South China Explorer Tour for Seniors
Overview
This 10-day China explorer trip is specially designed for elderly tourists to view South China's scenic landscapes and learn minority cultures at a slow pace. It starts from the amazing Chengdu for the cute giant panda and Leshan Giant Buddha, then venture off to Lijiang for the enormous Lijiang Old Town and its great nature showcased in Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Your exploration later comes to Guilin to marvel at endless Longji Rice Terraces and Yangshuo with relaxing Li River cruise and amazing countryside vacation. Enjoy your trip in Hong Kong for great shopping and foodie experience.
Best for: Seniors, Family with elders
Duration: 10 days & 9 nights
Destinations: Chengdu - Lijiang - Guilin - Hong Kong
Travel Type: Private guided tour - Flexible & Free to customize
Highlights:
• View lovely pandas and world highest sitting Giant Buddha
• Visit most relaxing places in China - Chengdu, Lijiang and Yangshuo
• Get to know China's minority people in Lijiang and Longji
Customize Your Tour:
☑ Travel Dates ☑ Your Interests ☑ Your Travel Style
Itinerary Expand All
This morning drive around 2 hours to visit Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone-caved Buddha in the world. You will be surprised by its epic size – standing on the east bank of Minjiang River, the Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high and 24 meters wide. You may choose either taking a boat cruise or walking the zig-zag plank road to have a panoramic view of the Buddha. Transfer back to Chengdu in the afternoon for a rest in hotel. This evening, you will go for a Sichuan Opera Show to enjoy famous Bian Lian (Face-Changing) performance and other traditional local dramatic arts.
Meal: B, L
Pay a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Situated on the Axe Hill 10 kilometers north of Chengdu, the base is home to 40 plus pandas as well as other endangered species like lesser pandas and black-necked crane that currently reside at the base in quarters. It was awarded "Global 500" twice by the UN in the year of 1989 and 1994. Not only will you see the giant pandas eating their breakfast and having fun together on the playground, but you’ll also gain the knowledge about this creature. Later, you will visit a local wet market to see how local people purchase cooking materials for their family. After lunch in local restaurant, you will join the locals to enjoy cups of tea at Chengdu Renmin Park, where you can also see people playing mahjong, dancing and doing other activities. Then transfer to the airport and fly to Lijiang. It is time to embark an amazing journey to Yunnan, China’s minority kingdom.
Meal: B, L
Morning exploring Lijiang Old town (Dayan) accompanied by your guide. The most important part of UNESCO-protected Lijiang Old Town, Dayan is very well preserved and a precious cultural heritage of Naxi people. Ramble in this maze-like ancient city, walking on the stone-paved lanes to see traditional Naxi dwellings, ancient bridges, featured shops, street food stalls, cafes, bars and even school. You will visit Mu's Mansion at the foot of Lion Hill and climb up to the hill for a bird view of the whole town. Later go to visit local wet market to see how local people buy the cooking materials. In the afternoon, you will go to visit a village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village, where villagers still live in traditional mud or stone houses. It was a perfect hideaway, and even in nowadays you can still see people (dressed in traditional clothes) riding horses. Visit the Former Residence of Dr Joseph Rock, an adventurer and geographer from USA who traveled through Yunnan and gave his heart to Lijiang. On the way back, visit Baisha Old Town, the ancient cradle of Naxi minority. Mu Chieftain began their reign of around 500 years from Baisha. Admire the ancient structures, and discover various traditional handicraft workshops here, e.g. Naxi embroidery workshop.
Meal: B, L
Meal: B
Set sail with a cruise ship on Li River, praised by CNN as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, featuring dramatic karst scenery – the limestone peaks extends on both banks, looking like a Chinese landscape painting. If you happen to have a Chinese 20-yuan note, figure out the view Illustrated on the note. Disembark in Yangshuo, walk through the West Street, popular among travelers and backpackers from home and abroad. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Meal: B, L
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Impression Liusanjie Show – An open-air live show beside Li River of Yangshuo, it introduces the beautiful scenery of Li River, the colorful culture of the ethnic groups in Guangxi and the brave imagination of the excellent artists in China.
Take a guided tour to Yangshuo countryside in the morning. Take a walk along the river, passing rice fields, orchard and visit local farmer's family to see traditional bamboo weaver. Afternoon is free at leisure.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Cooking Class - Learn how to cook authentic Chinese food. The cooking class starts by visiting a local wet market, where you can see various types of vegetables, meats and other ingredients. After the visit, go to the cooking school and began to learn some dishes in an easy and interesting way. After the class, you can sit down and enjoy the yummy food cooked by yourself.
Meal: B
Wake in in fresh air and enjoy a cup of hot tea/coffee at hotel. Then continue your trip, moving to Longsheng County, where the spectacular Longji Rice Terraces is located. Your guide will lead you to the viewing platform to see the terraced fields extend from mountains to mountains, and understand why it is also named “Dragon Backbone” - the summit of the mountain range resembles the backbone of the dragon. Longji Rice Terraces is now listed in the protection of Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
Take some walk to Longji Ancient Zhunag village to see China’s largest group of diaojiaolou dwelling and learn Zhuang minority people’s lifestyle. Watch the sun sets over the rice terraces if weather permits.
Kind Reminder
- From the parking lot to your hotel, you are supposed to walk about 30 minutes up to your hotel. There's no regular vehicle that can be used to transport visitors and luggage. The walking distance depends on the location of the hotel you choose. The nearest one is only 5 minute walking distance from car park, which is highly recommended for people with walking difficulties. It is suggested to take an overnight bag with you and store the main luggage at the foot of the mountain with our guide's assistance. Porter service by local villagers is available to transport your luggage with a fee about RMB100 per person (round way).
Meal: B, L
Enjoy peaceful morning time relaxing in the hideaway. You may walk around the village, see farmers working on the fields, and take some incredible photos. Then your guide and driver will transfer you to the train station of Guilin and travel to Hong Kong by high speed rail. One of the most famous destinations in Asia, Hong Kong is an international metropolis offer every modern convenience, and a great place to dine, shop and eat.
Meal: B, L
There are no activities or site visit planned for today, so you may explore Hong Kong on your own. At a proper time, you will be picked up and transferred to airport for your departure flight. End of your 10 days China explorer tour.
Meal: B
End of service.
