Chengdu begins, Chengdu ends
🏯 Historic Songpan Ancient Town: Step onto the ancient Tea-Horse Road at this well-preserved fortress town. Stroll its lantern-lined streets and historic city walls before heading deeper into the natural wonders.
🌈 Full Day in Jiuzhaigou Valley: Dedicate an entire day to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Immerse yourself in its fairy-tale world of crystal-clear, multi-colored lakes, layered waterfalls, and serene forests.
🤲 Adventure & Craft in Zhongcha Valley: Experience the grassland scenery on horseback and feel the thrill of a UTV ride. Then, connect with intangible cultural heritage through a unique Tibetan papermaking workshop at a local museum.
💎 Karst Wonders of Huanglong: Take the cable car up to the Huanglong Scenic Area. Walk along the boardwalks to admire its world-famous, rainbow-colored travertine pools and flowing calcite deposits.
Welcome to Chengdu, the cradle of ancient Shu civilization and a city globally celebrated for its poetic pace of life. Upon arrival, you will be met by your private representative and escorted to your urban sanctuary. Settle in and rejuvenate, preparing for your ascent into the breathtaking highlands of the Aba Prefecture.
Board the high-speed rail, traversing dramatic mountain corridors to Songpan, a historic frontier town established during the Tang Dynasty. Once a vital military outpost and a hub of the Tea Horse Road, the city remains a vibrant crossroads of Han and Tibetan cultures. Wander atop its massive stone ramparts and through cobblestone alleys before continuing into the mist-shrouded valleys of Jiuzhaigou.
Dedicate your day to the UNESCO-listed Jiuzhaigou National Park, a realm so ethereal it is known as "Fairyland." Explore a masterpiece of nature where multi-level waterfalls cascade into crystalline lakes of turquoise and emerald. From the reflective stillness of Mirror Lake to the kaleidoscopic depths of Five-Flower Lake, witness the "Four Wonders" of the park—alpine lakes, waterfalls, colorful forests, and snow-capped peaks—accompanied by your expert guide to find the park's most serene corners.
Journey to Shenxian Chi (Fairies' Bath), a hidden gem of calcified ponds and lush forests. Later, enter the pristine Zhongcha Valley for a dual encounter with the wild: choose a gentle horseback ride through alpine meadows or an exhilarating UTV off-road expedition across the rugged terrain. Conclude your afternoon at the Tibetan & Qiang Non-Material Cultural Heritage Museum, where you will participate in an exclusive workshop to learn the ancient art of Tibetan papermaking, touching the very soul of Himalayan craftsmanship.
Ascend to the heights of Huanglong Scenic Area, famous for its "Golden Dragon"—a 3.6-kilometer calcified terrace that shimmers like golden scales under the sun. Take the cable car to the summit to gaze upon the Five-Color Ponds, a surreal terrace of limestone pools. Following your exploration, descend from the plateau and board the high-speed rail back to Chengdu, where your private transfer awaits to return you to the neon-lit comfort of the city.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast, perhaps reflecting on the transition from the silence of the alpine lakes to the rhythmic hum of the city. Your private transfer will escort you to Chengdu Shuangliu or Tianfu International Airport for your departure. Depart with a spirit refreshed by the pristine waters and the enduring warmth of the Tibetan highlands.
Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
English-speaking or other language-speaking tour guides
24/7 On-Call Support
Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
Hand-selected Luxury Hotels
Mainland China domestic High-speed rails
Premium Private Transportation
Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
Authentic local handicraft experiences
Adjust the route, pace, accommodation and experiences around your travel dates and interests.
