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1370 Available Tour Excursions in Southwest China
Start the day by exploring Lijiang’s oldest market to shop for your cooking class, with hands-on instruction led by a local Naxi minority family. Each person will prepare and eat three dishes.
Price: $59.00
Duration: 3 hours
Wolong national Nature Reserve is the earliest, largest, and best-know panda reserve in the world. It was hit by the catastrophic Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008. After years of road construction, travelers can visit Wolong Panda Base now. Accompanied by a professional panda expert who introduced you the topics of the panda discovery, the history of panda in China, the classification, and panda conservation. ***Starting from April 25, 2024, panda volunteers will not be allowed to enter the panda enclosure, and the arrangement of clean the panda enclosures & collect panda poop will be canceled. Notes for panda volunteers: 1.No perfume, no cologne, no nail polish, be healthy (don’t get cold). 2.wear shoes (no slippers or Crocs). 3.Sunscreen and sunglasses will be useful. 4.Any activities missed due to being late will not be rescheduled, and guests will bear the consequences.
Price: $220.00
Duration: 6-12 hours
MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME Visit the two highlights of Chengdu-Panda&Buddha in 1 day ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE Informative and friendly private guide,private transportation ,tasty local lunch, entrance fees are all included. HUSTLE FREE Your versatile guide and private transfer will ensure you a smooth and unforgettable journey. MEMORABLE TIME Experienced and informative local guide will give insight about panda, local culture ,history, ordinary people's life and answer all your questions:) Happy Stomach Try the authentic local delicacies at the old neighborhood of Leshan
Price: $249.00
Duration: 9 hours
Enjoy a private, stress-free panda experience with round-trip hotel transfers and a flexible schedule. Visit the pandas when they’re most active and avoid peak crowds whenever possible. With a friendly English-speaking guide, you’ll gain local insights while enjoying a smooth, well-planned tour. No tickets or transport to worry about—just relax and get up close with China’s national treasure.
Price: $89.00
Duration: 3-4 hours
This two-day private tour in Chengdu is highlighted by cute pandas. Chengdu has the most well equipped panda breeding and research center in the world, and at the facility you can come in close contact with the lovely creatures. In addition, you will also experience the local people's slow life.
Price: $479.00
Duration: 48 hours
Famous Sichuan style Mapo Tofu(麻婆豆腐) is one of the most popular Chinese dishes. During this 4-5 hours special cooking workshop, you will be taken into an adventure to explore the authentic local market with fun challenges to complete and learn different kinds of special spices and ingredients which will be used in the following "Mapo Tofu" cooking class. The class will be carried out in a Professional Cooking School. You will be treated with traditional Sichuan. You’ll be treated with Sichuan local tea as it’s local’s custom to treat friends and visitors. After that, you then will be guide to start the cooking process by a professional chef in a cozy kitchen. Finally, you can enjoy the Mapo tofu made by yourself along with some beers or beverages. For it’s really informative, interesting and fun, this class will be an unforgettable experience in your lifetime.
Price: $69.24
Duration: 4 hours
During this 3 hours mahjong course, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the Sichuan cuisine. After that, you’ll go to a cozy room with Chinese characteristics and learn how to play the famous traditional Chinese game, mahjong, with a English speaking guide. You’ll learn rules in an easy way and then test your mastery degree with a local tea. If you want to test your intelligence, you can not miss mahjong when you visit Chengdu.
Price: $60.00
Duration: 3-4 hours
This 8 days Yunnan tour is a perfert choice for travelers pursuing an in-depth exploration of Yunnan, covering amazing stone forest, thousand-year-old ancient towns, peaceful Erhai Lake, breathtaking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, hospitable local minorites...Join this tour to create a fond memory of your China holiday and have once-in -a-lifetime traveling experice.
Price: $2,289.00
Duration: 192 hours
The beautiful scenery of the Stone Forest Scenic Area was listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007. This attraction enjoys great reputation, both within China and abroad. The Yunnan Stone Forest Park, some 90km east of Kunming, is a very popular tourist hot spot. Due to the gigantic size of the park it is nevertheless still possible to find less visited and remote areas, especially in the sunny winter months. Find your own way through the maze of enormous stone pillars!Afterwards visit Jiuxiang Scenic Region which is located in Jiuxiang Yi and Hui Autonomous Township of Yiliang County, a 45 minutes’ drive from the Stone Forest. It is famous for its karst caves (about 100 in total, of which over 60 are explored), mountains, rivers, deep valleys as well as minority customs and cultures. This tour includes quite a few stairs. For safety and comfort, it may not be suitable for young children or travelers of advanced age.
