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This is a comprehensive journey throughout China, covering the diversified Yunnan Province and beautiful countryside scenery around Guilin and Yangshuo, and the historical and cultural sites in north China’s Xi’an and Beijing.

This trip gives you the opportunity of exploring one of the most dynamic minority group area in Yunnan as well as the ancient capitals in Xi’an and Beijing. We begin our trip in Kunming and go further to the heart of Yunnan, where you meet many different minority ethnic groups, including Bai people in Dali, Naxi people in Lijiang, and Tibetan people in Zhongdian. We travel by bus in Yunnan, and it’s a good opportunity to enjoy the sweeping panoramic views of areas featuring spectacular scenery. Walking on the old streets of Dali and Lijiang, you will be feasted by the local ethnic cultures. The trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge will be an unforgettable experience in your life. We will have a cycling tour through the beautiful countryside field in Yangshuo, see the Chinese national treasures- pandas in Chengdu, and climb the popular Emeishan Moutain. We continue our journey on the almighty Yangtze River with the stunning gorges and huge dam project. The awesome Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an will bring you back to the Qin Dynasty 2000 years ago. After the exploration in Shanghai, the cosmopolitan in China, we finish our journey in the capital, Beijing, home to the renowned Forbidden City and Great Wall.

Day 1 Kunming
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Kunming. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. Kunming is a vibrant and bustling city, with a flourishing Muslim area, exciting markets, interesting temples and a strong ethnic minority influence. A walking tour will take in the more interesting sites of Kunming, including watching the locals practising Taichi in the morning in People’s Square, and a meander through the bird and flower market, leaving some time for you to make your own explorations.

Day 2-3 Lijiang
We travel by local bus to start our spectacular journey to the beautiful Old Lijiang (approximately 9 hours). On the way we will see the towering mountains, alpine passes and tobacco field beneath the clear blue sky. Lijiang, former capital of the famed Naxi Kingdom, is listed as the world cultural heritage. The Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets, narrow canals and decorative wooden houses, a wonderful place to wander around and imagine being in a bygone era. In the evening, you have the opportunity to witness a performance of the local Naxi orchestra, a unique and entertaining musical experience (please check schedules in Lijiang to see if the show is on during your visit).

Days 4-5 Tiger Leaping Gorge
On the morning of day 4 we travel by bus (approximately 2 hours) to Qiaotou, the starting point for our trek through the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the deepest gorges in the world. The entire gorge is 16km long but rises up to 3900m above the waters of the Yangtze. Over the next three days we embark on some exercise, as we hike along scenic trails, overlooking the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (known here as the Jinsha River). The river thunders through Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is in turn framed by 5,000-metre-high snow-capped mountains. The walking in the gorge is serious going – expect to walk 4-8 hours each day. The reward, however, is great – simply stunning views! There is no hurry so we take our time and stop to talk with the local villagers en route. The accommodation is quite basic, as we are visiting a remote area that is only frequented by adventurous travellers. Some people may choose to bring a sleeping sheet, although this is not essential.

It is necessary to bring warm clothing, especially for the evenings, and, in general, for the cooler months. The degree of difficulty on the particular trail that we take will vary greatly, depending on the time of year. Depending on the time of the year and weather conditions, our trekking route can vary greatly. Our tour leader may not be able to advise us of the actual itinerary until the last minute.

Days 6-7 Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
In the morning of Day 6 we catch the bus to Shangri-La (Zhongdian), the town of distinct Tibetan people. The two-story local farmhouses, the hot yak butter tea and Tibetan religion are all different from what you’ve been to. If lucky we might see the yaks wandering on the road leisurely. Due to Shangri-La’s high altitude (3,200 metres), it is advisable to bring warm clothing. (Please note that sometimes due to bad road conditions caused by poor weather, it may not be possible to travel to Shangri-La. If that is the case, additional time may be spent in Lijiang). The highlight of Shangri-La is a visit to the Songzanlin Monastery, one of the top 13 monasteries of Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Lamaism and once again a place of homage for Tibetan Lamaism. You have the option of hiring bikes and exploring the local countryside and traditional life that the farmers lead.

Days 8-9 Dali
On Day 8, we travel by bus to Dali, (approximately 6 hours), a wonderful lakeside town. Dali is one of the favourite places for travellers in China. To the east is Erhai Lake, to the west is Cangshan Mountain, the old town is located at the very centre of the valley. The town’s cobblestone streets, ancient stone houses and laid-back charm make it a wonderful place to relax. Dali is home to the proud Bai people, a traditional minority tribe renowned throughout China for their craftsmanship and literature. There is much to explore in our free days in Dali. There is a chance to go boating on Er Hai Lake and travel across to the village of Wase, or spend a day catching a chairlift up and hiking in the mountains behind Dali (stopping at the occasional monastery along the way). We can also cycle to nearby villages to visit the traditional Bai courtyard or just stroll around town.

Days 10 Kunming
On Day 10 we leave Dali this morning and catch the bus back to Kunming (6 hours), and then transfer to our flight to Guilin.

Days 11-12 Yangshuo
Yangshuo, a place nestled amongst the imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. This small town is a haven for back-packers and here we stay in a delightful local style hotel. Day 11 we take a half-day bike ride through the surrounding countryside to gain an insight into rural life in South China and have a scrumptious lunch in a local restaurant at the foot of Moon Hill. It is also a wonderful area for exploring individually, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location- this is why Yangshuo is the favorite with LPC travellers. A boat trip on the Li River to the surrounding town is an option to consider in your free time. Day 12 we bus to Guilin to the overnight train to Wuhan.

Days 13-16 Yangtze River Cruise
Arriving into Wuhan in the morning, we transfer to a bus for our trip to Yichang. This town is best known as the gateway city to the massive Three Gorges Dam, which is situated 40 kilometres upstream. We have time in the evening to take a stroll along the banks of the Yangtze River, prior to embarking on our fantastic riverboat trip. The Yangtze (also known locally as the Changjiang River) is, at 6,300 kilometres, the world’s third longest waterway. It rises deep in the heart of the province of Qinghai, to the north of Tibet, and flows relentlessly eastwards until it empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai. Effectively dividing the country into north and south, the river not only supplies the rural heart of China, but has also spawned many industries reliant upon its power. The Yangtze has also inspired poets, writers and travellers over the centuries. The “Sanxia”, as they are known in Chinese, stretch for 200 kilometres and vary from 100 metres to 300 metres in width. In the early evening we can take a stroll along the riverfront and join the locals in watching the sunset. Early in the morning of Day 14 we begin our journey on the Yangtze River.

Over the next three days, we start from near the massive dam and cruise through the famous Three Gorges. With the construction of the Three Gorges hydroelectric project, life along this majestic river is changing at a rapid pace. The scenery is spectacular! We enjoy our cruise on a tourist-class boat between Yichang and Chongqing. This is a much more comfortable way to travel than on the local boats that ply the same route, and offers a fascinating insight into life along the river. We spend four nights on board and sleep in twin share cabins with private facilities in accommodation similar to a small hotel room. Bedding and sheets are provided, as are all meals throughout the cruise. Please note that all rooms on the Yangtze cruise are on a share basis. If you are not already sharing a room with someone from your group, you may be required to share with someone (of the same gender) from outside your group. This could be a member of another tour group or a local person.

Days 17-20 Chengdu-Emei Shan
Depending on river conditions, we arrive around mid-morning on day 17 at the industrial city of Chongqing. Chongqing is a rare sight in China - a city with barely any bicycles, due to the steep hills! We travel by local bus to Chengdu (4 hours) - Chengdu is the capital of south-west Sichuan Province. Sichuan is known for its hot, spicy dishes, considered by the Chinese as the best cuisine within China. This afternoon is an opportunity to relax and an appropriate way of doing this is to simply sit on a bamboo chair at the teahouse in Renmin Park, sipping tea and watching the world go by. There is often an ear-picker with cotton buds wandering around, if you feel the need! A stroll to Wenshu Temple will take you past beggars, children, tourists, fortune-tellers and fireworks sellers. This is an active and noisy place of worship. We depart Chengdu in the morning of Day 18 and visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base situated near the city. The giant panda is one of the world’s most endangered species and has become Chinese national treasures and an icon for conservation movements everywhere. It is still found in parts of the Sichuan province, but is very difficult to spot in the wild.

After visiting this lovely park, we continue onto Emei Shan town where we will leave our main luggage and pack a day pack to last for 2 nights. From Emei Shan town we catch bus Wan Nian car park where we will then proceed to hike for 1 1/2 hours to stay the night at Wan Nian Temple where we can observe monks in there day to day activities in these tranquil surroundings. In the morning of Day 19 we wake in the Monastery and prepare ourselves for a leisurely hike up to the Golden summit of Mount Emei. In this 8 hour hike we avoid many of the tourists to pass through villages and amazing countryside as we make our way to the summit. After this hike we overnight on the summit to enjoy a spectacular sunset. On Day 20 we make our way down from the Golden summit to the car park where we catch a bus to Emei Shan town. Here we have time to have the option of soaking those tired legs in the hotsprings otherwise Emei Shan town is a fascinating place to explore. In the afternoon we return to Chengdu by bus (3 hours) before boarding our overnight train to our next destination- Xi’an (approx 16 hours).

Days 21-22 Xi'an
We arrive at Xi'an mid-morning. We will have a guided tour Terracotta Warriors, and in the next day you’re free to relax until boarding the train. Xian topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974.

A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization. Other places you may visit include Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple. On day 22 we depart for Shanghai on an overnight train (approx 16 hours).

Day 23-25 Shanghai
Shanghai is a vibrant, fast-moving city with a fantastic variety of markets and restaurants for eating out. The shopping area on Nanjing Road is situated nearby. We will enjoy free time in Shanghai, and your tour leader can show you how to find the way to the famous Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar, a representative of private garden in south China and highlight of the city. We might have opportunities to try some wonderful food stalls as well. Acrobat here is recommended for your entertainment at night.

There is a full free day for further exploration of Shanghai. Keen photographers are rewarded by an early start to the day, as scores of locals practise Taichi along the waterfront at dawn. The old French Quarter is also a great place to wander around, and the Jade Buddha Temple and the impressive Shanghai Museum are both well worth a visit. The gleaming towers on the Pudong side reflect China’s march towards modernisation and the rapid rate of changes that are taking place.
On the evening of Day 25, we board another overnight train for our final destination - Beijing.

Days 26-29 Beijing
Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. A visit to China is not complete without walking along the Great Wall. We will travel to Simatai Great Wall, a largely unrestored and, as such, more authentic section of the famous wall, not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Climbing up this incredible man-made engineer and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience.

There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries and explorations. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are two other fine examples of extraordinary workmanship and architecture. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera or Kongfu Show (optional). We have a final night's dinner in one of the great restaurants and you are free to depart at any time on Day 29.