Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this dynamic city, which is rapidly modernizing and evolving before your eyes.
Hotel: Shangri-La Chengdu (5 Star Rating)
Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu offers elegant rooms and suites with contemporary décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and spacious marble bathrooms. The hotel features multiple dining options, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a central location overlooking the Jin River.
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Day 2: Chengdu Panda & Cultural ExperienceVisit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center to see adorable Giant Pandas at their most active in the morning, playing, climbing, and tumbling like little Kung Fu masters in a lush, scenic environment. Spot free-roaming Red Pandas before heading to People’s Park, where you can experience Chengdu’s vibrant daily life—square dancing, fortune telling, caricature artists, and lively teahouses. Wander through Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi’s charming ancient streets, lined with traditional shops and cultural activities.
In the evening, enjoy a flavorful Sichuan hot pot dinner, where you’ll sit around a bubbling pot of chili-infused broth, cooking your choice of meats and vegetables to perfection. The pot, set on its own burner to keep the soup hot, allows you to pick and cook ingredients until ready to eat. While dining, be captivated by a stunning Face-Changing Show, where performers in vibrant costumes and colorful makeup dazzle with quick, dramatic music, acrobatic stunts, and rapid mask changes, revealing characters' shifting emotions.
Hotel: Shangri-La Chengdu (5 Star Rating)
Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu offers elegant rooms and suites with contemporary décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and spacious marble bathrooms. The hotel features multiple dining options, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a central location overlooking the Jin River.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Leshan Giant BuddhaToday’s excursion takes you to the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about a 1.5-hour drive away. This 1,200-year-old marvel, standing 133 feet tall, is carved into a cliffside overlooking the meeting point of the Dadu, Min, and Qingyi rivers. Initiated by the Buddhist monk Haitong in AD 713, the statue was created to protect passing boats and calm the dangerous currents. To fully appreciate its immense scale, get an up-close look at the Buddha’s head, descend the steep, winding stairway for a ground-level perspective, or take in panoramic views from a boat. You’ll experience the Buddha from every breathtaking angle.
Hotel: Shangri-La Chengdu (5 Star Rating)
Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu offers elegant rooms and suites with contemporary décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and spacious marble bathrooms. The hotel features multiple dining options, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a central location overlooking the Jin River.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou ValleyTake a private transfer to the railway station to catch the high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou Valley, a journey of approximately two hours. Upon arrival, meet your local English-speaking guide outside the train station exit and transfer privately to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, explore the breathtaking Huanglong Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the ""Yellow Dragon."" This stunning valley features cascading waterfalls, dense forests, and terraced limestone “travertine” pools in mesmerizing shades of yellow, blue, and green, all set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and untouched wilderness.
Hotel: Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort (5 Star Rating)
Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort offers spacious, elegantly designed rooms and suites with modern amenities, and stunning mountain or garden views. Nestled near Jiuzhaigou National Park, the resort features multiple dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and family-friendly activities, making it an ideal retreat in nature.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Exploring Jiuzhaigou ValleySpend the day exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Jiuzhaigou National Park, home to stunning turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. The valley has three main areas - Zechawa, Rize, and Shuzheng and highlights include multi-colored Lake, Nuorilang Waterfall, Long Lake, and Pearl Beach. Discover the unique karst formations, vibrant Tibetan villages, and diverse wildlife that make this UNESCO-listed site a true natural wonder.
Hotel: Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort (5 Star Rating)
Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort offers spacious, elegantly designed rooms and suites with modern amenities, and stunning mountain or garden views. Nestled near Jiuzhaigou National Park, the resort features multiple dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and family-friendly activities, making it an ideal retreat in nature.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Jiuzhaigou Valley to Chengdu & LijiangTake a high-speed train back to Chengdu, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Lijiang. Upon arrival in Lijiang, meet your local English-speaking guide outside the luggage claim area and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Hotel: Intercontinental Lijiang Ancient Town (5 Star Rating)
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort blends traditional architecture with modern luxury, offering elegant rooms and suites. The property offers stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Located within Lijiang Ancient Town, the resort features a spa, an indoor pool, multiple dining options, and easy access to the area's historic sites.
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Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 7: Lijiang Cultural & Scenic DiscoveryExperience the breathtaking Impression Lijiang - Snow Mountain, an outdoor audio-visual spectacle directed by the renowned Zhang Yimou, famed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony and multiple Oscar-nominated films. Set against the stunning backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this grand performance features over 500 local performers from 10 ethnic groups, showcasing traditional rituals, dances, and folk songs, weather permitting.
In the afternoon, explore Baisha Village, the best place to witness authentic Naxi culture, traditions, and daily life. Stroll through the village and learn about its rich history. Continue to Dayan Ancient Town, an 800-year-old UNESCO-listed heritage site filled with historic Naxi architecture and vibrant local culture.
End the day with a peaceful walk around Black Dragon Pool, a serene lake reflecting the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The evening is free at leisure.
Hotel: Intercontinental Lijiang Ancient Town (5 Star Rating)
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort blends traditional architecture with modern luxury, offering elegant rooms and suites. The property offers stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Located within Lijiang Ancient Town, the resort features a spa, an indoor pool, multiple dining options, and easy access to the area's historic sites.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Lijiang to Shangri-LaToday, drive approximately two hours to Shangri-La, formerly known as Zhongdian and sometimes called Gyalthang in Tibetan. This is where you truly begin to experience Tibetan culture - if you can catch your breath at the high altitude.
Along the way, visit the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge, a dramatic canyon on the Jinsha River, a major tributary of the upper Yangtze. Plunging to a depth of around 3,790 meters (12,434 feet) from river to mountain peak, it is one of the world's deepest and most awe-inspiring gorges. The area is home to the indigenous Naxi people, who reside in small hamlets and rely on grain farming and tourism for their livelihood.
The evening is free for you to relax at your leisure.
Hotel: Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City (5 Star Rating)
Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City offers stylish rooms and suites inspired by local Tibetan culture, featuring modern comforts. The property offers panoramic mountain views, and vibrant décor. Located in the heart of Shangri-La, the hotel provides a fitness center, a signature restaurant, and easy access to Songzanlin Monastery and Dukezong Ancient Town.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Shangri-La Highlights & Natural WondersExplore the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan, often referred to as the "Little Potala. "Perched on a hillside, this grand monastery resembles a fortress and features stunning murals, intricate Buddhist scriptures, Tangka paintings, and sacred Buddha statues. Gain deeper insight into Tibetan culture with a visit to a local family home, where you’ll learn about their traditions, religion, and cuisine, and even have the opportunity to try authentic Tibetan dishes.
After lunch, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Pudacuo National Park, a pristine natural wonderland of crystal-clear lakes, rolling mountains, and winding streams. The park's highlights include Bitahai Lake and Shuduhu Lake, both surrounded by lush forests, alpine meadows, and wetlands. Well-maintained footpaths allow for an up-close experience of the stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems.
The evening is free for you to explore at your leisure
Hotel: Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City (5 Star Rating)
Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City offers stylish rooms and suites inspired by local Tibetan culture, featuring modern comforts. The property offers panoramic mountain views, and vibrant décor. Located in the heart of Shangri-La, the hotel provides a fitness center, a signature restaurant, and easy access to Songzanlin Monastery and Dukezong Ancient Town.
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Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Depart from Shangri-LaEnjoy free time until you're transferred to the airport.
Meal(s): Breakfast
