Embark on a 10-day expedition through Yunnan’s most biodiverse landscapes, from the flower-filled "Spring City" of Kunming to the remote rainforests bordering Myanmar. This carefully crafted itinerary blends immersive nature exploration with cultural encounters, offering rare access to pristine habitats where wild orchids, ancient trees, and exotic birds thrive.

Traverse UNESCO-listed Gaoligong Mountains, for the roaring Nujiang River Valley, and ascend into cloud-kissed alpine zones where rare floral gems hide among rhododendron forests. Each day brings new discoveries—whether spotting orchids clinging to jungle giants in Tongbiguan, marveling at Tengchong’s volcanic terrain, or learning ethnic minority traditions in Dali’s Ming-era old town.

Designed for nature enthusiasts, the journey combines moderate hikes, scenic drives, and expert-guided botanical searches while staying in comfortable lodgings—from rainforest eco-lodges to lakeside inns. Spring travelers will witness landscapes bursting with camellias, wild cherries, and golden rapeseed fields contrasting with emerald rice terraces.

The adventure leaves you with lasting memories of Yunnan's breathtaking floral diversity—from tropical rainforest blossoms to alpine "slipper orchids"—and a profound connection to one of Asia's most extraordinary natural wonderlands.

Trip Highlights:

1.First Glimpse of the "Spring City" :Stroll through Kunming’s vibrant streets on arrival, soaking in its mild climate. If time allows, explore local markets or lakeside walks, tasting iconic Yunnan rice noodles.

2.Orchid Hunting in Borderland Rainforests :Venture into pristine tropical rainforests near the Myanmar border, discovering wild orchids clinging to ancient trees, with insights from local ethnic minority guides.

3.Gaoligong Mountains Adventure :Drive along the dramatic Nujiang Valley, traversing the UNESCO-listed Gaoligong range. Spot exotic birds and cascading cliffside orchids amid towering peaks.

4.Tengchong’s Volcanic Landscapes :Explore Tengchong’s geothermal wonders and rolling hills dotted with fiery-red berries and camellias in spring, learning about the region’s volcanic history.

5.Highland Flower Quest :Hike through misty alpine zones near Caojian, searching for rare "slipper orchids" hidden in rocky crevices, surrounded by towering rhododendron forests.

6.Dali’s Mountain & Lake Charms: Ride a cable car up Cangshan Mountain to find moss-draped orchids, then unwind in Dali Ancient Town with Bai minority crafts and Erhai Lake views.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1 Kunming Arrival .Meals: D

Arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, meet your guide and driver, then transfer to a downtown hotel. If time permits, enjoy a preliminary city tour to experience the ambiance of the 'Spring City'. 

Overnight: Yulong Garden Hotel.

D2 Kunming to Yingjiang .Meals: BLD

Morning visit Kunming Botanical Garden to explore its rich botanical resources. At noon, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Mangshi, then drive to Yingjiang County in western Yunnan near the Myanmar border. 

Overnight: Vienna International Hotel.

D3 Yingjiang to Tongbiguan .Meals: BLD

Search for epiphytic orchids including Vanda spp., Dendrobium spp., and Gastrochilus spp. on trees near Yingjiang during the morning. In the afternoon, explore orchids in Tongbiguan Nature Reserve’s well-preserved low-altitude tropical rainforest, with opportunities to observe rare birds like Great Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill. 

Overnight: Bori Hotel.

D4 Tongbiguan to Tengchong .Meals: BLD

Continue searching for orchid communities in valley areas of Tongbiguan Reserve in the morning. Drive through western Gaoligong Mountains to Tengchong in the afternoon, famed for volcanic geothermal activity. In spring, spot red fruit spikes of Pyracantha spp. and Camellia reticulata en route. 

Overnight: Lakeside Inn.

D5 Tengchong to Lushui .Meals: BLD

Travel north along Nujiang Valley through Gaoligong Mountains National Nature Reserve. Observe Calanthe spp. in shaded forest understories and hairy Eria spp. on streamside cliffs during the journey. 

Overnight: Lavande Hotel in Lushui.

D6 Lushui to Caojian .Meals: BLD

Seek rock-crevice-growing Pleione spp. around Lushui in the morning. Ascend to higher elevations near Caojian Town in the afternoon to find the nationally protected Paphiopedilum armeniacum and diverse rhododendron spp, notably the rare Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum. Significant temperature variations occur in this region. 

Overnight: Yunshang Seasons Hotel.

D7 Caojian to Dali .Meals: BLD

Drive to Dali Ancient Town. Tour this Ming Dynasty-walled settlement in the afternoon to experience Bai and Yi ethnic cultures. Spring travelers may see rapeseed flower fields and wild cherries on mountain slopes en route.

Overnight: Xishanxia Homestay.

D8 Cangshan Mountain Exploration .Meals: BLD

Take cable car to optimal altitudes on Cangshan. Discover native orchids: Pleione spp. and Holcoglossum spp. in mossy forests, and cliff-dwelling Coelogyne spp. in valleys. Protect fragile habitats during exploration. 

Overnight: Xishanxia Homestay.

D9 Dali to Kunming .Meals: BLD

Visit Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in the morning, backed by Cangshan Mountains facing Erhai Lake. Return to Kunming in the afternoon to explore Dounan Flower Market, Asia’s largest fresh-cut flower hub, to purchase plateau roses or handicrafts. 

Overnight: Yulong Garden Hotel.

D10 Kunming Departure .Meals: BL

Free morning for souvenir shopping. Airport transfer based on flight schedule, concluding the botanical journey.

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.