18-day Classic China Tour with Yunnan

18 days
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Private Guided
China Essence and South Discovery. Catch the core of China's cultural heritage in the ancient capital cities, experience unique ethnic customs, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of south China. This tour could be the first choice for travelers who are keen on minority cultures and landscapes.
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$5,363
From$4,360
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Feast Your Eyes on the Best Scenery of the Rice Terraces
    • Enjoy a Cruise in the Painting Gallery of God
    • Discover Rural China by Exploring the Less Touristy Villages
    • Take a Cable Car Ride to the Snowcapped Peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
    • Experience the Mysterious Dongba Culture in an Ancient Naxi Village
    • Seek Enlightenment from a Tibetan Buddhist in Songzanlin Lamasery
    • See the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army Come Alive in Your Mind's Eye
    • Discover Hidden Halls in the Forbidden City
    • Explore a Less-Crowded Section of the Great Wall

What's this trip about?

    China Essence and South Discovery. Catch the core of China's cultural heritage in the ancient capital cities, experience unique ethnic customs, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of south China. This tour could be the first choice for travelers who are keen on minority cultures and landscapes.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityShanghai
End CityBeijing

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Family Friendly
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Guided Group
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Educational/ Learning

Trip includes

    • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
    • English speaking local guide
    • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
    • 24/7 helpline while you are traveling

Itinerary

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival

Your private guide would be waiting punctually for you in arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) and an experienced driver would transfer you directly to your hotel.

Day 2 Shanghai | Shanghai Highlights

Breakfast & Lunch Your adventure in China would begin with Yu Garden, providing classic examples of Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) architecture as well as a verdant garden in the old quarter of Shanghai.

Yuyuan Market is located adjacent to Yu Garden, offering a ...

Day 3 Shanghai to Guilin | Minority Village and Longsheng Terraced Fields

Breakfast & Lunch You would fly to Guilin in the morning.

Your personal guide and driver would escort you from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport straight to Longsheng. After a 2½-hour drive, you would reach Ping'an Zhuang Minority Village.

Long...

Day 4 Guilin-Yangshuo | Li River Cruise

Breakfast & Lunch You would enjoy a 4-star Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. It is considered to be one of the most scenic river cruises in the world, famous for its picturesque landscapes, majestic karst peaks, and serene countryside.

After disembar...

Day 5 Yangshuo-Kunming | Explore the Countryside

Breakfast & Lunch You would experience the local farmers' lifestyle by visiting an old couple in a traditional house and learning about their lifestyle and philosophy.

Next, you would drive past an old ferry on the Li River, where ancient-style buildings re...

Day 6 Kunming | Stone Forest and Yuantong Temple Tour

Breakfast& Lunch After a 1½-hour drive, you would visit a fantastic natural phenomenon — the Stone Forest. The various limestone shapes were formed as a result of oceanic shell deposits, tectonic uplift, and weathering. The Stone Forest area is the home of the San...

Day 7 Kunming to Dali | Xizhou and Erhai Lake

Breakfast & Lunch You would take a 2-hour bullet train ride to Dali in the morning. Upon arrival, your Dali guide would be waiting to start a colorful day with you.

First, you would visit the houses of the Bai minority people in Xizhou Village. You would se...

Day 8 Dali to Lijiang | Black Dragon Pool and Lijiang Old Town

Breakfast & Lunch Your personal guide and driver would transfer you directly from Dali to Lijiang.

Then, you would have lunch and start your tour of Lijiang. Lijiang Old Town is characterized by its intricate network of narrow cobblestone streets, tradition...

Day 9 Lijiang | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Naxi Culture Tour

Breakfast & Lunch Welcome to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain of the Naxi people. You would use the cable car and find yourself in a real paradise as you overlook stunning and variant natural beauty, including spruces, meadows, pines, and clouds.

<...
Day 10 Lijiang to Shangri-La | Tiger Leaping Gorge

Breakfast & Lunch Your guide and driver would escort you from Lijiang to Shangri-La. Along the way, you would visit one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges — Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The dashing water from the magnificent Jinsha River flows into th...

Day 11 Shangri-La | Songzanlin Lamasery and Pudacuo National Park

Breakfast & Lunch In the morning, you would visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province — Songzanlin Lamasery — which was built in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and represents Tibetan culture, housing Buddhist statues and many precious...

