At the beginning of the 20th century, British plant hunter Ernest Henry Wilson ventured deep into western China on numerous expeditions, particularly in Sichuan and Hubei. He explored rugged mountains, deep valleys, and remote forests in search of rare and remarkable plants.

He brought back to the West a vast collection of seeds and botanical specimens native to China, including Davidia involucrata (dove tree), Primula, Rhododendron, and many other plants that later became widely celebrated in horticulture. For this reason, he became known as “the man who opened the garden in western China.”

More than a century later, we will follow parts of the routes Wilson once explored and return to the native habitats of these remarkable plants. From Muping in Baoxing to Mount Balang, from ancient forests to alpine meadows, we will search for the wild flowers and plants that once captivated Wilson, all at a comfortable and safe pace.

This journey is more than simply a flower-viewing tour. It is also a journey in the footsteps of a legendary plant hunter, offering an opportunity to explore the extraordinary botanical diversity of western China， and experience these remarkable landscapes where wild plants flourish in their natural habitats as well as rich ethnic culture hold by ethnic minorities in these areas.

Trip Highlights:

1. Follow in Wilson's Botanical Footsteps:Trace the mountain and river-valley routes once explored by plant hunter Ernest Henry Wilson, and step into the “botanical kingdom of China” as he encountered it more than a century ago.

2. Discover the Homeland of the Dove Tree:Venture into the native habitats of Davidia involucrata (dove tree)—a relict plant endemic to China—and search for the remarkable “Chinese dove tree” that once caused a sensation in the botanical world of Europe.

3. Encounter a Remarkable Diversity of Plants:Search for a fascinating array of wild plants, including Syringa pinnatifolia, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Meconopsis integrifolia, Meconopsis punicea, Yulania dawsoniana, Primula poissonii, and Lilium regale.

4. Explore the Vertical World of Plants, from River Valleys to Alpine Heights:Cross a remarkable range of elevations and ecosystems, from warm and humid river-valley forests and rocky cliffs to alpine meadows and scree slopes, observing how plant communities change with altitude.

5. Discover the Sichuan Landscapes Described by Wilson:Combine botanical observation with history as you follow parts of Wilson's journey through the mountains, forests, and villages of Sichuan. Along the way, look for connections between the landscapes recorded more than a century ago and those we see today.

6. Expert-Led Botanical Exploration:Travel with professional botanical guides familiar with the local flora and ecosystems. Depending on the season, elevation, and weather conditions, they will help locate plants in bloom and maximize opportunities for observing and identifying wild species in their natural habitats.

7. Discover the Nature of Western China Beyond Flowers:Beyond plants, observe birds, insects, mosses, ferns, and mountain landscapes within these diverse ecosystems, allowing the journey to go beyond flower watching and become a more complete exploration of the natural world.

The cost includes the following:

1.Transportation for the itinerary listed throughout the trip.

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 clean and comfortable hotels in local places.

5.Bottled water, and snacks throughout the trip.

6. Service charges of this trip include the service of a professional plant guide and an English-speaking staff.

7. China domestic travel insurance.

The cost does not include the following:

1. Any expense of personal nature such as laundry.

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.

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.

Day 2 | Chengdu to Kangding.Meals: BLD

In Search of Wilson's Meconopsis

Today we will drive to the edge of Tibetan Plateau in Sichuan and enter the High elevation areas of Western Sichuan in search of avariety of Meconopsis.

Upon arrival, we will take to you a place called Yajiageng where Wilson first discovered extensive populations of Meconopsis integrifolia in 1903. Here, we may encounter several species of Meconopsis,Primula chionantha,Ranunculus, and perhaps Primula, Rhododendron, Viburnum davidii, Lilium, Iris, Trollius, Corydalis,Rheum, Pedicularis, and Stellera. 

If you are particularly interested in Yulania dawsoniana, we can also search for traces of this remarkable plant. 

In the late afternoon, we take you to Kangding city, which serves as the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous PRefecture and was an important gateway to Tibet along the ancient Tea and Horse Trade Route. It is also known as the hometown of love songs in China.

In the evening, if you have interests, you can join the local people dancing in circle in the city.

Day 3 | Kangding to Gongga.Meals: BLD

Entering the Botanical World of Gongga Mountain

En route to Gonga, we will drive past Mount Zheduo which serves as the demarcation line between Tibetan people and other ethnic groups. Along the mid-mountain slopes and river-valley scrub, look for Rosa soulieana and Primula watsonii. You may also encounter Corydalis, Dasiphora fruticosa, Rhododendron, Gentiana, Androsace, Lilium, and other wildflowers. Then we will arrive at Xinduqiao, which is known as the paradise for the photographers due to its beautiful landscape, authentic Tibetan culture and stylish Tibetan architecture. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the foot of Gongga mountain and stay in a local Tibetan-style hotel in the village.

