The Silk Road & South China

Xi'an - Kunming

21 days through China

FROM: $3250 USD

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Ferry, Overnight Boat

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary, One Local Crew Member

Accom:

Comfortable Hotel 2 nights
Basic Hotel 11 nights
Overnight Boat 3 nights
Guesthouse 2 nights
Multishare Hostel 2 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 4, Lunches x 0, Dinners x 0

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

ZXM

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

This is a superb cultural journey through the cities and provinces of southern China, taking in several temples and other religious sites from China's three dominant religions, Buddhism, Taoisim and Confucianism, as well as one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites, the Terracotta Army near Xi'an.

The centrepiece of this trip is a fantastic 3-day cruise on the Yangtze River among Chinese families. We travel on the same ferry used by local people, rather than a tourist ship, through magnificent scenery near the Three Gorges, stopping off at various sites along the way. Farther south we have the opportunity to follow the upper trail along the imposing Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the great treks of this part of China.

We also explore the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the best place in the world to see China's most treasured animal, as well as two of China's sacred mountains, Wudang Shan and Emei Shan.

Accompanied by our local Chinese guide, we'll visit tucked-away local restaurants and street food stalls, eating as the locals do. The food is a big part of any journey in China, and as we travel between provinces we'll have the chance to sample the local specialities, such as Sichuan hotpot or biangbiang noodles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Guided tour of Xi'an's world famous Terracotta Warriors

Explore Xi'an and its myriad of attractions

Visit the huge former Tang Dynasty royal palace of Daming

Go to the birthplace of the martial art of Tai Chi at Wudang Shan

Trek up the Wudang Shan's Tianzu Peak to the Taoist martial arts school

3 day Three Gorge cruise on the Yangtze River

Visit the three gorges dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world

Stop off at the ancient Zhang Fei temple, famous for its red-light decoration

Side trip to see the amazing sleeping Buddha in the Dazu Caves

Visit to the Giant Panda breeding centre in Chengdu

WHAT TO EXPECT

An easy-going and comfortable trip through southern China, staying in well-equipped hotels and guesthouses. A couple of long drive days through spectacular and verdant mountain scenery. Some of the attractions require climbing a lot of steps, although cable cars are available at most of these.

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Xi'an (18th September 2021)

Border Information: if joining in Xi'an, you will most likely enter China at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA code: XIY).

Welcome to the amazing city of Xi'an, the ancient capital of Shaanxi province and the end of the 'Silk Road'!

There will be a group meeting today at 6:00pm - please look out for a note from your tour leader at the hotel reception with more information about this important meeting.

The rest of the day will be free to explore the city of Xi'an, its famous walls, bell and drum towers, pagodas and Muslim Quarter.

Please note that many of the optional activities listed will only be possible for those with extra time in Xi'an before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Xi'an.

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 2 - Xi'an (19th September 2021)

This morning we head out of Xi'an on the truck to the site of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, where we have an included visit and a guided tour. We'll return to Xi'an in the afternoon and have some more free time to further explore this incredible city!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 3 - Wudang Shan (20th September 2021)

Today we begin our journey south of Xi'an with a drive to the beautiful Wudang Shan Mountain Reserve, the birthplace of the martial art of Taichi and the location of the filming of 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon'.

We will have time this afternoon and the following morning to fully explore the mountain's sights, temples and martial arts schools.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 4 - Wudang Shan (21st September 2021)

This morning we will spend more time exploring Wudang Shan and the surrounding area, before setting off in the afternoon for a short drive to the pleasant city of Xiang Fan. We will also try to stop at the Purple Cloud Monastery en route.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Day 5 - Yichang (22nd September 2021)

Today we will drive from Xiang Fan to Yichang, where we will catch our first glimpse of the mighty Yangtze river. Yichang is a pleasant town, and we will stop here for 1 or 2 nights, depending on the ferry schedule - either way we will have time to explore a little.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 6 - Yichang (23rd September 2021)

Today we will have some free time to explore Yichang and the surrounding area, prepare for our 3 day Yangtze River cruise.

We will most likely have an included visit to the incredible Three Gorges Dam today, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, although it is possible this visit may take place tomorrow depending on the ferry schedule.

We will most likely stay in our hotel in Yichang tonight, but our ferry may need to depart tonight, in which case we will have a spare day later in the trip that we can use at our discretion.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 7 - Yangtze River (24th September 2021)

Today we embark on our Yangtze River cruise. We travel on a local ferry boat used by local people, a much more authentic and interesting way of travelling than on a tourist cruise. We stay in shared cabins (4 members of the group to each cabin) with private bathrooms and air conditioning where possible.

