Our journey begins in Chengdu, where the rhythm of teahouses and historic alleyways introduces us to Sichuan’s vibrant culture. From the city’s famed panda sanctuary, we venture into the mist-wrapped mountains of Baoxing, tracing the footsteps of early naturalists through landscapes where rare blossoms cling to cliffs and Tibetan villages dot the high valleys. Each day unfolds with new discoveries—alpine meadows ablaze with wildflowers, hidden orchids thriving in travertine terraces, and the chance encounters with wildlife that make these ecosystems so extraordinary.

We ascend through ever-changing ecosystems, from the lush bamboo forests of the lowlands to the wind-swept plateaus of Zoigê, where spring lingers in flower-strewn grasslands. Along the way, the land tells its stories: prayer flags fluttering above Jiarong Tibetan homes, nomadic herders guiding yaks across wetlands teeming with birds, and the snow-capped peaks of Huanglong guarding their botanical treasures. Our path is one of quiet observation—learning to spot the subtle signs of takin trails, the flash of a pheasant’s plumage, or the delicate symmetry of a lady’s slipper orchid.

The heart of our expedition lies in the reserves—Tangjiahe’s dense forests alive with golden snub-nosed monkeys and elusive goral, Wanglang’s orchid-rich slopes where blooms emerge like hidden jewels. Mornings begin with the soft light filtering through ancient trees, evenings with the warmth of lodge fires and shared tales of the day’s sightings. Here, nature’s balance reveals itself: the interdependence of grazing herds and alpine meadows, the way certain flowers bloom only where bears have passed.

As we return to Chengdu, we carry more than memories. The scent of rhododendron petals, the echo of birdsong in limestone gorges, and the quiet wisdom of mountain communities linger long after the journey ends. This is Sichuan as few experience it—a living tapestry of life, woven across elevation and time.

Trip Highlights:

1.Exclusive Giant Panda Encounter： Visit the world-renowned research base to observe these iconic creatures in expertly designed habitats that replicate their natural environment.

2.Tibetan Cultural Immersion：Journey through distinct Tibetan regions, experiencing unique architectural styles, traditional villages, and authentic local lifestyles.

3.Spectacular Alpine Landscapes：Traverse dramatic elevation changes from lush valleys to high-altitude meadows, witnessing breathtaking mountain vistas and pristine wilderness.

4.UNESCO World Heritage Exploration：Discover Huanglong’s mesmerizing travertine terraces and vibrant mineral pools, a geological wonder recognized for its global significance.

5.Premier Wildlife Observation：Venture into protected reserves with expert-guided safaris, maximizing opportunities to spot rare and endemic mammals in their natural habitats.

6.Biodiversity Hotspot Discovery：Explore multiple ecosystems across Sichuan’s altitudinal gradient, from dense forests to expansive wetlands, each hosting unique ecological communities.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrival in Chengdu. Meals: BLD

Upon arrival at Chengdu, meet your professional guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit either Wangjianglou Park to experience Chengdu's laid-back lifestyle through its traditional tea culture, bamboo gardens, and local recreational activities, or explore Kuanzhai Alley, a well-preserved historical district built during the Qing Dynasty that showcases a unique blend of northern and southern Chinese architecture while offering opportunities to sample authentic Sichuan cuisine and purchase local handicrafts. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a renowned local restaurant near your hotel.

Overnight:Leshine Hotel Jiuyanqiao

D2: Chengdu to Baoxing. Meals: BLD

Begin your day with an early morning visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to over 100 individuals of Ailuropoda melanoleuca across various age groups, along with Ailurus fulgens and numerous native bird species amidst beautifully maintained botanical displays. After lunch featuring classic Sichuan dishes, travel to Baoxing County, the historic discovery site of both Ailuropoda melanoleuca and Davidia involucrata by Western naturalists. This region serves as an important habitat for numerous endemic plant and animal species.

Overnight:Hongjun Posthouse

D3: Baoxing to Jiajin Mountain. Meals: BLD

Depart your hotel early to ascend Jiajin Mountain, traversing dramatic elevation changes from evergreen forests to alpine meadows while observing altitude-dependent flora including the striking Meconopsis punicea, Meconopsis integrifolia, Meconopsis lancifolia, Lilium lophophorum, various Primula species, and Cypripedium tibeticum. The journey also offers opportunities to spot wildlife and experience authentic Tibetan culture as you pass through traditional villages adorned with prayer flags.

