Natural Treasures of China

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.

Step into history at the Yuelu Academy, a historial hub of learning nestled by the scenic Mt. Yuelu. Travel to Zhangjiajie National Park and enjoy a night tour of 72 Qilou's strange and spectacular buildings – the tallest Tujia stilted building in the world.

Begin the day with a ride in the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in as little as two minutes! Soak up the amazing views of the 'First Bridge under the Sun' and Hallelujah Mountain. Continue to Emperor Mountain and Helong Park before taking a cable car down. Later, explore Jinbian Stream and Ten-Mile Natural Gallery with a ride on the scenic train. End the day with a scenic sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng, a turquoise expanse of water amongst picturesque karst scenery.

Brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge spanning 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. Later, soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in the world's longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. 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 and enjoy an evening at your leisure to wander the ancient streets illuminated at night.

Relax on a scenic cruise along the Tuojiang River before boarding your bullet train to Chengdu, China's symbolic western capital and the residence of the country's most lovable black and white bear.

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.

Travel by bullet train to Nine Villages Valley. Spend the afternoon exploring the 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.

Enjoy a full day exploring the diverse scenery of the splendid Nine Villages Valley, China's most awe-inspiring National Park. Spend the day taking in the natural sights of Long Lake, Five Coloured Lake and Nuorilang Falls.

Visit Shuzheng Village, where you will spend some time with a local Tibetan family who will give you an insight into daily life in Nine Villages Valley. This afternoon, stroll by Rhinoceros Lake, passing Tiger Lake ending at Reed Lake – an excellent way to really appreciate the local scenery. Dine on traditional Tibetan cuisine for dinner.

Board your bullet trains to Chongqing. Visit the Hongya Cave to see the impressive architecture of the 11 storey stilt building, beautifully constructed in traditional Bayu architecture style. In the evening, wander the night food markets with your local guide on hand to recommend the most delicious Sichuanese snacks!

Take a day trip out of Chongqing to Black Mountain Valley, also known as Heishan 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. The luscious landscapes are cloaked in green vegetation and are home to a variety of wildlife, offering some great photo opportunities!

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.

Depart Chongqing, arriving home the same or following day.