Luxury China Nature Discovery

★ Closely Admire the Naive Pandas

No trip to Chengdu is complete without meeting its most beloved residents, the giant pandas! This morning, your guide and the driver will accompany you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to over 200 of these gentle creatures. Here, you can watch them climb trees, tumble playfully, munch on bamboo, and interact with toys. Their childlike antics might even make you wonder if they’re humans in panda suits! These endearing animals have inhabited the Earth for over 8 million years, earning them the title of “living fossils.” Despite their present calm demeanor, legend says their ancestors were once fierce enough to be ridden into battle, with a bite force strong enough to crush metal!

Our journey will continue to the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, a classical garden that may redefine your understanding of traditional Chinese landscape design. Unlike typical Chinese gardens with elaborate rockeries and decorative walls, this site embraces a more organic layout, resembling a park rather than a private garden. Standing before the recreated cottage surrounded by freely growing bamboo and murmuring streams, you’ll understand why the celebrated poet, Du Fu (712-770 AD), built his cottage here.We’ll then proceed to People’s Park, a kaleidoscope that can give a glimpse of Chengdu’s authentic local life. Here, elderly choir groups rehearse in open spaces while middle-aged residents read, chat, and snack in tea houses. We’ll arrange a cup of Chengdu’s special lidded-bowl tea for you to savor while observing this vibrant social tapestry. At the park’s matchmaking corner, you can also learn about China’s blind date culture.  

Finally, we’ll explore Wide and Narrow Alley, where traditional grey-brick buildings with tile roofs now host restaurants, teahouses, and stylish souvenir shops. Wandering these lanes, you’ll feel how Chengdu’s tradition meets trend. After today’s visit, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

The driver will convoy you to the railway station in the morning for a 1-2-hour high-speed train to Huanglong. Upon arrival, your local guide and the driver will directly escort you to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve, China’s only well-preserved high-altitude wetland.

Inside the reserve, a winding boardwalk will lead you upward to its crown jewel: the Five-Color Pools. Here, more than 600 travertine pools cascade like terraced fields along the mountainside. Rich in minerals, these vivid pools never freeze, even in winter. Under clear skies, their waters gleam in Tiffany-blue shades, shifting to soft jade-green on overcast days. Separated by pale calcite barriers, the pools create a watercolor-like panorama when viewed from above. At the end of the day, we’ll escort you by private car to the handpicked hotel in Jiuzhaigou.

► Tips:
1. Huanglong Reserve lies at an average elevation of over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). To prevent altitude sickness, get plenty of rest beforehand and consider bringing medicine if needed.
2. Mountain weather changes quickly with strong UV exposure. We recommend bringing a warm layer, rain gear, and sun protection.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Jiuzhaigou (5 stars)

Today, accompanied by your guide and driver, you’ll be immersed in the breathtaking landscapes of Jiuzhaigou Valley, a natural wonderland where mountains, waters, and forests blend in perfect harmony.

Let’s begin at the Five-Color Pond, where you’ll be captivated by its ever-changing shades of creamy yellow, emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep navy. These enchanting colors result from a combination of travertine deposits and aquatic algae on the lakebed. From the elevated viewing platform, the pond’s outline resembles a peacock spreading its tail, with sunlit ripples shimmering like quivering feathers.

Following the stream, we’ll arrive at the Pearl Shoal, where clear torrents rush across a broad travertine bed, scattering into droplets that sparkle like pearls. Cross the wooden walkway as the current flows swiftly beneath your feet and feel the cool mist gently brushing your skin. Then, continue to the Nuorilang Falls, where the thunderous roar greets you before the spectacular 270-meter-wide and 20-meter-high (66 feet) curtain of water unfolds. Mist fills the air, and when sunlight touches the spray, you might be treated to the rainbows.

We’ll also admire the Long Lake, the largest and deepest alpine lake in Jiuzhaigou. Stretching nearly 8 kilometers (4 miles) between snow-capped peaks, this vibrant sapphire gem has no visible outlet yet never floods in summer nor dries in winter. At the end of the day, the guide will escort you back to your hotel.

