Dream of Shangri-La
13 day tour to Chengdu, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), Lijiang, Kunming, Longsheng Rice Terrace, Li River & Guilin
13 day tour to Chengdu, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), Lijiang, Kunming, Longsheng Rice Terrace, Li River & Guilin
Download PDF BrochureThis tour concentrate on the southwest part of China where is inhabited by many different ethnic groups, with the Tibetans, Zhuang, Bai, Miao comprising the majority of the population. There you will have an opportunity to experience their life and learn about their lifestyle, religion and cuisine. The unique scenery, highlighted by plateaus, together with the fascinating ethnic culture makes the land very attractive and charming to visit.
Depart Australia to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China, as well as a major city in Western China. You are met and transferred to your hotel. You will stay 2 nights in Chengdu.
This morning, you visit the Chengdu Panda Research Base to see the Pandas. The Base was founded in 1987. Today the Panda captive population has increased to 62 individuals from a founding population of only 6. This afternoon you visit Jinli Street, the oldest shopping street in the area. You then experience the relaxing local life by visiting a local teahouse. You can see the people chatting, playing cards and Mah-jong. This evening you head to the Changing Masks show. (Meal: B/L/D)
Today you will leisurely visit the Qingyang Palace, one of the most famous Taoist Temple then head to the Wenshu Temple-Buddist Temple where you can make a comparison of the most influenced religions in China. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Zhongdian – also called Shangri-La. Check in your hotel for 2 nights. (Meal: B/L/D)
Zhongdian, also called Shangri-La, north into the Tibetan plateau of southeastern Kham. At 3,300 meters above sea level lies Gyalthang, which, when translated means the land of "Limitless Bounty". Hereunder blue Tibetan sky, are snow-capped peaks, virgin forests of immense spruce and pine, meadows ablaze with fragrant wild flowers and pristine lakes. The town of Gyalthang (Zhongdian in Chinese) is the capital of the Diqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The prefecture is a treasure house of bio-diversity supporting about 7000 species of native plants among them includes azalea and rhododendron. Next take a visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the Napa Nature Reserve, the local market and some local Tibetan households. (Meal: B/L/D)
Today you drive from Zhongdian to Lijiang. On the way, you visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River and the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. Check in at hotel in Lijiang for 2 nights. (Meal: B/L/D)
The old town centre of Lijiang is known as Dayan. Dayan Town was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list in 1997. You will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, which houses examples of the Naxi's writing, which is one of very few ancient pictographic scripts still in use in the world. You will also visit the Black Dragon Pond which is a great photo stop for the snow Mountains. You will head off to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which has rich vegetation coverage, ranging from subtropical to alpine. You take a cable car up the Spruce Meadow and back down. (Meal: B/L/D)
This morning you visit a Naxi Village; the Naxi people are the main ethnic group of the town. Then continue your visit to Yufeng Temple, a Lama Temple and White Sand Frescoes. In the afternoon, you are at leisure to explore more of this beautiful town on your own pace. (Meal: B/L)
Fly to Kunming in the morning. Kunming is well known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its cool summers and mild winters. You will visit Stone Forest Scenic Area, which is called the "No.1 Wonder under Heaven". The area is a deeply eroded limestone Karst area, and is the highest karst terrain in the world. The unique natural sights and Sani folklore are characteristics of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. (Meal: B/L/D)
This morning you visit Western Hill, then the peaceful Yuantong Temple and followed by the Bird & Flower market to experience the vivid life of Kunming. You will fly to Guilin in the afternoon. Check in at hotel for 3 nights. (Meal: B/L)
The highlight of Guilin is the Li River cruise, a 5-6 hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo passing through various strange and wonderful mountain formations. Upon arrival Yangshuo you will have time to roam the local market. (Meal: B/L/D)
Day excursion to Longsheng. Longsheng is located in the mountainous region on the north eastern part of Guilin. The natural beauty and the colourful ethnic Chinese cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. You visit old Zhuang village, and the beautiful terrace rice fields on summit of Longji (Dragon's backbone), which are built along the slope winding from the bottom of the valley to the mountaintop, with the highest place of an elevation of 885m and the lowest 380m. Return Guilin in the late afternoon. (Meal: B/L)
This morning, you tour the Reed Flute Cave, a wonderful limestone cave with a dazzling variety of stalactites and stalagmites and Fubo Hill. After Lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong then take connecting flight bound for Australia. (Meal: B/L)
Arrive into Australia in the morning.
# Land Only: $3880 Single supplement: $780
Pre / Post Stay Hotel: $160 (Chengdu) / $160 (Guilin) - per room per night with breakfast
Remarks
- This tour is a guaranteed departure based on a minimum of 2 people. Full package prices above include airport taxes and fuel surcharges.
- Land Only price: Tour starts from Arrival Transfer in Chengdu and Departure Transfer in Guilin, including domestic air ticket Chengdu - Shangri-La; Lijiang - Kunming - Guilin but excludes any International air tickets.
- China Visa: All travellers need visas to visit China. For single entry visa, one visa application form, one recent photo & visa application fee of $110 per person are required for Australian passport holders.
- Package prices of Cathay Pacific are for departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Any cost including hotel or meals incurred due to the connecting flight in Hong Kong will be at your own expenses.
- Land arrangement in Hong Kong can be arranged at additional cost.
Inclusions
- Return economy class airfares departing from Australia with selected airlines and all domestic flights (unless specified), including ticketed airport taxes & fuel surcharges as at October 2018 (CBT reserve the right to charge extra if airlines increase their fuel surcharge).
- Fully inclusive tour with all transfers between airports / piers / stations and hotels in each city; daily sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary; evening entertainment; professional English speaking local guides and cruise etc. Most meals - breakfasts are Western / local cuisine style buffet at hotel, while lunches and dinners are mostly local cuisines served at selected restaurants, please refer to meal code on itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner, BD=buffet dinner, SD=specialty dinner, WD=western dinner).
- Most of our hotels are 4 star international standard hotels with twin share superior class accommodation. All rooms have private facilities, telephone, colour TV and in-room internet facilities. Many hotels have a swimming pool.
- Professional English speaking National guide will accompany the group throughout the trip, in association with the local tour guides. This is subject to the minimum of 10 clients for each tour. Should the group be less than 10 people, the local guide will meet you at the airport / station upon your arrival and return you to the station / airport for your next destination.
- CBT Holidays travel wallet and travel kits.