Dreams of Nature

Fly overnight into Shanghai and take a connecting domestic flight to Guilin. Stay overnight in Guilin.

Travel to the iconic Longji Rice Terraces and head out for a three-hour walk through the traditional rural landscapes. There are several viewpoints boasting picture-postcard views of the extensive rice terraces that cover the hillside in intricate patterns. Drive back to Guilin.

Take a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with dramatic limestone cliffs, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. Later, take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. There’s an option to take a rewarding hike to Moon Hill for beautiful views.

Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of tai chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. This afternoon, there is an option to go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. Drift past verdant riverbanks and under ancient bridges as you paddle on the glass-like water. This evening, you have the option of enjoying the magical Liu Sanjie night show.

Drive back to Guilin and spend the afternoon exploring the Reed Flute Cave and learning about the South China pearling industry at the Pearl Museum.

Enjoy a day of sightseeing around Changsha and spend the day visiting Hunan Museum, Yuelo Academy and Orange Island.

Drive to Zhangjiajie. Explore Zhangjiajie on foot from the entrance to the National Park. Then visit the Huanglong Cave, a karst cave located in Wulingyuan District and after cruise on Lake Baofeng, an artificial fresh water lake.

A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie's striking beauty is unforgettable. Ravines and gorges, streams and waterfalls and a plethora of endangered plants and animal species complete this idyllic scene. Trek to Jinbian Stream and explore the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery. You will also see the famous Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain and Emperor Mountain.

Catch the train to Yichang and board your Yangtze cruise vessel, home for the next four nights.

A man-made marvel, the Three Gorges Dam showcases this massive feat of engineering. But as you cruise upstream, nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. A voyage along China's riverine treasure is a chance to relax and enjoy a slower pace, whilst absorbing extraordinary countryside. Over the next three days, take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Disembark the ship and take a bullet train to Leshan to see the 71-metre-high UNESCO-listed Grand Buddha. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. View the Buddha from below on a short boat trip. Later, continue and drive to Emeishan.

Emeishan is the cradle of the Buddhist religion in China with the first temple built on its peak in the 1st century. Pilgrims and tourists mix amongst the lush vegetation and inconspicuous old temples, all admiring the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and its setting. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring.

Dating back to the Han Dynasty, Pingle was a stopping point on the Tea Horse Road. Take time to walk through its maze of teahouse-lined streets before seeing the bamboo forest from above on the Jinji Rope Bridge. Drive back to Chengdu.

Take the bullet train to Jiuzhaigou, also known as the Nine Village Valley and visit Huanglong Valley, home to hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposits tumbling gently down through the bright green forests. Take a chairlift ride over the pools and visit Huanglong Temple.

A national park of ragged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests and rushing waterfalls, Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park) is considered one of China's most beautiful areas. Named after the nine Tibetan settlements scattered through the valley, the park is a World Biosphere Reserve, full of endemic flora and 140 species of birds. Spend the day exploring and later, enjoy traditional lamb skewers.

Visit Shuzheng Village, the largest settlement in the park. Spend some time with a local Tibetan family who will give you an insight into daily life in Nine Villages Valley. A lovely afternoon walk takes you from Rhinoceros Lake, passing Tiger Lake ending at Reed Lake – an excellent way to really appreciate the local scenery. Pass an old watermill and Tibetan prayer flags en route.

Take the bullet train to Chengdu and enjoy an afternoon of leisure in Chengdu town.

Spend the morning visiting the giant pandas. This afternoon, absorb the culture at People's Park. People-watching here is an endless pleasure, from the lively locals playing mahjong to the singles looking for love in Matchmaker's Corner. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuanese dinner and an optional 'face-changing' show.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.