Trip to South of Colorful Clouds

• Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the hotel

• 4+ star hotels

• None

Welcome to Beijing, as the capital city of China, this city is next sure to give you a strong cultural atmosphere and a unique travel experience.

Our professional tour guide will meet you at the airport arrival and transfer you to your hotel for rest.

The rest of the day is free time. If you want to wander around, you can find a tour guide and your guide will give you some good suggestions.

Arrival Tips

As an international aviation hub, Beijing is connected to many cities around the world by direct flights. In addition, you can also choose to arrive in Beijing conveniently by high-speed train, such as from Shanghai (about 5-6 hours), Xi'an (about 5.5 hours) and Guangzhou (about 8-9.5 hours).

• Tian'anmen Square--Forbidden City--Jingshan Park--Summer Palace

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

  
  

After breakfast, we will reach the Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. Standing in the North Square, you can look up at the Tiananmen Tower, where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

Passing through Tiananmen Square, you will step into the Forbidden City, which is the largest and best-preserved palace in the world. Once the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. It is a reflection of the highest architecture level in ancient China.

After touring the Forbidden City, we will make a short trip to Jingshan Park, where you will have a panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City.

In the afternoon, we will drive to the Summer Palace, which is the largest existing and the best-preserved royal garden in China. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

Recommended Activities

• -You can choose foot massage, houhai night bars or Sanlitun bar street at night.

• -Watching Peking Opera Show, Kung fu Show or Acrobatic Show.

• Great Wall--Bird Nest

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

We will drive about 70 kilometers to the Mutianyu section of the world-famous Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall is well-preserved and relatively unvisited, and it will surely live up to your expectations. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is one of the "longest Great Walls in China" and impresses visitors with its rich vegetation and magnificent natural scenery. 

You will take an easy cable car up to the Great Wall. Next you will climb up to the city tower overlooking the majestic Great Wall, which will surely make your stay unforgettable. After the Great Wall tour, we will take the cable car down the mountain.

(Note: If you are physically fit, you can also choose to hike up and down the mountain to feel the sense of accomplishment of climbing to the top).

Afterwards, we will return to Beijing, stopping on the way to visit the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube from the outside in the Olympic Village.

Recommended Dinner

You can go to Quanjude and enjoy a meal of the famous Peking duck.

• Temple of Heaven--Hutongs--High speed Train to Xi'an

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast&Lunch

  
  

After Breakfast, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, a sacred site used in ancient times to worship the heavens and offer prayers for a bountiful harvest. Nowadays, it has become a lively place where locals perform traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying and calligraphy. Stroll among the halls of the Temple of Heaven and feel the solemnity and mystery of ancient royalty.

Next, we will visit the Hutongs and take a rickshaw ride through Beijing's hutongs. These alleys, made up of courtyards, epitomize life in old Beijing. During lunch, you will learn to make and eat dumplings in the hutongs for an in-depth experience of the old Beijing way of life.

As the Beijing tour comes to an end, your will go to the Railway Station for the high-speed train to another ancient capital of Xi'an (about 5 hours). At Xi'an North Railway Station, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming city.

• The Terracotta Warriors and Horses--Da Ci'en Temple--Big Wild Goose Pagoda--Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

We will drive about 40 kilometers to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These Terracotta Warriors were built by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size terracotta figurines, horses and chariots were buried underground for over 2,000 years until they were discovered in 1974.

Standing in front of these spectacular statues, you will be awed by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the skill of ancient Chinese artisans. 

Before visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum, you will also have the opportunity to experience traditional culture by making a miniature Terracotta Warrior under the guidance of a local potter.

After lunch, we will return to downtown Xi'an and visit the Da Ci'en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site of Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. The temple has a 64.5-meter-high pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built by the Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve the scriptures he brought back from India. 

If you are interested, you can climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city. 

As night falls, we will take you to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. It is a unique Tang Dynasty cultural theme imitation complex in China, where you can enjoy rich singing and dancing performances and charming night scenery.

• Shaanxi History Museum--Small Wild Goose Pagoda--Ancient City Wall--High speed train to Chengdu

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

In the morning we will visit Shaanxi History Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda . Regarded as "the pearl of the ancient city and treasury of the Huaxia civilization", the Shaanxi History Museum is the art pavilion to curate and exhibit Shaanxi's historical culture and ancient Chinese civilization.

Then we will go to the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. You will pass through the Hanguang Gate, as if traveling back to the prosperous scenes on the ancient Silk Road. On the city wall, you can rent a bicycle (extra charge applies) for a leisurely ride and enjoy the panoramic view of modern Xi'an.

