Southern Sichuan & Beyond

Drive south to Leshan. Stand before the 71-meter Giant Buddha — bigger than the Statue of Liberty, carved into a red cliff 1,200 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Take a boat to see the full scale from the river. Spend the evening in Leshan's old streets — quieter, more authentic than Chengdu.

Hike the base of Mount Emei, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains. Walk through bamboo groves to Baoguo Temple, with its 3.5-meter bronze bell and peaceful gardens. Afternoon free to relax at the foot of the mountain — hot springs optional.

Morning flight to Lijiang (or scenic 6h drive through the mountains). Check into a boutique hotel in Lijiang Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobblestone streets, wooden bridges, and clear mountain streams. Evening Naxi music performance (the Naxi are Lijiang's indigenous people).

Take the cable car to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain — 4,506 meters above sea level. Walk the glacier boardwalk at the top. Afternoon at Black Dragon Pool, the iconic viewpoint where the Snow Mountain reflects perfectly in the still water. Evening free to explore Lijiang's bars and tea houses.

Drive to Dali, the ancient capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms. Check into a hotel overlooking Erhai Lake. Walk the cobblestone streets of Dali Old Town — artisan shops, local cheese, and Bai minority architecture. First evening watching the sunset over Erhai, the Cangshan Mountains turning gold in the distance.

Morning cycle ride along Erhai Lake's eastern shore — the most scenic bike path in Yunnan. Afternoon in Xizhou, a traditional Bai minority village with ornate stone gateways and rice fields. Try your hand at tie-dye, the Bai people's signature craft.

Drive to Shaxi, the last surviving market town on the Tea Horse Road — the ancient trade route that carried tea from Yunnan to Tibet. Sideng Street's 600-year-old stone path, the Xingjiao Temple, and a market square that has barely changed since the Ming Dynasty. Stay overnight in a restored courtyard guesthouse.

Morning walk through Shaxi's market — one last chance to soak in ancient China at its most tranquil. Drive to Dali Airport, fly back to Chengdu. Private transfer to your hotel or Chengdu Tianfu Airport for your international departure.