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 Wulong, to the lovable nature of the Giant Panda.
Our 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
See the awe inspiring Leshan Buddha, the largest pre-modern sculpture in the world
Explore beautiful Wulong National Park
Come face to face with these lovable creatures at Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre
Coronavirus Update for China
China currently has one of the lowest rates of new infections with 63 new daily infections reported yesterday* which makes us optimistic that we will return to life as normal and be able to enjoy our dream holidays soon. *Correct as of 8 January 2020.
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 overnight to 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 Chongqing and transfer to Wulong – an area of stunning natural scenery with towering limestone karsts, deep gorges, caves and natural bridges. Its remote location has ensured that the park is relatively unspoilt. It will come as no surprise that Wulong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Today, visit Three Bridges National Park, a rare geological wonder consisting of three natural karst bridges: Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge. Continue to Longshuixia Fissure, a narrow fault line that has been carved out by the river.
Take a scenic drive to Leshan and upon arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Take a day trip to see the 71-metre-high UNESCO-listed Grand Buddha. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. View the Buddha from below on a short boat trip, which will give you a great perspective of the impressive rock carving. Later, continue to Emeishan.
Mount Emeishan is 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 and admire the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and surrounding landscape. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring.
Travel to Chengdu and take a walk through the famous snack street – Jinli! Tonight, there is an option to see a performance of the Sichuan Opera, famous for 'face changing'.
Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China's celebrated bears. See them up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat as they chomp through piles of bamboo. 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 mouthwatering 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.
JinJiang Hotel is located close to Kunming's main attractions. Each of its air conditioned, modern en-suite rooms include satellite television, a minibar, complimentary toiletries and tea making facilities. The hotel is home to one revolving restaurant as well as 6 dining options and a bar. The onsite fitness centre and spa is a highlight.
Backed by the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain range and facing Erhai Lake, the four-star Asian Star Hotel offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the natural scenery of this area. The hotel offers an onsite restaurant, fitness room and currency exchange facilities. All of the rooms feature air conditioning, a telephone and a view of the mountain or lake.
Located in the city centre of Lijiang, the Adange 4 star hotel offers 283 elegantly furnished en-suite rooms equipped with air conditioning, satellite television, safety deposit box and refrigerator. The onsite restaurant offers local Chinese and Western dishes. A swimming pool and gym are also available.
The 4-star Xinliang Hotel is located in the heart of Chengdu, just a short distance from some of the cities key attractions. The hotel's interior was inspired by Bashu culture and blended with a modern charm. Enjoy the recreational facilities available to you, including a sauna and steamroom designed for escapism and relaxation.
The Emeishan Grand Hotel guarantees guests a peaceful stay, close to the city's biggest attractions. Home to 458 modern, en-suite bedrooms, all provide Wifi, air conditioning, a minibar, tea making facilities and satellite television. The hotel also boasts a fitness centre and sauna.
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) - Wulong (2N) - Leshan (1N) - Emeishan (2N) - Chengdu (2N) - UK
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
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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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