Tour AC09 - Of Mountains and Rivers

Day 1: Canada - Beijing
We start our journey to the Middle Kingdom with a transpacific flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing We arrive in Beijing, the political and cultural capital of China. We are greeted at the airport by our local tour guide and make our way to the hotel. We get a good night’s sleep and prepare for our first day of touring in this land of wonder and mystery.

Day 3: Beijing - Zhangjiajie
Today, we tour Beijing, the capital of China for five dynasties and over 800 years. We start our day with a visit to Beihai Park, an imperial garden from the tenth century. As one of the best preserved imperial gardens in China, Beihai Park offers a picturesque combination of water and greenery. We then make our way to the Grand View Garden, a beautiful garden modeled after the setting of the Chinese classical novel "Dream of the Red Chamber." In the evening, we fly to Zhangjiajie. The Zhangjiajie scenic area is our first stop. Densely covered by hills, trees, and waters, the site is listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Referred to as “China’s Yellowstone,” it can be divided into four regions: Zhangjiajie National Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, Tianzishan Nature Reserve, and Yangjiajie Scenic Area. It is also home to three ethnic minorities: Tujia, Bai and Miao. Together, they make up 70% of the local population.

Day 4: Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is home to over 20 nationalities. Among the fascinating hills and waters, the local inhabitants can be seen performing graceful dances and beautiful songs that reveal the local customs and folk habits. Some highlights include the Zhangjiajie Forest Reserve, Natural Reserves of Suoxiyu Gully, Golden Whip Stream, Natural Gallery of Ten Miles and Huangshi Village. The fantastic rock formations, tall peaks, crystal-clear water, spectacular caves and the thick forest will certainly impress you and keep your camera clicking.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie - Chengdu
We continue our tour by sightseeing the Tianzi Mountain and Huanglong Cave, where every rock has been given an elaborate name. The picturesque scenery is a combination of natural beauty and human civilization. We experience the soothing Miao songs and energetic dances which communicate the spirit of adventure in the local people. In the evening, we fly to Chengdu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou
We fly to the fairyland of Jiuzhaigou Valley, famous for its many natural wonders. While touring the Huanglong scenic area, we see the colourful waters which shape the valley. Known for its magical lime formation, the site is made up of 3,400 multi-colored, different sized ponds. We see the golden line deposits, five waterfalls, four stalactite caves, and three ancient temples. The tributaries meet up and funnel downwards like a dragon surging down from the snowcapped peaks of Mount Min.

Day 7: Jiuzhaigou
Today is spent exploring Jiuzhaigou. We tour the Long Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Shuzheng Waterfall, Nuorilang Waterfall, and Panda Lake. Anyone who encounters the captivating emerald waters of this park is overwhelmed by its breathtaking beauty and impressive surroundings. The landscape is masterfully sculpted by lakes, springs, waterfalls, streams, rivers, and shoals. After today’s travels, you will certainly gain a new perspective of our natural world.

Day 8: Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu
We fly back to Chengdu in the morning. Upon arrival, we visit the Marquis Wu Temple and the Giant Panda Research Centre. This is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous and intriguing residents. The museum here explains the panda’s reproductive problems and we can see how modern science is giving the panda’s a fighting chance as we visit the large breeding ground at the site. We enjoy the local cuisine with a hearty dinner in the evening.

Day 9: Chengdu - Hangzhou - Yellow Mountains
We fly to Hangzhou in the morning. After lunch, we take our motor coach to the Yellow Mountains, a mountain range often revered as the most beautiful and majestic in all of China.

Day 10: Yellow Mountains
We arrive at the Yellow Mountains, possibly the most famous mountain in China. Known for its unique pine trees, large stones, mystifying clouds, and hot springs, the mountain holds a lot of natural wonders. We see the site up close by taking a cable car to the top of the mountain. We explore the famous peaks and soon reach the summit. From this vantage point, the neighboring peaks are dwarfed in the distance as seas of clouds move in and out. We feel like we’re on top of the world as we stay overnight at the hotel near the summit. This is truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Day 11: Yellow Mountains - Shanghai
We rise early to catch the breathtaking view of the sun rising from the horizon with mountain peaks poking out through a sea of clouds. We continue the excursion on mountain by descending downwards by cable car and touring the Hongcun Village. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the village is a popular tourist site known for its unique culture. In the evening, we fly back to Shanghai. Cap off your visit with a taste of Shanghai's trendy nightlife because this city never sleeps.

Day 12: Shanghai - Canada
Today, our local tour guide sees us off at the airport, and we fly home to Canada. Have a wonderful trip!