Join us on an epic journey down the road less travelled to uncover China's most incredible natural treasures, including the sapphire lakes of Nine Villages Valley, the dramatic yet serene valleys at Black Mountain and the mythical Zhangjiajie, whose soaring peaks were the inspiration for the blockbuster film 'Avatar'.
Amongst the magnificent scenery, immerse yourself in China's ancient and modern marvels. Experience the thrill of travelling on the high-speed bullet train, take a walk on the glass bridge suspended over Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, wander through the streets of Fenghuang Ancient Town and be awed by the intricate beauty of the historic Dazu Rock Carvings.
Our Natural Treasures of China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Indulge in traditional street foods with your expert guide at Chongqing's vibrant night markets. As the sun sets, the streets come alive with the tantalising aromas of sizzling meats, spicy noodles, and fragrant spices.
Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in China's longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. Gaze over the lush valleys, winding rivers and towering peaks all the way to 'Heaven's Door'.
Enjoy a cruise along the Tuojiang River, drifting past old villages and stilted wooden houses that line the water's edge, a peaceful way to take in a different perspective of the town's timeless beauty.
This tour is perfect for those who want to explore off the beaten track and discover some of China's most spectacular national parks and treasures. The tour is designed to showcase China's stunning scenery and does involve some days of walking longer distances.
Fly overnight to Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
A city with a three millennia long history and a thoroughly modern look and feel, Changsha exudes an energetic and friendly vibe. Step into its past at the Yuelu Academy, a long-time hub of learning at the foot of Mount Yuelu. Later, travel to Zhangjiajie and embark on a night tour of the ‘72 Qilou’, exploring its weird and wonderful architecture.
A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie is a triumph of nature. Begin your explorations with a ride up the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in just two minutes. Soak up the amazing views from the top before taking a cable car back down to earth. Later, enjoy a scenic train journey through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery.
Brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie’s Glass Bridge, a glass-bottomed bridge 300 metres above the ground that stretches 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. Later, enjoy a picturesque sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng.
Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain by cable car which, at seven kilometres, is China’s longest. At the summit, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed ‘Heaven’s Door’, reached by 999 steep steps and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the ‘Walk of Faith’. Then, travel by road to Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient Town, a quaint, scenic town rich in culture and natural beauty. Visit the residence of Shen Congwen, considered one of China’s greatest modern writers, and enjoy an evening at your leisure to wander the old streets, which are beautifully illuminated at night.
Enjoy more of Fenghuang this morning, before relaxing on a cruise, passing through the charming landscapes around the Tuojiang River. Then, board the bullet train to Chengdu.
Visit the famous Panda Conservation Base to see China’s celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Later, enjoy people watching in People’s Park, where locals play games of mahjong and parents search for suitors at Matchmaker’s Corner. Head to the local food markets for dinner at your leisure.
Board the bullet train to be whisked off to Jiuzhaigou, or Nine Villages Valley. Spend the afternoon exploring the Huanglong Pools where you will find hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposits.
The Nine Villages Valley area, named after nine Tibetan settlements dotting the valley, is a World Biosphere Reserve and China’s most awe-inspiring national park. Renowned for its turquoise lakes, verdant forests, and majestic waterfalls, spend the day taking in the natural wonders of Long Lake, Five-Colored Lake, and Nuorilang Falls.
Spend another day exploring the stunning Nine Villages Valley area. Today, visit Shuzheng Village, one of nine ethnically Tibetan villages in the park, before enjoying a scenic walk from Rhinoceros Lake to Reed Lake passing Tiger Lake. Tonight, enjoy a Tibetan style meal.
Board the bullet train to Chongqing. As night falls, wander the food markets with your local guide, sampling the best Sichuanese snacks, before boarding a cruise to drift between the Jialing and Yangtze rivers and watch the city’s extraordinary stacked skyline light up. Cruise past the iconic Hongya Cave, an impressive 11-storey stilt building constructed in traditional Bayu style.
Take a day trip out to Heishan Valley, also known as Black Mountain Valley. This serene and picturesque area is brimming with dramatic mountains, deep valleys, waterfalls and sheer cliffs, along with an impressive 13-kilometre-long gorge. Enjoy time to explore the area, then return to Chongqing.
Travel by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you’ll find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China. Return to Chongqing and tuck into a delicious, farewell hot pot dinner.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
Places Visited: UK - Changsha (1N) - Zhangjiajie (3N) - Fenghuang (1N) - Chengdu (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (3N) - Chongqing (3N) - UK
Make the most of your time away. Whether you want to delve deeper into a destination, discover somewhere completely new, or simply unwind on a beautiful beach, we've created a range of ways to help you stay a little longer and see a little more.
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Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
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