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The Essence of Wild China Exploration Tour


Wolong

Wolong

Dujiangyan21

Dujiangyan

Jiuzhaigou21

Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou22

Jiuzhaigou

Huanglong2

Huanglong

Zhangjiajie21

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie22

Zhangjiajie

About This Trip

Embark on a 9-day odyssey to uncover the soul of Wild China, starting in Chengdu—the gateway to Southwest China. Begin your journey with a heartwarming encounter with giant pandas at Wolong Natural Reserve and get to know the habits of giant pandas. Next, step back 2,000 years at Dujiangyan, the world’s oldest surviving irrigation system, where ancient ingenuity tamed nature’s fury to nurture civilization.

Journey onward to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, where emerald lakes and cascading waterfalls paint a fairy-tale landscape. Then, ascend to Zhangjiajie, home of the otherworldly Avatar Mountains. Hike through mist-cloaked quartz pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, brave the adrenaline-pumping glass-bottomed bridge, and wander the celestial Skywalk of Tianmen Mountain—a testament to nature’s grandeur and human daring.

This journey unveils the wild heart of China, guiding you through its untamed landscapes and primal allure. Step outside and discover the charm of nature by your own.

Highlights

  • Encounter adorable giant pandas at panda base in Wolong Natural Reserve
  • Admire the breathtaking scenery of the world natural heritage sites
    —Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
  • Avatar mountain adventure in Zhangjiajie with its amazing natural beauty
  • Marveling at the colossal mountain-piercing karst cave of Tianmen Mountain
  • Explore the fantastic karst landform in Huanglong Cave

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Tour Itinerary

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Taichi session at the Temple of Heaven, Rickshaw Hutong tour

Meals: Buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Decent 4-star hotel in Dujiangyan

Welcome to China, a nation with a time-honored history, splendid culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Upon your arrival, your local guide will pick you up at Chengdu International Airport and transfer you to the hotel in Dujiangyan.


Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation: Decent 4-star hotel in Dujiangyan

After breakfast, begin your day tour at Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong National Nature Reserve. Wolong National Nature Reserve is located in the southwest of Wenchuan County, 130km (80 miles) from Chengdu. Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base, a post-Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction project with Hong Kong’s support, opened to the public in 2016. Spanning 150 hectares, it currently houses over 90 giant pandas. Nestled amid bamboo forests at 1,700 meters above sea level, the base integrates three core functions: captive breeding, scientific research, and public education. It combines world-class breeding technology with immersive visitor experiences, allowing you to observe these cuddly national treasures up close while learning about their conservation journey.

Then, drive to visit Dujiangyan. As the oldest and only surviving large-scale damless water diversion project in the world today, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Comprising three main components—the Fish Mouth Levee, Flying Sand Weir, and Bottle-Neck Channel—it ingeniously harnesses the local topography for automatic flood diversion, sediment flushing, and irrigation. Since its completion in 256 BCE (Qin Dynasty), it has continuously served its purpose, transforming the Chengdu Plain into the “Land of Abundance” while providing multifaceted benefits in flood control, irrigation, and navigation.

Tonight, you will have a leisurely night tour on South Bridge, enjoy the stunning night view there.


Meals: Buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Jiuzhaigou (close to Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park)

After breakfast, you will depart Dujiangyan and travel back to Chengdu. Then you will spend half day to explore the highlights of Chengdu. First, stroll around Jinli Ancient Street, which actually is the ancient street with a total length of 550 meters. It features the traditional former residence of Ming and Qing dynasties style. Then you will have a stop at the local Tea House in People’s Park , enjoy a cup of tea and experience the relaxing lifestyle as the locals.

After lunch, take the speed train to Huanglong. Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to Jiuzhaigou Valley. Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.


Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Accommodation: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Jiuzhaigou (close to Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park)

Today you will spend a full day to explore the World Natural Heritage—Jiuzhaigou Valley. The national park boasts the blue sea, waterfalls, colorful forest, cloudy, snow mountains and Tibetan cultures. Most of attractions are scattered in three valleys including Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley and Zezhawa Valley. The most famous three waterfalls, Pearl Beach Waterfall and Nuorilang Waterfall are also deserved to visit. Start your day tour Rizewa Valley, touring Panda Sea, Wuhua Sea, Mirror Sea, Pearl Beach Waterfall in the morning. In the afternoon, visit Nuorilang Waterfall and Zewa Valley. Conclude your day tour in Shuzheng Valley, visit Shuzheng Sea, Fire and Flower Sea etc.


Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Chengdu (centrally located)

This morning, you will depart the Jiuzhaigou Valley for another world natural heritage, Huanglong Scenic Area which features the typical karst caves, colorful pools, snow-topped mountain, valley and well-preserved forest. You will be amazed by the magical power of wild nature. You will take the cable car up to the mountain. You will spend around 4-5 hours walking and sightseeing in the park.

After the tour, drive to railway station and take the bullet train back to Chengdu . Overnight at Chengdu.


Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation: Decent 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie (close to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park)

Today, continue your exploration tour to Zhangjiajie. You will take the comfortable and modern bullet train to Zhangjiajie. As a fantastic destination located in central China, it boasts the fascinating wild nature and typical landform.

Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to visit Golden Whip Stream. Located within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it stretches approximately 7.5 kilometers in length and is named for its proximity to Jinbian Rock. The stream here is crystal-clear, with towering peaks and serene valleys lining its path, presenting breathtaking scenery that has earned it the reputation of being “one of the most beautiful valleys in the world.” You will do half way (around 1-2 hours) of hiking to explore the charm of nature. 

After the tour, drive to check-in at your hotel. You will stay in Zhangjiajie for 3 nights.


Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation: Decent 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie (close to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park)

Today, you will spend a full day time to discover the core area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You will take the Tianzishan cable car up to explore Tianzishan, which is always regarded as  “the king of all mountains”. It is named after the farmer Xiang Dakun of the Tujia ethnic group, who led a successful local farmers’ revolt and called himself “tianzi”. This means “son of Heaven” and is the traditional epithet of the Chinese emperor. You will visit Helong Park, West Sea Peak Forest, Yubi Peak, Tianzige Pavilion, and Fairy Offering Flowers, among other attractions.

In the afternoon, on the way to Yuanjiajie, you will have a stop at the amazing Sky Farm. Stepping onto the Sky Farm, the gentle breeze brushes your sleeves, and the mists cling to you, creating a sense of being in a fairyland. It’s like hearing green peaks hum with birdsong and high mountains resound with flowing springs; while standing in this pastoral scene, you feel as if you’ve ascended to the realm of colorful clouds.

After that, take a vehicle to Yuanjiajie. A seemingly magical place, its Southern Sky Pillars inspired the floating mountains in blockbuster movie, Avatar. When the clouds and mist rise, it looks like a fantasy wonderland — truly amazing. The peak scenery, resemble epic columns, towers, even birds and animals, Mother Nature’s art work that you can’t find anywhere else but in Yuanjiajie. You will visit its highlights including World’s First Bridge, Avatar Mountain (Hallelujah Mountain), and Mesmerizing Terrace. Descend the mountain on foot (1.5 hours down the stairs), then walk along Jinbianxi (from Qianli Xianghui to Shuirao Simen section for 1 hour). Finally, take a vehicle back to Wulingyuan.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel.


Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation: Decent 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie (close to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park)

Today, you will spend a full day time to explore Tian’men Mountian. After breakfast, drive to visit the world famous Tian’men Mountain (cable car incl.). Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain, formerly known as Songliang Mountain, stands at an elevation of 1,518.6 meters, making it the highest peak in Yongding District, Zhangjiajie, and only 8 kilometers away from the urban area. Named after the natural wonder Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate Cave), which soars 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep, hanging majestically on a towering cliff, it exudes a breathtaking grandeur. The mountaintop preserves a complete primitive secondary forest with a forest coverage rate of 90%, earning it the reputation of “the World’s Most Beautiful Aerial Garden.” You will embark on a 1.5-hour hike to explore the highlights on the mountain: the Glass Skywalk, Guigu Stack Walkway, and Tianmen Mountain Temple. After that, take the cable car at the summit to Yunxiaodian Hall on the top of Tianmen Mountain, then follow the East Route and take the mountain-traversing elevator down to Tianmen Hole. You will descend the 999 steps and take the express cable car back down the mountain. 


Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Conclude your exploration tour with a visit to the awe-inspiring Huanglong Cave. As a component of the world natural heritage site Wulingyuan, Huanglong Cave is a typical karst landscape located at the core of the scenic area. Extending 7.5 kilometers across four levels, it is renowned for natural wonders like the Divine Needle Stabilizing the Ocean, the Dragon Palace Hall, and the Ringing Water River, earning the title of “All-Round Champion of Global Caves”. In 2005, it was named “China’s Most Beautiful Tourist Cave”. A highlight of the visit is a boat ride along the underground river, allowing you to uncover the mysterious world within the cave.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Zhangjiajie airport for your departure flight. You could either fly to Shanghai or Beijing and transfer to your homeward flight. End your unforgettable exploration tour in China.



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    Aug 30, 2026~ Sep 16, 2026, 8-person small group 18 Days in Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shangrao, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing

    Hello everyone! Eric, thank you so much for your attention during our trip to China. Having you and your team there was essential—we really enjoyed it! We hope to return to China with our children in the future and will stay in touch. It will also be a pleasure to recommend you to our friends, who are already eager to visit China after seeing our photos and videos! Thank you!

    Fabio

    Best of China Tour, 13 Days in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing

    Sep 2026 • Family

    Everything was spectacular. You’ve been communicative and so helpful. It was a terrific mix of guided tours and enable us to freely explore. It is tricky to navigate without fully knowing the language. For our first visit as a family, it was extremely helpful to have the guides. I would like to send a note to Zicasso or your tour company manager to express my appreciation for the level of service. You can send to the Zicasso email platform if possible.

    For your info for future customers, since I booked my flights directly with CX, Air China would not permit online check-in. This had to be done at the airport in person since they were the first flight, but they did check us all the way through if the tickets were on one record locator.
    Thx you again!

    Victoria Young

    China Essence with Natural Wonders Exploration

    May 05th, 2026, Couple

    We traveled to China during 05th May to 17th May, 2026. Here goes our comment.

    Guilin & Yangshuo:

    Mr. Tom was an excellent guide in every aspect. He made every experience a great adventure and beyond. With his energy and knowledge, he adjusted the schedule with extra activities such as visiting the pandas, which made it extra special. He is good at explaining everything in a clear and succinct way, since much is guiding us, we loved our time in China and couldn’t have done it without Tom. He is also frequently offering helpful knowledge we very much appreciated. He also took great pictures of us. Mr. Kong, the driver is very courteous & flexible.

    Zhangjiajie, Furong & Fenghuang town:

    Allen is a capable and smart guide who has an optimistic and patient personality. We feel fortunate to have her. She is very good at arranging the schedule and navigating the towns’ sights in an efficient manner. We appreciate her help to negotiate with the photographer and provide us good seats and advice. The driver Mr. Lee is a safe & excellent driver who is courteous to us, other drivers and pedestrians. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Zhengzhou area. The hotel was excellent!

    Beijing:

    Ray Liu is a very knowledgeable and smart guide with excellent English. We learned a lot from him about Chinese history, culture, and current life. He is on time and capable. He shared with us a lot of interesting facts and information, and it was easy to talk to him because he is friendly, talkative and has fluent English. Ray knows his way around & got us everywhere, and it was nice there was a charge port in the back. He can be more courteous to bikers & pedestrians, but we got everywhere safely.

    Linda Cheng


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