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Retracing China's Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail
12 days from £7,150 for 2024 per person
Upon arrival in Beijing you will have an opportunity to explore some of the famous sites of this city of extremes before flying on to Jinghong, in China’s far south west. You will begin your tour where it all began: at the original source of all tea. Follow in the footsteps of one of China’s oldest trade routes as you journey across the Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road. From Shaxi you will travel to the UNESCO World Heritage protected town of Lijiang, before ending your tour in the fabled mountainous Tibetan region of Shangri-La. Next, travel forward in time a millennia and spend a couple of days in the ultra modern metropolis of Shanghai.
Join Jeff Fuchs, the first westerner to have covered the entire 5000km Ancient Tea & Horse Trails route, on his exciting adventure across this lesser visited part of China. Immerse yourself in the local culture, learn about the region’s history and unique way of life - an intriguing taste of a bygone age. This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary. It can be booked as is or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own ideal tailor-made trip to China. However, please be aware that the dates for this exact guided tour are from 10th – 17th September.
Itinerary details
12 days from £7,150 for 2024 per person
- Day 1 - Aman Summer Palace - Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at your leisure or sightseeing. Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the iconic Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. - Day 2 - Yourantai Lodge - Jinghong
Take a Taiji (Tai Chi) lesson with a master at the Temple of Heaven and walk around the Hutong neighbourhoods before your flight to Jinhong. - Day 3 - Yourantai Lodge - Jinghong
Trek to a nearby Dai minority village. In the evening meet with local handicraft and tea producers. - Day 4 - Yourantai Lodge - Jinghong
Pay a visit to the Menghai Market, a Bulang minority village before reaching the ancient tea tree forest Nannuo Mountain. There is the option of a local village home stay this evening or return to the Yourantai Lodge. - Day 5 - Laomadian Lodge - Shaxi
Morning flight to Dali with lunch in Dali Old Town before continuing on to Shaxi. - Day 6 - Laomadian Lodge - Shaxi
Explore Shaxi's sloping valleys and pick up some local secrets in a private cooking lesson. - Day 7 - Banyan Tree Lijiang - Lijiang
Visit the Shibaoshan Grottos, which provide shelter to an eclectic array of Bai and Buddhist shrines. Transfer to Lijiang. - Day 8 - Songtsam Retreat - Shangri-La
Explore Lijang's Old Town. Pass the mythical First Bend of the Yangtze en-route to Shangri-la. - Day 9 - Songtsam Retreat - Shangri-La
Visit Napahai Lake and the Nixi artisan village. Enjoy your dinner in a traditional Tibetan household. - Day 10 - The Peninsula Shanghai - Shanghai
Transfer to the airport before your onwards flight to Shanghai. Spend the evening at leisure. - Day 11 - The Peninsula Shanghai - Shanghai
Spend the day at leisure or for sightseeing in Shanghai. - Day 12 - In transit.
Morning flight home.
Places of Interest
AccommodationThe traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton
