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Natural Treasures of China

16 days Go Beyond Group Tour

China Visa Free

Natural Treasures of China

Join us on an epic journey down the road less travelled to uncover China's most incredible natural treasures, including the sapphire lakes of Nine Villages Valley, the dramatic yet serene valleys at Black Mountain and the mythical Zhangjiajie, whose soaring peaks were the inspiration for the blockbuster film 'Avatar'.

Amongst the incredible scenery, immerse yourself in China's ancient and modern marvels. Experience the thrill of traveling on the high-speed bullet train, take a walk on the glass bridge suspended over Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, wander through the streets of Fenghuang Ancient Town and be awed by the intricate beauty of the historic Dazu Rock Carvings.

  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 13 , Lunches: 12 , Dinners: 10
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    13 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
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Go Beyond Group Tour
16 DAYS
From $7,880PP
Changsha (1N) - Zhangjiajie (3N) - Fenghuang (1N) - Chengdu (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (3N) - Chongqing (3N)
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Tour Highlights

Our Natural Treasures of China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Day by Day Itinerary

Changsha (1N) - Zhangjiajie (3N) - Fenghuang (1N) - Chengdu (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (3N) - Chongqing (3N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly overnight to Changsha
    Dinner
    Days 1-2: Fly overnight to Changsha

    Fly overnight to Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Explore Changsha
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Explore Changsha

    A city with a three millennia long history and a thoroughly modern look and feel, Changsha exudes an energetic and friendly vibe. Step into its past at the Yuelu Academy, a long-time hub of learning at the foot of Mount Yuelu. Later, travel to Zhangjiajie National Park and embark on a night tour of the '72 Qilou', exploring it s weird and wonderful architecture.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Avatar Mountains
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Avatar Mountains

    A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie is a triumph of nature. Begin your explorations with a ride up the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in just two minutes. Soak up the amazing views from the top before taking a cable car back down to earth. Later, enjoy a scenic train journey through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery, followed by a picturesque sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Zhangjiajie's Glass Skywalk
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Zhangjiajie's Glass Skywalk

    Brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge, a glass-bottom bridge 300 metres above the ground that stretches 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. Then, soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain by a cable car which, at 7-kilometres, is the China's longest. Atop the Mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door', standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the 'Walk of Faith'.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Fenhuang Ancient Town
    Breakfast, Lunch
    Day 6: Fenhuang Ancient Town

    Travel by road to Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient Town, a scenic and quaint town rich in culture and natural beauty. Visit the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, considered one of china's greatest modern writers, and enjoy an evening at your leisure to wander the ancient streets, which are beautifully illuminated at night.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 7
    Cruise the Tuojiang River
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Cruise the Tuojiang River

    Relax with a scenic cruise along the Tuojiang River, before boarding your 5 hour bullet train to Chengdu.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Giant Panda's
    Breakfast, Lunch
    Day 8: Giant Panda's

    Spend the morning getting to know China's most famous resident, the giant panda, at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre. Later, soak up the culture at People's Park. People-watching here is an endless pleasure, from the lively locals playing mahjong to the parents searching for suitable partners for their children in Matchmaker's Corner. Head to the local food markets for a dinner at your leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 9
    Huanglong Pools
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Huanglong Pools

    Board the bullet train to be whisked off to Jiuzhaigou, or Nine Villages Valley. In the afternoon, explore Huanglong pools where you will find hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposit, tumbling gently down through the bright green forests of the Huanglong Valley.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Nine Villages Valley
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Nine Villages Valley

    The Nine Villages Valley area, named after nine Tibetan settlements dotting the valley, stands as a World Biosphere Reserve and China's most awe-inspiring national park. Renowned for its stunning turquoise lakes, verdant forests, and majestic waterfalls, spend the day taking in the natural wonders of Long Lake, Five-Colored Lake, and Nuorilang Falls.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Shuzeng Village
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Shuzeng Village

    Visit Shuzheng Village, where you will spend some time with a local Tibetan family who will give you an insight into daily life in Nine Villages Valley. This afternoon, stroll by Rhinoceros Lake, passing Tiger Lake ending at Reed Lake – an excellent way to really appreciate the local scenery. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Chongqing's Hongya Cave
    Breakfast, Lunch
    Day 12: Chongqing's Hongya Cave

    Board your bullet trains to Chongqing. Visit the Hongya Cave to see the impressive architecture of the 11 storey stilt building, beautifully constructed in traditional Bayu architecture style. In the evening, wander the night food markets with your local guide on hand to recommend the most delicious Sichuanese snacks!

    Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 13
    Black Mountain Valley
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Black Mountain Valley

    Take a day trip out to Heishan Valley, also known as Black Mountain Valley. This is a serene and picturesque area covering over 100 square kilometres, brimming with dramatic mountains, deep valley floors, waterfalls and sheer cliffs, along with an impressive 13 kilometre long gorge. Enjoy time to explore the area, then return to Chongqing.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Dazu Day Tour
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Dazu Day Tour

    Travel by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you'll find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China. Enjoy the day in Dazu before returning to Chongqing and tuck into a delicious, farewell hot pot dinner.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 15-16
    Depart Chongqing
    Breakfast
    Day 15-16: Depart Chongqing

    Depart Chongqing, arriving home the following day.

