The 10-day Wonders of Southern China Tour moves through four destinations that have little in common with each other — which is precisely the point. Guangzhou, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, and Chengdu each bring something entirely different to the table. Few China tours pack such contrasting experiences into a single itinerary, moving from historic cities and dramatic mountain scenery to the relaxed atmosphere of Chengdu.
Guangzhou opens the journey with its Lingnan heritage, Buddhist temples, and historic neighbourhoods, rounding things off with a view of the city from the Pearl River. From there, Zhangjiajie delivers one of China's most otherworldly landscapes — towering sandstone pillars, Tianmen Mountain, and glass walkways that make the most of every dramatic drop. Chongqing is a city unlike any other in China. Built across steep hills at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it layers ancient streets against a modern skyline — and runs a monorail straight through a residential tower block, because why not. Chengdu closes the tour on a quieter note: giant pandas, Buddhist landmarks, and the kind of easy pace that makes you wish you'd booked an extra day.
The 10-day Wonders of Southern China Tour covers cultural heritage, raw natural scenery, and two of China's most distinctive cities — a lot of ground that never feels rushed.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Guangzhou, where you will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00 and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meet your guide in the morning and begin exploring Guangzhou, one of China's oldest trading ports and a major centre of Cantonese culture.
Start at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, renowned for its traditional Lingnan architecture and elaborate wood, stone and ceramic carvings. Continue to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, one of Guangzhou's oldest Buddhist temples and home to the distinctive Flower Pagoda.
Later, visit Yuexiu Park, where you will see the famous Five Rams Statue, a symbol of Guangzhou, and the historic Zhenhai Tower.
Finish the day with a walk along Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, one of the city's busiest shopping and entertainment areas. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Start at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, renowned for its traditional Lingnan architecture and elaborate wood, stone and ceramic carvings. Continue to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, one of Guangzhou's oldest Buddhist temples and home to the distinctive Flower Pagoda.
Later, visit Yuexiu Park, where you will see the famous Five Rams Statue, a symbol of Guangzhou, and the historic Zhenhai Tower.
Finish the day with a walk along Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, one of the city's busiest shopping and entertainment areas. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Begin the day on Shamian Island, a historic district known for its European-style architecture, tree-lined streets and reminders of Guangzhou's international trading past.
Continue to Canton Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world. Ascend to the observation deck for panoramic views over the Pearl River and Guangzhou skyline.
Later, explore Yongqing Fang, a restored historic neighbourhood where traditional Lingnan architecture stands alongside cafés, galleries and small shops.
In the evening, enjoy a Pearl River Night Cruise and see Guangzhou's illuminated skyline from the water. Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Continue to Canton Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world. Ascend to the observation deck for panoramic views over the Pearl River and Guangzhou skyline.
Later, explore Yongqing Fang, a restored historic neighbourhood where traditional Lingnan architecture stands alongside cafés, galleries and small shops.
In the evening, enjoy a Pearl River Night Cruise and see Guangzhou's illuminated skyline from the water. Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
In the morning, transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (1000 km, 6 h).
Upon arrival, meet your guide and continue to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (23 km, 40 min), one of Zhangjiajie's best-known natural attractions.
Take the cable car to the summit and enjoy extensive views over the surrounding mountains. Explore the mountain's scenic pathways and experience the famous Glass Skywalk, built along the steep cliffs. Continue to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a huge natural arch and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Zhangjiajie.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Upon arrival, meet your guide and continue to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (23 km, 40 min), one of Zhangjiajie's best-known natural attractions.
Take the cable car to the summit and enjoy extensive views over the surrounding mountains. Explore the mountain's scenic pathways and experience the famous Glass Skywalk, built along the steep cliffs. Continue to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a huge natural arch and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Zhangjiajie.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Spend the day exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (30 km, 40 min), part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area and renowned for its extraordinary sandstone pillars and mountain landscapes.
Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor glass elevator, to reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. See the towering sandstone formations that inspired the floating landscapes in James Cameron's Avatar and enjoy views across the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Continue to Tianzi Mountain (23 km, 45 min), known for its panoramic views across the distinctive sandstone landscape. Descend by cable car and return to your hotel in Wulingyuan.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor glass elevator, to reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. See the towering sandstone formations that inspired the floating landscapes in James Cameron's Avatar and enjoy views across the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Continue to Tianzi Mountain (23 km, 45 min), known for its panoramic views across the distinctive sandstone landscape. Descend by cable car and return to your hotel in Wulingyuan.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Breakfast. Meet your guide and transfer to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (30 km, 40 min), known for its steep cliffs, forested landscapes and deep valley.
Walk across the famous Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, suspended high above the canyon and offering extensive views through its glass-bottomed sections.
Later, transfer to the railway station and take a train to Chongqing (600 km, 4-5 h). Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Walk across the famous Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, suspended high above the canyon and offering extensive views through its glass-bottomed sections.
Later, transfer to the railway station and take a train to Chongqing (600 km, 4-5 h). Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Breakfast. Meet your guide and discover Chongqing, a vast mountain city built around the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, a historic riverside district with narrow streets, traditional buildings and teahouses. Continue to Liziba Station, famous for the unusual sight of a monorail passing directly through a residential building. Later, visit Hongya Cave (Hongyadong), a multi-level complex of traditional-style buildings overlooking the Jialing River and one of Chongqing's best-known landmarks.
In the evening, enjoy a Yangtze and Jialing Rivers Night Cruise, with views of Chongqing's illuminated skyline from the water.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, a historic riverside district with narrow streets, traditional buildings and teahouses. Continue to Liziba Station, famous for the unusual sight of a monorail passing directly through a residential building. Later, visit Hongya Cave (Hongyadong), a multi-level complex of traditional-style buildings overlooking the Jialing River and one of Chongqing's best-known landmarks.
In the evening, enjoy a Yangtze and Jialing Rivers Night Cruise, with views of Chongqing's illuminated skyline from the water.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Start the day with a visit to the Three Gorges Museum, which presents the history, culture and natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges region.
Continue to nearby People's Square before transferring to the railway station for a high-speed train to Chengdu (310 km, 1.5-2 h).
Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Note: Three Gorges Museum is closed on Mondays.
Continue to nearby People's Square before transferring to the railway station for a high-speed train to Chengdu (310 km, 1.5-2 h).
Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Note: Three Gorges Museum is closed on Mondays.
Begin your sightseeing at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world's leading conservation centers dedicated to giant pandas. Observe the pandas and learn about the center’s breeding and conservation work.
Continue to Wenshu Temple, one of Chengdu's best-known Buddhist temples, before exploring Jinli Ancient Street, with its traditional-style architecture, local food and craft shops.
Finish the day at Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys), a historic neighborhood where restored courtyards and traditional architecture offer a glimpse of old Chengdu.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Continue to Wenshu Temple, one of Chengdu's best-known Buddhist temples, before exploring Jinli Ancient Street, with its traditional-style architecture, local food and craft shops.
Finish the day at Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys), a historic neighborhood where restored courtyards and traditional architecture offer a glimpse of old Chengdu.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- English-speaking local guide;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- 2nd class train tickets Guangzhou-Zhangjiajie-Chongqing-Chengdu
Price doesn't include:
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- China visa fees;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Personal travel insurance;
- Tips to local guides and drivers.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2026 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
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