Trip Details, Dates, Prices, etc.
Menu9-Day Summer Flower Viewing and Nature Culture Tour in Western Sichuan
For true adventurers, nature lovers, and photographers, this journey through Sichuan's breathtaking landscapes is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage, capture unforgettable views, and discover the unique plants that thrive in its varied ecosystems. Sichuan is blessed with diverse geographical features, ranging from lush forests to towering snow-capped peaks, creating the ideal environment for a wide array of flora and fauna.
This 9-day adventure is designed to showcase the beauty of Sichuan’s natural world, from its alpine meadows to glacier valleys, while also offering a deep dive into its diverse ethnic cultures and ancient traditions. Starting in Chengdu, the gateway to this stunning province, we will journey through some of the most iconic landmarks of Western Sichuan. Highlights include a visit to the famous Dujiangyan Panda Valley, where you can observe giant pandas in their natural habitat, and Xiling Snow Mountain, known for its panoramic views and rich alpine flora. The tour continues with a visit to the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha in the world, followed by a trek through the scenic beauty of Longcanggou and the glaciers of Hailuogou. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to experience vibrant local cultures, sample delicious regional cuisines, and explore some of the province’s most biodiverse areas.
Trip Highlights:
1. Giant Panda Observation at Dujiangyan Panda Valley, where you can witness these iconic creatures in their natural environment.
2. Alpine Flower Viewing and panoramic landscapes at Xiling Snow Mountain, including a hike to the Yin-Yang mountain ridge,which often has different weather conditions on different side of the ridge.
3. Leshan Giant Buddha: See the world’s largest stone Buddha from a boat ride on the river, providing a unique perspective of this UNESCO site.
4. Explore Longcanggou, a lush valley rich in biodiversity, perfect for hiking and photography.
5. Hailuogou Glacier Park: Walk through dramatic glacial landscapes and pristine forests, capturing the beauty of this natural wonder.
6. Labahe’s Peaceful Landscapes: Enjoy the serene beauty of this untouched area, home to rare plants and unique ecosystems.
Dates & Prices
Dates | Booking Status | Price | Single Supplement | Group Size | Guide |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jul.1 to Jul.9, 2025 | Open to Booking | 2,360USD/pax | 280USD/pax | 4~12 | WildFloraTour Guide |
Jul.1 to Jul.9, 2026 | Open to Booking | 2,360USD/pax | 280USD/pax | 4~12 | WildFloraTour Guide |
The cost includes the following:
2. Meals in local popular restaurants.
3. All the entrance tickets for places listed in the itinerary including cable cars and shuttle buses.
4. Hotel stays from the first day to the last day of the trip, nice 3-star hotels in big cities and local best in local places.
5.Bottled water, and snacks throughout the trip.
6. Service charges of this trip include the fees of a professional English-speaking plant guide.
7. China domestic travel insurance.
The cost does not include the following:
2. During this trip, extra charges due to the change of itinerary from the client-side or other factors are beyond the control of WildFloraTour.
3. Flight tickets to the place where our trip starts and from the place where our trip ends.
4. Expenses for visa application.
5. Gratuities to the guide and driver.
Itinerary
D1: Arrival in Chengdu. Meals: D
Arrive in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. After meeting your guide, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening, featuring a selection of local delicacies.
Overnight: Chengdu Jiuyanqiao Yueshang Licheng Hotel or similar
D2: Chengdu to Dujiangyan - Xiling Snow Mountain. Meals: BLD
In the morning, visit the Dujiangyan Panda Valley to observe giant pandas and learn about their conservation. Afterward, we travel to Xiling Snow Mountain, where you’ll take a cable car up to enjoy alpine flower viewing and stunning landscapes.In today's itinerary we will show you a good variety of flowers possibly including Iris chrysographes,Lilium sargentiae,Arisaema lobatum,Ponerorchis chusua,Disporum megalanthum and Begonia pedatifida,etc.
Overnight: Xiling Snow Mountain Yingxue Hotel or similar
D3: Xiling Snow Mountain. Meals: BLD
Take the cable car to Riyueping and hike to the Yin-Yang Ridge, the highest point on the mountain. Enjoy the panoramic views and diverse plant life. In the evening, you can relax at a nearby hot spring hotel to soothe your muscles.In today's itinerary you may see some flowers such as Ponerorchis simplex,Cypripedium flavum,Veratrum nigrum,Veratrum grandiflorum,Cardiocrinum giganteum,Dactylorhiza viridis,
Fritillaria delavayi,Polygonatum cirrhifolium,Arisaema erubescens,Maianthemum henryi and Primula bulleyana,etc.
Overnight: Chengdu Huashuiwan Haosheng Hot Spring Hotel or similar
D4: Xiling Snow Mountain - Leshan Giant Buddha - Longcanggou. Meals: BLD
Travel to Leshan and take a boat ride to see the Leshan Giant Buddha from the river, enjoying a spectacular of the world largest stone Buddha. In the afternoon, we continue to Longcanggou, known for its lush valleys and rich biodiversity,etc.
