Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Sichuan, where ancient culture, awe-inspiring landscapes, and nature’s finest blooms await.  This 9-day adventure will guide you through lush forests, vast meadows, and dramatic mountains, offering rare encounters with the companion animals of giant pandas, exotic flowers, and centuries-old traditions.  From the peaceful panda valleys to the vibrant wildflower fields, we are going to show you the unparalleled natural beauty of flowers and landscape in Sichuan.

You will begin your adventure with us from Chengdu, the vibrant capital city of Sichuan for over 2,300 years and one of the few cities in China which has never changed its name and location in history. Known for its rich history and abundance of cultural heritages, Chengdu is the perfect place for you to start the trip. Enjoy a relaxing evening with a welcome dinner and briefing by your guide will help you obtain a better knowledge about the journey ahead.

The following day, we head to the famous Dujiangyan Panda Base, where we get a close look at giant pandas in their natural environment. Afterward, we travel to Beichuan’s Yaowang Valley, where rolling hills are blanketed by wild magnolia flowers, offering a unique blend of nature and tranquility.

Our journey continues into Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, which is one of the first reserves set up in China to protect giant pandas and their habitat. We have scheduled this trip during the time when we can visit this park during the blooming of the Chinese redbuds (Cercis chinensis Bunge) The mountain slope on the either side of Tangjiahe River will be dotted with blooming Chinese redbuds flowers. We will also climb up Motianling Pass, en route we have chance to encounter Temminic’s Tragopan, Golden Pheasant and even giant panda. For nature lovers, the rich flora and fauna in this reserve will be one of the most rewarding and charming aspects of this trip.

In the afternoon, we explore Qingxi Ancient village, a quiet ancient village mainly lived by Han and Muslims. Here you can see its glories in the past from some unique architectures such as a city wall going around this village and a big mosque standing inside the village. Walking through the paved village, you seem to be brought back to old times when the merchants travelling between Sichuan and Ganshu come and go with their loads of commodities. 

Toward the end of the trip, we will pay a visit to some other scenic spots, including Laogou Nature Reserve and Pingwu County town, where we continue to learn about Sichuan’s diverse ecosystems and the stories about different ethnic minorities in western China. From ancient towns to lush valleys, we are going to show you one after another like opening an Chinese landscaping painting roll in front of you.

Trip Highlights:

1.Giant Panda Experience: Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base to learn about giant pandas and observe their playful cubs up close|

2.Huanglong Scenic Area: Explore the colorful pools of Huanglong and discover rare alpine flowers in the region's pristine forests.

3.Jiuzhaigou Valley: Wander through this UNESCO World Heritage site, admiring its crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and alpine meadows.

4.Wildlife and Nature in Tangjiahe: Hike the mountain trails to discover wildflowers, rhododendrons, and species like Ginkgo biloba and Pleione bulbocodioides.

5.Qingxi Ancient Town: Experience the ancient charm of Qingxi, with its preserved culture and traditional architecture.6.Rare Flower Photography: Capture stunning images of rare and unique wildflowers that bloom in the remote mountain regions of Sichuan.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrive in Chengdu  Meals: D

Arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and a trip briefing by your guide.

Overnight: Chengdu Jiuyanqiao Yue Shang Licheng Hotel

D2: Chengdu – Dujiangyan Panda Base – Beichuan  Meals: BLD

We start early with a visit to the Dujiangyan Panda Base to see giant pandas and red pandas. After lunch, we drive to Beichuan’s Yaowang Valley, where we can enjoy the sight of magnolia flowers and taste the local delicacy such as fried magnolia petals.

Overnight: Jiuhuang Mountain Wujian Mountain Lodge

D3: Beichuan – Tangjiahe  Meals: BLD

We head to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve during the full blooming of the Chinese redbuds flowers, if we are lucky, we may run into the annual Chinese Redbuds Flower Festival during which lots of activities planned to celebrate the blooming of the Chinese redbuds flowers. After that, we hike along the Motian Trail, in search for wildflowers and wildlife living from the edge of lush bamboo forests such as Golden Pheasant and Temminic’s Tragopan, admiring a great view at the pass of Motianling. In the evening, we stay inside the reserve. Today, we have chance to see flowers such as Cercis chinensis, Cercis glabra, Chaenomeles speciosa, Fagus longipetiolata, Ginkgo biloba, Epimedium brevicornu, Litsea pungens, Rhododendron racemosum, Primula moupinensis, Prunus polytricha, Pleione bulbocodioides, and Tarenaya hassleriana etc.

Overnight: Tangjiahe Hotel

D4: Tangjiahe  Meals: BLD

We trek through the Linghou Valley, searching for wild animals and flowers. Later, we travel to Qingxi Ancient Village to explore the local customs and culture, spending the night nearby.

