This Sichuan adventure combines the tranquility of nature with meaningful cultural interactions, offering a well-rounded travel experience. Beginning in Chengdu, you'll start by visiting the Panda Valley for an up-close encounter with these iconic animals before journeying into the highland areas of Xiling Snow Mountain, known for its striking displays of early-spring flora, including rhododendrons and primulas. After exploring Xiling’s scenic peaks, relax in Huashuiwan Hot Springs, a rejuvenating retreat nestled among mountain views.

Next, you'll travel to Emei Mountain, famed for its rich variety of endemic plants and its cultural significance as one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. Here, at mid-altitudes, you’ll seek out the rare dove tree in bloom and ascend to the Golden Summit, where stunning sunrises and breathtaking landscapes await. As the journey continues, you’ll enjoy Sichuan's iconic landscapes and, on the last day, take in the majestic view of the Leshan Giant Buddha from across the Min River before returning to Chengdu.

This tour appeals to plant enthusiasts, nature photographers, and those seeking a mix of botanical discoveries and cultural exploration, promising both breathtaking views and deep appreciation for the region’s biodiversity and heritage.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1 Arrival in Chengdu, Welcome Dinner. Meals: D

Upon arrival at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, our staff will greet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel near the airport. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Chengdu cuisine, providing a perfect start for the journey ahead.

Overnight: Bailun International Hotel Dujiangyan or similar

D2 Dujiangyan Panda Valley and Transfer to Xiling Snow Mountain. Meals: BLD

After breakfast, head to Panda Valley to observe and photograph the resident giant pandas and the surrounding spring flora. After lunch, drive to Xiling Snow Mountain and take the Yuanyang Pool cable car up to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy exploring the area, observing early blooms of rhododendrons and primulas.

Overnight: Yingxue Hotel Xiling Snow Mountain or similar

D3 Explore the Yin-Yang Boundary and Alpine Flower Hiking. Meals: BLD

Take the cable car to Riyueping to visit the Yin-Yang Boundary, famous for its climate division and rich high-altitude flora. Hike down through forested trails, viewing various species of rhododendrons, primulas, and other spring flowers. In the evening, unwind with a hot springs experience at Huashuiwan.

Overnight: Howard Johnson Hot Spring Resort Huashuiwan or similar

D4 Emei Mountain - Lower and Mid-Altitude Flora Observation, Ascend to Golden Summit. Meals: BLD

In the morning, drive to Emei Mountain and begin exploring its lower altitudes, known for early-blooming primulas. Continue to mid-altitude areas to search for the rare dove tree (Davidia involucrata), famed for its "dove-like" blossoms. Ascend by cable car to the Golden Summit and enjoy the evening at this scenic high-altitude retreat.

Overnight: Golden Summit Hotel Emei Mountain or similar

D5 Golden Summit Sunrise and Rhododendron Exploration, View Leshan Buddha. Meals: BLD

Rise early to witness the sunrise from the Golden Summit. After breakfast, explore the high-altitude rhododendron varieties in bloom. Descend the mountain by cable car and, during the return drive to Chengdu, enjoy a scenic view of the Leshan Giant Buddha from across the Min River. In the evening, celebrate with a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Tianfu Airport Enjoy Hotel Chengdu or similar

D6 Chengdu Departure. Meals: B

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

We will arrange one of our best flower guides for this trip who has rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.

Cory Li

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.

Philip

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.