    Breakfast
Natural Treasures of China map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

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When to go

The best times to visit China are in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October, when the days are warm and rainfall and humidity low.

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 3
    9
    6
  • 8
  • Chongqing
  • 6
    10
    8
  • 20
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 0
    7
    4
  • 35
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 12
  • Chongqing
  • 8
    12
    10
  • 21
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 2
    9
    6
  • 50
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 20
  • Chongqing
  • 11
    17
    14
  • 36
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 6
    14
    10
  • 92
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 44
  • Chongqing
  • 15
    23
    19
  • 105
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 11
    20
    16
  • 167
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 78
  • Chongqing
  • 19
    27
    23
  • 152
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 218
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 107
  • Chongqing
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 171
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 20
    27
    24
  • 243
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 224
  • Chongqing
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 175
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 193
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 201
  • Chongqing
  • 25
    34
    29
  • 134
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 155
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 19
    25
    22
  • 119
  • Chongqing
  • 21
    28
    24
  • 128
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 18
    26
    22
  • 108
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 15
    21
    18
  • 35
  • Chongqing
  • 16
    22
    19
  • 92
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 13
    21
    17
  • 111
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 10
    16
    13
  • 16
  • Chongqing
  • 12
    17
    14
  • 46
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 8
    15
    12
  • 69
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 4
    11
    8
  • 5
  • Chongqing
  • 8
    12
    10
  • 25
  • Zhangjiajie
  • 3
    10
    6
  • 35

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2025
  • Select Year
  • Select Month
Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart AUStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 Jun 2024. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB840pp (AU$183pp) is paid locally in China.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • Most Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • 4-star accommodation, plus basic guesthouse

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5859 reviews

    Review for Natural Treasures of China
    This Wendy Wu trip was a wonderful mix of experiencing both some of the most amazing natural scenery in the World and the hustle and bustle of Chinese city life.

    Our prime reason for booking this tour was to visit places like Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou and these places were indeed AMAZING! For us, however, we found that the two weeks were extremely "full-on", action packed with one visit after another after another, with very little opportunity to come up for air. We would have loved a little more down-time, with opportunities for us to opt out of some of the city visits to go and explore a little more for ourselves. For example, squeezing in visits to some of the extremely crowded places like Hongyu Dong in Chongqing after a long day was not a lot of fun.

    We have come home with fantastic memories and photos, but also really exhausted, far more so than after our previous Wendy Wu "China Delights" holiday in October 2019.

    The highlights:
    1) EVERYTHING in Zhangjiajie, from the National Forest Park to the Glass Bridge and especially the visit to Tianmen Mountain - just breathtaking! LJ, our local guide was exemplary, guiding us as best he could through the crowds and queues around for the Qingming Festival. He was so informative, a great communicator and a real "people person", an absolute gem.
    2) the visit and walk in the Black Mountain Valley was an unexpected delight. So tranquil and picturesque - a perfect day!
    3) The simple breathtaking visit up to the astonishing Huanglong area, so high up in the mountains and just the most amazing sight to behold - and such a sense of achievement ascending to 3500 metres altitude!
    4) The Dazu Rock Carvings were so interesting and awe-inspiring! I now need to read up on all the history and origins.
    5) Inevitably, the pandas in Chengdu were just a joy to see.
    6) All the meals were excellent (except the Farewell HotPot dinner in Chongqing which was arranged for 4:30 pm, far far too early to enjoy, particularly as we had tucked into a good lunch just a few hours before with no knowlege that dinner would be so early! Such a shame, as we would have loved to indulge fully in this special meal).

    We also particularly enjoyed the odd occasions where we had time to go off and explore by ourselves, away from the organised schedule and experience the sights and sounds in our own time, in a more relaxed manner. These included:
    - travelling on the subway over to Orange Island in Changsha, and then trying some of the street food
    - our scheduled free evening in Chengdu after the panda visit, strolling along the riverside and trying food at one of the street food restaurants.
    - an early morning hour's stroll around the little city park below our hotel in Chongqing, at Louis' suggestion. Such a peaceful start to the day, watching groups and individuals doing their early morning exercise, inspiring us to do some of our own stretching exercises by the lily ponds!
    - The scheduled free evening stroll around Fenghuang, taking in all the beautiful illuminated sights and sounds along the river. A really vibrant and colourful scene.
    - it was just great fun interacting with Chinese people, trying to talk some mandarin with them, and enjoying their requests to have photos taken with us westerners! We found them so helpful and friendly when trying to master Alipay, or buy tickets for the metro or select food in the street food restaurants.

    The downsides:
    We felt that the tour was just a bit too relentless, with too much being squeezed into absolutely every day. There were moments when we were too exhausted to appreciate everything. It would have been preferable to have some of the visits, particularly in the cities, as optional extras that you could either partake in or opt out of. Being jostled by crowds and crowds of people, trying to "follow the flag" and not lose the group were not our idea of fun, or time well spent. Maybe the tour could be a extended by a couple of days to allow for a bit of "recovery time" between places and activities.

