Natural Treasures of China
Join us on an epic journey down the road less travelled to uncover China’s most incredible natural treasures, including the sapphire lakes of Nine Villages Valley, the dramatic yet serene valleys at Black Mountain and the mythical Zhangjiajie, whose soaring peaks were the inspiration for the blockbuster film ‘Avatar’.
Amongst the incredible scenery, immerse yourself in China’s ancient and modern marvels. Experience the thrill of traveling on the high-speed bullet train, take a walk on the glass bridge suspended over Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, wander through the streets of Fenghuang Ancient Town and be awed by the intricate beauty of the historic Dazu Rock Carvings.
- 08 Apr 2026 – 22 Apr 2026
from $8,980 pp twin share * - 20 May 2026 – 03 Jun 2026
from $8,980 pp twin share * - 09 Sep 2026 – 23 Sep 2026
from $8,380 pp twin share * - 14 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
from $8,380 pp twin share * - 07 Apr 2027 – 21 Apr 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share * - 14 Apr 2027 – 28 Apr 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share * - 05 May 2027 – 19 May 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share * - 12 May 2027 – 26 May 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share * - 01 Sep 2027 – 15 Sep 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share * - 13 Oct 2027 – 27 Oct 2027
from $8,680 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Days 1-2 – Fly overnight to Changsha:
Fly overnight to Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. - Day 3 – Explore Changsha:
A city with a three millennia long history and a thoroughly modern look and feel, Changsha exudes an energetic and friendly vibe. Step into its past at the Yuelu Academy, a long-time hub of learning at the foot of Mount Yuelu. Later, travel to Zhangjiajie National Park and embark on a night tour of the ’72 Qilou’, exploring it s weird and wonderful architecture. - Day 4 – Avatar Mountains:
A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie is a triumph of nature. Begin your explorations with a ride up the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in just two minutes. Soak up the amazing views from the top before taking a cable car back down to earth. Later, enjoy a scenic train journey through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery. - Day 5 – Zhangjiajie’s Glass Skywalk:
Brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie’s Glass Bridge, a glass-bottom bridge 300 metres above the ground that stretches 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. Later, enjoy a picturesque sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng. - Day 6 – Fenhuang Ancient Town:
Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain by a cable car which, at 7-kilometres, is the China’s longest. Atop the Mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed ‘Heaven’s Door’, standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the ‘Walk of Faith’. Travel by road to Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient Town, a scenic and quaint town rich in culture and natural beauty. Visit the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, considered one of china’s greatest modern writers, and enjoy an evening at your leisure to wander the ancient streets, which are beautifully illuminated at night. - Day 7 – Cruise the Tuojiang River:
Relax with a scenic cruise along the Tuojiang River, before boarding your 5 hour bullet train to Chengdu. - Day 8 – Giant Panda’s:
Spend the morning getting to know China’s most famous resident, the giant panda, at Chengdu’s Panda Conservation Centre. Later, soak up the culture at People’s Park. People-watching here is an endless pleasure, from the lively locals playing mahjong to the parents searching for suitable partners for their children in Matchmaker’s Corner. Head to the local food markets for a dinner at your leisure. - Day 9 – Huanglong Pools:
Board the bullet train to be whisked off to Jiuzhaigou, or Nine Villages Valley. In the afternoon, explore Huanglong pools where you will find hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposit, tumbling gently down through the bright green forests of the Huanglong Valley. - Day 10 – Nine Villages Valley:
The Nine Villages Valley area, named after nine Tibetan settlements dotting the valley, stands as a World Biosphere Reserve and China’s most awe-inspiring national park. Renowned for its stunning turquoise lakes, verdant forests, and majestic waterfalls, spend the day taking in the natural wonders of Long Lake, Five-Colored Lake, and Nuorilang Falls. - Day 11 – Shuzeng Village:
Visit Shuzheng Village, one of the nine ethnically Tibetan villages in the park, before enjoying a scenic walk from Rhinoceros Lake to Reed Lake passing Tiger Lake. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner. - Day 12 – Chongqing’s Hongya Cave:
Board your bullet trains to Chongqing. Later, admire the stunning night views of Hongya Cave and the city’s illuminated skyline along both riverbanks as Chongqing lights up during a Two-River Cruise. - Day 13 – Black Mountain Valley:
Take a day trip out to Heishan Valley, also known as Black Mountain Valley. This is a serene and picturesque area covering over 100 square kilometres, brimming with dramatic mountains, deep valley floors, waterfalls and sheer cliffs, along with an impressive 13 kilometre long gorge. Enjoy time to explore the area, then return to Chongqing. - Day 14 – Dazu Day Tour:
Travel by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you’ll find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China. Enjoy the day in Dazu before returning to Chongqing and tuck into a delicious, farewell hot pot dinner. - Day 15-16 – Depart Chongqing:
Depart Chongqing, arriving home the following day.
Highlights
- Journey up Avatar Mountain in the world’s tallest glass elevator.
- Take an exhilarating walk along the world’s highest glass bridge in Zhangjiajie.
- Discover the spectacular Nine Villages Valley National Park.
Join us on an epic journey down the road less travelled to uncover China’s most incredible natural treasures, including the sapphire lakes of Nine Villages Valley, the dramatic yet serene valleys at Black Mountain and the mythical Zhangjiajie, whose soaring peaks were the inspiration for the blockbuster film ‘Avatar’.
Amongst the incredible scenery, immerse yourself in China’s ancient and modern marvels. Experience the thrill of traveling on the high-speed bullet train, take a walk on the glass bridge suspended over Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, wander through the streets of Fenghuang Ancient Town and be awed by the intricate beauty of the historic Dazu Rock Carvings.
Inclusions
- Journey up Avatar Mountain in the world’s tallest glass elevator.
- Take an exhilarating walk along the world’s highest glass bridge in Zhangjiajie.
- Experience a scenic cruise on the Tuojiang River.
- Meet the Giant Pandas in Chengdu.
- Walk in the spectacular Nine Villages Valley National Park.
- Marvel at the centuries old Dazu Rock Carvings.
FAQs
- Holiday Inn Express Changsha Shengfu
- Zhangjiajie Expert Village Sunshine Courtyard Hotel
- Phoenix International Hotel
- Celebrity Jiuzhaigou Hotel
- Xin Liang Hotel
- East Garden Hotel
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 16 days and 13 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 08 Apr 2026 and 27 Oct 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Fine Print
Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.