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As two of the most fascinating, diverse and colourful provinces in China, Yunnan and Sichuan are a cornucopia of wonders, from the lofty peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the stunning natural scenery of the Nine Villages Valley, to the lovable nature of the Giant Panda.
Our Secrets of Southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan) tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Admire panoramic views around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Take a cable car to the summit of Emeishan and admire the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain
See the awe inspiring Leshan Buddha, the largest pre-modern sculpture in the world
Uncover the beauty of the Huanglong Pools and Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou) from ragged peaks and saphire lakes to abundant forests and rushing waterfalls
A speciality dish of Yunnan province, tuck into a delicious bowl of Across the Bridge noodles in provincial capital Kunming, a famous and flavourful noodle soup with a touching story behind it.
Visit the village of Xizhou where, as well as browsing the laden stalls of the bustling, local market, you'll be able to see members of the Naxi minority community in their colourful, traditional dress.
Explore the quirks of local culture in Chengdu at the fascinating 'Matchmaker's Corner', a place where parents search for potential suitors for their children.
This tour is suitable for those with a good amount of time available to tour in China and who are interested in enjoying an in depth tour of the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan. This tour is a moderate pace, and therefore there are periods of walking.
Fly to the relaxed city of Kunming. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Spend the morning meandering through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, where towering limestone pillars stand tree-like in a fascinating illusion of woodland. Return to Kunming and in the evening, sample the local delicacy, Across the Bridge noodles. Tonight, there is also the option to see a colourful showcase of Yunnan's performing arts.
Travel to Dali, a charming town that offers a peek at the China of times-gone-by. Begin your tour by exploring the fascinating old quarter and lively market to soak up the local atmosphere. Next, visit the age-old Three Pagodas and later this evening, take a stroll down Foreigners' Street.
Spend the morning cruising the mirror-like waters of Erhai Lake, admiring the spectacular scenery provided by the Cang Mountains. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to further explore the area.
This morning, explore Xizhou Village, where you can mingle with traditionally-dressed Naxi women, and browse its lively local market. Drive to Lijiang, set in the foothills of the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the Black Dragon Pool, where there are wonderful views of the mountains.
A magnificent mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comprises several peaks, the tallest of which soars 5,500 metres. Taking a cable car, explore one of the beautiful high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. On the way back to Lijiang, visit Baisha old town to view the fascinating frescoes painted during the Ming Dynasty followed by a visit to the Embroidery School.
Journey to the 3,000-metre-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge. With its backdrop of snow-capped mountains, it is one of China's most extraordinary sights with spectacular and breathtaking views. Return to Lijiang and explore the old quarter; the quintessential Chinese 'old town' and wander the jumble of cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and rustic stone bridges.
Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. In the evening, wander the night food markets with your local guide on hand to recommend the most delicious Sichuanese snacks!
Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha. The 71-metre Buddha is carved into a hillside overlooking the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. A short boat trip will give you an even better perspective. Later, continue to Mount Emei, or Emeishan, the cradle of the Buddhist religion in China with the first temple built on its peak in the 1st century.
Take a cable car to the summit of Emeishan and admire the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and surrounding landscape. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring.
Transfer to Chengdu for your bullet train to Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park).
Considered to be one of China's most beautiful areas, the newly reopened Nine Villages Valley is a pristine national park renowned for its rugged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests, and cascading waterfalls. This natural wonder, named after nine scattered Tibetan settlements, is a World Biosphere Reserve, home to unique flora and a diverse bird population. Enjoy the day exploring in awe and serenity.
Travel to Huanglong Valley, where hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposit, tumble gently down through the bright green forests. The whole area is full of spectacular sights and, as it is relatively undiscovered, is a pleasure to explore. Visit Huanglong Temple before your bullet train to Chengdu.
Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre learn about China's celebrated bears and see them up close. Later, stroll through People's Park, visit a traditional teahouse and see Matchmaker's Corner where parents search for worthy suitors for their children. This evening, dine on mouth-watering Sichuanese cuisine.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
The best times to visit China are in spring (April to May) and autumn, (September to October) when temperatures are warm and humidity low.
Places Visited: UK - Kunming (2N) - Dali (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (1N) - Emeishan (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (2N) - Chengdu (2N) - UK
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
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Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected
dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free
airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.
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.
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