    Specific suggestions:
    - maybe have an opportunity to see the night life of Chongqing from a river boat cruise (rather like the experience in Shanghai), rather than in the thick of the crowds?
    - maybe in the Nine Villages Valley have a private shuttle bus for the Wendy Wu Group to take us from lake to lake, rather than having to join the manic jostling for a place on the shuttle buses with everyone else. This was exhausting! A private mini-bus would also give us more flexibility on timings and walks we could do between lakes?

    Finally, a word for Louis, our Wendy Wu national ******. He was wonderful, quietly efficient and friendly and patient and very very knowledgeable. Our group of travelling companions were great fun. A group of strong and very individual personalities who all gelled very well together right from the start.

    Thank you Wendy Wu for such a wonderful trip. Now the task of sorting through all the photos ....
    Apr 22, 2025
    Review for Natural Treasures of China
    An excellent itinerary packed with breathtaking scenery and magical places. Our national ******, Louis and the local guides, LJ, Viola and David were all fantastic to run the tour, very knowledge and well organised.
    A huge thank you to Louis who went extra miles to show us more beautiful landmarks in his home city, Chongqing.
    Hotels were all excellent except the ones in Fenghuang and Nine Villages Valley. Our farewell dinner Hot pot was so much fun!
    Food was mostly very good.
    Physical level for this tour should be 5 not 2! Most days involve walking 4-5 hours. In Nine Villages Valley the public shuttle buses should be replaced by private mini buses. The days are long enough and involve lots of long hours walking so waiting in long queues for public buses make days more tiring....
    In Zhangjiajie, VIP services should be used all the way to avoid waiting in long queues.....
    Dazu Rock Carvings on the last day of the tour should be an optional excursion to give chance for some to have free time to spend in Chongqing.
    Airchina was not aware of our special meal request.
    The optional show in Zhangjiaije was an amazing performance. Must see!
    I highly recommend this tour. Every day of this tour was a highlight from the spectacular national parks to vibrant cities and of course adorable panda. All superbly organised!!
    Thank you so much Wendy Wu and the team for giving us such a memorable fabulous holiday!🥰
    Apr 21, 2025
    Booking Experience for Natural Treasures of China
    Very efficient and fast customer service over the phone. Julie was very knowledgeable and helpful and changed our flight to our chosen airport at no extra cost. Documents were all correct.
    Thank you 😊
    Aug 09, 2024
    Booking Experience for Natural Treasures of China
    Booked online but process very easy to complete.. No hassle at all! Good start to what should be a wonderful trip to see China’s Natural Treasures
    Jul 02, 2024

    Our Award-Winning Guides

    Meet George
    Meet George

    I am optimistic, easy going and dedicated. I know China and I am excited to share my knowledge with you; you are part of my family when you come to China. To know more about the fast-developing country, China and its super long history and tradition, come and join us Wendy Wu Tours. I promise you will reach home culturally fully loaded and ready to go again.

    George was exceptional in his care of us all, nothing was too much trouble, he genuinely cared that we were having a great holiday. His knowledge and that of the local guides at each province gave us great insight into the history of the location and various sightseeing spectacles we were there to see.
    Mr and Mrs Brown
    Meet Alice
    Meet Alice

    "Happiness can be infectious". As a friendly, caring and easy-going guide I can ensure you will have a worry-free and most rewarding trip, with a knowledgeable, professional and light-hearted guide.

    Our National Guide, Alice, was excellent and very caring and thoughtful for all the group. Our local guides were also very good and provided lots of information and were flexible to allow us enough time to see everything and even arrange extra trips.
    Mr Andrew Charles
    Meet Amanda
    Meet Amanda

    From my passion and knowledge of my country, you will experience a cross-cultural charm, full of stories and laughter on tour with me. You will be left with great memories and knowledge of China.

    The success of this tour was due largely to our wonderful National Escort, Amanda, who guided our small “family” throughout and made this trip a "holiday of a lifetime". If you have the opportunity, try to arrange for Amanda to be your Tour Manager!
    Mr Edward Ayling
    Meet Jason
    Meet Jason

    This is an experience of a lifetime. If I am your guide, you will have my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make this an unforgettable journey.

    Our tour guide Jason was brilliant & a credit to your company. He was funny, intelligent, informative, always available and would go the extra mile when needed
    Mrs Carrick
    Meet Tony
    Meet Tony

    Relax, enjoy and leave the rest to me. See the different, touch the culture and explore the beautiful, wonderful and real China with me. "Do what you love, and love what you do!" This is my slogan, and I am Tony Li, come and join the Wendy Wu Tours with me!

    Our National Escort Tony we couldn't speak highly enough. He was very well conversant with the English language and very knowledgeable in the history of the great country of China. Tony catered to our every need which made our holiday stress free.
    Mrs Diane Foley

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