Southwest China: Nature & Urban Wonders

Welcome to Chengdu! Your guide will meet you at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Tianfu International Airport after your international flight arrives, and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may rest in your room to recover from jet lag, or take a short walk nearby to get a first look at this laid-back and charming city.

Start your morning in Chengdu like a true local at People's Park, sipping hot tea while soaking in the city's famously relaxed daily rhythm. Afterward, visit the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see adorable giant pandas and red pandas up close. Then explore the historic Kuanzhai Alley, a preserved area of traditional Chengdu architecture. End your day with a stroll through the trendy Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road shopping districts.

After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, ditch the traditional map and gear up for a vertical citywalk through Chongqing's "8D" urban landscape. Visit Eling Park for panoramic views, see the famous Liziba Station where the light rail passes through a residential building, explore the bustling Jiefangbei pedestrian area, and marvel at the stunning Hongyadong cliffside complex that comes alive with lights at night.

Begin your day at the 816 Nuclear Military Plant (note: bring a jacket, you are going deep underground), a massive underground nuclear facility built into a mountain that was once top-secret and is now open to the public. Then explore the Three Natural Bridges of Wulong Karst, a spectacular natural landscape where three massive natural stone bridges span across deep gorges, creating a scene straight out of a fantasy movie.

After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city on your own. Zhangjiajie is known for its delicious Hunan cuisine, featuring spicy and flavorful dishes.

Today your guide will take you to Wulingyuan Scenic Area to begin the day's journey. Take the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor elevator, up to the peaks of Wulingyuan. Explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where tall sandstone pillars rise through the mist and inspired the film Avatar. Continue to Tianzi Mountain to see the "West Sea Stone Forest," a wide landscape of rock formations above the clouds. Then ride through the Ten-Mile Gallery by sightseeing train. The valley looks like a moving Chinese ink painting.

Today your guide will take you to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Walk across the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, spanning 430 meters across the canyon at a height of 300 meters. Explore the beautiful canyon with its lush vegetation, waterfalls, and clear streams. You can also visit Baofeng Lake, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains.

Travel to Fenghuang Ancient Town in the morning. On the way or after arrival, explore this well-preserved ancient town with its traditional wooden stilt houses, winding alleys, and the beautiful Tuojiang River flowing through the center. Experience the unique culture of the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities. Stay overnight in Fenghuang.

After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Guilin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and rest. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city on your own.

Today is the highlight of your Guilin experience-a full-day cruise down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Sail past thousands of karst peaks, bamboo groves, and traditional villages, experiencing the breathtaking landscape that has inspired Chinese poets and painters for centuries. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, explore the famous West Street, a vibrant pedestrian street with shops, bars, and restaurants.

Explore the beautiful Yangshuo countryside. Take a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River, a peaceful tributary of the Li River with stunning karst scenery. Hike up Xianggong Hill for the best panoramic view of the Li River and the surrounding karst mountains-this is the iconic viewpoint that appears on the 20 RMB banknote. Afterward, return to Guilin.

This morning, you will have some free time until your departure. Please make sure you have all your luggage with you. Your guide will escort you to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport for your international departure flight. We sincerely hope this incredible southwest China journey has left you with beautiful, lifelong memories, and we wish you a safe trip home!