► Best Time to Visit
While the valley’s lush greenery and cool blue waters offer a refreshing summer retreat during June and August, its true magic appears in autumn from September to November. During these months, mountains glow in brilliant red, orange, and gold, their vivid reflections in turquoise lakes forming a living oil painting.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Jiuzhaigou (5 stars)

In the morning, your guide and the driver will convoy you to the high-speed rail station for your return journey to Chengdu. Upon arrival, your Chengdu guide and the driver will escort you to the hotel to drop off your luggage. Then, we’ll visit the Xiaojiahe Community to experience the authentic local life. You’ll have a lunch break to sample authentic Chengdu cuisine at your own expense. After lunch, the guide will accompany you to delve into the local “slow living” culture.

★ Be a One-Day Chengdu Native

As a local saying goes, “The young shouldn’t enter Sichuan, nor the old leave it”, capturing how Chengdu’s laid-back lifestyle dampens ambition yet offers the perfect setting for a contented life. Step into the Xiaojiahe Community, and you’ll see how this philosophy comes to life. 

Walk along its street, and you’ll be captivated by vibrant murals on residential building walls depicting old Chengdu stories. Neighbors gather under the shade of trees, gossiping. Follow your guide to step into an open market, where the scent of fruits and vegetables mingles with the sweet aroma of freshly baked honey bread. Then, pause at a teahouse on the riverbank to capture the essence of Chengdu’s unhurried pace. Locals often spend whole afternoons here over a pot of tea. You can see some of them are reading, while others are napping in bamboo chairs, or chatting with friends. Just sit at a table we prepared for you and enjoy a cup of coffee served in a traditional lidded bowl, truly a unique blend of local custom and modern flavor. For a fully immersive experience, you are also welcome to try Chengdu’s signature Gaiwan tea, sipping slowly to savor the moment. At the end of the day, we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

► Lunch Recommendation (at your own expense):
Yongle Restaurant, popular among locals and visitors, has mainly served authentic Sichuan cuisine for over 20 years. You can consider trying their signature dishes like Steamed Pork Ribs with Sticky Rice and classic Meatball Soup. If you prefer stronger flavors, their Mapo Tofu comes highly recommended. A satisfying lunch typically costs CNY 50-100 (USD 7-14) per person. Please note that the restaurant is often busy, and you may need to queue for a table during peak hours. If you’d rather not wait, your guide can suggest other quality dining options nearby.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

Your guide and the driver will offer you a morning see-off service to the railway station. After bidding farewell to Chengdu, you’ll board a 5-hour high-speed train to Guilin. As soon as you arrive, your local guide and the driver will be waiting for you at the exit, holding a sign with your name. We’ll then escort you to the hotel for check-in, and the rest of the day is up to you.

After a short break, you can hang out on your own to get the first glimpse of this city. Consider exploring the Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, where your stomach will surely be filled with various local specialties, such as bear duck, oil tea, and bamboo sticky rice and chicken.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin (5 stars)

 ★ 4-hour Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will escort you to the pier to begin a scenic 4-hour cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo. As the boat glides along, you’ll be mesmerized by emerald waters weaving between karst peaks, which are shaped like spiraling shells, others resembling herds of galloping horses. Midway, look for three successive mountains forming the silhouette of a Bactrian camel drinking from the river. Let your imagination flow, and try to trace its arched back and outstretched neck. Further on, you’ll enter the real landscape printed on China’s 20-yuan note. Get your bill ready for a memorable photo!

After disembarking, we’ll rent a bike for you to explore the countryside of Yangshuo. Rice terraces unfold beneath karst hills, crisscrossed by gentle streams. From the bridges, you’ll see bamboo rafts shuttling along the waterways whose trails seem to wave a net on the water surface. Before dark, the guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel in Guilin.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin (5 stars)

Your guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and accompany you to the Reed Flute Cave, reputed as the “Palace of Natural Art” for its spectacular stalactite formations. Stepping into this million-year-old underground lake cave, you’ll be greeted by a white stalactite, which is reminiscent of Marshmallow in the film “Frozen”. Deeper inside, you’ll discover stone pillars etched with grooves that look like stacked bones, stalagmites resembling lion prides and frozen waterfalls, creating a truly otherworldly atmosphere lit by colorful lights.

Later, let’s head to Elephant Trunk Hill, named for its distinctive silhouette of an elephant drinking from the river. Legend tells that this elephant was originally the mount of a deity, but it was enchanted by Guilin’s beauty and sneaked out to Earth. The deity was angered and transformed it into stone as punishment. 