Then we will also take you to visit the bustling Muslim Quarter to taste the authentic local snacks and experience the different cultural atmosphere.

In the Afternoon, you will take a high-speed train to Chengdu(about 3 hours). Your tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Recommend for Free Time

1. Take a stroll down Chunxi Road and have some snacks.
2. Watch a Chinese kung fu or theater show and you can ask guide to buy tickets for you.
3. Take a walk around Chengdu on your own to experience Chengdu's residential life.

• The Sanxingdui Ruins--Chengdu People's Park--Jinli Old Street

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

  
  

In the morning, you will visit the Sanxingdui Ruins, which is is considered to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the 20th century. A vast array of ancient bronzes, gold masks, ivory and jade have been found here. The unearthed objects are unique in shape and superior in techniques，which confirmed the extraordinary creativity of the ancient Shu people and their desires to connect with the heaven and understand the universe.

In the afternoon, you will step into Chengdu People's Park to experience the unique leisure and ease of this city. Here you can order a pot of tea and take a nap or join the local people in a game of mahjong and experience the ear cleaning service.

As night falls, you will step into the old street of Jinli, which has ancient buildings, lots of Chengdu snacks and cuisines, and exquisite handicrafts that are lively and interesting folk performances. You will spend an unforgettable night here.

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding--Wenshu Monastery--Flight to Shangri-La

• 4+ stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This is not only a scientific research base for pandas around the world, but also a cozy home for more than a hundred of pandas. You will be able to observe pandas of all ages eating, playing, rolling on the ground and climbing trees.

After lunch, you are about to set foot in the Wenshu Monastery, which is rich in history and culture. Once a famous Buddhist temple during the Tang Dynasty, it has now become a sacred place for tourism full of divine meaning.

At 20:30 pm, you will take a flight to Shangri-La. Your tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

• Songzanlin Temple - Potatso National Park - Visit to a Tibetan Family

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery. This magnificent temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace" because it is modeled after the architectural style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Visitors can experience the strong religious and cultural atmosphere here and observe the real scenes of monks' daily life - praying and chanting. You will feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture.

If you have enough time, you can also take a walk along the shores of Lake Lamyangtso, where the clear waters of the lake reflect the panoramic view of the Songzanlin Monastery.

Next, you will go to Pudacuo National Park. It has a comprehensive natural landscape of highland lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, meadows and pastures.
There are also many hiking routes to choose from in the park, allowing you to explore this natural wonderland more deeply.

Tips: Pudacuo Park is at an altitude of 3500m-4150m, please avoid strenuous exercise to avoid plateau reaction. In addition, some areas may be temporarily closed due to environmental protection needs.

After a pleasant day in Pudacuo, we will visit a local Tibetan family. You will experience the life of the Tibetan people, taste the authentic Tibetan snacks and buttered tea, and learn the process of making buttered tea with the locals.

• The Dukezong Old Town - Guishan Mountain Park - Tiger Leaping Gorge - The First Bay of Yangtze River

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

You will continue to explore the old town of Dokezong, one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complexes in China. Located in the heart of the old town is Guishan Mountain Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will overlook the snow-capped mountains.

Then you will go to the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It crosses the towering Hengduan Mountains, forming a unique canyon landscape.

Next you will see the stunning view of the Yangtze River rushing down from the Tibetan Plateau and making a sudden turn to form a spectacular U-shaped bend near the town of Shigu, which is known as the "First Bay of the Ten Thousand Mile Yangtze River". This scene is rare in the world and is a paradise for photographers.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a section of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and one of the deepest gorges in China. The width of the river at its narrowest point is only a few dozen meters, and it is said that a tiger can leap over it, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

Today, we will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the most famous attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along the trestle for about 1,000 steps and feel the shock of the tumbling river.

(Tips: Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for most travelers with good physical strength. To ensure the comfort of your journey, it is recommended that you wear comfortable hiking shoes.)

• Yuhu Village - Baisha Village - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, you will depart for an ancient village. At the southern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there is a village called “Wuluken”, which means village at the foot of the snow mountain, and this is the Yuhu Village.

Facing a crystal clear lake, the village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with magnificent views. With blue skies, white clouds and fresh air, it is a paradise away from the city.

Afterwards, you will proceed to Baisha Ancient Village to admire the Baisha murals at Dabao and Liuli Monastery, which were painted 500 years ago, showing the fusion of Dongba culture and Tibetan Buddhist style.

Then you will go to Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe Ancient Town is an ancient Naxi town full of historical heritage. With rich historical and cultural heritage and unique folk customs, it is an important window to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Next you will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, a museum focusing on the display and preservation of the Naxi Dongba culture, an important place to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi people and the Dongba culture.

