China's Nature Expedition: Yellow Mountains to Avatar Peaks
A 19-Day Journey Through China's Most Spectacular Natural Wonders
Tour Overview
This comprehensive 19-day expedition showcases China's most breathtaking natural landscapes, taking you from the misty peaks of Huangshan to the surreal stone pillars of Zhangjiajie and the crystal-clear waters of Jiuzhaigou Valley. Experience the perfect blend of natural wonders and cultural immersion across nine diverse destinations.
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-2: Shanghai Arrival & Urban Exploration
Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai
Activities: Airport transfer, hotel check-in, free time
Accommodation: Sunrise On The Bund ★★★★
Arrive in Shanghai, China's modern metropolis, where you'll be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy your first evening in this vibrant city at leisure.
Day 2: Shanghai Highlights
Activities: Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl TV Tower exterior, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Begin your exploration at the serene Jade Buddha Temple, followed by panoramic views of the city from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower area. Experience traditional Chinese garden design at Yuyuan Garden and shop for souvenirs along historic Shanghai Old Street and Nanjing Road. Conclude with a leisurely walk along the iconic Bund, admiring the spectacular "Gallery of World Architecture."
Days 3-5: Huangshan Mountain Adventure
Day 3: Shanghai to Huangshan
Activities: High-speed train to Huangshan, Chengkan Ancient Village, Tunxi Old Street
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel by bullet train to Huangshan and immerse yourself in Huizhou culture at Chengkan Ancient Village, renowned for its well-preserved Ming Dynasty architecture. Explore Tunxi Old Street in the evening, often called "The Eastern Ancient Rome" for its charming architecture and local delicacies.
Day 4: Mt. Huangshan Exploration
Activities: Cable car ascent, Lion Peak, Shixin Peak, Xihai Grand Canyon hiking
Accommodation: Beihai Hotel ★★★★★
Experience the legendary beauty of Mt. Huangshan, famous for its "four wonders": peculiar pines, grotesque rocks, cloud seas, and hot springs. Take the cable car up the mountain and hike through stunning landscapes including Lion Peak, Shixin Peak, and the breathtaking Xihai Grand Canyon.
Day 5: Sunrise & Transfer to Hangzhou
Activities: Sunrise viewing, cable car descent, high-speed train to Hangzhou
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Wake early for a spectacular sunrise over the cloud seas (weather permitting) before descending via cable car. After lunch, travel by bullet train to the picturesque city of Hangzhou.
Days 6-9: Guilin & Yangshuo Natural Beauty
Day 6: Hangzhou's West Lake
Activities: West Lake cruise, Lingyin Temple, Six Harmonies Pagoda, Tea Museum, Hefang Street
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Discover Hangzhou's legendary West Lake by cruise, visit the spiritual Lingyin Temple, admire panoramic views from Six Harmonies Pagoda, learn about Chinese tea culture at the Tea Museum, and explore the historic Hefang Street.
Day 7: Flight to Guilin
Activities: Flight to Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill, Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Fly to Guilin and visit the city's emblematic Elephant Trunk Hill, a magnificent karst formation resembling an elephant drinking from the Li River. Stroll through Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park along Shanhu Lake.
Day 8: Longji Rice Terraces
Activities: Huanglo Yao Village, Ping An Village, Longji Terraces hiking
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Journey to the magnificent Longji Rice Terraces, hiking through Huanglo Yao and Ping An villages. Experience local minority culture and witness the stunning agricultural landscape that cascades down the mountain slopes.
Day 9: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Activities: Li River cruise, West Street exploration, countryside biking
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Embark on a memorable Li River cruise through spectacular karst landscapes, enjoying lunch aboard. Disembark in Yangshuo to explore historic West Street and take a scenic biking tour through the picturesque countryside.
Days 10-12: Zhangjiajie's Avatar Mountains
Day 10: Travel to Zhangjiajie
Activities: Free morning, bullet train to Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely morning before taking the bullet train to Zhangjiajie, home to the incredible stone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.
Day 11: Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Activities: Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain, cable car descent
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enter the fantastical landscape of Wulingyuan, taking the world's highest outdoor elevator to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Walk among the towering quartzite sandstone pillars that resemble the world of Avatar, then explore the majestic Tianzi Mountain with its spectacular peak forest and potential cloud sea views.
Day 12: Tianmenshan Mountain & Flight to Chengdu
Activities: Tianmenshan cable car, glass plank walk, flight to Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Experience Tianmenshan Mountain via Asia's longest cable car, walking the thrilling glass plank pathway that gives the sensation of floating above the clouds. Fly to Chengdu in the afternoon.
Days 13-15: Panda Habitat & Jiuzhaigou Valley
Day 13: Chengdu Panda Base
Activities: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Visit the Chengdu Research Base to observe giant pandas in their naturalistic habitat. Experience local life at Renmin Park with tea tasting and mahjong lessons, then explore the historic Jinli Old Street with its Qing Dynasty architecture.
Day 14: Huanglong National Park
Activities: Bullet train to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong National Park exploration
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel by bullet train to Jiuzhaigou and visit the stunning Huanglong National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its travertine terraces and colorful pools that create a rainbow-like landscape across the mountain.
Day 15: Jiuzhaigou Valley Fairyland
Activities: Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve full-day exploration, return to Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Spend the day exploring the magical Jiuzhaigou Valley, known for its multi-colored lakes, spectacular waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Visit highlights including Long Lake, Five-color Pool, Nuorilang Waterfall, and Shuzheng Lakes before returning to Chengdu by bullet train.
Days 16-19: Historical Capitals & Departure
Day 16: Xi'an Ancient Capital
Activities: High-speed train to Xi'an, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel to Xi'an and walk along the magnificent Ancient City Wall, one of China's best-preserved fortifications. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy the musical fountain show at North Square.
Day 17: Terracotta Warriors & Beijing Transfer
Activities: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, high-speed train to Beijing
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Marvel at the incredible Terracotta Warriors, one of the world's most significant archaeological discoveries. Explore the historic Bell Tower and vibrant Muslim Quarter before taking the bullet train to Beijing.
Day 18: Great Wall Adventure
Activities: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Begin at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests, observing local morning exercises and cultural activities. Journey to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and most scenic portions, where you can hike or take cable cars to enjoy breathtaking views.
Day 19: Beijing Departure
Activities: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, airport transfer
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Conclude your journey with visits to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, and the magnificent Forbidden City, China's imperial palace for nearly 500 years. Enjoy a final lunch before transferring to Beijing airport for your departure flight.