This is a high-end customized private tour. All hotels and arrangements can be tailored to each guest’s budget and preferences.
Exclusive Inclusions
- Private English-speaking guides throughout the journey.
- All domestic flights and high-speed rail (HSR) tickets included.
- Door-to-door transfers in private vehicles.
- Entrance tickets to all featured attractions.
- Carefully selected boutique and luxury accommodations.
- Daily breakfast and specially selected authentic local dining experiences.
Tour Highlights
- Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and see adorable giant pandas up close.
- Explore the Leshan Giant Buddha and ascend Mount Emei.
- Discover the rich and diverse ethnic minority cultures of Yunnan Province.
- Wander through the charming ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang.
- Travel to Shangri-La to experience breathtaking landscapes and Tibetan culture.
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Day 1 — Chengdu
Upon arrival in Chengdu, your personal butler will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
Destination: Chengdu
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 2 — Chengdu
Today, you will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best places to get up close to China’s beloved giant panda, as well as other species with lower conservation concern, such as the smaller red panda.
Afterwards, head to Wangjianglou Park, a riverside park home to over a hundred varieties of bamboo from across Asia. Stroll through the lush bamboo groves and relax at one of the many local teahouses in the heart of the park, where you can enjoy freshly brewed tea and traditional snacks.
In the evening, join a private street food tour to sample Chengdu’s famous street snacks and authentic Sichuan flavors.
Destination: Chengdu
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 3 — Mount Emei
This morning, we will travel to Mount Emei, one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. Along the way, we will visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved into the cliffside at the confluence of the Dadu River and Min River, the 71-meter-tall Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel at the foot of the mountain, after which you may enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. If you wish to experience the sunrise or sunset over the mountain, you may also choose to stay overnight at a hotel on the summit.
Destination: Mount Emei
Accommodation: Hotel on the Summit
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Day 4 — Mount Emei
Today, you will take a cable car to the Golden Summit and explore Mount Emei’s temples and monasteries, including Huazang Temple and the Samantabhadra Statue. As one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, Mount Emei attracts many pilgrims who stay here for days to pray and meditate.
In the evening, you will descend the mountain by cable car and return to your hotel.
Destination: Mount Emei
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 5 — Dali
In the morning, accompanied by your guide and driver, you will depart Mount Emei and head to Chengdu Airport for your flight to Dali, beginning your journey through the spectacular mountain landscapes of northwestern Yunnan. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Flight: Chengdu to Dali
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 6 — Dali
Accompanied by your guide and driver, you will spend the day exploring Dali Ancient Town. Wander along willow-lined canals and stone pathways, and browse the lively markets around the ancient city walls and gate towers. Afterwards, visit the famous Three Pagodas, a sacred Buddhist landmark. Your guide will explain the architectural style of the pagodas and their importance in local history. These elegant structures have stood for over a thousand years and remarkably survived numerous earthquakes. You will also visit Xizhou, a lakeside town favored by wealthy tea merchants, many of whom built exquisite residences there.
Destination: Dali
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 7 — Dali
Today, you will drive to the picturesque Cangshan Mountains, where you can join a guided hike and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Dali and Erhai Lake. After a picnic lunch on the mountainside, continue your hike. On the way back to your accommodation, you may stop at the Xiaguan local market to explore local fruits, vegetables, and ethnic minority handicrafts.
Destination: Dali
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 8 — Lijiang
Today, you will depart Dali. Your private driver-guide will take you to Shaxi Ancient Town, approximately a two-hour drive from Dali. Along the way, you will pass through peaceful rural landscapes, villages, and rice fields.
Upon arrival, you will have time to explore this tranquil ancient town. Wander through the market square, stroll along the riverside, and admire Ming Dynasty architecture dating back to the 14th century. You may also witness scenes of daily village life, such as locals heading to work in the fields by ox cart.
Afterwards, your private driver-guide will continue northward to Lijiang, a historic city located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After several hours on the road, you will arrive in Lijiang by evening.
Private Transfer: Dali to Lijiang
Accommodation: Luxury Camp
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Day 9 — Lijiang
Lijiang is home to a remarkably well-preserved ancient town and is home to the Naxi people. Today, accompanied by your private guide, you will stroll through the Old Town’s winding streets, lined with traditional stone-and-tile houses and flowing mountain streams.
Along the way, you may experience authentic Naxi culture firsthand, seeing local residents dressed in distinctive traditional clothing and women shopping for embroidered textiles and striped fabrics at local markets.
Afterwards, we will visit Black Dragon Pool Park to admire the spectacular view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, whose snow-capped peaks rise above Lijiang and form the city’s iconic skyline.
Destination: Lijiang
Accommodation: Luxury Camp
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Day 10 — Lijiang
The area surrounding Lijiang is home to many picturesque villages, and today’s journey will offer you a deeper insight into local community life and traditions. We will first visit Zhongyi Village to experience the local market, followed by Yuhu Village, a traditional Naxi settlement, and finally Baisha Village. If time permits, we will also visit Zhiyun Temple, located by the shores of Lashihai Lake, before returning to Lijiang.
Destination: Lijiang
Accommodation: Luxury Camp
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Day 11 — Shangri-La
Today, you will travel by private vehicle to Shangri-La, approximately a two-hour drive from Lijiang. Along the way, we will stop at the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, where you can admire its dramatic scenery from the viewing platform. If you wish, you may also descend the steep stairway to the banks of the Jinsha River at the bottom of the gorge. Afterwards, we will continue onward to Shangri-La, passing through more canyons and valleys before eventually reaching the relatively flat landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau.
Private Transfer: Lijiang to Shangri-La
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 12 — Shangri-La
Begin your exploration of Shangri-La with a cycling tour around Napa Lake, where you will experience breathtaking natural scenery and fascinating Tibetan culture. Along the way, you may also encounter local wildlife and various bird species. Afterwards, we will visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in China. Accompanied by your guide, you will explore this over-300-year-old monastery, which remains active to this day. The monastery overlooks a magnificent valley and also offers a deeper insight into the daily lives of the monks.
Destination: Shangri-La
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 13 — Chengdu
In the morning, you will be taken to the Natural Bridge Scenic Area, located high in the mountains and offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and dense forests. At the foot of the mountain, beyond a narrow canyon, you will find natural hot spring pools where you may relax and unwind if you have brought swimwear. In the afternoon, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, where you will stay overnight.
Flight: Shangri-La to Chengdu
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
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Day 14 — Departure
Today, you will be transferred to the airport by private vehicle in time for your departure flight.
Destination: Chengdu
