Botanical Trails of Yunnan with Nine Villages Valley

Days 1-2 : Fly to Kunming

Fly to Kunming, also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Kunming

Day 3 : Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang

Take a flight to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang, which sits at the foothills of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool and wander the back street markets filled with Naxi women wearing traditional costumes. Overnight Lijiang

Day 4 : Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The northern hemisphere’s southern-most glacier with peaks soaring to 5,600m, is home to a quarter of China’s plant species. There are more than 50 species of azalea, 60 kinds of primroses, eight species of poppies and 20 lilies, four species of peonies, five camellia, 50 species of rough gentian, and six kinds of flowering crab apple. The mountain is decorated with blooming flowers 10 months of the year. Overnight Lijiang

Day 5 : Tiger Leaping Gorge

Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most dramatic and deepest gorges in theworld and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Return to Lijiang and take an evening flight to Jinghong where we will stay for two nights. Jinghong is in the autonomous Xishuangbanna region, close to the border with Laos, and is located on the banks of the Mekong River. In ethnic and climatic terms, this area has many similarities with South East Asia. Overnight Lijiang

Day 6 : Tiger Leaping Gorge

Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most dramatic and deepest gorges in theworld and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Return to Lijiang and take an evening flight to Jinghong where we will stay for two nights. Jinghong is in the autonomous Xishuangbanna region, close to the border with Laos, and is located on the banks of the Mekong River. In ethnic and climatic terms, this area has many similarities with South East Asia. Overnight Lijiang

Day 6 : Tropical Botanical Garden

Travel to Menglun to visit the Tropical Botanical Garden, the largest in China covering 900 hectares. Located on an island in the Luosuo River the garden contains more than 6,000 species of tropical plants from around the world. Continue to the Ganlan Basin, a lush and beautiful area famous for its tropical flowers and butterflies. Overnight Jinghong

Day 7 : Xishuangbanna Tropical Flower and Plant Garden

Stroll through this beautiful tropical garden originally created to research economic crops. See the unique Tiaowu cao or “dancing grass” and some of the varied collection of around 1,000 species of tropical plants and flowers. In the afternoon we fly to Kunming where we will sample the local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles. Overnight Kunming

Day 8 : Travel to Jianshui

Visit Kunming Botanical Garden and continue to Jianshui for an overnight stay where you can see the Confucian temple and Zhang Garden. Overnight Jianshui

Day 9 : Travel to Yuanyang

Travel to Yuanyang and wander through one of the most colourful local markets in Yunnan Province. Overnight Yuanyang

Day 10 : Rice Terraces of Yuanyang

Walk among the world famous rice terraces of Yuanyang constructed by the Hani people and described in China as ‘Land Sculpture’. Overnight Yuanyang

Day 11 : Yuanyang – Stone Forest

Journey to the Stone Forest and stay overnight in the vicinity. Overnight Stone Forest

Day 12 : Explore the Stone Forest

Explore the unusual Stone Forest where bizarrely eroded stone columns create surreal shapes and images. Transfer to Kunming airport for an evening flight to Chengdu. Overnight Chengdu

Day 13 : Wenjiang

Today we visit the Wenjiang district of Chengdu which is famous for the countless nurseries providing seedlings for the city and further afield. A wide range of flowering plants are produced with gingko, sweet-scented osmanthus and crape myrtle being particularly popular. Wenjiang is known as one of the four most important flower-growing centres in China. Overnight Chengdu

Day 14 : Pandas and Flower Town

Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Later we visit San Sheng Xiang, known as Flower Town to the locals. This is a great place for a pleasant stroll around the colourful flower markets. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening. Overnight Chengdu

Day 15-16 : Fly to Nine Villages Valley

Fly to the breathtaking Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park), a botanical gallery that is heavily forested and home to many protected species. Entering the valley is like being transported into a different world as it presents a seemingly neverending display of stunning natural scenery, where crystal clear lakes gather at the foot of every waterfall and rich dense forests are dotted with colourful flowers. We stay in the area for two nights.

Day 17 : Huanglong Pools, fly to Chengdu

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Huanglong, which is renowned for its hundreds of sparkling mineral pools where beautiful striking colours intertwine. We have the option to take a cable car to visit Huanglong Temple at the head of the valley. Later, we fly back to Chengdu.

Day 18 : Fly to UK

Enjoy and time at leisure before departing Chendgu for your flight home, arriving the same or following day

Tour includes:

Entrance charges for included sightseeing
All transportation during the tour
All meals
Internal flights
National Escort & Local Guides
International flights
All accommodation
Visas for UK & EU passport holders
Regional connecting flights available – please ask for details

Wendy Wu Tours is the leading independent specialist tour operator to China in the UK. They offer an extensive range of tour itineraries to enable you to visit famous tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, the Yangtze River or the Terracotta Warriors in China, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Taj Mahal in India.

Many of their tours also take you off the beaten track, to emerald lakes and traditional villages, allowing you to enjoy the authentic China experience. Other unforgettable excursions include a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s traditional Hutongs, attending a Buddhist ceremony or cruising on a traditional junk boat. They also offer the opportunity to explore a bustling city like Hong Kong or Dubai en-route for a few nights.

Our Opinion
Wendy Wu Tours allow you to not only visit famous attractions but really discover the country’s culture, natural beauty and hidden treasures. Coupled with their affordable, all-inclusive style pricing, it’s no surprise that the company is growing from strength to strength and winning multiple industry awards along the way!