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7-Nights China's Hidden Highlights: Chengdu to Kunming - Classic

China
7-Nights China's Hidden Highlights: Chengdu to Kunming - Classic
China
G Adventures
Vacation Offer ID 1569211
Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.
Overview

G Adventures

China's Hidden Highlights: Chengdu to Kunming
Exploring all of China’s ancient wonders could take a lifetime, but on this eight-day adventure, you’ll uncover some of its best-kept secrets in no time. Skip the usual tourist spots and dive into the magic of lesser-known gems like Chengdu’s Tian'fu Square, Lijiang's Black Dragon Pool, and the ancient towns of Shaxi and Dali. Led by a rockstar local CEO, this trip gives you an insider’s view of the country’s rich history and culture. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through China's hidden treasures.

Highlights
People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu, Lijiang Old Town Visit, Black Dragon Pool Park, Shaxi Walking Tour, Dali Old Town, Dali Xizhou Old Town walking tour.

Accommodation
Hotel (7nts)

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 14

Meals Included
1 dinner

What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu. Lijiang Old Town Visit. Black Dragon Pool Park. Shaxi Walking Tour. Dali Old Town., Dali Xizhou Old Town walking tour. Transport to and from included activities

Featured Destinations

Shaxi (Shaxizhen)
Kunming

Kunming

Located 400 mi/645 km south of Chengdu at an elevation of 6,200 ft/1,900 m, Kunming, the "city of eternal springs," is surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery. It's a pleasant, well-laid-out city, with a temperate climate and many gardens and lakes. The city was a base for the Flying Tigers during the early stages of World War II. It also played a key role in the Sino-Japanese War as the end point of the Burma Road.

Kunming also has a number of golf courses. China's burgeoning middle class is enthusiastically taking to the sport of golf, and greens are being built around the city. The Lakeview Country Club course was designed by British golf pro Nick Faldo.

Kunming is home to many of China's ethnic minorities—tribal people—who consider themselves distinctly different from China's predominant ethnic group, the Han. The city is also intriguing because some of the neighborhoods escaped the ugly 1950s Chinese modern architecture that characterizes most cities in the rest of the country, although given Kunming's rapid growth and ongoing construction this may not always be the case.

Things to see in Kunming include an interesting market, some ruined pagodas, the Yuantong Temple (a glorious building set on Green Lake) and stores selling tribal handicrafts.

Perhaps the best thing about Kunming, however, is that its traditional Chinese teahouses have survived. Tucked into side streets, they serve as neighborhood centers where older citizens play games and smoke the afternoon away—visitors are welcome.

There are many lakes and old temples outside the city that make fun destinations for day trips. Most notable are the Huating Temple in the Western Hills (built in the 1300s) and the 300-year-old Golden Temple (bronze-covered pillars, roofs and gates), linked by cable car to the World Horticultural Expo Garden.

Another attraction in the vicinity is the Shilin Stone Forest of Lunan county. These oddly shaped rock formations are actually better seen during an overnight stay rather than a day trip because they're about 75 mi/125 km southeast of town, although a highway makes a day trip possible.

Well-connected by road and rail, as well as the Kunming Airport, Kunming makes an excellent hub from which to explore the Yunnan province. The metro system, comprised of six lines, is a great way of getting around.

Destination Guide
Dali

Dali

Dali City is a picturesque city located northwest of the Yunnan Province, surrounded by mountains on the east and the Erhai Lake in its center. Due to Cangshan Mountain, a natural reserve and scenic hiking area, Dali is known as a backpackers’ haven. The kingdom dates back as early as 4,000 years when the Bai people first settled the area, and Ming Dynasty ruins can be toured in the Ancient City where Dali was first built. Dali is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, and visitors enjoy its stunning natural scenery.
Destination Guide
Lijiang

Lijiang

Lijiang is a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province. The town is culturally rich with it's Old Town District, 800 year old bridges and waterways.  The views atop Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are breathtaking, and the Dongba cultural center of Jade Water Village is worth visiting. 
Destination Guide
Chengdu

Chengdu

The main inland access city to Tibet, Chengdu is the capital of the "Heavenly State". Most known for its natural habitat and research center for giant pandas, this sprawling city boasts a population of over 11 million.
Destination Guide

View Full Itinerary

Valid Date Ranges

April 2025
04/18/2025 04/25/2025 $1,399 per person
May 2025
05/16/2025 05/23/2025 $1,399 per person
June 2025
06/20/2025 06/27/2025 $1,349 per person
July 2025
07/04/2025 07/11/2025 $1,349 per person
07/11/2025 07/18/2025 $1,349 per person
August 2025
08/15/2025 08/22/2025 $1,349 per person
September 2025
09/05/2025 09/12/2025 $1,399 per person
09/19/2025 09/26/2025 $1,399 per person
October 2025
10/17/2025 10/24/2025 $1,399 per person
10/24/2025 10/31/2025 $1,399 per person
November 2025
11/14/2025 11/21/2025 $1,299 per person
11/21/2025 11/28/2025 $1,299 per person
December 2025
12/19/2025 12/26/2025 $1,299 per person
January 2026
01/16/2026 01/23/2026 $1,299 per person
01/30/2026 02/06/2026 $1,299 per person
March 2026
03/06/2026 03/13/2026 $1,349 per person
03/13/2026 03/20/2026 $1,349 per person
April 2026
04/03/2026 04/10/2026 $1,399 per person
04/17/2026 04/24/2026 $1,399 per person
May 2026
05/15/2026 05/22/2026 $1,399 per person
05/22/2026 05/29/2026 $1,399 per person
June 2026
06/05/2026 06/12/2026 $1,349 per person
06/19/2026 06/26/2026 $1,349 per person
July 2026
07/03/2026 07/10/2026 $1,349 per person
07/17/2026 07/24/2026 $1,349 per person
August 2026
08/07/2026 08/14/2026 $1,349 per person
08/21/2026 08/28/2026 $1,349 per person
September 2026
09/04/2026 09/11/2026 $1,399 per person
09/18/2026 09/25/2026 $1,399 per person
October 2026
10/16/2026 10/23/2026 $1,399 per person
10/23/2026 10/30/2026 $1,399 per person
November 2026
11/06/2026 11/13/2026 $1,299 per person
11/20/2026 11/27/2026 $1,299 per person
December 2026
12/04/2026 12/11/2026 $1,299 per person
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.