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Offered languages
- English
- English
This route reveals some of the most extreme and contrasting geographical features of Yunnan, China—rivers carving deep gorges, glaciers sculpting highland lakes, and volcanoes breathing beside hot springs—a wondrous union of fire and water found only in mainland China's volcanic-geothermal region.
Beyond the spectacle of nature lies a different kind of wonder—from Chengdu's playful pandas and the smoky warmth of its teahouses, to the vibrant drama of its opera and the intricate threads of Shu brocade and embroidery. In western Yunnan, you are not just visiting towns; you are traversing centuries of ethnic convergence, tracing the hoof prints of ancient caravans, and witnessing how diverse cultures have not only endured but thrived together on this frontier.
It is a journey that speaks softly, yet resonates deeply—an unhurried immersion into China's living heritage, where nature's fury and human resilience have shaped each other for centuries.
What's Included
Dinner
Breakfast
Meeting and pickup
We can pick you up at the international or domestic arrival gate. We can also pick you up at the hotel to start your tour package. If you need a specific pick-up location, please contact us in advance.
Tangyue Wenquan Hotel
Itinerary
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1Renmin Park Teahouse
Our English-speaking guide will accompany you to Chengdu People's Park to experience the true local vibe. We'll sip classic three-piece covered bowl tea (gaiwan), watch a long-spouted kettle tea performance, and visit the matchmaking corner to get a taste of Chinese-style dating culture.
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
2
Experience the vibrant essence of Sichuan culture through its quintessential Sichuan opera in the evening. We will enjoy traditional acts featuring iconic stunts—changing faces, spitting fire, and swirling water sleeves.
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
The IFS food court offers both Chengdu's local cuisine and a great variety of other choices—perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi)
We'll drive to Chengdu Panda Base to observe giant pandas of all ages in the morning (when the pandas are most active), visit the panda nurseries, and spot red pandas.
5 hours • Admission ticket included -
5
As the only museum in China devoted entirely to Shu brocade, it offers a chance to watch master artisans working a large wooden drawloom, tour six exhibition halls across 3,000 square meters, and get hands-on with the craft yourself.
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
6
Nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this historic Tibetan Buddhist temple is the largest Karma Kagyu monastery in all of Yunnan.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
7Shuhe Ancient Town
This ancient town gives you a quieter, more authentic taste of Yunnan, with plenty of Naxi culture along the way. We'll walk over to Qinglong Bridge, Jiuding Dragon Pool, and the Tea Horse Road Museum.
5 hours • Admission ticket free -
8Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
We'll visit Tiger Leaping Gorge—one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons on Earth—and take in its upper section, where the gorge narrows and the river roars below. After driving you to the best viewpoints for unforgettable photos, we'll set off on a 4‑hour round‑trip hike along the high trail from Luke's Hostel to Empty Glass Platform. Perched at 2,680 meters, this cliff‑edge lookout offers a sheer drop that will leave you breathless.
4 hours • Admission ticket included -
9Haba Snow Mountain
Haba Black Lake Jianshan Route Starting from Haba Village with a local expert guide, this route takes you through Jianshan Meadow, Jianshan Waterfall, primeval forest, and Rhododendron Valley, before reaching Haba Black Lake — where you may spot the Chinese giant salamander. The return journey follows the same path. Distance: 9 km (one-way) Altitude: Start 2,650 m | Max 4,140 m | End 4,100-4,400m Extra Support: Mules are available for hire to complete the hike while you take in the golden mountain views. Advance booking is recommended.
10 hours • Admission ticket included -
10White-Water Terraces (Baishuitai)
En route to Shangri-La City, we'll take in the breathtaking view of Baishuitai (White Water Terrace). This terraced platform of white calcite, shimmering in soft azure light beneath refracted sunbeams, looks like a photograph frozen in time.
2 hours • Admission ticket included -
11Dukezong Ancient Town
Your guide will help you dive into Tibetan culture in Dukezong. Visit the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Center, where hands-on workshops let you learn traditional arts and crafts from local masters. When you're free, savor regional cuisine, explore the nightlife, pick up unique souvenirs, dress in traditional Tibetan attire for photos, and dance the night away with locals at Moonlight Square's circle dance.
8 hours • Admission ticket free -
12Shangri-La County
In the morning, our guide will bring you to Xiangyang Market—the unvarnished pulse of Shangri-La's daily life. Here, Tibetans, Naxi, Bai, and Lisu people trade side by side, creating a vibrant cultural mosaic. You'll discover fresh produce, foraged wild ingredients, and an incredible array of foods unlike anything you've seen before.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
13
Before we continue our drive to Tengchong, we'll enjoy a relaxing tea break at Qinglong Street—sit back with a cup of local tea, soak in the historic ambiance, and recharge before the journey ahead. The teahouse owner will share stories of Yunnan's rich tea heritage and let you taste an array of different teas, each with its own unique aroma and character.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14
We'll hike up Dayingshan, the highest volcano in the Tengchong Volcanic Field. At the summit, you'll find a large, well-preserved crater—during the rainy season, it fills with water to create a stunning "sky mirror" that perfectly reflects the surrounding sky and clouds. This volcanic wonder is part of the Tengchong Volcanic and Geothermal National Geopark, a breathtaking landscape dotted with numerous volcanic cones and active geothermal fields that showcase nature's raw power.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
15
The Tengchong Jade Museum is China's first museum dedicated to jadeite. The museum offers an immersive journey into the world of jade, from its geological formation to its cultural significance. You will see the centerpiece—a massive raw jade stone weighing over 24 tons.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
16
Lunma Shihua Cave Hot Spring is a wild, primitive hot spring cherished by locals for its untouched natural beauty and healing mineral waters. If you suffer from rheumatism, you simply must try the "geothermal bed" therapy—a truly one-of-a-kind local treatment. You'll lie on bamboo mats placed over natural steam vents, wrapped in a cozy blanket, as the warm, mineral-rich steam gently soothes your aching joints and muscles. This hot spring is best for adventurous travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path, authentic soak in nature, rather than a polished resort experience.
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
17
From Baoshan, we'll head to the airport and catch our flight back to Chengdu—bringing our unforgettable Yunnan journey to a close.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Chengdu Airport -- Chengdu City
Chengdu Giant Panda Base -- Shu Brocade & Embroidery Museum
Chengdu Airport -- Lijiang
Lijiang -- Tiger Leaping Gorge
Shangri-la Haba Village -- Haba Black Lake Trail
Shangri-la White Water Terrace -- Dukezong Ancient Town (Tibetan)
Shangri-la local market -- Baoshan City
Baoshan Baoshan Qinglong Street -- Tengchong DaYing Shan
TengChong Jade Museum -- Wild Hot Spring
Hotel Baoshan -- Chengdu Airport
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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