Embark upon a 14-night cultural adventure to the enchanting Yunnan Province and get way off the beaten track in southern China. Being such a vast and diverse country, it can sometimes be hard to know where to begin. Rest assured though, with our inside knowledge and expert guides, you will see the very best China has to offer and experience a journey you won\u2019t forget.\u00a0 Starting in bustling Beijing steeped in ancient culture, you’ll journey to the Panda capital of the world, Chengdu, before\u00a0finding your Zen in the ancient highland cities of Lijiang and Shangri-La. Here you’ll hole up in some of our favorite hideaways and trek deep into mystic highlands to discover ancient hill tribes,\u00a0before ending your trip in style in Shanghai. Get set to embark on one enlightening adventure.<\/p>\n
Your adventure kicks off in Beijing where post-touchdown, it’s just a short journey to the cosmopolitan Opposite House hotel, where you can spend the day waving off the jetlag in preparation for exploring China\u2019s ancient capital. Start off your day by embracing ancient Chinese culture and exploring the enchanting Forbidden City and its labyrinthine \u2018hutong\u2019 neighbourhoods. Then, after all that walking, why not rest your legs with lunch overlooking the peaceful Houhai Lake? For an immersive way to see local life,\u00a0we\u2019ll also arrange a unique experience by way of a private Taiji lesson with a Taiji master in the stunning setting of Jingshan Park. Of course, no trip to China would be complete without visiting the awe-inspiring Great Wall and with Beijing\u2019s close proximity we have organized for you to appreciate the panoramic views and beat those crowds with a visit to the remote Mutianyu section before all the tourists get there. Here you can enjoy the incredible site and its history with just your expert guide at hand.<\/p>\n
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Just a short flight from Beijing and you will arrive in the capital of Sichuan Province (or Heavenly State as it\u2019s known); Chengdu. Check in to the sophisticated Temple House\u00a0and rest up before an evening spent regaled with the delights of traditional folklore at the 200-year old Sichuanese Opera. Tomorrow, it\u2019s time to meet China\u2019s universally adored national mascot as you spend your morning cradling baby pandas at the Chengdu Giant panda research base. Be warned, you’ll not want to say goodbye to these gentle giants. By night, sample another icon of Chengdu; its cuisine. Whether over a meal of fiery Sichuan cuisine or sampling an authentic street-food snack \u2013 it\u2019s not for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n
From Chengdu, it\u2019s then a short flight up to Lijiang – or the \u2018Venice of the East\u2019 as it\u2019s also known. The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and right from your first glimpse, it will be easy to see why. Spend your day taking in the Naxi architecture and stunning scenery by navigating the peaceful streets and beautiful arched bridges of the Old Town. Or, venture further afield with a visit to the nearby Xuehua Yi village, where you can enjoy a traditional Bimo lunch and blessing, before lacing on those hiking boots for a scenic hike in the Wenhai Valley. Relax in a classic Naxi family courtyard over dinner before retiring to the luxury of your hotel at Amanfayun for an authentic age-old spa treatment.<\/p>\n
A scenic two-hour drive will tomorrow take you to Qiaotou where the adventure truly begins as you hike across one of the deepest canyons in the world; Tiger Leaping Gorge. Ascend the famed ’28 bends\u2019, a steep path of twists and turns which, although somewhat tiring, promises to reward you with a well-worth-it view from the top. From there, it’s onto Shangri-La City where, as you wander through the incense-filled rooms of Songzanlin Monastery and hike through the pristine grasslands of Napahai valley, the sense of peace and serenity will overcome you entirely.<\/p>\n
Your all-encompassing Chinese adventure comes to an end in the effortlessly sophisticated Shanghai with a stay at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria. Why not toast to your trip and experience a slice of 1920\u2019s Shanghai glamour with a drink at the award-winning Long Bar? Shanghai truly has something for everyone, whether you’d rather enjoy lunch in one of the numerous chic caf\u00e9s of Xintiandi or indulge in an afternoon of art and culture at the Shanghai Museum.\u00a0 A can’t-miss, spend a day walking down the elegant tree-lined French concession and soak up all that old-world residential charm before ending your trip on a literal high at the ERA Acrobatics show, watching in wonder at this fusion of traditional Chinese art with modern technology. Enjoy one final meal at one of our favorite local Shanghai eateries to reminisce about your incredible adventure before flying home the next day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Embark upon a 14-night cultural adventure to the enchanting Yunnan Province and get way off the beaten track in southern China. Being such a vast and diverse country, it can sometimes be hard to know where to begin. Rest assured though, with our inside knowledge and expert guides, you will see the very best China […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101059,"featured_media":217067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["China"],"class_list":["post-183977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-china-asia","month-april","month-june","month-may","month-november","month-october","month-september","type-experience","feeling-contentment","feeling-revitalized","need-to-learn","need-to-discover","what-culture","what-unusual","who-couple","who-family","who-honeymoon","who-solo","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n