9-Day Chongqing, Guizhou & Zhangjiajie Tour: Culture, Nature & Adventure
Tour Overview
Bridging the gap between futuristic megacities, ethnic traditions, and otherworldly natural wonders, the 9-day private journey takes you from the dramatic mountainscapes of Chongqing through the hidden karst caves of Guizhou to the Avatar-inspired peaks of Zhangjiajie.
From cyberpunk to local traditions, you’ll see a light rail train through an apartment building, explore stilt houses, and take a boat ride on the Tuo River in Fenghuang Ancient Town.
In addition, go deep into natural landscapes — admire Asia’s largest waterfall, hike the sacred Fanjing Mountain and challenge yourself to walk on glass skywalks.
Travel destinations: Chongqing, Guiyang, Anshun, Kaili, Fanjing Mountain, Fenghuang Town, Zhangjiajie
Suitable for: nature lovers, hikers, cultural enthusiasts, photography buffs
Tour type: Private
Tour at A Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See & Do
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1 – 2
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Chongqing
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Hongya Cave night view, Bayu culture & Chongqing history exploration at Three Gorges Museum, Liziba light rail passing through the buildings, local life experience in Ciqikou Ancient Town
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3 – 6
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Guizhou
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Huangguoshu Waterfall, underground karst cave and rivers at Dragon Palace, ethnic culture in Miao and Gejia Villages, hiking in Fanjing Mountain
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7
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Fenghuang Ancient Town
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Dreamy night landscape, stilt houses, a boat ride on the Tuo River, historic sites
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8 – 9
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Zhangjiajie
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Sandstone peak forests, Bailong Elevator, scenic canyon tram in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park; sky-high cableway, cliffside adventure & Tianmen Cave in Tianmen Mountain
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Highlights of this tour
Witness Chongqing’s modern architectural marvels of a monorail passing through a residential building, wander in the historic Ciqikou Ancient Town and soak in the dazzling nightscape of stilt houses in Hongya Cave.
Experience traditional batik and welcoming wine rituals in authentic Miao and Gejia villages. See Asia’s largest waterfall — Huangguoshu Waterfall, boat through karst rivers at Dragon Palace and hike the cloud-piercing trails of Fanjing Mountain.
Take a boat on the Tuo River of Fenghuang Ancient Town past centuries-old wooden stilt houses, cross stepping stones over rushing waters, and watch the entire ancient town transform into a golden wonderland by night.
Walk among towering quartz-sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar, ride the record-breaking Bailong glass elevator, and test your nerves on cliffside glass skywalks at Tianmen Mountain.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Chongqing Arrival
Upon arrival in Chongqing, meet your local guide and driver at the airport and transfer to your downtown hotel by private vehicle. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or heading out to experience your first taste of this mountain city.
Free Time Ideas: Take pictures of the nightscape of Hongya Cave, one of Chongqing's iconic landmarks. When night falls, appreciate the illuminated, cascading stilt houses built into the riverside cliffs and take a leisurely walk through the complex to browse small shops, sample local snacks, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Yangtze River Cruise and Hongya Cave - Day 2: Chongqing City Highlights, Travel to Guiyang by High-Speed TrainExplore City’s History, Iconic Landmarks and Ancient Town
Begin your Chongqing tour at the Three Gorges Museum. Tracethe the history of Bayu culture and the development of Chongqing through its rich collection of historical relics.
Then walk to the nearby Great Hall of the People, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Admire its grand traditional Chinese architecture, featuring red walls, green tiles and golden roofs. The design is actually modeled after the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at Beijing's Temple of Heaven.
Head to Liziba Station. Snap the world-famous spectacle of a monorail passing directly through a residential building —a fascinating glimpse into Chongqing’s unique mountainous urban landscape.
Your final stop today is Ciqikou Ancient Town, a historic riverside neighborhood with narrow lanes, traditional-style buildings, local snack shops, and small handicraft stores. Stroll along the old streets to experience the everyday life of locals.
After the tour, board the high-speed train to Guiyang, a journey of about 2 hours. A local driver will meet you at the train station and escort you to the hotel for check-in.