Price: $290.00
Duration: 8 hours
You will Discover the highlight of the unique forest park to fully immerse in nature as well a visiting the "Avatar Mountain" that was made famous by the block buster movie-Avatar, you will also have chance to experience the Bailong elevator and Tianzi cable way .This tour also takes you to visit the sky garden , a hidden beauty in the park where can see the Bailong elevator from the opposite side .
Price: $272.37
Duration: 6-8 hours
Step into the real Chongqing with a local by your side. Explore hidden Taoist cave temples, walk ancient tea-horse trails, and soak in old-town vibes at vibrant Hongya Cave. Cap off your day with an unforgettable hotpot feast—spicy, sizzling, and straight from the soul of the city. This full-day tour blends the old and the new, the tranquil and the thrilling, giving you a taste of everything that makes Chongqing one of China’s most exciting cities. Whether you're a first-time visitor, a culture lover, or a foodie eager to dive into authentic local cuisine, this is the perfect introduction to the heart of Chongqing. Ideal for: First-time visitors, culture seekers, adventurous foodies Duration: Full day (approx. 9:00–20:00) Transport: Taxi + guided walking
Price: $229.00
Duration: 11 hours
Eager to explore Chongqing’s highlights in one day? Our exclusive private tour is your go-to choice! With an English-speaking local guide and comfortable transfers, you can fully customize the itinerary with your guide—pick your favorite spots or add hidden gems to the plan. Chongqing boasts numerous amazing attractions, including the iconic Liziba Station where the light rail runs through a residential building, Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Kuixinglou, the Yangtze River Cableway, Hongyadong Stilt Houses and more. T his is a fully customizable private tour—you can freely discuss and decide all the destinations you want to visit with your English-speaking local guide. We provide comfortable transfers, cover all entrance tickets and a local lunch for a hassle-free travel experience. Book now for your personalized Chongqing adventure!
Price: $170.05
Duration: 6-8 hours
Discover the natural beauty of the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain, and Baishui Terrace on a full-day scenic drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La. Start your tour with pickup from your hotel in Lijiang and head to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Pass the Haba Snow Mountain, the main peak of which is 5,396 meters above sea level. See the Baishui Terrace, a natural limestone terrace that resembles a frozen waterfall. Finally, visit the Songzanlin Monastery and the Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La. Choose to return to Lijiang via highway or stay over at Shangri-La City
Price: $120.22
Duration: 10 hours
Professional Interpretation helps you to know the pandas, Sanxingdui and Sichuan museum better. We have 5 options for people with different demands. Option 1: Private tour to visit Chengdu panda base and Sanxingdui Museum. Visit Chengdu panda base in the morning and then visit Sanxingdui museum in the afternoon by private transfer Option 2: 6 hours joined small group to visit Sanxingdui museum by public shuttle bus in the afternoon. Option 3: Private tour for the people who desirably want to know more abt Sanxingdui. Visit Sanxingdui museum in the morning and then Sichuan museum in the afternoon by private transfer. Option 4 and 5: Private transfer by Chinese speaking driver only. Driver will show you the entrance when you reach the attraction and wait for you in the parking lot. Please click the "check availability" button to check all the options.
Price: $75.00
Duration: 6-10 hours
The city, Chengdu is known for its mouthwatering hot and spicy cuisine. In the “City of Gastronomy”, the food here is absolutely not to be missed. Unnecessarily going to a restaurant and feel confused by the Chinese menu, you can also have a private wonderful dining experience with Chilli Cool. This private dining experience offers you an opportunity to enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine at Chilli Cool House. Instead of going to a restaurant, you can enjoy a more interesting and immersive experience -Optional participatory cooking and dining activities. It will be a great way to socialize with a group of friends or families, learn new cooking techniques, and try a variety of dishes. You can set up your own lunch/dinner based on more than 50 dishes. This is a completely personal experience within a private dining room, private kitchen, unlimited beers, and other drinks. We can also help prepare surprises in advance, like Birthday surprise or Anniversary surprise.
Price: $46.16
Duration: 4 hours
Traveling can be quite stressful, but you can avoid some stress by pre-booking this round-trip transportation service between the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and your Chengdu hotel. A friendly English-speaking guide will meet you with a hearty welcome to the city and a comfortable drive to your hotel. When it’s time to leave, you’ll be taken directly to the airport and sent off with a sincere farewell by experienced driver with basic English skill. It’s as easy as the click of a button!
Price: $67.00
Duration: 0 hours
Famous Szechuan style Dan dan noodles (担担面) is one of the most popular Chinese street foods. it is one of the top Chinese noodles. During this 4-5 hours unique Dan Dan Noodles cooking workshop, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it with fun challenges to complete and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the following cooking class. After that, The class will be carried out in a professional cooking school of Sichuan cuisine. You’ll be treated with Sichuan local tea as it’s local’s custom to treat friends and visitors. After that, you then will be guide to start the cooking process by a professional chef in a cozy kitchen. Finally, you can enjoy the dishes made by yourself along with some beers or beverages. For it’s really informative, interesting and fun, this class will be an unforgettable experience in your lifetime.
