15 Days World Heritages & Yunnan Discovery Tour

China has more than 50 World Heritage Sites, ranking second in the world. With World Heritages and popular sights, this tour will show you the best of China: the cultural sites in Shanghai Beijing and Xian, the world heritages in Chengdu and Leshan, the amazing naturally shaped works in Kunming and cultural sights in Lijiang. 

Highlights:

  • Experience the old and modern culture of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.
  • Explore the hot destinations of Kunming, Lijiang and Shangri-La in Yunnan.
  • Pay pilgrimage to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei.
  • Observe the cute giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Base.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
  • Day 2: Shanghai
  • Day 3: Shanghai – Kunming
  • Day 4: Kunming – Stone Forest – Kunming
  • Day 5: Kunming – Shangrila
  • Day 6: Shangrila – Lijiang
  • Day 7: Lijiang – Chengdu
  • Day 8: Chengdu
  • Day 9: Chengdu – Leshan – Emei
  • Day 10: Emei – Chengdu
  • Day 11: Chengdu – Xian
  • Day 12: Xian – Beijing
  • Day 13: Beijing
  • Day 14: Beijing
  • Day 15:Beijing Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Shanghai Arrival
Accommodation: Shanghai
Meals:

Welcome to Shanghai, the most metropolis of China! 

Upon arrival at Shanghai airport, you’ll be met and taken to have an 8-minute high-tech Maglev Train. It’s not a bird or a plane, just Shanghai’s Maglev Train, the world’s fastest train running 430km/hr. Your driver is ready to pick you up at the Longyang Road station, and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of today is at your leisure. 

Day 2 Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, French Concession, Acrobatic Show
Accommodation: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, a must-see for all true Shanghainophiles to witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village.Then walk leisurely around the beautiful Yu Garden, a pleasant enough, well-contained classical Chinese garden, and savor some local flavor snacks at the Yu Garden Bazaar.Next continue to Jade Buddha Temple to admire the largest jade Buddha in the world and exquisite religious artifacts.

Later to visit the French Concession to appreciate its old French-style villas and special colonial culture. In the evening, enjoy the breathtaking Acrobatic Show(Optional). 

Day 3 Shanghai-Kunming(by air)

Sightseeing and Activities:Bund, Nanjing Road., Jinmao Towe
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to the famous Bund to witness Shanghai’s skyline, and stroll along China’s No.1 shopping street, Nanjing Road. Then ascend the Jinmao Tower to get an amazing bird’s eye view of this metropolis.

Being free until transferred to the airport and take a flight to Kunming, the spring city of China! Upon your arrival in Kunming, be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is free to explore the scenic city on your own.

Day 4 Kunming-Stone Forest-Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities: Stone Forest
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit the renowned Stone Forest, the ‘First Wonder of the World’. It is amazing for the stones formed like that which makes you feel like come into a “stone world”.

In the afternoon, head to a minority village of Sani People, to dance and chat with local people and learn the colorful tradition cultures.

Day 5 Kunming-Shangri-La(by air)

Sightseeing and Activities:Songzanlin Lamasery
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Songzanlin Monastery in Shangrila

In the morning, you will take your flight to Shangri-La. Upon arrival at the Shangri-La airport, You will meet our local tour guide and driver in the arrival hall and they will escort you to the hotel.

After a short rest, your local guide will pick you up to visit the Songzanlin Lamasery. Located in the region with an altitude of 3,300 meters high, Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province and one of the 13 famous monasteries of Tibetan Kham.

Day 6 Shangri-La – Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities:First Bend of the Yangtze River ,Iron Chain Bridge, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, on the way to Lijiang, you will have a chance to view the First Bend of the Yangtze River with breathtaking sight of the gorge and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Shigu Town. After that, you will visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. In there, you will walk through three marble tunnels. 

Day 7 Lijiang-Chengdu (by air)

Sightseeing and Activities:Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Old Town
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit the renowned Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain for Naxi people. You can take the cable car to the top of this mountain and enjoy the happiness of the height. After that, head to Baisha Old Town to visit the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings, which combine the cultures of Han, Tibetan and Naxi people.