A family of three visiting Ciqikou Old Town - Day 3: Huangguoshu WaterfallAdmire Asia’s Largest Waterfall and Trek Through the Legendary Water Curtain Cave
A 2.5-hour drive will take you to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area, home to the largest waterfall in Asia.
Start at the Doupotang Scenic Area, known for its broad waterfalls surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests. Take a relaxed walk along the plank road, capture the cascading waterfall on camera and let the sound of rushing water accompany you along the way.
Doupotang Waterfall in Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area Hop on the sightseeing bus to Tianxingqiao Scenic Area, where you'll meander through karst peak forests, streams, caves and natural stone bridges. As you explore, you'll feel as if you've entered a natural maze with waterfalls, unusual rocks and lush greenery at every corner.
The highlight of the day is Huangguoshu Waterfall, standing 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide. Admire the massive waterfall from different perspectives and get up close to the mist and roar of the water as it plunges down. Also, walk through Water Curtain Cave behind the waterfall, a filming location of the classic 1986 TV series Journey to the West.
Finally, your guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel in Anshun.
Travel Tips:
A raincoat is necessary to keep you from getting soaked.
Water Curtain Cave may be closed temporarily during the flood season, so check the official announcement in advance.
- Day 4: Anshun to Kaili by Private VehicleExplore Underground Karst Landscapes By Boat and Wander Through Ancient Town
Dragon Palace Scenic Area is about 1-hour drive from Anshun. It is renowned for its unique karst landscape, combining caves, underground rivers, waterfalls, and peak forests. You'll explore the natural wonders on foot and by boat.
Walk along the trail to Dragon Gate Waterfall first, the largest karst cave waterfall in China. As you approach, water mist and a thundering sound will envelope you. Continue to Tianchi Lake, an emerald-green natural pool tucked quietly within the mountains.
karst landscapes illuminated by colorful lights at Dragon Palace Venture into the underground world of the First Entrance of Dragon Palace by boat. Glide through the caves and underground rivers where the millennia-old stalactites are illuminated by colorful lights and reflected on the water surface.
After that, board your private vehicle to Qingyan Ancient Town — about a 1.5-hour drive. After arrival, stroll along the stone-paved streets and alleys of this 600-year-old town. Admire the well-preserved Ming- and Qing-Dynasty buildings, city walls and traditional residences.
Take your time exploring the characteristic small shops, taste local snacks, and experience the vibrant local life.
Finally, relax on a private 2.5-hour drive to Kaili. Check into your hotel for a good rest.
Warm Tips:
Bring a light coat, as you may feel cold in the underground caves in Dragon Palace Scenic Area.
Non-slip shoes are recommended since there are many uneven cobblestone paths and steps in Qingyan Ancient Town.
- Day 5: Kaili to Fanjing Mountain by Private VehicleDiscover Authentic Ethnic Traditions through Miao Performances and Gejia Batik Crafts
Take the car to Langde Upper Miao Village this morning. Upon arrival, locals will welcome you with the traditional Miao "gate-blocking" rice wine ceremony. Just a light sip is enough. Then, watch the Miao ethnic songs, dances and cultural performances in the village square, gaining a glimpse of the unique life way and traditions of the Miao people.
Dance performances in Langde Upper Miao Village Step into the village and you'll find wooden stilt houses built against the mountains, preserving the Miao's architectural heritage.
Drive about 1 hour to Matang Gejia Village. The Gejia are a subgroup of the Miao, known for their distinctive embroidery and batik. Wander through the village to observe traditional dwellings and daily life in this quiet community. Also, learn about the unique embroidery, batik and clothing culture of the Ge people.
After the visit, your driver will escort you to the hotel at the foot of Fanjing Mountain. Have a good rest to prepare for tomorrow’s hike.
Optional Activity: If you're interested, you can try making your own batik work under the guidance of a master in Matang. Your guide can arrange this optional experience.
- Day 6: Fanjing Mountain & Transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town by Private VehicleAscend Mount Fanjing for Sea of Clouds and Ancient Stone Wonders
Today you will hike up Fanjing Mountain. After entering the park, take the sightseeing bus for about 20 minutes to Yu’ao Station, then transfer to the cable car. As you ascend, primeval forests, rolling valleys and layered peaks through the window gradually come into view.
