Southern China trip: spicy noodles and hiking

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Chengdu 
• 2 nights Shangri-la 
• 3 nights Lijiang 
• 2 nights Yangshuo 
• 2 nights Ping'an
• 2 nights Hong Kong

Day 1: Depart UK 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Chengdu  

After breakfast, you'll take the train south to Chengdu, where you'll meet your guide and check in to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the city - why not head out to discover bustling markets and mouth-watering street snacks? Chengdu is the capital of spicy Sichuan province, famous for its tongue-numbing hotpots and kung pao chicken. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Chengdu 

Giant Pandas are the big draw of this southwest city, which has an out of town breeding centre that’s home to more than a hundred of these adorable bears. Spend the morning admiring these beautiful creatures before heading back to Chengdu to mingle with the locals in traditional teahouses or challenge them to a game of chess in People’s Park.

In the afternoon you'll visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into the cliff overlooking the Min River. Head back to the hotel for another meal of delicious Sichuan cuisine.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 4: Fly to Shangri-la 

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for the short flight south to Shangri-la. On arrival, you'll be driven to your hotel and check in for two nights. You have arrived on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, where the city of Shangri-la sits nestled in the hills. Spend the afternoon exploring the town, admiring the Tibetan architecture and enjoying some local food. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, 4* hotel  

Day 5: Shangri-la 

Spend the day exploring Shangri-la and the surrounding area - starting at the beautifully preserved lanes of Dukezong Ancient Town, one of the oldest Tibetan settlements in this area. Learn about the history of the town as you discover charming alleyways, traditional houses and local shops. Leaving town, you'll head out for a little bike ride across the highland landscapes to Songzanlin Monastery, known as the Little Potala Palace. Watch yaks grazing as you cycle before exploring the monastery, with it's colourful murals and golden roof. Finish your day in the home of a local Tibetan family, where you'll be welcomed warmly, learning about Tibetan customs and enjoying some yak butter tea and other local snacks. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 6: Train to Lijiang

Today you'll be taken to the train station in Shangri-la to hop on the train to Lijiang. On arrival in Lijiang, you'll check into your hotel for three nights. Spend the rest of your afternoon and evening wandering through Lijiang Old Town’s cobbled lanes, relaxing by the canals with crispy Lijiang baba (a delicious local flatbread) and soaking in the quaint, lantern-lit streets.

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel 

Day 7: Lijiang

Spend the day exploring the peaceful countryside around Lijiang. Enjoy a relaxed cycle ride around Lashi Lake, where horses graze by the water and you'll slip easily into the quiet, unhurried rhythm of lakeside life. Carrying on to the nearby village of Baisha, you'll explore the lanes and admire the famed painted frescoes that give the village it's artistic soul. After half a day of enjoying the countryside, you'll head back to Lijiang to continue exploring at your leisure. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 8: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

This morning you'll head out to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, to discover the snow-capped peaks and snowy ridgelines. Head up on the cable car, stepping out into the alpine landscape and sweeping icefields before exploring the Blue Moon Valley, where turquoise water pools into the limestone terraces. You'll also enjoy an open air theatrical performance, showing off the music and dance of the local Naxi traditions against the spectacular mountainous landscape. It's a day of breath-taking landscapes and fascinating culture, before heading back to Lijiang - why not enjoy a final dinner in the old town?

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 9: Train to Yangshuo

Set off today again on the train, arriving in Guilin in the late afternoon. From there, you'll be met and driven to Yangshuo, nestled in the scenic Li River region. The evening is yours to soak up the towns natural beauty, strolling along the riverbank and visiting West Street's vibrant night market. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Yangshuo 

This morning, you'll head out to enjoy a cycling tour along the rural paths, gazing up at the towering karst peaks around you. After cycling along the river, you'll climb onboard a bamboo raft, floating along the water enjoying the views. After around an hour and a half, you'll hop back on the bikes and cycle to Moon Hill, to explore this unique rock arch. The rest of your time in Yangshuo is yours to explore at your leisure - whether you want to stroll through local villages, visit art galleries or tuck into fresh cuisine at riverside restaurants. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Travel to Ping'an Village

Leaving Yangshuo after breakfast, you'll be driven to Ping'an Village, around three hours away near the Longji Rice Terraces. Spend the afternoon exploring the terraces and relaxing in the village. 

 Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 12: Longji (Dragon's Backbone) Rice Terraces

Today you'll head out on a full day trek throughout the Longji Rice Terrace. As you walk you can admire the incredible colours - green and vibrant rice plants in summer or shimmering golden light on the water-filled terraces in autumn. You'll hike through villages and past view points - make sure you take water and snacks to enjoy as you walk. Head back to the hotel at the end of the day to rest after a spectacular day of walking in one of China's most iconic landscapes. 

 Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 13: Train to Hong Kong

After breakfast, you'll head back to Guilin to take the train down to Hong Kong. On arrival, you'll be met and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for two nights. Why not head straight out to admire the famous skyline and feast on dim sum for dinner?

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel 

Day 14: Hong Kong

Spend the day exploring Hong Kong. Depending on where you are staying, be sure to take the star ferry over to Hong Kong Island – highlights include visiting Stanley Market on the southern shores and the spectacular harbour views from Victoria Peak. We recommend heading up on the tram in the late afternoon, seeing the cities transform from day to night is wonderful.

If you’re staying on the island, make sure you visit Kowloon – afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel, walking along the Avenue of the Stars and tasting local delicacies at Temple Street Night Market are not to be missed. If you want to get out of the city, you could head over to Lantau, where a glass floored cable car soars over the water to get to the Giant Buddha.

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Depart Hong Kong

Enjoy one final stroll along the harbour before heading to the airport for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 16: Arrive UK