Day 1 – Arrival in Chengdu and start of your adventure
On arrival in Chengdu, your driver will meet you and take you to your centrally located hotel. Today is free for you to relax and settle in at your own pace. If you wish, you can explore the city independently. Renowned for its expansive green spaces, Chengdu has been ranked the second most liveable city in China, making it an ideal start to your South China adventure. You might enjoy a leisurely walk through People’s Park, a popular spot with locals, or unwind in one of the city’s many traditional teahouses.
Day 2 – Visit the pandas of Chengdu
Today, you will be collected at 7:30 a.m. to ensure you arrive on time for the panda feeding at the Panda Research Center. The centre is a responsibly managed facility with spacious and well-maintained enclosures. You can watch the pandas eating, playing, and resting. Afterwards, take a short stroll through the grounds, exploring the bamboo groves and Swan Lake. Those interested in learning more about the giant panda can also visit the Panda Museum.
After around two hours, you will return to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might explore the bustling Jinli Street, with its many shops and bars, or take a walk to the quieter Tibetan Quarter, where you will see Tibetans in traditional dress and monks in their distinctive orange-red robes.
Day 3 – Onward journey to Shangri-La
During the day, you will fly from Chengdu to Shangri-La, with departure times varying depending on the season and day of the week. We will ensure that you are collected from your hotel in Chengdu in plenty of time for your transfer to the airport. A driver will also be waiting for you in Shangri-La to take you to your accommodation in the city. We organise these transfers for you at all stops on this South China tour, except in Hong Kong, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience.
Shangri-La, a city with a strong Tibetan character, is perched on the edge of the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,200 metres. You will spend the next two nights in a stylish boutique hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore the town and visit one of the small local restaurants to sample Tibetan-Chinese specialties. English is rarely spoken here, but with gestures and a smile, communication is easy.
Day 4 – Cycling tour & afternoon with a Tibetan family
Today, you will experience Shangri-La from a unique perspective. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning, and after a short walk through the old town, you will set off on your bikes. Your destination is the impressive Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. Here, you will gain fascinating insights into Buddhism and see how closely it is woven into the everyday lives of Tibetans. Your guide will enrich the visit with many lively stories. At the end of the tour, you will visit a Tibetan family, offering a personal glimpse into their home and a tangible understanding of how tradition, religion, and family life are intertwined. A truly memorable experience. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Shangri-La at your own pace.
Day 5 – Hike through the Tiger Leaping Gorge
You will be collected by your guide at 7:30 a.m. and together you will make your way to the bus station. A local bus will take you to Qiaotou, the starting point of the trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge, in around an hour and a half. From there, you and your guide will hike to the Naxi Guesthouse. The hike takes approximately two hours and is mostly uphill, passing forks and branches. It is not an easy route, but if you are reasonably fit, you will manage. The landscape is incredibly varied, from vegetable and rice terraces to deciduous and coniferous forests, right up to the edge of the gorge. In some places, the gorge is so narrow that, according to legend, a tiger being chased by hunters saw no other way out but to leap from one side to the other, giving the gorge its name.
After a rest at the guesthouse, you will continue around 1:00 p.m., following various trails and navigating the so-called ’28 bends’, a series of twists and turns (though there are many more), until you reach Halfway Lodge, a walk of about four hours. In total, you will be hiking for roughly seven hours today. The accommodation is simple but thoughtfully run, with a large veranda offering fantastic views over the gorge.
Day 6 – From Tiger Leaping Gorge to Lijiang
Today’s hike is around two hours and considerably less strenuous. You will walk at roughly the same altitude for about an hour, after which the trail descends until you reach the road along the Yangtze River. Here, you will take a minibus to Qiaotou with your guide, followed by a bus to Lijiang, a journey of approximately two hours. The route is exceptionally scenic, with views of coniferous forests at 3,000 metres, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks.
In Lijiang, you will stay in a traditional courtyard hotel located just outside the historic Old Town, making it an ideal base for exploration. If you wish to stroll through the Old Town in the evening, it is advisable to ask at reception for a map, as the labyrinth of streets and alleys can be easy to get lost in. Lijiang’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bustling with souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants. It is also one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists, so you are likely to encounter numerous groups as you wander the streets.
Day 7 – Morning walk through Lijiang & afternoon at leisure
Today, you will explore Lijiang alongside a local guide. To enjoy the Old Town at a leisurely pace, your walk begins early in the morning, before most Chinese tourists arrive. You will be collected at around 7:30 a.m. and witness the town gradually coming to life. Men chat with their goats by the roadside, a grandmother takes her grandchildren to school, small everyday scenes that offer an authentic glimpse of Lijiang. Along the way, your guide will share a wealth of information about the culture and history of the Naxi, the largest non-Han ethnic group in China. Their houses are distinguished by intricately carved wooden doors, ornate window frames, and richly decorated panels.
After your morning stroll, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and spend the rest of the day at your own pace. Take the time to soak up Lijiang’s unique atmosphere. The town is particularly enchanting in the evening when the sun has set and the cobbled streets are lit by the warm glow of red lanterns.
Day 8 – Private transfer to Dali
Later in the day, your driver will take you to Dali, a journey of about two hours. The route passes small villages and green fields, with the final stretch running along Erhai Lake. This part of Yunnan is home to the Bai and Yi minorities, who make up the majority of the local population. You will recognize them by their colourful traditional costumes.