In the afternoon, we’ll escort you to the railway station to continue this China high-speed train tour to Zhangjiajie. After a 7.5-hour long ride, your guide and the driver will pick you up at the railway station and escort you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Garden Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain (5 stars) 

Today, your guide and the driver will accompany you to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, renowned for its splendid karst landscapes. Upon arrival, we’ll take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, to the mountain top. As the elevator dashes out of the shaft, the view suddenly transitions from rock walls to a spectacular quartz-sandstone forest, in which the natural rock pillars rise like a magnificent army from the canyon. You’ll hear “wow” from fellow passengers during the ascent. Rapid ascent may cause ear discomfort; swallowing may help to alleviate it.

After exiting the elevator, we’ll enter the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. A short walk along the path brings you to the real-life “Hallelujah Mountain” that inspired the floating peaks in the film “Avatar”. The towering pillar soars over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the abyss. If you’re fortunate enough to visit when mist envelops the valley, the peaks will appear to float above the clouds, exactly as depicted in the film.

Later, we’ll take the park’s eco-bus to Tianzi Mountain. From its observation decks, you’ll behold thousands of stone pillars densely packed across the valley, which is described as “an expanded bonsai and a miniature fairyland.” The most remarkable formation here is the Imperial Brushes Peaks, where several slender pillars stand together like giant Chinese calligraphy brushes dipped in clouds.

After descending via cable car, let’s continue to Ten-Mile Gallery. Considering you may be tired after a full-day visit, we’ll arrange a round-trip sightseeing train for you. As you travel through the valley, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered a living 3D painting of extraordinary rock formations. Near the terminus of the train route, you may encounter troops of wild macaques, some of them playing in trees, others grooming their babies. Please keep a safe distance and secure all belongings, as these monkeys are known as “robbers”. You might notice a large enclosure here. It is not for captivity, but a “reflection room” for monkeys that have snatched or injured visitors.

At the end of the day, we’ll convoy you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Neodalle Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan (5 stars)

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will accompany you to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Your adventure begins with a walk across the breathtaking Glass Bridge, suspended 300 meters (984 feet) above the canyon floor. The transparent panels create a thrilling sensation of walking on clouds. Though the height may leave you weak-kneed, don’t let that stop you! The panoramic views of vertical rock walls and the winding river are rewards for warriors. Later, let’s descend into the canyon. Overhead, the towering cliffs narrow the sky to a thin string; by your side, the river flows like a blue silk ribbon dotted with wild ducks and mandarin ducks.
 
In the afternoon, we’ll re-enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a relaxing hike along Golden Whip Stream. From the moment you set foot on the trail, you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, like stepping into an enchanted forest. Following the murmuring stream, you’ll tread upon colorful pebbles while listening to birdsong. Keep an eye on the bushes on the bank, where you may see monkeys swinging between branches or basking on rocks. After today’s sightseeing, we’ll escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Neodalle Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan (5 stars)

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will escort you to the last destination in Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain, where you'll enjoy a pleasant round-trip cable car ride up and down. After getting off at the cableway station halfway up the mountain, you’ll be greeted by the magnificent Tianmen Cave, also known as Heaven's Gate, which is precisely what has made the mountain famous around the world. On clear days, sunlight gilds the massive hole, while the mirror-like pool at its base reflects the sky above, as if creating a scene of Heaven. If it’s foggy, you can expect to see milky mists drift through the opening like breath. Then, get ready to be transported to the summit by the 7-level transmountain escalator to challenge the adrenaline-pumping cliffside Glass Skywalk. To your surprise, you can also get some thrills when shuttling along the mountain road with 99 sharp turns in the eco-bus of the scenic area.

At the end of your China tours from Rome Italy, the guide and the driver will escort you to the airport for your homeward journey. As there are no direct flights to Italy from Zhangjiajie, we recommend connecting via Beijing or Shanghai. For example, take CA1954 (20:25/22:55) to Beijing, then connect to CA949 (02:15+1/6:30) to Milan, or take MU8408 (20:50/23:10) to Shanghai and connect to MU243 (01:20+1/07:00) to Milan. Both routes take approximately 17 hours in total.

If you want to extend your journey to other Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai, we would be delighted to customize your continuing itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch