16 Days China Panorama: Guilin, Yunnan & Sichuan Cultural Expedition

Your journey begins with a flight to Guilin, where jagged karst peaks rise like ancient sentinels. Check into a boutique hotel, then step into the whimsical Elephant Trunk Hill(about 2-3h), its silhouette resembling an elephant sipping from the Li River. As twilight falls, venture into the Reed Flute Cave, where rainbow lights dance across millennia-old stalactites, transforming the cavern into an underground galaxy.

Morning lights guide us glide down the Yulong River(about 4h), the air thick with the scent of wild orchids. Watch fishermen cast their nets and cormorants dive for fish, their shadows rippling on the water. Glide on a bamboo raft past water buffalo, ancient stone bridges, and misty peaks—it’s like floating through a Chinese ink painting! Locals call it the "soul of Yangshuo" for its peaceful vibe and postcard-perfect views.  Arrive in Yangshuo, a town nestled among emerald rice paddies, and unwind at a riverside inn as fireflies flicker in the twilight. 

Awaken to mist-kissed vistas as you wind through mountains to the Longji Rice Terraces(4-5h), where golden steps cascade like dragon scales. Nicknamed "Dragon’s Backbone" , Longji’s terraces are a 650-year-old masterpiece where Zhuang and Yao farmers carved "stairways to the sky" across misty mountains. Each season paints them anew—spring’s mirror-like water, summer’s emerald waves, autumn’s golden ribbons, and winter’s frosty lace. Hike through Ping’an Village, where wooden stilt houses cling to slopes, and share a cup of fragrant tea with Yao grandmothers spinning tales of their ancestors.

Return to Guilin and board a train to Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring.” Watch the landscape shift from terraced hills to rolling plains dotted with wildflowers. Arrive by evening and stroll Green Lake Park, where locals dance to folk tunes under willow trees.

Venture to the Stone Forest(about 4h), a labyrinth of towering limestone pillars that seem to defy gravity. Walk through maze-like paths to spot rocks shaped like elephants, warriors, and even Ashima—a legendary Yi maiden turned to stone. Wander narrow paths shaded by jagged rocks, then explore Jiuxiang Cave(3-4h), a magical world of 100+ karst caves formed over 600 million years! Walk through misty canyons like Yincui Gorge, marvel at the towering Male and Female Waterfalls, and explore the Lion Hall—a cave so big it could fit 10,000 people!

As sun dips behind Kunming's skyscrapers, drive through rolling hills to Dongchuan's Red Land, a photographer's dream. Enjoy the beauty of Yuepuao(Music Hollow)(2-3h), its terraced fields curve like flowing musical staves across the landscape, painted in bold stripes of red soil, golden crops, and lush greens. After lunch, begin your next venture at Luoxiagou (Sunset Valley)(3-4h), watch the terraced fields ignite in hues of rust and gold as the sun dips below the horizon. Spend the night in a cozy homestay, the scent of freshly tilled earth lingering in the air.

Wake before dawn to catch the sunrise at Damakan Village(about 2h), where the first rays paint the red soil in soft pinks. Then Climb the viewing platform for panoramic vistas at Jinxiuyuan(Embroidery Garden)(about 4h), where sunlight and clouds paint the land in ever-changing hues. Perfect for photo lovers, it’s especially magical at sunrise or sunset. Return to Kunming and stroll Dian Lake, its waters mirroring the city's skyline as lotus blossoms float serenely.

Board a high-speed train to Dali, where snow-capped mountains frame Erhai Lake, a breathtaking highland gem shaped like an ear (hence its name, meaning "Ear-shaped Sea"). Surrounded by the snow-capped Cangshan Mountains, its emerald waters mirror the sky, creating a scene straight from a Chinese ink painting. Explore the ancient town's cobblestone lanes, pausing to taste rose-inflected pastries from a street vendor. As night falls, lanterns glow above courtyards where Bai musicians strum traditional instruments.