Day 4 | Whole day searching for flowers in Gongga Mountain area.Meals: BLD

Exploring the Alpine Flora of Gongga Mountain

Mount Gongga, the highest peak of the Hengduan Mountains, is a global biodiversity hotspot with exceptionally rich plant resources. Its dramatic elevation gradient, spanning from about 1,000 m to 7,556 m, creates diverse climates and vegetation zones that support thousands of plant species.

We will spend a whole day searching for flowers in higher elevation area. 

Mount Gongga is renowned not only for its spectacular snow-covered peaks, but also for its rich and distinctive botanical diversity. As we travel deeper into the mountains, our focus shifts from simply finding individual flowers to observing the alpine plant communities and ecosystems as a whole, and discovering how plants adapt to changing elevation, climate, and habitats.

Day5|Gongga to Kangding.Meals: BLD

Following the Floral Trail Down the Mountain

In the morning, we will search for flowers in lower elevation areas near the village we stay and then we drive back to Kangding, searching for flowers on the way.

Day 6 | Kangding to Baoxing.Meals: BLD

In Search of the “Chinese Dove Tree”

In the morning, drive to Muping Town in Baoxing County, Ya'an. On our way to Muping, we will drive through the famous Daduhe and climb over high mountain pass. We will search for plants in different elevation areas.

 In the afternoon, we will get to Muping and search for the remarkable “Chinese dove tree,” which once caused a sensation in the botanical world of Europe, as well as beautiful plants such as feather-leaved lilac and Sinopodophyllum hexandrum.

Day 7 | Baoxing to Mount Balang.Meals: BLD

From Forests to Alpine Landscapes

Mount Balang in the Wolong area was one of the key regions where Wilson collected Salix and alpine wildflowers in 1908. As the journey here involves a long drive, we will take the day to rest and acclimatize, before undertaking a full-day botanical exploration the following day.

You may also choose to explore the surrounding area at a relaxed pace, or look for wildflowers in the lower-elevation habitats nearby.

Day 8 | Full-Day Botanical Exploration on Mount Balang.Meals: BLD

A Paradise of Alpine Flowers

Today we explore the alpine meadows and scree slopes of Mount Balang, one of the most rewarding areas of the journey for high-altitude flora. Depending on flowering conditions, we may encounter Meconopsis, Primula, Gentiana, Pedicularis, Cypripedium flavum,Saussurea medusa and many other specialized alpine plants.

Day 9 | Mount Balang to Dujiangyan.Meals: BLD

From Alpine Meadows to Ancient Forests

Descend from the high mountains of Mount Balang to the lush forests of the  Qingcheng Mountain region. As the elevation drops, the landscape changes dramatically—from alpine meadows and subalpine shrubs to humid montane forests and evergreen broad-leaved woodland.

In the afternoon, explore the Songmao Ancient Trail and nearby forest habitats, searching for Habenaria, Calanthe, Begonia,ferns, mosses,and other shade-loving plants. Depending on seasonal conditions, we may also encounter Cornus kousa, Styrax japonicus,and other plants characteristic of the lower-elevation forests of western Sichuan.

Day 10 | Dujiangyan to Maoxian.Meals: BLD

Lilium regale — Regal Lily

Travel into the core river-valley region where Wilson searched for Lilium regale, the famous Regal Lily and one of his most celebrated botanical discoveries.

In July, the large white flowers, often delicately flushed with purple, may bloom spectacularly on the rocky cliffs of the river valleys. This was one of the plants that drew Wilson specifically into the Min River gorges in search of wild specimens.

Other flowers we may encounter include Ceratostigma willmottianum and Leptodermis potaninii.

Day 11| Full-Day Botanical Exploration in the Min River Valley.Meals: BLD

Regal Lily + Dry River Valley Flora

Drive to the riverside cliffs around Miansi Town in Wenchuan, exploring the valley where Wilson recorded populations of Lilium regale in 1910.

This is not simply a beautiful lily. It is one of the plants that helped transform western Sichuan into one of the great botanical hunting grounds of the early twentieth century.

Day12 | Chengdu Departure. Meals: B

After breakfast, you'll have free time for last-minute explorations before being transferred to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport for your departure, concluding this memorable botanical journey through Sichuan.

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.