Day 12 Chengdu | Sichuan Cuisine Cooking

Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner In the morning, you would head to People's Park to get some fresh air and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of vibrant scenes: square dancing, a marriage market, ear massages, and mahjong, to name a few.

In the afterno...

Day 13 Chengdu to Xi'an | Pandas and Sichuan Opera

Breakfast & Lunch Your first stop on day 13 would be the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to nearly 50 giant pandas and red pandas. It is best to go early in the morning to see the pandas feeding at around 9:30am when they are most active

Day 14 The Terracotta Army and a Traditional Cave Dwelling

Breakfast & Lunch In the morning, you would visit the Terracotta Army Museum to uncover the mystery of the life-sized underground army, which has remained untouched for 2,200 years. You would gain an insight into the military might, artistic achievements, and buri...

Day 15 Xi'an to Beijing | Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum

Breakfast & Lunch Small Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as Jianfu Temple, is a captivating destination that combines history, religion, and cultural significance.

Xi'an Museum is near the pagoda. This museum collectively reflects the long history of Xi'an, in...

Day 16 Beijing | The Forbidden City and the Summer Palace

Breakfast & Lunch You would first visit some iconic sights of the city: Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tian'anmen Square, at the heart of Beijing is the largest famous square in the world and has witnessed many major historical events.

Walking no...

Day 17 Beijing | The Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven

Breakfast & Lunch The less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers superb views as it snakes across the mountains. Cable cars are available to take you to a good section (avoiding climbing up steep steps), where you could walk along the wall and enjoy th...

Day 18 Beijing Departure

Breakfast Your tour guide, driver, and van would pick you up from your hotel for your airport transfer and flight. Your guide would accompany and assist you as far as the security check and would then wave goodbye.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,360
Price per day$242
Last Updated: 2/13/2025

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
    • Visa Fees
    • Excess Baggage Charges.
    • Personal Expenses
    • Meals: Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
    • Insurance
    • Single Room Supplement
    • Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers

Accommodation

Requirements
Payment Deposit & Final payment A deposit which is equal to 10% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The full or final payment is required 30 days before departure for your China tour. Should the tour booked within 30 days before departure for your China tour, full payment is required. Receipt of your deposit or final payment will indicate that you and your travel agent (when applicable) have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you (and your agent) have accepted them. The Terms and Conditions below form the basis of the contractual relationship between China Highlights International Travel Service Co., Ltd (Business Certificate Number: L-GX00724) and its clients. It is extremely important that our clients understand and accept these Terms and Conditions as well as their quotations, itineraries and other relevant communication from our travel advisors. Methods of Payment We are now able to offer 3 methods of Payment: Visa or Master Card secure online payment via PayPal. Visa or Master Card by email Wire transfer. Cash payment, travelers' check and company check is applicable upon special request, but personal checks cannot be accepted. or click here to enter the "Payment Center" page to know more. If we receive a fraud alert from our credit card processor, we'll require confirmation before your transaction can be processed. If the booking is too urgent to get all required confirmation in time, we have the right to cancel the booking and refund the card holder's account for our own and the card holder's protection. Disclaimer of Difference Caused by Exchange Rate (For clients who make payment by credit card only). China Highlights will draw Chinese currency (CNY) from your credit card. The Credit Card Company or Bank will convert this amount to the currency of your credit card account. China Highlights converts Chinese currency to US Dollars at a rate of CN721 = US$100 for our quotations, but must charge your credit card in CNY (Note: China Highlights will apply the latest exchange rate, which may differ from the one shown above.). Banks and credit card companies must then buy Chinese currency at their local rate to make the payment. The rate may be more or less than our rate. Banks and credit card companies may also make a service charge for the transaction. For these reasons what appears on your bank statement may be more (or even less) than what you were expecting. Click here for an illustration. Note: Before you pay, please check our exchange rate against your bank's exchange rate and your bank's transaction fee policy. China Highlights currently quotes tour prices in US Dollars on our web site to give you an idea of the tour cost and quote in CNY to you at the time when you are making bookings. 1. Should a revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi occur, China Highlights will honor all quotations for tours that have been fully paid at the time of the revaluation. 2. Customers who have not paid for their tour in full at the time of any revaluation will be required to pay the difference between the old and new price calculated in Renminbi. China Highlights will never charge more that our quotation that has been accepted by you, our client. Luggage AllowanceIn accordance with regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the free baggage allowance within China is 20kg for the economy class, 30kg for the business class, and 40kg for the first class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within China specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft. Alteration of Itinerary Alterations to your itinerary before the booking are happily processed free of charge. Alterations after payment of the deposit will attract a fee of $25.00 per request. All expenses incurred by China Highlights in alteration of the booking are the responsibility of the customer. This includes all fees and charges levied by third parties such as cruise operators, airlines and hotels. Liability & ResponsibilityChina Highlights provides tour information and China tour bookings. China Highlights publishes travel information and services gathered from the selected quality hotels, air ticket agencies and tour companies & operators. Chinahighlights will not be responsible for errors, emissions or inaccuracies in information provided by third party providers. China Highlights shall not be responsible for any wrongful or negligent or fraudulent, omissions, changes of itinerary, cancellation or the failure of any equipment operated by those suppliers or any other party not directly owned or controlled by China Highlights. China Highlights shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property, alteration of itineraries or cancellation in part or in full, caused by climatic conditions, sea fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, terrorist activities, or any other actions, omissions or conditions beyond China Highlights's control. Neither China Highlights nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses of liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes China Highlights is not responsible for a client's failure to comply with customs regulations. China Highlights is not responsible for the theft or loss of any customer's valuables or items of personal property due to the negligence of the customer. China Highlights reserves the right to substitute hotels, flights, trains, or cruise ships, to alter itineraries, or to cancel the tour prior to departure. If China Highlights has cancelled any tour prior to the commencement of the tour, China Highlights is liable for a full refund of the money received from the client. Many of China Highlights tour packages include activities which require care and attention. Such activities include boarding and going ashore from boats, climbing hills and entering and exiting tombs and caves etc. You will receive help and advice from our representatives but all activities are undertaken at your own risk. China Highlights, its employees and agents cannot be responsible for any action or event that occurs after its said employees and agents have exercised their duty and taken the necessary care. China Highlights reserves the right to modify or rescind the terms and conditions in whole, or in part at any time with or without notice.Modification or Discontinuance of Service China Highlights reserves the right to modify or discontinue service to clients who behave illegally or objectionably toward its employees and agents. Offensive behavior includes behavior which is obscene, racially offensive or of a sexual nature. CommunicationsYou can contact China Highlights via the web form from www.chinahighlights.com, email, fax, or phone. If for any reason, you fail to receive any reply from China Highlights in regard of your tour status within 48 hours from the time you submitted the request for booking, modifying, or canceling a tour, please contact China Highlights customer service center at customercare@chinahighlights.com to ensure that we are able to deal with your enquiry under the terms of our Terms and Conditions. Contact Us Form Complaints and ClaimsShall you feel unsatisfied with any service China Highlights has provided, please notify your 7x24 hours available travel advisor or China Highlights Customer-care service to avoid the potential for similar problems happening again during your trip. Phone no. or WhatsApp: +86 18007839275 Email: customercare@chinahighlights.com  In the event of a complaint or claim for compensation, you must inform us by email, regular mail, or facsimile in writing within 15 days from the end of your tour. Relevant receipts and substantiating evidence must be attached to the letter of claim. China Highlights will not be liable for any claims made later than 15 days after the completion of your tour.,
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Refunds
We would deeply regret your decision to cancel your trip to China, however we realize that there are many valid reasons that this can happen.

In the event of a cancellation, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure. The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows except specified by your travel advisor:

  • Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
  • After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
Special Notes:

  • The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask you travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.
Travel Insurance
China Highlights tour packages include Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance up to a maximum of $30,000 per adult provided free of charge as part of our package. We still highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin. Insurance provided by China Highlights is not applicable where only hotel or China flight booking are purchased through China Highlights.
Visa requirements
All clients must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentation is the sole responsibility of the client. Your travel advisor may assist you in applying for the necessary travel documentation upon request. China Highlights accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
Health & Safety
Clients should take into account all international travel risks and familiarize themselves with health requirements applicable to the areas they intend to visit. The client is solely responsible for checking the safety and security conditions, vaccination, and other health requirements of governments in countries visited or transited. Travelers to Tibet are required to provide a doctor's certificate stating that the he/she is fit to travel and his/her blood pressure and heart condition are normal. This is a necessary requirement because of the possible effects that the very high altitude may have on certain people.
Meals Included
Breakfast & Lunch
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
chinah-ClChToYu

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