Itinerary

Days 1-2: Fly to Guilin
Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific Airways to Guilin. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3: Yangshuo’s landscapes
Take a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with dramatic limestone cliffs, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. Later, take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. There’s an option to take a short and steep hike to the top of Moon Hill for epic sunset views (at own expense). (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tai Chi & bamboo rafting
Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking time with a master to learn this ancient martial art. This afternoon there is an option to go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River (at your own expense). Drift past verdant riverbanks and under ancient bridges as you paddle on the glass-like water, while this evening you have the option of enjoying the magical Sanjie Liu night show (at your own expense). (B,L)

Day 5: Reed Flute Cave
Drive back to Guilin and spend the afternoon exploring the Reed Flute Cave and learning about the South China pearling industry at the Pearl Museum. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Longji rice terraces
Travel to the iconic Longji Rice Terraces and head out for a four hour walk through the traditional rural landscapes. There are several viewpoints boasting picture-postcard views of the extensive rice terraces that cover the hillside in intricate patterns. Drive back to Guilin, with the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L)

Day 7: Travel to Zhangjiajie
Catch the bullet train to Changsha, then enjoy the breathtaking drive to Zhangjiajie. (B,L,D)

Days 8-9: Zhangjiajie
A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of tropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie’s striking beauty is unforgettable. Ravines and gorges, streams and waterfalls and a plethora of endangered plants and animal species complete this idyllic scene. During your time here you will enjoy some beautiful walks to Huanglong Cave and Huangshi Village, as well as a cruise on Lake Baofeng. You’ll also see Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain and Emperor Mountain. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Travel to Yichang
Catch the train to Yichang, where you’ll board your Yangtze Cruise vessel. (B,L,D)

Days 11-13: Yangtze River cruise
A man-made marvel, the Three Gorges Dam showcases this massive feat of engineering. But as we cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world’s most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy shore excursions to the Ghost City of Fengdu or Shibaozhai. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Fly to Jiuzhaigou
Disembark your cruise vessel and fly to Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou). (B,D)

Day 15: Nine Villages Valley
A national park of ragged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests and rushing waterfalls, the Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park) is considered one of China’s most beautiful areas. A trip up to the top of the valley to the Long Lake, the highest, deepest and largest in the area, offers spectacular alpine views whilst a short walk to the Five-Coloured Lake and Nuorilang Falls showcases some of the valley’s most beautiful sights. (B,L,D)

Day 16: Shuzheng village
Visit Shuzheng village, the largest settlement in the park. Spend some time with a local Tibetan family who will give you an insight into daily life in Nine Villages Valley. A lovely afternoon walk takes you from Rhinoceros Lake, passing Tiger Lake ending at Red Lake – an excellent way to really relish the local scenery. You’ll pass an old watermill and Tibetan prayer flags en route. (B,L,D)

Day 17: Huanglong Pools
Hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposits, tumble gently down through the bright green forests of the Huanglong Valley. The whole area is studded with waterfalls and hot springs and is relatively undiscovered. There is an option to take the chair lift up to Huanglong Temple (at your own expense) at the head of the valley for excellent panoramic views, before you catch a flight to Chengdu. (B,L)

Day 18: Leshan Giant Buddha
Travel to Leshan to see the Grand Buddha. The 71 metre Buddha, the world’s largest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 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. View the Buddha from above before a short boat trip, which will give you an even better perspective. Continue to Mt Emei. (B,L,D)

Day 19: Explore Mt. Emei
Mt. Emei is the cradle of the Buddhist religion in China with the first temple built here, on its peak, in the 1st century. Pilgrims and tourists mix amongst the lush vegetation and inconspicuous old temples, all admiring the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and its setting. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring. (B,L,D)

Day 20: Pingle Ancient Town
Dating back to the Han Dynasty, Pingle was a stopping point on the Tea Horse Road. Take time to walk through its maze of teahouse-lined streets before seeing the bamboo forest from above on Jinji Suspended Rope Bridge. Drive back to Chengdu. (B,L)

Day 21: Chengdu Panda Base
Spend the morning visiting with the Giant Pandas of Chengdu Panda Base. Here you can observe these gorgeous creatures lounging, playing and chomping through piles of bamboo in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. This afternoon, absorb the culture at People’s Park. People watching here is an endless pleasure, from the locals playing mah-jong to the lonely singles looking for love in Matchmaker’s Corner. In the evening enjoy a delicious Sichuan hot pot dinner and an optional ‘face changing’ show (at your own expense). (B,D)

Day 22: Depart Chengdu
The morning is at leisure before boarding the overnight flight to Australia. (B)

Due to flight schedules, Brisbane and Perth passengers may arrive home on Day 22.

Day 23: Arrive Australia
Arrive home today.