YUNNAN & SICHUAN

DAYS FROM 17 $7,580 PER PERSON

FULLY INCLUSIVE FROM SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, BRISBANE, ADELAIDE & PERTH

ALL MEALS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 Glimpse the past in Lijiang

 Admire Tiger Leaping Gorge

 Cable car to Mount Emeishan

 Explore Nine Villages Valley

 Watch giant pandas play

 Discover delightful Dali

PRICE INCLUDES

• 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners

• International flights and current taxes

• Domestic transportation

• 4 star accommodation

• Touring with guides and entrance fees

• Visa fees for Australian passport holders

Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO KUNMING

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.

DAY 3: STONE FOREST

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.

DAY 4: DISCOVER DALI

DAY 7: JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN

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.

DAY 8: TIGER LEAPING GORGE

Stop at markets in Xizhou

EXPERIENCES YOU’LL LOVE

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.

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.

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.

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.

DAY 5: ERHAI CRUISE

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.

DAY 6: TRAVEL TO LIJIANG

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.

Journey to the 3,000-metre-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge. With its backdrop of snowcapped 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.

DAY 9: FLY TO CHENGDU

Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

DAY 10: LESHAN GRAND BUDDHA

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 Emishan.

DAY 11: EXPLORE MOUNT 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.

DAY 12: JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL PARK

Transfer to Chengdu for your flight to Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park).

DAY 13: NINE VILLAGES VALLEY

A national park of ragged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests and rushing waterfalls, Nine Villages Valley is considered one of China’s most beautiful areas. Named after the nine Tibetan settlements scattered through the valley, the park is a World Biosphere Reserve, full of endemic flora and 140 species of birds. Spend the day exploring, this magnificent scenic wonder.

DAY 14: HUANGLONG POOLS

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 flight to Chengdu.

DAY 15: PANDAS

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.

DAYS 16-17: FLY CHENGDU TO AUSTRALIA

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

EXTEND YOUR STAY...

IS THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

As two of the most fascinating, diverse and colourful provinces in China, Yunnan and Sichuan are incredibly diverse and unique. A good level of fitness is required for walking in Wulong National Park.

PRICES & DEPARTURES

Prices are per person, twin share

09 Sep - 25 Sep $7,580 2024 DATES

07 Sep - 23 Sep $7,780

*Departure coincides with Golden Week. Flight and supplement information

• Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth

• Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request

• Land only (Kunming - Chengdu) 15 days from $6,580 per person, twin share

• Single supplement from $980

Important note

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 01 September 2022, subject to change. Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights’ accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB620pp (AU$138pp) is paid locally in China.

NINE VILLAGES VALLEY SHORT STAY

4 days from $2,220pp twin share

LHASA SHORT STAY

4 days from $1,380pp twin share

Visit page 64 to learn more about all of our extensions and stopovers.

Available As Your Own Private Tour

Enjoy flexibility, your own guide and vehicle.