Noah Thompson
April 15, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 13-day signature highlights tour of Southwest China curates the region’s most iconic can’t-miss destinations, guiding you through dynamic Hong Kong, scenic cultural hubs Kunming and Lijiang, awe-inspiring Tibet, and ancient imperial treasure city Xi’an. Carefully handpicked to showcase the very best of southwest China, this great-value tour boasts unbeatable pricing and fully secure, trusted payment processes to give you total peace of mind for your cross-region adventure.
This 13-day curated tour takes you across the most breathtaking and culturally rich corners of Southwest China, starting in the mild, ever-spring gateway city of Kunming, winding through Yunnan's beloved ancient towns and alpine landscapes, trekking through the dramatic depths of Tiger Leaping Gorge, exploring the mystical Tibetan-influenced town of Shangri-La, relaxing amid postcard-perfect karst scenery in Yangshuo, and wrapping up with a stroll through vibrant, bustling Hong Kong. The route balances heart-pumping outdoor adventure, deep authentic cultural connections, and plenty of leisure time to explore on your own, giving you a fully immersive taste of China's incredible natural and cultural diversity.
🌟 Day 1: Kunming Today you'll arrive in Kunming, China's famous "City of Eternal Spring" known for its mild, pleasant weather year-round. Settle into your hotel at your own pace, take a casual walk around your neighborhood to get your first taste of Yunnan's laid-back vibe, and rest up for the adventure ahead. 🏨 Overnight in Kunming.
🌟 Day 2: Kunming → Dali After a filling morning breakfast 🍽️, you'll travel from Kunming to the scenic lakeside town of Dali. Your local guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll through Dali's well-preserved ancient town, where you'll wander cobblestone lanes, past traditional Bai ethnic architecture and family-run craft shops, and learn about the area's centuries of history. 🏨 Overnight in Dali.
🌟 Day 3: Xizhou Start your day with breakfast 🍽️, then set off to explore the charming, off-the-beaten-path historic town of Xizhou with your guide. You'll browse bustling local markets stacked with fresh produce, handwoven textiles and homemade treats, before heading to a traditional Bai courtyard to meet a local family and learn about their daily way of life. End the day sampling a range of beloved local Yunnan snacks, from sweet rice cakes to savory grilled erkuai. 🏨 Overnight in the Xizhou area.
🌟 Day 4: Dali → Lijiang After your morning breakfast 🍽️, you'll travel from Dali to the iconic mountain town of Lijiang. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace: wander the winding, UNESCO-listed lanes of Lijiang's Old Town, sip Yunnan pu'er tea at a local teahouse, or snap photos of distant Jade Dragon Snow Mountain if the sky is clear. 🏨 Overnight in Lijiang.
🌟 Day 5: Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge Fuel up with breakfast 🍽️ this morning, then leave Lijiang behind for one of China's most epic outdoor adventures: a two-day trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river gorges in the world. Today you'll hike 4-6 hours along scenic high cliffside trails, with jaw-dropping views of the thundering Jinsha River far below. 🏨 Overnight along the gorge trail.
🌟 Day 6: Tiger Leaping Gorge → Walnut Grove Another day of scenic trekking awaits after your morning breakfast 🍽️! Today you'll cover roughly 4 hours of trail as you make your way from the upper gorge to quiet, lush Walnut Grove, a tiny riverside settlement known for its fruit orchards and laid-back mountain vibe. Breathe in fresh alpine air and soak up the dramatic views around every turn of the path. 🏨 Overnight in Walnut Grove.
🌟 Day 7: Tiger Leaping Gorge → Shangri-La After breakfast 🍽️, you'll depart the gorge and travel to Shangri-La, the mystical alpine town nestled on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Once you arrive, your guide will lead you on a peaceful walk through Dukezong Ancient Town, a historic Tibetan settlement with twisting cobblestone lanes and a centuries-old white-washed stupa at its center. 🏨 Overnight in Shangri-La.