Overnight: Yinpingshan No. 1 Inn

D5: Tangjiahe – Laohegou – Pingwu  Meals: BLD

We drive to Laohegou to explore the Laohegou Nature Reserve with a local guide. Afterward, we continue our journey to Pingwu County.We will look for flowers such as Viola philippica, Vitex negundo, Ypsilandra thibetica, Tiarella polyphylla, Thladiantha nudiflora, Trillium tschonoskii, Stachyurus himalaicus, Stauntonia chinensis, Rubus rosifolius, Rubus coreanus, Rosa banksiae, Rhododendron augustinii, Rhododendron hunnewellianum, Rhododendron latoucheae, Rhododendron polylepis, Rhododendron simiarum, Quercus acutissima, Primula denticulata, Pleione bulbocodioides, Petasites japonicus, Paris polyphylla, Litsea moupinensis, Kerria japonica, Hylomecon japonica, Hepatica henryi, Euptelea pleiosperma, Enkianthus deflexus, Enkianthus serrulatus, Epimedium glandulosopilosum, Dregea sinensis, Davidia involucrata, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Buddleja officinalis, Arisaema lobatum, Actinidia chinensis, Berneuxia thibetica and Rumex nepalensis etc.

Overnight: Pingwu Jiuzhou Jindu Hotel

D6: Bao'en Temple – Jiuzhaigou  Meals: BLD

In the morning, we visit the Bao'en Temple, a historic Ming Dynasty temple built in the 15th century. The temple features impressive architecture with multiple halls, pagodas, and courtyards. It is renowned for its cultural significance, blending Confucian, Buddhist, and folk traditions. After exploring this architectural gem, we head to Jiuzhaigou for the night.

Overnight: Jiuzhaigou Lecheng Huating Resort

D7: Jiuzhaigou – Huanglong  Meals: BLD

We visit Jiuzhaigou Valley in the morning, starting with the left route and taking in the stunning scenery of the Five-Color Pools and the surrounding lakes. After lunch, we visit the right route, exploring the forested areas near Fangcao Sea, Panda Sea, Wuhuahu Sea, and Shuzheng Waterfall. In the afternoon, we make our way to Huanglong.We have the opportunity to see Zelkova sinica, Viola variegata, Viola hancockii, Viola grypoceras, Viola philippica, Viola dissecta, Viburnum glomeratum, Rhododendron augustinii, Rhododendron oreodoxa, Rhododendron concinnum, Robinia pseudoacacia, Michelia chapensis, Gentiana pseudoaquatica, Kerria japonica, Cypripedium plectrochilum, Daphne tangutica, Stachyurus himalaicus, Ribes takare, Ribes glaciale, Prunus szechuanica, Primula kialensis, Helleborus thibetanus, Calypso bulbosa, Arisaema lobatum and  Cymbidium hookerianum etc.

Overnight: Huanglong Selcsa International Hotel

D8: Huanglong  Meals: BLD

In the morning, we take the cable car to the upper part of Huanglong. We then hike down to the walkway on the bottom of the valley and walk up to the Five-Color Pool, passing through coniferous forests and seeking out wildflowers along the way.We could observe Calypso bulbosa, Adonis coerulea, Rhododendron decorum and  Berberis amurensis etc.

Overnight: Huanglong Selcsa International Hotel

D9: Huanglong – Chengdu  Meals: BLD

We travel back to Chengdu by high-speed train, where we’ll have free time for shopping and sightseeing in the city.

Overnight: Chengdu Jiuyanqiao Yue Shang Licheng Hotel

D10: Departure from Chengdu  Meals: B

Based on the flight schedule, we will transfer to the airport for departure.

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.

Bella      WildFloraTour bird and mammal expert

Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, was graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grown up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom’s garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients. She takes great pride in the work she is doing, now she is ready to help you plan your best birding trip in China in cooperation with her colleagues.

Karen       WildFloraTour Logistic Expert

Karen Lin is a native of Chengdu, Sichuan province. She loves and knows the culture of her hometown well, such as ancient Shu civilization, folk customs and ancient Chinese poetry.She has over 14 years' experience in foreign affairs service and tourism. She is familiar with the whole process of group operation. She is always good at thinking and full of ideas, and always gives the guests a warm experience with the special attention and consideration.Karen loves birds and enjoys go out for birding with the team, sometimes, she works as assistant for the group. She likes nature and is good at parent-child natural activities and education. In addition, she has long devoted herself to public welfare, especially caring for the elderly and disabled people, environmental protection, and reading promotion. She organizes and participates in a number of related volunteer work. She is a passionate and intelligent member of our team.

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.