• The Old Town of Lijiang - Zhoucheng - Xizhou Old Town

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lijiang for about 2 hours. This is a World Heritage Site and a magical place where time seems to slow down. You can stroll through the old alleys around Sifangjie Square, browse the specialty stores and bars, and experience the hustle and bustle of Lijiang's Old Town.

If you are interested in the history of Lijiang, you can visit the Mufu Palace, which is the landmark of Lijiang Ancient City and was originally the office and private residence of the Lijiang Tusi. Now it has become an important place to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Next, we head to Zhoucheng, the town of tie-dye. You can experience the production process of tie-dye craft and feel the charm of traditional culture.

Afterwards, you will come to the morning market in Xizhou Ancient Town, where people dressed in traditional costumes trade fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and daily necessities, giving you a close-up experience of the Bai people's living atmosphere.

Recommended Activities:
Climbing up to the Shizishan Observation Deck, you will have a magnificent panoramic view of the whole Lijiang Old Town. You can also see the Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance.

• Three Pagodas Temple of Dali - Lake Erhai - Dali Ancient Town

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

Early in the morning you will visit the Three Pagodas Temple of Dali, a royal monastery during the Dali Kingdom. Historically, it has been a representative of Buddhist culture and art, attracting many monks and devotees to practice.

Afterwards, we will go to the famous Erhai Lake. The water of Erhai is so clear and transparent that it has been called the "Flawless Jade among the Mountains" since ancient times. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus, a boat tour, or try to ride a bicycle around the lake to explore the Erhai Lake.

Optional：

1. The Erhai Sightseeing Bus Tour costs RMB 50 per person for about an hour and follows the shoreline of the Erhai Lake.
2. If you want to get closer to the Erhai Lake, you can opt for a boat trip, which lasts about 2 to 3 hours and costs from RMB 145 per person.
3. Of course, if you love sports as well as want to explore the Erhai Sea freely, then cycling along the Erhai Sea will be a good choice. The approximately two-hour bike tour costs from about RMB 50 per person.

Afterwards, we will step into Dali Ancient Town, the former ancient capital of the Dali Kingdom. Here, you can enjoy the unique Bai culture. Stroll along the stone streets, admire the ancient buildings and traditional houses, taste the local cuisine, and visit the beautiful sites around Dali Old Town, such as Drum Tower and Wuhua Pagoda.

Next, we will explore Honglongjing, Renmin Road and Yangren Street. These are places where ancient dwellings meet modern bars and cafes. The bustling stores are filled with Yunnan's specialties and handicrafts.

Recommended Activities:
You can learn to make Dali's specialty flower cake. This traditional pastry is made with fresh rose flowers as the main ingredient, which is very delicious. After you finish making it, you can take the flower cake home as a wonderful reminder of Dali culture.

• Dali to Kunming- Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities - Xishan Mountain

• 4+stars Hotel

• None

Early in the morning, you will take a high speed train to Kunming, known as the "Spring City of China".

Yunnan is the province with the largest number of ethnic minorities in China. This afternoon, we will take you to visit the Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities, which is regarded as the largest ethnic minority museum in Asia. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the profound culture and unique charm of 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan up close.

Then you will visit Xishan Mountain, known as “Sleeping Beauty Mountain”, which offers a panoramic view of Dianchi Pond.

In addition to the natural landscape, there are also ancient sites such as the Dragon Gate(Longmen)where you can enjoy the art of grottoes.

If you are interested, we recommend you to visit HuatingTemple and Taihua Temple. Both temples are included in the entrance fee, where you can enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture and feel the peace of mind.

• Stone Forest - Cuihu Park - Kunming Departure
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, we will come to the Stone Forest, which is regarded as “the essence of the world's karst landscape” and listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Taking a sightseeing bus, we will go deep into the Boulder Forest Scenic Area, as if entering a labyrinth of giant boulders. Along the way, you'll see towering concentrations of rocky peaks and unique panoramas of rocky forests.

Next, we will continue by bus to the Little Stone Forest. Here you will have a chance to see the iconic stone “Asima”, a realistic boulder that resembles a graceful young lady.

While you are visiting the Stone Forest, you can also experience the unique charm of Yi ethnic minority culture, enjoy the traditional songs and dances of the Yi people, and taste the authentic Yi cuisine.

Next, you can take a leisurely walk to the nearby Kunming Cuihu Park. From November to March, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate here, where they spend the warm winter months and become a unique sight in the park.

After today's tour, you will be transferred to the airport or train station for your flight or train to your next destination.