Located in the southwest of China, Sichuan offers an ideal climate and abundant rainfall for plant growth. This region is part of the Hengduan Mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot and one of China's three centers for endemic and rare plants (the other two being the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and East Sichuan-West Hubei). The area boasts rich plant resources, including many endemic, rare, and endangered species under state protection. This botanical photography expedition will take you deep into the heart of Sichuan's diverse landscapes, from the lush valleys of Erlang Mountain to the stunning peaks of Siguniang Mountain. You will explore renowned nature reserves such as Wolong and Wanglang, and iconic sites like Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, capturing the beauty of orchids, rhododendrons, and other alpine flowers. Alongside the natural wonders, you will experience the unique cultural heritage of local communities, with their distinctive architecture and traditional customs. This self-drive tour is designed for plant enthusiasts, nature photographers, and cultural explorers, promising a journey filled with breathtaking scenery, diverse flora, and rich cultural experiences.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1 Arrives at Chengdu. Meals: D 

Arrives at Chengdu. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner in the evening. 

Overnight: Chengdu Tianfu Airport Yuhang Hotel or similar

D2 Chengdu to Baoxing. Meals: BLD 

Morning drive (~3 hours) to Baoxing. Enjoy the blooming orchids along Moyu Road, and reach Erlang Mountain to find rare alpine flowers. 

Overnight: Baoxing Jiajinshan Hotel or similar

D3 Baoxing to Siguniang Mountain. Meals: BLD 

Drive (~3 hours) to the magnificent Siguniang Mountain, appreciating the vibrant orchids in Shuangqiaogou. 

Overnight: Siguniangshan Jiarong Qingcheng Guesthouse or similar

D4 Siguniang Mountain to Maoxian. Meals: BLD 

Drive (~1 hour) to Balang Mountain, then proceed to Wolong National Nature Reserve (~2 hours drive). 

Overnight: Maoxian Mingyu Yashe Hotel or similar

D5 Maoxian to Huanglong. Meals: BLD 

Drive (~3.5 hours) to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve, admire the orchids at the base of Danyun Gorge. 

Overnight: Huanglong Seercuo International Hotel or similar

D6 Huanglong to Jiuzhaigou. Meals: BLD 

Explore Huanglong National Park on foot, then take a cable car in the afternoon to Jiuzhaigou (~2.5 hours drive). 

Overnight: Jiuzhaigou LiCheng HuaTing Resort Hotel or similar

D7 Full-day Tour of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Meals: BLD 

Spend the whole day exploring Jiuzhaigou National Park, discovering its diverse vegetation and landscapes. 

Overnight: Jiuzhaigou LiCheng HuaTing Resort Hotel or similar

D8 Jiuzhaigou to Wanglang. Meals: BLD 

Drive (~2.5 hours) to Wanglang Nature Reserve, with a stop at Huangtuliang Mountain Pass to see wildflowers. 

Overnight: Pingwu Baima Tribe Boutique Inn or similar

D9 Full-day Flower Viewing in Wanglang Nature Reserve. Meals: BLD 

Spend the entire day in Wanglang Nature Reserve, searching for and documenting unique alpine flowers. 

Overnight: Pingwu Baima Tribe Boutique Inn or similar

D10 Wanglang to Chengdu. Meals: BLD 

Continue flower viewing in Wanglang Nature Reserve in the morning, then drive back to Chengdu (~4.5 hours drive). Enjoy a lavish dinner in the evening. 

Overnight: Chengdu Tianfu Airport Yuhang Hotel or similar

D11 Fly back home from Chengdu. Meals: B 

Departure from Chengdu. Airport transfer service provided.

Introduction to Trip Destinations:

Siguniang Mountain

Siguniang Mountain, located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, is a renowned destination known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity. It consists of four peaks, the highest being Yaomei Peak at 6,250 meters above sea level. The area is characterized by its stunning alpine scenery, lush valleys, and a variety of wildflowers, including numerous orchid species. Siguniang Mountain is also home to several endangered species, such as the Sichuan golden monkey and the giant panda. The area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and flower photography, particularly in Shuangqiaogou Valley, where the vibrant colors of the orchids can be appreciated.

Wolong National Nature Reserve

Wolong National Nature Reserve is located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province. Established in 1963, it is one of China's oldest and most famous nature reserves. Covering an area of 2,000 square kilometers, the reserve is part of the Qionglai Mountains and is renowned for its significant biodiversity. Wolong is home to around 150 giant pandas, making it one of the most important panda conservation areas. The reserve also features a variety of other wildlife, including red pandas, golden monkeys, and a rich diversity of bird species. In terms of flora, Wolong boasts numerous species of rhododendrons and orchids, making it a paradise for botanists and photographers alike.

Huanglong National Scenic Reserve

Huanglong National Scenic Reserve is located in Songpan County, Sichuan Province. Known for its stunning travertine pools, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems, Huanglong covers an area of 700 square kilometers. The reserve's elevation ranges from 1,700 to 5,588 meters, providing a variety of habitats for different plant species. The lower elevations feature lush forests with many orchid species, while the higher elevations are home to alpine meadows and the rare Sichuan golden monkey. The Danyun Gorge at the base of the reserve is particularly famous for its beautiful orchids, making it a highlight for flower enthusiasts.

Jiuzhaigou National Park

Jiuzhaigou National Park is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in northern Sichuan Province. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its multi-level waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-capped peaks. The park covers an area of 720 square kilometers and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Jiuzhaigou's diverse ecosystems include temperate broadleaf forests and mixed forests, where visitors can find a range of plant species, including rhododendrons and orchids. The park is a prime location for nature photography, offering stunning landscapes and vibrant floral displays.

Wanglang Nature Reserve

Wanglang Nature Reserve is situated in Pingwu County, Sichuan Province, and spans an area of 320 square kilometers. Established in 1965, the reserve is part of the Minshan Mountains and is known for its rich biodiversity. It serves as a habitat for the giant panda and is also home to other endangered species like the golden snub-nosed monkey and the takin. The reserve's alpine meadows and forests are filled with various wildflowers, including rare alpine orchids and rhododendrons. Wanglang is an excellent destination for those interested in botany and wildlife photography, offering opportunities to capture the beauty of unique plant species and their natural habitats.

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.