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Offered languages
- English
- English
This is not a checklist tour. It’s an unhurried exploration of China’s most dramatic natural forces—gorges carved by rivers, lakes shaped by glaciers, and volcanoes steaming beside hot springs—woven seamlessly with the soul of its ancient cultures.
Walk centuries-old caravan trails in western Yunnan, feel the quiet spirituality of Tibetan towns, and witness how diverse ethnic groups have thrived together on this frontier. In Chengdu, come face-to-face with playful pandas, lose yourself in the smoky warmth of a teahouse, and marvel at the vibrant drama of Sichuan opera and the intricate threads of Shu brocade.
Designed for travelers who seek depth over speed, this 10-day journey offers comfort without sacrificing authenticity. It’s a chance to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with the world, nature, and yourself—one quiet, powerful moment at a time.
(We also offer Tiger Leaping Gorge Day Trail, and 2-day Haba Snow Mountain & Black Lake hiking tour)
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.
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 -
3IFS
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)
At the Chengdu Panda Base, you can observe giant pandas of all ages in natural-like enclosures, from playful cubs to adult pandas munching on bamboo. You can also see the adorable red pandas, visit the panda nursery to watch newborn babies, and learn about panda conservation at the museum. The base is set in beautiful bamboo forests, making it a pleasant walk. The best time to visit is in the morning when the pandas are most active.
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 -
6Fuguo Temple
Nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this historic Tibetan Buddhist temple is the largest Karma Kagyu monastery in all of Yunnan. 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.
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 included -
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.
10 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
Our guide will help you immerse yourself in Tibetan culture at Dukezong Ancient Town. At the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Center, roll up your sleeves and try your hand at time-honored crafts — paint intricate thangkas, blend aromatic Tibetan incense, or create your own sheet of traditional paper using ancient methods. Under the guidance of master artisans, you'll craft your very own souvenir to take home. Beyond the workshops, immerse yourself in the town's vibrant atmosphere. Savor local flavors at authentic eateries, explore lively markets for handmade treasures and Tibetan jewelry, and dress in traditional Tibetan attire for a memorable photo shoot against the ancient cobblestone streets. As evening falls, the rhythm of Dukezong shifts. Head to Moonlight Square, where locals and travelers come together in a communal Tibetan circle dance — a joyous celebration of music, movement, and community that welcomes everyone to join in.
5 hours • Admission ticket included -
Shangri-La County (Pass by)
The train ride from Shangri-La to Baoshan is not just a transfer—it's a moving panorama of Yunnan's most dramatic and diverse landscapes. In just about five to six hours aboard the C374 train, the scenery shifts from high-altitude Tibetan plateaus to lush subtropical valleys, offering a visual feast that changes with every bend of the track.
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12
Discover a living piece of Silk Road history at Qinglong Street (Green Dragon Street) in Baoshan's Banqiao Town. This 875-meter-long ancient street, paved with dragon-scale-like bluestone, has been a vital stop on the Southern Silk Road for over 2,000 years . Today, it offers a captivating blend of intangible cultural heritage, time-honored flavors, and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. We will take some time to relax over a cup of tea at Qinglong Street, enjoying the old-town atmosphere before we hit the road to Tengchong.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
13Tengchong County
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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14Tengchong County
Located in the Rehai Geothermal Scenic Area near Tengchong, Yunnan, the Big Boiling Pot (known locally as Dagun Guo) is the most iconic and spectacular hot spring in the entire region. Its name comes from its appearance—a massive, steaming pool that looks exactly like a giant pot of boiling water.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
15
We will hike up Dayingshan, the highest volcano in the region. At the top, discover a large, well-preserved crater that becomes a picturesque "sky mirror" in the rainy season — part of the Tengchong Volcanic and Geothermal National Geopark, surrounded by volcanic cones and geothermal activity.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
16Tengchong County
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
We will hike up Dayingshan, the highest volcano in the region. At the top, discover a large, well-preserved crater that becomes a picturesque "sky mirror" in the rainy season — part of the Tengchong Volcanic and Geothermal National Geopark, surrounded by volcanic cones and geothermal activity.
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
From Baoshan, we will transfer to the airport and board our flight back to Chengdu, marking the end of our unforgettable Chengdu & Yunnan journey.
Chengdu Airport -- Chengdu City
Chengdu Giant Panda Base -- Shu Brocade & Embroidery Museum
Chengdu -- Lijiang (by air) -- Fuguo Temple - Shehe Ancient Town
Lijiang -- Tiger Leaping Gorge
Shangri-la Haba Village -- Haba Black Lake Trail
Shangri-la White Water Terrace -- Dukezong Ancient Town
Shangri-La -- Baoshan City
TengChong Jade Museum - Rehai Boiling Pot
TengChong - Wild Hot Spring - DaYingShan National Geopark
TengChong - Baoshan -Chengdu
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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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