Overnight:Hongjun Posthouse

D4: Mengbi Mountain Exploration. Meals: BLD

Today's full-day excursion takes you through the scenic Mengbi Mountain area, passing several Jiarong Tibetan villages with their distinctive architectural styles. Focus your search on botanical treasures including Primula palmata, Dolomiaea souliei, and Boschniakia himalaica, while keeping an eye out for avian species such as various Garrulax, Carpodacus, and Sitta. In the evening, transfer to Barkam City, the capital of Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, where you'll check into a Tibetan-style hotel with optional cultural exploration of local villages.

Overnight:Howard Johnson Barkam Hotel

D5: Transition to Zoigê Wetlands. Meals: BLD

Journey from Jiarong to Amdo Tibetan regions as you leave the mountains behind and enter the vast Zoigê grasslands. Though summer temperatures prevail at lower elevations, the high plateau remains in springtime, with flower-strewn meadows dotted with nomadic tents, grazing yaks, and abundant birdlife. This Ramsar-designated wetland provides critical habitat for Grus nigricollis, Tadorna ferruginea, various raptors, and Alauda arvensis. Arrive at your Zoigê hotel in the evening.

Overnight: Zoigê Royalty Hotel

D6: Zoigê to Huanglong. Meals: BLD

Morning departure from Zoigê allows for final photography opportunities of the plateau's wildflowers and birds before traveling to Huanglong UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, stop at Chuanzhusi Town for lunch, then cross the snow-capped Xuebaoding Pass searching for alpine species including Meconopsis henrici, Meconopsis punicea, Meconopsis integrifolia, and Primula stenocalyx. Weather permitting, enjoy distant views of Xuebaoding, the highest peak in the Min Mountains.

Overnight:Sherco International Hotel

D7: Full Day at Huanglong. Meals: BLD

Dedicate today to exploring Huanglong's remarkable travertine terraces and pristine forests. Take the cable car to the upper area and hike down along wooden walkways, marveling at the world-famous calcite pools while searching for orchid species that give the site its botanical fame, including Cypripedium flavum, Cypripedium bardolphianum, Cypripedium tibeticum, Calanthe delavayi, Calypso bulbosa, and Orchis chusua.

Overnight:Sherco International Hotel

D8: Huanglong to Tangjiahe. Meals: BLD

Morning departure through dramatic Danyun Gorge includes stops to search for Cypripedium sichuanense, Calanthe alpina, and Oreorchis fargesii. After lunch, visit well-preserved Qingxi Ancient Town with its intact city walls and distinctive Hui Muslim culture before entering Tangjiahe Nature Reserve in the evening, where lucky visitors may spot Elaphodus cephalophus or Budorcas taxicolor tibetana along the roadside.

Overnight:Tangjiahe Forest Villa

D9: Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. Meals: BLD

Spend the entire day exploring one of China's premier wildlife observation sites. Specialized vehicles will take you deep into various valleys to maximize chances of encountering Budorcas taxicolor tibetana, Chrysolophus pictus, Macaca thibetana, Muntiacus reevesi, Naemorhedus griseus, Capricornis sumatraensis, and Sus scrofa. In the evening, transfer toward Wanglang Nature Reserve.

Overnight:Duoboke Homestay

D10: Wanglang to Chengdu. Meals: BLD

Morning exploration of Wanglang focuses on its remarkable orchid diversity, with numerous Cypripedium species including C. tibeticum, C. flavum, and C. margaritaceum at peak bloom. After lunch, return to Chengdu for a farewell dinner celebrating the expedition's discoveries.

Overnight:Leshine Hotel Jiuyanqiao

D11: Chengdu Departure. Meals: BL

Private transfer to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport according to your flight schedule, with optional stops for last-minute souvenir shopping en route.

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.

Ke Huang      WildFloraTour plant expert

Huang Ke, who graduated with a master's degree from Sichuan University, joined a local NGO after graduation, dedicating himself to environmental protection and biological resource surveys. Through years of study and fieldwork, he has gained a profound understanding of the diverse animals and plants in Southwest China. His work has taken him to remote forests, high-altitude meadows, and pristine river valleys, where he has documented rare species and contributed valuable ecological data.In addition to his field research, Huang Ke actively participated in the editing of several nature-related books, including the "Wild Bird Cartoon Guide" series, Between the Forest and the Sea, Picture of Giant Pandas, and Chengdu Nature Notes, which aim to enhance public awareness of biodiversity and conservation. His botanical research has also led to the discovery and publication of new plant species, such as Primula xilingensis and Primula meishanensis, enriching scientific knowledge of China’s flora. His passion for nature continues to drive his efforts in research, conservation, and education.

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 culture and bird 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.