Overnight: Longcanggou Zhuoshan Black Rock Resort Apartments or similar
D5: Longcanggou - Hailuogou. Meals: BLD
We will spend the morning hiking in Longcanggou, exploring its vibrant ecosystems. In the afternoon, we travel to Hailuogou, a glacier park famous for its stunning glaciers and rich plant life.In today's itinerary the flowers you may possibly see include Monotropastrum humile,Tetracentron sinense,Goodyera repens,Deutzia longifolia,Cardiocrinum giganteum,Brassaiopsis fatsioides,
Odontochilus elwesii ,Neottia puberula and Phalaenopsis wilsonii, etc.
Overnight: Hailuogou Yixiyun Shanyeming Inn (Swallow Valley branch) or similar
D6: Hailuogou. Meals: BLD
We will spend the day exploring Hailuogou, hiking from Camp 2 to Camp 3. During the hike, with the primeval forest located near Camp 3. This area is home to lush, untouched woodland, offering a perfect environment for plant observation and photography. Here you will search for flowers such as Cypripedium margaritaceum,Cypripedium franchetii,Monotropastrum humile,Neottia biflora,Neottia mucronata,Galearis spathulata,
Goodyera nankoensis,Balanophora involucrata,Balanophora fargesii,Gymnadenia orchidis,Gymnadenia crassinervis and Platanthera curvata, etc.
Overnight: Hailuogou Yixiyun Shanyeming Inn (Swallow Valley branch) or similar
D7: Hailuogou - Yajiageng - Labahe. Meals: BLD
Travel to Labahe via Yajiageng, stopping to enjoy the beautiful flower displays along the way. Labahe is a tranquil area filled with diverse flora and fauna, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and photographers.In today's itinerary you may see:Meconopsis henrici,Meconopsis integrifolia,Platanthera chlorantha,Ponerorchis simplex,Lilium duchartrei,Lilium lophophorum,
Herminium monorchis,Euphorbia micractina,Rheum alexandrae and Pedicularis rhodotricha,etc.
Overnight: Labahe Blue Crystal Hotel or similar
D8: Labahe - Chengdu. Meals: BLD
In the morning, we will explore the peaceful Laba River, known for its clear waters and floral beauty. In the afternoon, we will return to Chengdu, where you’ll have free time to relax or explore the city’s markets and cafes.In today's itinerary you have chance to see flowers like Saxifraga epiphylla,Saxifraga rufescens,Schisandra sphenanthera,Euonymus frigidus,Epipactis mairei,Bletilla ochracea and Apios carnea, etc.
Overnight: Chengdu Jiuyanqiao Yueshang Licheng Hotel or similar
D9: Departure from Chengdu. Meals: B
Enjoy some final moments in Chengdu before being transferred to the airport for your departure.
Tour Guides
We will arrange one of our WildFloraTour experts for this trip based on the focus of this trip. All our experts have rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.
Cory Li WildFloraTour plant expert
Cory Li,co-founder, and general manager of WildFloraTour is a super fan of nature, especially for flowers. His passion for nature grows from the beauty of greens in the little boys' eyes. As a native of Sichuan Chengdu, he has spent a lot of time exploring nature in the mountains nearby his hometown. During his study at Sichuan University, he began to take lots of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing and started to study knowledge about flora by himself. After graduation, he even spent more time in the wild than office exploring wildflowers in Sichuan and nearby provinces with other nature lovers and photographed about two thousand wildflower species. He even found several new distributions of some endemic species and even some new species of plants along with some other nature lovers. He loves to share his findings and stories behind the photos with other nature lovers on the internet and became a “flora idol” in southwest China. He never expected becoming famous out of this, he just enjoys sharing the beauty of those lovely flowers with others.
Ray WildFloraTour plant expert
Ray graduated from Leshan Normal University, majoring in plant science. As an expert at WildFlora, Ray is responsible for the daily operations of WildFloraTour. He possesses a profound passion for nature, which prompted him to resign from his job in his hometown of Deyang and relocate to Chengdu to pursue his dreams and join WildFloraTour. Having specialized in botanical studies during his university years, Ray has acquired a distinct advantage in his work, affording him opportunities to discover endemic species and make thrilling new findings. Additionally, Ray is an avid photographer who captures the ephemeral beauty of nature, preserving invaluable moments that inspire others to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. At WildFloraTour, he collaborates with a team of plant specialists to design customized tours that cater to the individual interests of each traveler who has keen interests in plants. Whether it involves botanical exploration, cultural immersion, or wildlife safaris, Ray and his team strive to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.
Philip WildFloraTour plant expert
As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the founder of WildfloraTour and is native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to teacher, to translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. Along the way, Philip discovered his passion and love for helping tourists understand the beauty and history of his people and homeland. Philip is known for his ability to plan and execute unique and exciting adventure trips exploring the sights off the usual tourist routes. He is active, open-minded, and adventurous and always ready to share interesting and useful information with his clients. As a travel professional working in this field for more than 15 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of learning and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to understand the unique resources in panda habitats and neighboring areas, he established Wildflora to bring his educational fun-filled tours to more people eager to explore and learn about China. Besides, Philip is an active and knowledgeable birder and a dedicated photographer.
Besides, one of WildFloraTour's local guides in Southeast China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end traveling experience.