In Dali, we have arranged charming Tibetan-style accommodation for you. The house is set slightly away from the bustle, just a few minutes’ walk from the south gate of the Old Town. In the evening, Dali reveals its special charm. Cars are not permitted in the Old Town, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys. Small shops, craft stalls, and sidewalk cafés create a lively yet cosy atmosphere. Foreigner Street is particularly popular, where travellers from all over the world meet. Here, you can end the day with a drink or a meal and exchange travel stories in a relaxed setting.
Day 9 – Cycling along Erhai Lake and visiting Xizhou
Today, on a full-day excursion, you will gain a truly immersive insight into the culture and daily life of the Bai minority around Dali. In the morning, explore the bustling market in Xizhou and wander through the typical Bai houses before enjoying lunch in the village. Afterwards, cycle along Erhai Lake and take in the scenic beauty of the region. In the afternoon, visit Zhoucheng, known for its traditional stages and intricate batik and tie-dye crafts. Here, you can get creative and design your own piece of fabric. You will return to Dali in the late afternoon, full of memories.
Day 10 – From Dali to the Stone Forest of Kunming
In the morning, you will take an express train to Kunming. The city is a major transport hub in southwest China, serving both high-speed trains and domestic flights. Today, it appears as a modern metropolis dominated by skyscrapers, with only a few traces of the historic old town remaining.
At the train station, your guide and driver will meet you and take you straight to the famous Shilin Stone Forest, a journey of around one and a half to two hours. A remarkable landscape awaits you. Hundreds of grey limestone cliffs, some reaching up to 30 metres, rise into the sky like petrified trees. These striking formations have been shaped over millennia by wind and water, creating an almost surreal appearance and giving the area its name. After a stroll through the beautifully landscaped park, you will return to Kunming for your overnight stay.
Day 11 – Kunming to Yangshuo
Today is the longest day of your South China adventure. As all transfers are arranged in advance, you do not need to worry about logistics. You will travel by high-speed train to Guilin, a region in southern China renowned for its dramatic karst mountains. Upon arrival, you will be met in the arrivals hall and your driver will take you to Yangshuo.
We have booked an atmospheric hotel for your stay, situated outside the town among the karst peaks. Here, you can relax away from the bustle of the city. Your comfortable room features air conditioning and a view of the verdant mountains. The centre of Yangshuo, with its bars and restaurants, is approximately a 20-minute taxi ride away.
Day 12 – Cycling tour and bamboo rafting in Yangshuo
In the morning, at around 8:30 a.m., your English-speaking guide will collect you from your hotel. An early start is well worth it, as it allows you to enjoy the tranquillity of the Yulong River before the large tour groups arrive. You’ll begin with a gentle cycle along the riverbank before transferring to a traditional bamboo raft. As you drift peacefully downstream, idyllic scenes unfold around you: farmers working with their water buffalo in the fields, children splashing in the water and waving with laughter.
At the end of the raft ride, your guide will be waiting with your bikes. Together, you’ll continue your journey through the surrounding countryside. If you feel up to it, you can also climb Moon Hill. Although the ascent can be tiring in the warm weather, the panoramic view of the karst mountains from the top is absolutely spectacular. You will return to your hotel at around 2:30 p.m., with the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.
Day 13 – Explore Yangshuo independently
There is so much to see and do in and around Yangshuo, so we have deliberately included an extra day here for you to enjoy at your own pace. One particularly lovely excursion is to the Yulong River, which is said to be even more picturesque – and certainly less crowded – than the famous Li River. Bicycles or scooters can be easily hired throughout Yangshuo or directly from your hotel. On two wheels, you can meander past dramatic karst peaks, through rice fields and along quiet country lanes. The scenery is wonderfully photogenic, and small village restaurants along the way offer the perfect opportunity for a leisurely break.
If you fancy something a bit different, you might like to hire a kayak and experience the river from another perspective, or set off on a longer walk to explore the stunning surroundings at your own pace.
Day 14 – Continue to the metropolis of Hong Kong
This morning driver will take you to Guilin train station, where you will board a high-speed train for Hong Kong. On arrival, you can make your way to your hotel by metro. The city’s excellent transport network makes this very straightforward, and taxis are also affordable, with most drivers speaking some English.
You will be staying in a comfortable mid-range hotel in the heart of Kowloon. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. You might like to wander the bustling streets of Kowloon straight away or enjoy your first taste of Hong Kong with some traditional dim sum. In the evening, the “Symphony of Lights” will dazzle you as the buildings along the waterfront are illuminated with colourful laser lights from 8 p.m.
Day 15 – Explore Hong Kong independently
Today is yours to spend as you wish. From Kowloon, you can take the affordable Star Ferry across to Hong Kong Island. There, the famous Peak Tram will carry you up to Victoria Peak. On a clear day, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the skyline and harbour.
If you enjoy nature and tranquillity, consider a visit to Lantau Island. In addition to the renowned Po Lin Monastery with its impressive bronze Buddha, the island is home to lush green mountains, rugged coastlines, and white sandy beaches – perfect for long, leisurely walks.
Hong Kong is also a shopper’s paradise. You will find everything from big-name designer labels to quirky souvenirs. In addition to the famous Nathan Road, the Temple Street Night Market, the Ladies Market, and the Bird Market are all worth exploring at a relaxed pace.
Day 16 – Final morning and international departure
After two and a half eventful weeks in southern China, it is time to say farewell. The most convenient way to reach the airport is by taxi or metro. If you wish, we will be happy to assist you in finding suitable flights. As you are travelling ahead of schedule, you will usually arrive home on the same day.
Accommodation