The journey itself usually takes 3 days/3 nights and heads through some areas of stunning scenery, especially near the Three Gorges - the Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges. The boats usually stop at the Fengdu (Ghost City), Shibaozai Tower, home to the Lanruo Dian (Orchid Temple) and at the three Lesser Gorges at various points on the trip. However due to local conditions, stops cannot always be guaranteed.

Accommodation: Overnight Boat

Day 8 - Yangtze River (25th September 2021)

Second day of our Yangtze River Cruise.

Accommodation: Overnight Boat

Day 9 - Yangtze River (26th September 2021)

Third day of our Yangtze River Cruise.

Accommodation: Overnight Boat

Day 10 - Dazu (27th September 2021)

Today we will disembark our ferry when it docks in Chongqing in the early morning, and rejoin the truck and our co-driver!

From Chongqing we have a short drive to Dazu, where we visit the Bei Shan and Baoding Shan caves, famous for their brightly-coloured freizes and carvings.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 11 - Chengdu (28th September 2021)

Today we have another short drive on to the incredible city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, where we will stay for 2 nights. On arrival we will have a free afternoon to explore the city's parks, streets, and museums, and visit the fascinating and incredibly photogenic Jinli Old Town.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 12 - Chengdu (29th September 2021)

Today we will have an included visit to the fantastic Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre. We'll then return to Chengdu for another free afternoon to further explore the city.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 13 - Emei Shan (30th September 2021)

Today we continue our journey south to the town of Leshan to visit to the Leshan Grand Buddha - at 71m tall, this statue is the largest Buddha rock carving in the world! After our visit we will continue to the small town of Emei Shan.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 14 - Emei Shan (1st October 2021)

Today we will have a full day to explore Emei Shan Mountain, one of the holiest sites in Chinese Buddhism and the site of hundreds of temples and an incredible golden statue of the deity known as Samantabhadra. It is possible to walk all the way up the stairs from the base of the mountain, joining the many pilgrims in their journey to the temple complex at the mountain summit, or take the cable car up instead!

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 15 - Panzhihua (2nd October 2021)

Today we have a long drive south through stunning mountain scenery towards China's Yunnan province. In the evening you can take a stroll on the riverfront and get an insight into local Chinese life.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Day 16 - Tiger Leaping Gorge (3rd October 2021)

Today we drive further into Yunnan province to the beautiful 'Old-China'-style town of Lijiang, the base for visiting the world famous Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Day 17 - Tiger Leaping Gorge (4th October 2021)

These following 2 days we will have free time to explore the town of Lijiang and its surroundings. One very popular excursion here is to go on a 2 day/1 night trek along the high trail above the Tiger Leaping Gorge - this is by far the best way to see the gorge from some truly incredible vantage points, and we will have the opportunity to take this trek during our time here (staying in a local guesthouse on the trail on the first night and returning to Lijiang for the second night).

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 18 - Tiger Leaping Gorge (5th October 2021)

For those that don't want to do the full trek, your crew will also be able to arrange a trip to the low sections of the gorge, where there is a flat walkway to various viewpoints.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 19 - Dali (6th October 2021)

Today we will drive through more stunning scenery to the beautiful Naxi town of Dali, where we will stay for 2 nights.

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 20 - Dali (7th October 2021)

Today we will have a free day to fully explore the area and for optional activities such as some short treks in the nearby Cangshan mountains or hiring bicycles to ride around the Dali lake.

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Day 21 - Kunming - End Date (8th October 2021)

Border information: if leaving in Kunming, you will most likely enter China at Kunming Changshui International Airport (IATA code: KMG).

Please note that if you are leaving in Kunming, today is the last day of the trip and there is no accommodation included tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below. If you plan to leave today we advise that you do not book flights for earlier than 4:00pm so that you will comfortably reach the airport on time. Please note that if you wish to have time to explore Kunming, you will likely need to stay for at least an extra night at the end of your trip.

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

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Finishing

Total Price (USD)

18 Sep 21 Xi'an

08 Oct 21 Kunming

$3,250 USD

Status: Open

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Duration: 21 days Add to basket

07 Apr 22 Kunming

27 Apr 22 Xi'an

$3,365 USD

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17 Sep 22 Xi'an

07 Oct 22 Kunming

$3,380 USD

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The Silk Road & South China

Xi'an - Kunming

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