| Length | 11 days |
|---|---|
| Route | Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming |
| Fly in and out | In to Beijing (PEK), out of Kunming (KMG) |
| Pace | Fuller days, with bullet trains between cities |
| Price | From $4,629 per person, twin share. Single supplement $781. |
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Your guide meets you at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Time to settle in, then a welcome dinner together.
- Day 2
Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and old Beijing lanes
Start where emperors prayed for good harvests, walk through the Forbidden City, then wander the hutongs, the old courtyard lanes where Beijing families have lived for generations.
- Day 3
Great Wall and Summer Palace
A day on the Great Wall and in the lakeside gardens of the Summer Palace, finished off with Peking duck.
- Day 4
Bullet train to Xi'an
Ride the high-speed train to Xi'an, walk the old City Wall, and spend the evening at a Silk Road show.
- Day 5
Terracotta Warriors
Time with the Terracotta Warriors, the clay army buried with China's first emperor.
- Day 6
Bullet train to Chengdu
On to Chengdu by high-speed train. In the evening, the Sichuan Opera, where performers swap painted masks in the blink of an eye.
- Day 7
Giant pandas, then Lijiang
A morning with the giant pandas, then a flight to Lijiang. In the evening, music of the Naxi people, the ethnic group whose home is Lijiang, in the ancient town.
- Day 8
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Up onto Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and down to the turquoise pools of Blue Moon Valley.
- Day 9
Baisha, Shuhe and on to Dali
Two quieter Naxi villages, Baisha and Shuhe, then on to Xizhou, a Bai village near Dali.
- Day 10
Erhai Lake and the Three Pagodas
Erhai Lake and Dali's Three Pagodas, then the train to Kunming.
- Day 11
Fly home from Kunming
Transfer to Kunming Changshui Airport (KMG) for your flight out.
2027 and 2028 dates
2027: Jan 9, Feb 20, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 15, Sep 18, Oct 23 ★, Nov 13 ★, Dec 11
2028: Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Sep 9, Oct 21 ★, Nov 11 ★, Dec 9
★ Best season to go. Departures run every month except June to August and Lunar New Year.
Every date is guaranteed. It runs with as few as 2 travelers, and the price per person stays the same whether your group is 2 or 20. Your group travels privately with its own guide.
Your group, your own guide
- Runs with just 2. Pick a date and it goes ahead, whether you are two travelers or thirty.
- Private to your group. You travel with your own guide and vehicle: a private van for 2 to 5, a minibus for 6 to 15, a coach for 16 to 30.
- Groups of 10 or more who book at least 6 months before departure get the 11th place free.
- Want a different date or a few extra days? Tell us. We tailor this route for families, groups and special occasions.
No visa needed for most travelers
Fly in to Beijing from the U.S. or Canada and out of Kunming to a third country or region, such as Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong. Both guaranteed departures fit China's 240-hour visa-free transit, so most U.S. and Canadian passport holders need no visa at all. We check your flight times to be sure they fit.
What's included
Included: all travel inside China, hotels, meals, licensed English-speaking guides, scheduled activities and entry fees, and gratuities.
Not included: international airfare, alcohol, extra activities, souvenirs and travel insurance. We strongly encourage travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation.
Ready to pick a date?
Tell us your dates and group size and we'll come back within 24 hours with availability and next steps. Booking terms are here.
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