14 Days China Adventure Tour: Shanghai to Yunnan by Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   Welcome to our grand China private tour package of 14 days! Upon your arrival in Shanghai, the most prosperous city in China, your Chinese-speaking local driver will pick you up and transfer you to your well-selected hotel. The rest of the day is left for you to explore this metropolis on your own.

   If interested, you are recommended to participate in an optional activity - Acrobatics Performance (at your own expense). It features chair balancing feats, hula hoop maneuvers, aerial walking, and other astonishing displays (typically staged between 7:30pm and 9:00pm).

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai City Tour
   Discover the History and Prosperity of the Metropolis

   After breakfast, enjoy a guided Shanghai tour beginning at the Shanghai Museum. This museum is home to a collection of over 120,000 fine artifacts from all dynasties, boasting ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings.

   Next, head to Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden in Jiangnan (the south of the Yangtze River). Covering an area of 2 hectares, Yuyuan Garden has been in existence for more than 450 years. It was originally built by the owner as a place for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar. You can taste local snacks and appreciate some traditional handicrafts

   

   Then, transfer you to ascend the fourth tallest building in China - Shanghai World Financial Center. You will see the breathtaking skyline and a panoramic view of the city.

   Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is one of Shanghai's calling cards and a must-see for tourists. Here you can experience the bustling commercial atmosphere, explore the rich history and culture, and sample the culinary delights. Last, take a stroll along the Bund, enjoying the architectural diversity and the night view of the Huangpu River. You can even experience an optional activity - a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai Water Town Tour, Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Tour by Flight
   Spend a Leisurely Time at the Venice of Shanghai

   After breakfast, drive for about an hour to Shanghai's Venice - Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. With a history of 1,700 years, this water town allows you to glimpse the traditional Jiangnan water town culture. The tour guide will take you to explore ancient bridges, narrow alleys, and well preserved Ming and Qing architecture. You can also pay extra to leisurely row along the canal, taste local cuisine, and watch traditional Kunqu performances and other cultural activities.

   After the visit, we will return to Shanghai and you will be taken to the airport to take a flight to Zhangjiajie. After arrival, the local driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan

   

4. Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Park Tour
   Explore Yuanjiajie's Hallelujah Mountain & Wander in Ten Mile Gallery

   Your China trip to Zhangjiajie begins at the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The park covers an area of 130 square kilometers and is China's first national forest park. It is characterized by rocky peaks of various shapes and forms, high up in the sky, and lush trees.

   First, you will be guided to Ten Mile Gallery, which is the essence of Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. This five-kilometer-long walking path will treat you with a rich natural landscape and you will feel like you are wandering in a fairyland. Mini-train is optional and at additional cost.

   Next, transfer to the Yuanjiajie, located in the north of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is backed by rocky peaks and mountains, facing the valley peaks. The main attractions include the Mi Hun Tai (Enchanting Platform), the No.1 Bridge under Heaven, and the Bailong Elevator. You will have a chance to experience the world's highest elevator with a vertical height difference of 335 meters. The scenic spot is where the movie Avatar Hallelujah Mountain was filmed.

   

   Then, head to Tianzi Mountain, one of the four scenic spots in Wulingyuan. This scenic spot covers a total area of more than 5,400 hectares and its highest point, Tianzi Peak, is 4,142 feet (1,262.5 meters) above sea level. Take a sightseeing bus up to the mountain where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the strange peaks. He Long Park and Yu Bi Peak are the highlights of this scenic area. After the visit, take the cable car down the mountain.

   After the adventure, your guide and driver will escort you to Zhangjiajie's downtown area for today's overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Downtown

5. Day 5: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour
   Experience Walking on Glass Bridge & World's Longest Cable Car

   Your Zhangjiajie tour today will take you to explore the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a natural scenic spot with lush vegetation and cool, fresh air. Here you will challenge yourself to walk on the world's highest and longest glass bridge - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. The arch of the bridge is about 400 meters relative height from the bottom of the valley and the total length is about 370 meters. The bridge surface is all paved with transparent glass, and there is the world's highest bungee jump in the center of the bridge. This will be a once in a lifetime experience.

   

   After lunch, go to Tianmen Mountain, characterized by typical karst mountainous terrain. You will be arranged to take a cableway up the mountain. With a total length of 7,455 meters and a height difference of 1,279 meters, the cable car is the longest alpine passenger ropeway in the world.

