MYSTERY MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN

Day 1 : Arrival Shanghai

Upon arrival in the city, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel to check-in. We then have the rest of the day at leisure to start exploring this fascinating metropolis.

Shanghai is a treasure chest of architectural styles, ranging from the Bund, a bustling waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings, to the Pudong district across the Huangpu River with its futuristic skyline, including the 632-metre-tall Shanghai Tower. The 1920s and 1930s left the city with pristine examples of art deco buildings when it was a focus of European trade in mainland China. Shanghai is now the country’s largest city and its financial hub. Consequently, it radiates affluence with gleaming shopping malls, high-end hotels and prestigious art centres – all serviced by the world’s longest subway system.

Overnight in Shanghai Central Hotel 4*.

Day 2 : Shanghai - Huangshan (B / L / -)

We delve into the city’s rich heritage in the Old Town and at the Shanghai Museum (closed on Mondays). This is home to a collection of 112,000 cultural relics, dating from the Stone Age to contemporary times. Exhibits include bronzeware, art, pottery and ceramics. 

Transfer for a high-speed train to Huangshan, travelling in second class. Trade in Shanghai’s cosmopolitan skyline for dramatic mountainous backdrops as we head to Huangshan.

Overnight in TunxiYurun Hotel 4*

Day3 : Mt Huangshang (B / L / -)

The start of our exploration involves a cable car ride up Mount Huangshan. This gives us the chance to marvel at incredible views of this natural heritage site and World Geo- Park. The impressive panorama includes rugged granite peaks, abundant pine trees and a magical sea of clouds.

Lunch is at a local restaurant as we ride the cable car down the mountain.

Overnight in TunxiYurun Hotel 4*

Day 4 : Tunxi (B / L / -)

Our exploration provides an insight into ancient village life as we discover small communities that dot the rural landscape. We transfer to the famous village of Hongcun. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the shooting locations for the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It features Ming and Qing dynasty era courtyards and Huizhou style houses characterised by white-washed walls and ornate carvings.  

In the afternoon we embark on a 14 km scenic walking tour of Hongcun, Tachuan, Xieli and Mukeng villages. Along the way, we enjoy sweeping views of striking green mountains, gushing rivers, sprawling fields and rolling hills. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant; dinner is at leisure. Today’s tour provides a wonderful combination of authentic rural life and spectacular scenery.

Overnight in TunxiYurun Hotel 4*

Day 5 : Huangshan - Hangzhou (B / L / -)

We board a high-speed train for Hangzhou’s top attractions.

We’re collected from the train station to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the West Lake. Standing as the symbol of the city, this is one of China’s most stunning attractions. It is flanked by pagoda-topped hills and surrounded by delicate walkways and well-manicured parks and gardens dotted with ornamental trees. We take a gentle boat ride across the lake and soak up its scenic beauty. 

We then hit the road to visit one of the many tea plantations that the area is famed for. Here, we learn about the production process, from planting to picking and producing this beverage and we get to sample some of China’s top teas. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant; dinner is at leisure.

Overnight in Hangzhou Metropark Hotel 4*.

Day 6 : Hangzhou - Zhangjiajie (B / L / -)

We head to the impressive Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul’s Retreat), which is regarded as one of famous Buddhist shrines. Then take a walk on a commercial street that was rebuilt in Ming dynasty-style, ahead of taking the flight to Zhangjiajie.

Lunch is at a local restaurant; dinner is at leisure.

Overnight in ZhangjiajieSt. Domingo Hotel 4*.

Day 7 : Zhangjiajie “Avatar Mountains”  (B / L / -)

Marvel at nature’s incredible work of art on today’s fascinating adventure. We head to Yuanjiajie, an amazing destination of towering rock formations that seem suspended on the landscape.

After lunch at local restaurant, we visit Tianzi Mountain to admire more towering elevations in an area known as the ‘monarch of the peak forest’. We take a 15-minute drive to discover the natural wonders of stunning Baofeng Lake. Located in the mountains, the lake catches some of the puret run-off water from pristine mountain peaks. It’s bordered by lush green trees and shrub-clad stone peaks of various shapes.

Overnight in ZhangjiajieSt. Domingo Hotel 4*.

Day 8 : Zhangjiajie - Fenghuang (B / L / -) 

Ascend the Tianmen Mountain national park by cable car and at the top admiring the far-reaching views, tourists can also see the Tianmen cave, a natural arch in the mountains.

Drive to phoenix ancient town (about 3.5 hours), lunch on the way at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Tianxia Fenghuang 4*

Day 9 : Fenghuang (B / L / -) 

Stroll through the picturesque streets and admire the plethora of well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture in the idyllic ancient village of Fenghuang in the far west of Hunan Province.

The phoenix town is a haven for the unique ethnic customs of the Miao and Tujia minorities who have resided here since its founding in 1704, while the attractive wood and stone Diaojiaolou buildings are bisected by the green-tinged Tuojiang River which reflects the colours of the lush mountainsides that surround it.

Take a leisure boat ride along the Tuojiang River and witness the village life.

Overnight in Tianxia Fenghuang 4*

Day 10 : Fenghuang – Chengdu (B / - / -)

Enjoy a leisure stay in this ancient town, according to flight schedule, transfer and take the flight to Chengdu (if the flight is not available or cancelled, we will arrange a transfer to Changsha by high-speed train and take the flight to Chengdu)

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. 

Overnight in Chengdu Tibet Hotel 5*.

Day 11 : Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou (B / L / -)

The highlight of any visit to Chengdu is a stop at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, which we undertake in the morning.

This research facility was founded in 1987 and operations started with just six pandas rescued from the wild. The researchers have not taken any pandas from the wild for two decades as the centre is dedicated to the conservation of the wild population and the healthy growth of the captive population. The genetic diversity of the panda population is sustained by the exchange of preserved genetic material with other facilities, so this centre has a critical role in safeguarding this endangered species. We get the rare chance to see these adorable creatures up close. 

Take the high speed train to Jiuzhaigou and transfer to hotel for rest

Overnight in Jiuzhaigou Resort 4*.

The Jiuzhai Valley National Park is a famous nature reserve situated in the far north of Sichuan Province. Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the area forms part of the Min mountain range and boasts arresting sights such as colourful lakes and cascading waterfalls set to a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. As it covers such an expansive area, there are a number of tours available which include transportation on a shuttle bus to maximise the number of sights to be seen, while a tour guide can tell you all the key facts about each area.

Day 12 : Jiuzhaigou (B / L / -)

Marvel at the natural geological wonders in Huanglong, a scenic national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area’s name translates as ‘yellow dragon’ due to its famed seven-kilometre valley that is strewn with calcified caves and rock formations which house streams, pools and ponds in a vast array of colours, giving the impression of a dragon winding its way through the landscape. Tourists can also take a cable car to the top of the valley which showcases spectacular panoramic views, before a leisurely descent on foot to see the sights.

Take the road to Jiuzhaigou Scenic area and lunch at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Jiuzhaigou Resort 4*.

Day 13 : Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu (B / - / -)

Continue the discovery of Jiuzhaigou Scenic area before we take the train back to Chengdu.

Overnight in Chengdu Tibet Hotel 5*.

Day 14 : Chengdu Departure (B / - / -)

Transfer to airport for homebound flight.

End of the Tour.