🌟 Day 8: Shangri-La Start your day with breakfast 🍽️, then head out to visit the magnificent Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Explore golden-roofed prayer halls, learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture and traditions from your guide, and take in views of the snow-capped peaks surrounding the complex. The evening is free for you to explore local night markets or warm up with a bowl of traditional Tibetan butter tea. 🏨 Overnight in Shangri-La.
🌟 Day 9: Shangri-La → Yangshuo After a morning breakfast 🍽️, you'll travel from Shangri-La to Yangshuo, the postcard-perfect countryside town famous for its towering karst peaks and winding Li River. Once you check in, join your guide for a relaxed walking tour to get acquainted with the town, and catch your first glimpse of the iconic scenery that has inspired Chinese artists for centuries. 🏨 Overnight in Yangshuo.
🌟 Day 10: Yangshuo Fuel up with breakfast 🍽️ this morning, then join your guide for a stroll through Yangshuo's bustling local market, where you'll see fresh local produce, handcrafted bamboo goods, and all kinds of regional street food. In the afternoon, head to a charming converted country house for a hands-on Chinese cooking class, where you'll learn to make classic local dishes from scratch, then enjoy the meal you prepared. 🏨 Overnight in Yangshuo.
🌟 Day 11: Yangshuo Today is a free day for you to enjoy Yangshuo at your own pace after your morning breakfast 🍽️. Options are endless: rent a bike to cycle along the Li River riverbanks, take a bamboo raft ride down the river, hike up to a viewpoint for panoramic photos of the karst peaks, or simply relax at a riverside cafe with a cold drink. 🏨 Overnight in Yangshuo.
🌟 Day 12: Yangshuo → Hong Kong After breakfast 🍽️, you'll travel from Yangshuo to dynamic, bustling Hong Kong. Once you arrive, join your experienced guide for a walking tour that showcases both Hong Kong's iconic modern skyline and its hidden historic neighborhoods, from sun-soaked Victoria Harbour to the lively stalls of Temple Street Market. 🏨 Overnight in Hong Kong.
🌟 Day 13: Hong Kong Enjoy your final breakfast 🍽️ on your last day of the tour. Today is yours to explore Hong Kong at your leisure: head to Victoria Peak for panoramic city views, shop for souvenirs, or meet friends for a traditional dim sum brunch to cap off your trip. Your 13-day tour concludes today as you prepare for your departure.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 15, 2026
The curation of this tour is absolutely spot on, mixing dramatic natural scenery, rich local culture, and unmissable historic sites. I loved getting to wander Lijiang’s lantern-lit old town after days exploring the surrounding hills, and Xi’an’s ancient city wall left me just as impressed as the world-famous Terracotta Army. This is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to China who want to experience the very best of the Southwest region.
January 20, 2026
I’ve done more than a dozen group tours across Asia, and this Signature Highlights Tour of Southwest China is easily one of the best I’ve ever joined. The 13-day length was perfectly balanced, giving us enough time to soak in each destination without feeling rushed or like we were missing anything. Standing among the thousands of life-sized Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an was a genuinely humbling, once-in-a-lifetime moment, and Lijiang’s cobblestone lanes and fresh mountain air felt like a dream. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of Southwest China without the stress of planning every detail on their own.
October 2, 2025
I gave this tour 4 stars only because we visited during Chinese Golden Week, so all major sites were much more wonderful than we anticipated. The curated itinerary, stunning scenery in Kunming and Lijiang, and the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army in Xi'an were all absolutely incredible otherwise.
July 29, 2025
Every iconic stop on this tour is worth every penny, and I left already dreaming of my next trip back to China.
March 12, 2025
This 13-day Southwest China tour exceeded every one of my travel expectations.
December 18, 2024
Our consultant Ethan from HelloChinaTrip planned this tour perfectly for our group of four friends. Every stop from Lijiang’s misty mountain-fringed old town to Xi'an’s iconic Terracotta Army was well-paced and utterly memorable.
