15-day Southwest China (2009) Beijing - Chengdu - Lijiang - Shangri-la (Zhongdian) - Kunming - Shanghai Scroll down for departure dates, prices and hotel list. Day 1/Fri: Departing Home City The journey begins with our transpacific flight departing the west coast in early afternoon. Cross the International Date Line. Day 2/Sat: Arrival in Beijing Meet our guide upon arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Day 3/Sun: Beijing Today is a free day to recover from jet lag or explore the ancient capital on your own. Optional tour to the Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City is available on request and the cost depends on the number of participants. Welcome dinner at a famous Peking roast duck restaurant. (B/D) Day 4/Mon: Beijing Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall, 70km northeast of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. On the way back to the city in the afternoon we stop by at the Spirit Way at Ming Tombs. The Spirit Way, serving at the entrance to the Ming Tombs, is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (B/L) Day 5/Tue: Beijing - Chengdu Enjoy some free time in the morning. The late flight to Chengdu (1697 km) takes less than 3 hours. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province with an urban population approaching 3.5 million. (B/L/D) Day 6/Wed: Chengdu Tour of the Giant Panda Breeding Centre is followed by a visit to the museum built on the archaeological site of Sanxingdui Culture (Bronze Age). First chanced upon by a farmer in 1929, Sanxingdui, 40km west of Chengdu, continued to surprise the archaeological community in the decades to come. In 1986, two major sacrificial pits were discovered and the breakthrough aroused widespread academic attention from around the world. The Sanxingdui finds are exciting, but they remain enigmatic. So far no written records of this 5,000-year-old civilization have been found. (B/L) Day 7/Thu: Chengdu - Lijiang Morning schedule includes Wangjianglou (river view) Park and a traditional tea house. Fly to Lijiang in late afternoon. Lijiang is home to the ethnic Naxi people whose intriguing Dongba religion and unique customs coupled with the region's enchanting scenery combine to make Lijiang and its vicinity a fascinating place to explore. The old town known as Dayan is protected as a UNESCO-designated World Cultural Heritage Site. (B/L) Day 8/Fri: Lijiang A walking tour of the old town is followed by an excursion to Yunshanping or Spruce Meadow, an alpine pasture surrounded by virgin forests at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. En route we stop by an ancient village. The evening concert of classical Naxi music is optional if available. (B/L) Day 9/Sat: Lijiang - Shangri-la (Zhongdian) After breakfast we embark on an overland journey to Zhongdian. The day-long driver covers 200 kilometres of country road snaking through scenic river valleys and high mountains dotted by villages of various ethnic nationalities. En route we stop by at Tiger Leaping Gorge, the first bend of the Yangtze. (B/L/D) Day 10/Sun: Zhongdian We spend the morning visiting Bita Lake surrounded by virgin alpine forests and a Tibetan village along the way. Afternoon sighhtseeing takes in Songzanlin Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, and a local market. (B/L/D) Day 11/Mon: Zhongdian - Kunming The morning flight to Kunming takes less than one hour. Capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming is widely known as the "city of eternal spring" due to its temperate climate year-round. Our sightseeing in Kunming includes the historic Western Hill Scenic Area. (B/L) Day 12/Tue: Kunming Enjoy an excursion to Stone Forest. Located 126km southeast of Kunming, the Stone Forest is a massive collection of gray limestone pillars created by water erosion. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone. Afternoon sightseeing at Bamboo Temple and a flower market. (B/L/D) Day 13/Wed: Kunming - Shanghai Morning flight to Shanghai. Free afternoon to explore on your own. We recommend Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, the Bund, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B) Day 14/Thu: Shanghai Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B) Day 15/Fri: Shanghai - Home City Free morning to pack and relax. Transfer to airport to board return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B) Back to top Hotels City No. of Nights Hotel Star Rating Beijing 3 Sheraton Beijing Chengdu 2 Jinjiang Hotel Lijiang 2 Guanfang Hotel Shangri-la/Zhongdian 2 Paradise Hotel Kunming 2 Bank Hotel Shanghai 2 Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Back to top Dates & Prices 2009 Depart (Sat) Return (Thu) Full Package from YVR/SFO air add-ons from other cities Land Package excluding int'l airfare Single Supplement applicable to travellers without a roommate May 22 Jun 5 $3600 $2850 $900 Jul 17 Jul 31 $3850 $2850 $900 Jul 31 Aug 14 $3850 $2850 $900 Aug 7 Aug 21 $3850 $2850 $900 Sept 11 Sept 25 $3750 $2950 $900 Oct 9 Oct 23 $3750 $2950 $900 Back to top Costs Not Included in Tour Prices Taxes & Surcharges Recommended Tipping Chinese Visa Fee Full Package Land Package please contact us for current amount $10/client/day Click here for details