Chengdu to Guilin Cultural Explorer

Chengdu to Guilin overland traverse offers a wonderful slice of China. It is a remarkable journey not only for the fact it includes a cruise on the legendary Yangtze river, but also because it  brings you some of the most wonderful ancient market towns of China's heartland as well as scenic minority villages, stunning man-made imprints upon nature as well as nature's own wonders in every sense of the word. The ancient market towns of Fenghuang in Hunan and Zhenyuan in Guizhou teem with activity and architectural splendor. Dong and Yao villages of remote mountainous west Guizhou set you back to China's village life of yesteryear. Dragon's Backbone terraces are sure to make you bow at awe to man's achievement having by sheer hand carved entire mountains in quest of tillable land. Leaf-covered stone pinnacles of Zhangjiajie, picturesque Mengdonghe river watershed and Li river's karst mounds of Guilin and Yangshuo promise to bring your sensory elation to its peak.

 

Day 1. Arrive Chengdu
On arrival, you are met met and escorted to your hotel to check in.

Day 2. Chengdu,
Tour Sanxingdui and its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts, and Wangjianglou Park, known for its scenic cedar wood pavilions and bamboo forest.

Day 3. Chengdu / Chongqing
En route to Chongqing, visit Dazu, famed for its Buddhist archaeological sites; also see monumental Buddhist sculptures at Beishan and Baodingshan.

Day 4. Chongqing
City tour includes visit to the Stilwell Museum, with its collection of World War ll memorabilia of the famed Flying Tigers. Enjoy panoramic views of Chongqing from Eling Park, visit Ci Qi Kou Old Town with its Qing dynasty homes, tea houses,
shops and old docks. This evening, board your Chinese Victoria Cruise Ship to begin your memorable cruise downstream the Yangtze.

Day 5. Yangtze River Cruise
Set sail in the morning, afternoon arrival at Fengdu. An ashore excursion takes you to see Fengdu's many Taoist Temples.

Day 6. Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, framed

by steep mossy cliffs. Then, sail on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its

12 peaks. At Badong, transfer to a small cruiser for an exciting excursion

on Shenlong Stream to view its breathtaking small gorges. Next, sail

through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally,

pass through the dramatic Three Gorges Ship Lock.

Day 7. Yichang / Zhangjiajie
This morning, stop at Sandouping to view the historic Three Gorges
Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Disembark at
Yichang and take a train to Zhangjiajie.

Day 8. Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is famous for its exquisite forests, and huge, leaf-covered stone pinnacles; enjoy the Yellow Stone Stronghold and Golden Whip Brook.

Day 9. Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang
Day of sightseeing on the way to Fenghuang; visit scenic Mengdonghe and Huroug Old Town.

Day 10. Fenghuang
Fenghuang is famed  for its beautiful landscape and unique culture of Miao and Tujia. Tour Southern Great Wall, Fenghuang's flagstone streets, scenic Tuojiang River, its stilted houses, ancient temples and piers.

Day 11. Fenghuang / Zhenyuan
Located in the eastern part of Guizhou Province, Zhenyuan is an ancient town of the Miao people. Its long history endows the town with many rich and generous cultural
relics, making it much like a historic garden. Sightseeing includes
the Old Street and famed  Black Dragon Cave.

Day 12. Zhenyuan / Kaili
Continue to Kali, the heart of SE Guizhou. Visit Langde Miao village, Datang "short-skirt" Miao village and Mt. Thunder God.

Day 13. Kaili / Rongjiang
Visit a  "long-skirt" Miao village, see pottery-making, and Shui village.

Day 14. Rongjiang / Zhaoxing
Visit Yintan Dong village, Basha Miao village noted for a unique men's hair style, and Zhaoxing, the largest and most scenic Dong village in China.

Day 15. Zhaoqing
Full day of sightseeing - Tour Tangan Dong village, Diping Shelter Bridge and Dong village, and more.

Day 16. Zhaoqing / Sangjiang
Drive to Sanjiang,  visit Sanjiang's Chenyang Wind & Rain Bridge, Tangan Dong Village, and walk up to other Dong villages nearby.

Day 17: Sanjiang / Longsheng / Guilin
Continue to Longsheng, hike the spectacular Terraced Fields and Yao villages in the area. Visit Zhuang village and Pingan. From Dragon's Backbone continue to Guilin.

Day 18: Guilin / Yangshuo
Board a deluxe cruise on air-conditioned boat along the Li River to Yangshuo, and absorb the exceptional beauty of the karst formations for which this region is famous for.

Day 19: Yangshuo
Full day of sightseeing in the vicinity of Yangshuo - visit the ancient town of Xingping, the fishing village, Moon Hill, Yulong River and Big Banyan Tree Park.

20. Yangshuo / Guilin
This morning return to Guilin. Visit the Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill's dramatic rock formations.

Day 21. Guilin / Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu to connect to your flight home.

The Chengdu to Guilin tour itinerary is workable from April 2 to December 20th, except for the period of October 1 to October 7. April, May, September & October are high season, the rest is low season.