   Upon arrival at the mountain, some highlights await you, such as the Sky Walk on the cliff, and the Tianmen Mountain Temple. After that, take the escalator through the mountain down to Tianmen Cave. With a height of 131.5 meters and a width of 57 meters, this cave is a rare high-altitude natural cave through the mountain in the world. You can conquer the 999 steps to Tianmen Cave and enjoy the wonderful scenery from above. After the visit, you will be escorted to your downtown hotel for rest.

   Good to Know:

   In winter, in case of heavy snow or severe cold weather, Tianmen Cave and Ghost Valley Plank Road may be closed. Your guide and consultant will adjust your itinerary accordingly.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Downtown

   

6. Day 6: Zhangjiajie to Tongren Tour by High-speed Train, Fanjingshan Arrival

   After breakfast, take a 1.5-2 hours high-speed train to reach Huaihua South Railway Station. There, transfer to another high-speed train bound for Tongren City, which will take around 2 hours.

   Upon arrival in Tongren, be welcomed by a local private driver, who will then drive you 50 kilometers (roughly 1 hour) to Jiangkou County for the night, at the foot of Mount Fanjing.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Jiangkou County

7. Day 7: Fanjingshan Mountain Tour
   Explore Mount Fanjing by Cable Car, Hike to Mushroom Stone, Golden Summit

   Today is dedicated to exploring the majestic Fanjingshan or Mount Fanjing, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival at the entrance, be guided to take a sightseeing bus to Yu'ao Station for the cable car.

   Catch the beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes during the 20-minute ride. Getting off the cable car, your Fanjingshan hike begins. Along the Forest Hiking Road, Hike for 45 minutes to a rock formation formed called Mushroom Stone. Resembling a mushroom, it is one of Guizhou's landmarks.

   

   Continue hiking for half an hour to reach the Golden Summit. It is really worth your hike as you will see the breathtaking scenery including the iconic Red Clouds Golden Summit from afar when stepping on the Old Golden Summit. Move to the sacred Cheng'en Temple, a Ming Dynasty temple that attracts a continuous stream of pilgrims. This has earned Fanjingshan Mountain the title of "one of Five Great Buddhist Temples in China".

   From there, challenge yourself with the steep and narrow steps, equipped with iron chains, leading to the Red Clouds Golden Summit, where you will see a giant stone column roots deeply in-ground, and splits into two parts on the top. A stone bridge is built to connect the two flats, enabling you a convenient visit to the two temples on either side of the flats. After the sightseeing, descend from the summit by taking the cable car and sightseeing bus to the Fanjingshan Scenic Area Exit.

   After the tour, drive about 3 hours to Kaili for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Kaili

8. Day 8: Guizhou Miao Village Tour, Kaili to Kunming by High-speed Train
   Glimpse Miao Culture through Welcome Rice Wine & Wax Dyeing

   Today you will be taken on a Guizhou culture tour for Miao village exploration. After breakfast, head to Langde Upper Miao Village. It is well known for its traditional architecture and unique Miao culture and customs.

   You will enjoy welcome rice wine and watch a traditional Miao dance performance. Besides, wander the village and explore its stilted houses & winding alleys. You informative tour guide will introduce you to something special. If interested, you can even experience the optional activities, such as catching fish in the fields and picking fresh vegetables.

   

   Afterward, transfer to another ethnic minority village called Matang Gejia Village. It is famous for its unique batik-making production. Wax dyeing is a traditional technique in Miao ethnic areas and also one of the national intangible cultural heritages. Walk into a local dyeing workshop and witness how white cloth turns into a blue hue, decorated with interesting patterns drawn with wax. You will make your own ancient art.

   After that, you will be escorted to the railway station to take a high-speed train to Kunming (3.5-hour). Kunming local driver will meet you and transfer you the downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Kunming

9. Day 9: Kunming to Lijiang Tour by High-speed Train
   Stroll along Lijing Old Town to Appreciate Naxi Buildings & Culture

   This morning, take a high-speed train to Lijiang. After landing, the local guide and the driver will pick you up and start your China tour of Yunnan at the Lijiang Old Town, which was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1997.

   The Ancient City has a history of about 800 years and is inhabited by the Naxi ethnic minority. Strolling along the antique streets, you can appreciate various buildings and learn about the culture of the Naxi people. Sifang Street is the center of the Old Town and the most important hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. There are many restaurants on both sides of the street, each with a variety of Yunnan specific rice noodles, so this street is also called "Lijiang Rice Noodle Street".

   

   Optional Activity: Embark on a leisurely stroll up to Lion Hill and ascend the 33-meter-high Wanggu Tower to savor a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire old town.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Lijiang

10. Day 10: Lijiang Highlights Tour
    Admire Baisha Mural Paintings, Stroll around Shuhe Ancient Town

    The Lijiang trip today takes you to the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain - Yuhu Village. In the village you can stroll along the quiet lakes and see stone houses.