Journey to Shaxi Ancient Town, a forgotten Silk Road gem. Shaxi is a 1,300-year-old hidden gem tucked between mountains in Yunnan. Once a bustling trade hub for tea, salt, and silk, it’s now a peaceful escape where ancient stone streets, weathered wooden shops, and misty rivers feel like stepping into a living Chinese ink painting. Wander its dusty square, where horse caravans once traded tea and silk, and sip bitter buckwheat tea in a centuries-old teahouse.Visit at sunrise for magical fog over the river, and don’t miss the Bat Cave’s upside-down stone forest. Shaxi stays refreshingly quiet—no crowds, just stories etched in every cobblestone. About 6h immersive experience will make you feel back to the old Silk Road Age.

As dawn breaks, drive to Lijiang, a 800-year-old treasure nestled in Yunnan’s mountains. Known for its maze of cobblestone lanes, gurgling streams, and wooden Naxi houses, this UNESCO World Heritage site feels like stepping into a living watercolor painting. Unlike other ancient towns, Lijiang has no city walls—legend says its rulers avoided trapping their luck. Let the murmur of streams guide you past Naxi women in embroidered aprons and into hidden courtyards where elders play mahjong beneath blooming magnolias.

Today is a day worth waking with excitement, ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car, stepping onto a glacial plateau where the air bites with frost. This 13-peaked wonder is the southernmost snow-capped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. Its highest peak, Shanzidou, towers at 5,600m—like a dragon’s spine draped in eternal snow. Locals revere it as the sacred home of the Naxi people’s protector god "Sanduo", and legends say its peaks are frozen swords from an ancient battle. Walk the wooden plank road to 4,680 meters, your breath visible in the thin air. After about 5h in that beautiful mountain, descend to Blue Moon Valley, its milky-blue pools cradled by pine forests, and visit Yuhu Village to sip barley wine in a Naxi family's wooden home.

Traverse Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Yangtze River thunders through narrow cliffs. This is China’s deepest canyon, carved by the roaring Jinsha River between Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains. Legend says a tiger escaped hunters by jumping across its narrowest point—marked by the iconic Tiger Leaping Stone! Pause at Napa Lake, its marshes alive with migratory birds, before arriving in Shangri-La. Breathe in the crisp Himalayan air as prayer flags flutter in the wind. Cycle its scenic shores or snap photos of snow-capped peaks reflecting in the water—pure magic! Free to visit and open year-round

Morning light unveils Pudacuo National Park(about 3h), it's China’s first national park and a UNESCO-listed wonder at 3,500m altitude. Its name means "Boat Lake" in Tibetan, inspired by legends of goddesses and sacred waters. Visit Songzanlin Monastery(2-3h), this 17th-century gem is Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, perched on a hillside near Shangri-La. Built in 1679 with blessings from the 5th Dalai Lama, its golden roofs and white walls glow like a "heavenly castle" against mountain vistas. Sink into a spicy hotpot feast, the city's neon lights reflecting in your steaming broth.

Meet Chengdu's fluffy ambassadors at the Panda Breeding Center, this world-famous research and breeding center (established in 1987) is home to 215+ giant pandas—the largest captive population on Earth! Located just 10km from downtown Chengdu, it’s where you’ll meet fluffy cubs, lazy bamboo-munchers, and even celebrity pandas like Hua Hua. Later, wander Jinli Pedestrian Street, this 2,000-year-old street is a vibrant mix of ancient charm and modern buzz, you can snacking on sweet glutinous rice balls and admiring silk lanterns swaying above ancient shopfronts.

Board a bullet train to Chongqing, a city where skyscrapers pierce the fog. Drive to Wulong Tiankeng, a colossal limestone sinkhole where waterfalls plunge into emerald pools and vines drape over mossy cliffs. Prepare to spend your whole in this site for this UNESCO-listed wonder wows with jaw-dropping karst formations shaped over millions of years. Highlights include: Three Natural Bridges: Asia’slargest limestone arches, where waterfalls cascade through misty gorges. Furong Cave: A glittering underground palace of stalactites-China’s only cave on the World Heritage list. Fairy Mountain: Alpine meadows nicknamed "Eastem Switzerland ", perfect for summer hikes or winter snowscapes.

Return to Chongqing, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers embrace the city's steep hills. Explore Hongya Cave, a glowing cliffside maze of shops and eateries, before bidding farewell over a fiery hotpot feast. As your flight ascends, the city's neon grid fades into the night, leaving you with memories of misty peaks, ancient towns, and pandas at play. Safe travels!