After getting off the cable car, hike along the Forest Trail to the peaks. Your first highlight is the iconic Mushroom Stone. Its unique shape has been sculpted by centuries of weathering. Up close, it may look as though it's about to topple — yet it has stood firmly for over a million years.
Continue hiking to Old Golden Summit. Looking around from the top, you can enjoy an open view of the expansive mountains shrouded in clouds and mist. Walk down and pass several Buddhist sights, such as Wanming Cave & Cheng'en Temple.
Finally, challenge yourself to reach the highest peak — Red Clouds Golden Summit. To reach the summit, you need to climb along narrow and steep stone steps, but your effort is rewarded with the spectacular panoramas of surrounding peaks, sea of clouds and deep canyons.
Tip: Comfortable shoes will make the hike much easier.
Then take the 2-hour private drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town and check in at the hotel. In the evening, stroll along the Tuo River or sit in a riverside cafe to appreciate the poetic night view — stilt houses bathed in golden lights with their reflections shimmering on the water.
Climb Fanjingshan to feel being close to the sky - Day 7: Fenghuang Ancient Town ExplorationEnjoy a Tuo River Boat Ride, Explore Historic Stilt House and Xiangxi Cultural Heritage
Spend the day exploring Fenghuang Ancient Town in depth. A boat ride on the Tuo River offers a fresh perspective of the stilt houses lining both banks. You can also cross the river via the Jumping Rocks — stone piers stepping out across the water, with the current flowing beneath your feet and rows of stilt houses rising behind you.
Or, stand on the Nanhua Bridge to overlook the S-bend of Tuo River and capture the panoramic view of the whole town. If interested, visit cultural sites like the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, the Yang Family’s Ancestral Hall and Fenghuang Ancient Town Museum.
The driver and guide will transfer you to the hotel in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan after the tour.
Stilt houses at Fenghuang Ancient Town at Daytime - Day 8: Highlights of Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkRide a Scenic Canyon Tram and Journey through Avatar-inspired Peak Forests
Go deep into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to discover the wonders of peak forests, canyons and sea of clouds.
Board the sightseeing tram through the Ten-Mile Gallery. Along the way, you'll feel as though you've stepped into a constantly-changing landscape painting, where the strange peaks on both sides perfectly complement dense forests and clear streams.
Next, ride the Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie. This glass elevator "climbs" vertically along a sheer cliff, taking you from the valley floor to the mountaintop in 66 s. During the ride, the view shifts from the enclosed elevator shaft to an expansive landscape of towering pillars, deep valleys, and lush forest.
At Yuanjiajie, countless stone pillars rise from the deep valley, which appear to float in the air when shrouded in mist and clouds. This scene inspired the "Hallelujah Mountain" in Avatar.
Continue to the First Bridge Under Heaven, a naturally formed giant bridge spanning across the two peaks. Look down into the deep valley from the viewing platform and you'll feel the grandeur of nature.
The First Bridge under Heaven at Yuanjiajie Head to Tianzi Mountain in the afternoon for a more expansive panorama of the peak forests. On clear days, you will see the layers of peaks stretching in the distance; on foggy days, you may be treated to a spectacular sea of clouds.
Return to the hotel for rest after all visits.
- Day 9: Tianmen Mountain & Zhangjiajie DepartureA Breathtaking Journey of High Mountain Cableways, Cliffside Walks, Iconic Natural Cave
Drive to the lower station of the world-famous Tianmen Mountain Cableway and take the cable car uphill. As you ascend, the city, valleys and winding mountain road gradually unfold beneath you.
The Glass Skywalk and Guigu Cliffside Walkway are the two most thrilling experiences. Step onto the transparent skywalk to feel the adrenaline of standing 1,400 meters above the valley floor. Strolling along the cliffside walkway gives you the exhilarating sensation of walking on air.
Glass Skywalk in Tianmen Mountain Lastly, capture the iconic landmark - Tianmen Cave. At an altitude of over 1,300 meters, this natural arch stands 131.5 meters high - like a giant gate to the sky.
This is the end of your 9-day private tour. The driver will escort you to the train station and airport. Wish you a pleasant journey home.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 9-Day Chongqing, Guizhou & Zhangjiajie Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