Then you will be transferred to take flight to Chengdu.

Day 8 Chengdu

Sightseeing and Activities:Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Wuhou Temple , Jinli ancient street
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, our private tour guide will pick you up at the hotel of Chengdu downtown. Drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the world-famous Panda breeding research base located about 10km (6 miles) out of the city. Then drive back to midtown Chengdu.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will first go to Du Fu Thatched Cottage, a museum and memorial for Du Fu. Then visit Wuhou Temple and Jinli ancient street–elegant style of the architectures that tells you what Sichuan looks like during the Qing Dynasty.

Day 9 Chengdu – Leshan – Mt. Emei

Sightseeing and Activities:Leshan Giant Buddha, Mt. Emei area,
Accommodation: Mt. Emei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Pick up from hotel. Drive to Leshan to see the Leshan Giant Buddha– the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. Just take a cruise (about 30 min) to have an overview of this mountain and the Leshan Giant Buddha. Then go to visit Giant Buddha Temple. After that, continue to drive to Mt. Emei area to your hotel and free of the rest time.

Day 10 Mt. Emei – Chengdu

Sightseeing and Activities:Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Wuxiangang
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will go to Wannian Temple by vehicle and cable car in scenic area. You will experience the scenery by walking from Qingyin Pavilion, Thin strip of sky to Wuxiangang, then go down the mountain by vehicle. Lastly be driven back to Chengdu.

Day 11 Chengdu – Xian (By Air)

Sightseeing and Activities:Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Walls,Bell Tower
Accommodation: Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Take the morning flight to Xian. Today your first stop is the incredible Terracotta Warriors, the forbidding sentinels of a death defying emperor, starting out through the silent millennia of history.

In the afternoon, visit the Ancient City Walls, the largest and best-kept city walls on earth. Strolling and cycling on the Walls is quite an enjoyable experience. Today’s tour ends with the Bell Tower, a famous landmark of Xian ancient city.

Day 12 Xian-Beijing(by air)

Sightseeing and Activities:Great Mosque,Big Wild Goose Pagoda,,
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today after breakfast, you’ll visit the Great Mosque, a tranquil and historic mosque that has served Xian’s Muslim community for more than a millennium. By the way, you’ll stop at the Muslim Community. Then head to the age-old Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the old-line Xian, a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists.

After lunch, be transferred to the airport and take a flight to Beijing, the capital city of China. Be met and transferred to your hotel by the local guide and the rest of today is free at your leisure.

Day 13 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities:Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven,
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s tour begins to visit the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest plaza. Walking through Tiananmen Gate, you’ll enter the splendid Forbidden City, China’s No.1 palace complex adorned with imperial treasures.

In the afternoon, you’ll marvel at the Temple of Heaven where the emperors worshipped heaven and prayed for peace and harvest.

After the tour, back to your hotel.

Day 14 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities: Great Wall, Sacred Road, Ding Tomb of Ming Imperial Tombs
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning tour will take you to size up the world-famous Great Wall(Mutianyu section), the key symbol of China. Flexible visiting time allows you to enjoy a lifetime trekking trip (1-2 hours’ hiking), or witness the breathtaking views of this man-made wonder by taking a cable car(optional).

After the Wall visit, you’ll take a leisurely stroll along the tranquil Sacred Road to explore the Ding Tomb of Ming Imperial Tombs.

Feel tired after a whole day tour? You’re offered with a free foot massage. In the evening, try the flavorful dish of Peking Roast Duck Dinner(Optional). 

Day 15 Beijing Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:Beijing Departure
Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast

Today after breakfast, you’ll visit the fabulous Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, the next ‘must see’ site after the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

Then you will be escorted to the airport for a flight to your next destination or back to your home.

Recommended Hotels

City 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star Hostel
Kunming Softel Hotel Wenhui Hotel Jinhua Hotel T&T Story Hotel
Lijiang Pullman Hotel Wangfu Hotel Liwang Hotel Baisha Holiday Resort
Shangri-la Shangrila Hotel Shangrila Old Town Hotel Moon City Hotel Wu Fu South Yunnan Boutique Inn

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.