a beautiful garden and red beak seagulls if you go there in winter. Later, we drive 80km out of Kunming to visit the Stone Forest, the largest stone forest in China. It is known for limestone rocks with beautiful shapes. You can photograph pretty rocks.

When tour ends, transfer to Kunming South Station, in the same direction of Stone Forest, for bullet train to Dali. Our Dali Guide will meet on arrival and help you to check in.

Get a big breakfast to prepare for the full day discovering in and around Dali. Firstly, we head out to Lake Erhai, which is the most beautiful lake in the area, covering 250 square km. To enjoy its beauty, cycling trip is on the top of recommend list. We will enjoy parts of the 120km lakeshore, passing by fields, villages and fishing piers with Cangshan Mountain as backdrop in the distance. Apart from the incredible landscape, it is also interesting to see locals working on lands and lakes.

After lunch, we take a walk on Cangshan Mountain (cable car is included). This beautiful snow-caped mountain boasts diverse plantation, clouds and springs. The big reward for us is the panoramic view of Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, and dotted villages, all lying so quietly at the foot of the mountain.

We back to the Ancient Dali Town, wandering around the street and may stop at shops and bars to relax.

In the morning, we go to a Morning Market in the village of Xizhou, in the outskirt of Dali Ancient Town. It is a living market, with local Bai People come to buy and sell their products from 6am to 12pm. We also pay home visit at Xizhou village and see their beautiful courtyard, Batik Dyeing and Silverware items that are parts of their tradition.

Continue two-hour drive northwards to a Shaxi Village, on the half-way to Lijiang. It is a very tranquil and unspoiled old village on the Tea Horse Road. The old architectures and traditions are well maintained. Stay overnight in the town and enjoy a quiet night.

Before our drive towards Shangri-la, we have a brief visit of Shibaoshan Mountain near to Shaxi village. Shibaoshan is known for its natural landscapes and beautiful caves. Then drive to Shangri-la takes and arrive 4 hours later. The afternoon will be a leisurely tour in the Ancient Town.

The name of Shangri-la derives from “Shambala” in local language and is known to the world as the spread of the book “Lost Horizon” written by James Hilton. The city is surrounded by beautiful lakes, grassland and mountains. Pudacuo Park we visit today will fulfill our dream for the beautiful landscape.

As home to Tibetan people, it is absolutely the right place to breathe in all Tibetan Culture. We can’t miss the big sight of Songzanlin Monastery which is the largest and most famous Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Yunnan. It is also known as the "Little Potala" because of its architectural similarity.

Decline the high plateau to Lijiang and stop en route to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The beautiful snow-caped Jade Dragon Mountain and Mount Haba shadow this gorge from Lijiang and Shangrila side separately, making it one of the deepest gorges in the world. There is a platform for visitors to see the rushing water make its way through the narrow gorge here.

Arrive at Lijiang, check in your hotel and enjoy a visit of Lijiang Ancient Town, with a history over 800 years. Its architectures, culture and art have strong characteristics of local Naxi people, the whole town has been listed as world heritage sights.

After breakfast we firstly drive about 35 minutes to the Jade Dragon Mountain known as Yulong Snow Mountain. The scenery is beautiful when taking cable car up to the mountain. You have chances to hug the glacier.

On the way back to Lijiang town, visit Baisha village which once was the economic and political center of Lijiang and important town of the ancient tea-horse road. Now it remains 55 Baisha murals, paintings in fine brushwork. The village is also very tranquil without many visitors to come and the Naxi traditional hand-made embroidery can be seen everywhere.

Then spend some time at the Black Dragon Pool, a park known for its limpid water and picturesque scenery with Jade Dragon Mountain as backdrop.

Depart Lijiang today and journey to Chengdu, home to Giant Pandas. Arrive in Chengdu one and half hours later. Experience this laid-back city with our guide in Chengdu. Touch the real life of Chengdu at People’s park which is a very typical and important entertainment park located in the west of Chengdu; Jinli Street, a charming area restored from an old street with full of souvenir shops, wine bars, teahouses and snack stalls. Transfer back to hotel when tour ends.

Today we meet early at hotel lobby at 8:00am to visit two important sites of Chengdu. Our first stop is panda center as morning hours are the most active period for those beloved creatures. Located only some 20km north of the city, Chengdu Panda Breeding and Researching Center offers a close visit to the rare giant pandas and other endangered wildlife, including red pandas, swans, peacocks, birds, butterflies and hundreds of insects.

After a Chinese lunch at local restaurant, we drive almost two hours south to Leshan Giant Buddha. It is the largest stone Buddha in the world carved out of a cliff at the confluences of the three big rivers near Leshan, Sichuan, China. The statue is 71 meters tall, sitting with hands resting on his knees. We will either walk down from the head or take a boat to appreciate it from river. Start our journey back around 5:30pm. 

Transfer to the airport/train station for transport home or your next destination.
Tips: Chengdu is well connected with all the big cities in China and offers some of the cheapest international tickets to and from Europe.