BETWEEN SICHUAN AND YUNNAN

Chengdu-Lugu Lake-Lijiang-Beijing 9 days/8 nights

Day 1 CHENGDU 成都    

Arrival in Chengdu. Meet with local English speaking guide and transfer to the biggest Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of China 成都大熊猫繁育基地. After the visit, go to hotel and check-in. Meals not included, overnight in hotel. 

Day 2 CHENGDU - LESHAN - CHENGDU (B, L, -) 成都－乐山－成都 

After breakfast, meet with the guide and transfer to Leshan (170km, 2h by car). Upon arrival, visit the  Giant Buddha 大佛. The giant buddha, built during Tang dynasty, is the biggest buddha carved in stone on the world. It is possible to climb to the head of the buddha through a stairway carved in stone. Lunch during the excursion. After lunch, boat tour (optional) on the river where you can admire a group of hills that seem to have the shape of a sleeping buddha. N.B. Boat tour ticket is not included. After the visit, transfer back to Chengdu and visit the old town with a walk along Jinli Street. Special dinner in a local Sichuan restaurant with "Face Changing" show. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 CHENGDU/LIJIANG-LUGU LAKE (B, L, -)  exclusive flight REF: 3U8691 (06:55/08:30) 成都／丽江－泸沽湖

After breakfast, meet with the guide and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lijiang.

Upon arrival, meet local English speaking guide and private transfer to Sichuan-Yunnan border (about 6-7 hours by car), where is located Lugu Lake 泸沽湖, know as "A pearl on plateau". This charming lake is famous as the home of Mosuo people and its last matriarchy society in China. During the stay, we will visit several villages of this ethnic minority group.

In the evening enjoy a show of Mosuo people traditional music and dance.

Lunch in local restaurant, dinner free. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4 LUGU LAKE-LIJIANG (B, L, -) 泸沽湖－丽江

After breakfast, visit Mosuo people 摩梭族 villages around Lugu Lake. Visit Liwubi Temple 里务比寺, an important buddhist temple of the area. Then continue visiting the village of Yongning 永宁乡 and its Zhamei Temple 扎美寺, built during Ming Dynasty, consecrated to lamaist buddhism. Lunch in local restaurant. In the late afternoon, go back to Lijiang. Dinner free. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5 LIJIANG (B, L,-) 丽江 

Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy “Lijiang Impressions Show "印象丽江 (show time: 9:00/9:30 AM), live performance at an altitude of 3100m, that shows the natural and cultural beauty of the area. Then transfer to the old town of Baisha and visit Baisha Frescoes 丽江壁画, painted in Ming and Qing dynasties. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon, go back to Lijiiang and visit the Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭公园, a park built during Qing dynasty, famous for its 40.000mq wide pool. Then, visit Lijiang old town. Dinner free and overnight in hotel. 

Day 6 LIJIANG/KUNMING/BEIJING (B, -, -) flight 丽江／昆明／北京               

Breakfast in hotel and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Beijing (Stop in Kunming). Upon arrival, meet local English speaking guide and go visiting 798 Art District, a 50-year-old decommissioned military factory buildings with unique architectural style, now it houses art galleries, artists' studios, club houes, bookshops specialized on art. After the visit, transfer to hotel and check-in. Meals not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 7 BEIJING (B, L, D) 北京

After breakfast, meet local English speaking guide and visit Tian'anmen Square 天安门广场, and the Forbidden City 故宫, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. Lunch at local Chinese restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace 颐和园, dominated by the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. Banquet dinner to taste the traditional Beijing Roasted Duck. After dinner, transfer to hotel. 

Day 8 BEIJING (B, L,-) 北京

After breakfast transfer and visit the Great Wall of Badaling 八达岭长城 (cable car not included), China symbol. Lunch in a local restaurant. After the visit, transfer back to Beijing and external view of the Olimpic Stadium, Bird's Nest 鸟巢, designed for use throughout the 2008 Summer Olympics. Dinner free and overnight in hotel. 

Day 9 BEIJING/ITALY (B, L,-) 北京

After breakfast, meet local English speaking guide to go visit the Temple of Heaven 天坛, considered the most admirable example of Chinese classic architecture. Lunch in a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, take a stroll in the hutong 胡同 (rickshaw included), narrow alleys typical of Beijing, formed by lines of siheyuan 四合院,  traditional courtyard residences. 

Dinner free and transfer to the airport to fly back home.