    Continuing on to Baisha Village, you can further learn about the history of the Naxi people and appreciate the well preserved traditional architecture here. This village was once the political and economic center of Lijiang. Another must see here is the Baisha Mural Paintings, which has a history of five hundred years. It is one of the four major murals in China and combines the painting styles of various ethnic groups such as Han, Tibetan, and Naxi.

    

    Afterward, be guided to visit Shuhe Ancient Town. You will see that the houses are built along the river. Admire the quaint architecture and experience peaceful atmosphere, just like traveling back to ancient times. Next is the Dongba Culture Museum, which showcases the unique Dongba culture of the Naxi people, including precious scriptures and cultural relics.

    The last stop of the Lijiang tour is Black Dragon Pool Park, located at the foot of Elephant Mountain, which is an excellent place to enjoy the "Reflecting Yulong Snow Mountain".

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Lijiang

11. Day 11: Lijiang to Shangri-La Tour
    Take a Hike on the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge

    After breakfast, your driver and private guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to The First Bend of Yangtze River. The rolling yellow Yangtze River, blocked by cliffs in Shigu Town, suddenly makes a sharp turn into a "Ⅴ" shaped curve.

    Then continue driving north for about 1 hour to one of the deepest canyons in China - Tiger Leaping Gorge. Follow your guide to hike the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge and you can get a challenging but rewarding hiking experience. You will see the huge Tiger Leaping Rock. It is said that a tiger once leaped from one side of the gorge to the other with this rock. This is why the gorge is called "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

    

    After the hiking tour, you will drive to Shangri-La. Upon arrival, check in at the local hotel and have a slow-paced tour of Dukezong Old Town. One of the largest Tibetan residential areas in China, Dukezong boasts a history of over 1,300 years, and once served as an important hub along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

    A big highlight of the town is the largest prayer wheel in Guishan Park. You can join locals or other tourists to turn the wheel and invoke blessings and good fortune. Also, you can ascend to a higher point of the park to see the entire ancient town and surrounding snow mountains.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Shangri-La

12. Day 12: Best Shangri-La Tour
    Learn about Tibetan Culture via Local Tibetan Family & Monastery

    Today, you will be led to experience the highlights of Shangri-La starting from Songzanlin Monastery. Known as the 'Little Potala Palace', this is a great place to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture. The largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province, Songzanlin Temple, is built along the mountain with an architectural style that blends Tibetan tradition and Buddhist culture. The temple is magnificent, and you can go up to exquisite murals and magnificent Buddha statues. ‌

    

    After lunch, your guide will take you to Pudacuo National Park, one of the main attractions of the Shangri-La trip in Yunnan. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful lakes, forests, meadows, valleys, streams, and rare flora and fauna here. If you are a photography enthusiast, the park is a great travel destination especially during the spring and autumn seasons.

    Continue your tour in Shangri-La to a local Tibetan family. The hospitable host will entertain you with their homemade snacks, like butter tea, yak cheese, and barley wine. This is a rare chance to look into local Tibetan's daily life and activities. After that, go back to Shangri-La hotel.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Shangri-La

13. Day 13: Shangri-La to Kunming Tour
    Catch a Stunning Panoramic View from Western Hills

    After breakfast, catch a flight back to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province. After arrival, the local guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel.

    After taking a short break, start your Kunming tour in Western Hills. This is a landmark attraction in Kunming, combining natural beauty with Buddhist culture. Ascending the Dragon Gate, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Dianchi Lake from there. There are also exquisite grotto carvings here for you to appreciate.

    

    Next, we will go to Green Lake Park, located in the city center. The park covers an area of 0.216 square kilometers and is known as the "emerald green" due to its year-round lush scenery. You can see the most authentic citizen life here, some playing musical instruments, some practicing Tai Chi. Every winter, there are a large number of red billed gulls flying in, which is a spectacular view.

    After all visits, drive back to the hotel.‌‌

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Kunming

14. Day 14: Kunming Departure
    Marvel at the Spectacular Karst Landscape at Stone Forest

    Today is the last day of your 14-day China tour package from Shanghai to Yunnan. After breakfast, you will be taken to the famous Stone Forest. Thanks to its spectacular karst landscape of diverse stone pillars, peaks, and caves, Stone Forest was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showing millions of years of geological evolution. You will marvel at some of its most iconic formations in both the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests.

    

    After the Stone Forest visit, be escorted to Kunming Airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye to your guide and driver. Your adventure tour in China by train comes to an end here.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A