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Retracing China's Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail

12 days from £7,150 for 2025 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 2025 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.
Lijiang Yunnan China 5
Lijiang Yunnan China 4
The Peninsula Shanghai China 16
The Peninsula Shanghai China 10
The Peninsula Shanghai China 8
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Aman Summer Palace Beijing China 14
Beijing China 9
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Banyan Tree Lijiang Lijiang China 1
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Aman Summer Palace Beijing China 14
Beijing China 9
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Banyan Tree Lijiang Lijiang China 1
Lijiang Yunnan China 2
Lijiang Yunnan China 5
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The Peninsula Shanghai China 16
The Peninsula Shanghai China 10
The Peninsula Shanghai China 8
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller

Client Testimonials

So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket

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