Price: $100.00
Duration: 4 hours
Taking a bullet train from Chengdu to Xian to visit the 8th world wonder – Terracotta Warriors and Horses. A highly time-and-money saving way to visit Terracotta Warriors from Chengdu. This tour also including the round way transfer between your Chengdu City area hotel and Chengdu Dong Station.Please note：round way bullet train tickets is booked by you.
Price: $199.44
Duration: 14 hours
Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: CNY
- Languages: Mandarin Chinese, Sichuanese dialect, Yi, Tibetan, Bai, Hani, and other ethnic minority languages; English is spoken in tourist areas
- Climate: Subtropical to temperate, with variations including monsoon and plateau climates
- Timezone: Asia/Shanghai
- Population: Approximately 180 million people live in Southwest China.
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is spring through autumn to avoid harsh winters and rainy seasons.
- Visa Requirements Most international visitors require a visa to enter China, including Southwest China. Citizens from visa-exempt countries can enter visa-free for short stays. E-visa options are limited and usually not valid for Southwest China. US, EU, and UK citizens must apply for a visa in advance through Chinese consulates. Visa on arrival is generally not available except for certain transit situations.
About Southwest China
Southwest China is a captivating region known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich ethnic diversity, and vibrant culture. It encompasses provinces like Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and the Tibet Autonomous Region, each offering unique experiences. The region is famous for its dramatic mountain ranges, including parts of the Himalayas, deep gorges, and lush forests. It is home to numerous ethnic minorities, each with distinct traditions, festivals, and languages, making it a cultural mosaic. Tourists are drawn to Southwest China for its natural beauty, such as the mystical Jiuzhaigou Valley and the towering peaks of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The area also boasts ancient towns, colorful markets, and renowned culinary delights like Sichuan spicy cuisine. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking, rafting, and exploring remote villages, while culture lovers can immerse themselves in traditional music, dance, and crafts. Southwest China offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural richness that makes it an unforgettable destination.
Southwest China Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of China
- Duration Range: 2-8 hours
- Group Size: Intimate Groups
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is spring through autumn to avoid harsh winters and rainy seasons. Pack layered clothing for varying climates and sturdy shoes for trekking. Respect local customs, especially in ethnic minority regions and religious sites. Carry cash as some rural areas may not accept cards. Stay hydrated and be cautious of altitude sickness in highland areas like Tibet. Learn basic Mandarin phrases or use translation apps for easier communication.
Average Tour Price: $75
Lowest Price Tour: $39
Highest Price Tour: $180
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2. Check Details
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3. Book Online
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4. Enjoy Your Experience
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Top Attractions
1. Jiuzhaigou Valley – A UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and vibrant autumn foliage. 2. Leshan Giant Buddha – The world’s largest stone Buddha statue carved into a cliff face, an impressive cultural landmark. 3. Tiger Leaping Gorge – One of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world, ideal for trekking enthusiasts. 4. Lijiang Old Town – A well-preserved ancient town with traditional Naxi architecture and cobblestone streets. 5. Potala Palace, Lhasa – The iconic former residence of the Dalai Lama, a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and culture.
Popular Activities
Visitors can engage in hiking and trekking through scenic gorges and mountains, river rafting on the Yangtze, and exploring ethnic minority villages to experience local customs. Cultural tours include visiting temples, attending traditional festivals, and sampling local arts and crafts. Photography, bird watching, and nature walks are popular due to the region’s biodiversity. Culinary tours focusing on Sichuan and Yunnan cuisines offer a taste of local flavors. Adventure travelers can also try mountain biking and camping in remote areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Southwest China is renowned for its bold and spicy flavors, especially Sichuan cuisine, famous for its use of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers. Signature dishes include mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, hot pot, and dandan noodles. Yunnan cuisine is known for its fresh herbs, mushrooms, and diverse ingredients, with dishes like crossing-the-bridge noodles and steam pot chicken. Dining customs often involve communal meals with shared dishes. Noteworthy restaurants include those in Chengdu for authentic Sichuan food and Lijiang for Yunnan specialties.
Getting Around
Southwest China is accessible by air through major airports in Chengdu, Kunming, and Lhasa. High-speed trains connect key cities, while buses serve smaller towns. Local transportation includes taxis, buses, and ride-hailing apps in urban areas. For rural exploration, private car hires or guided tours are common. Travel costs vary but are generally affordable compared to major global cities. Planning ahead for transport in mountainous or remote areas is recommended.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is spring through autumn to avoid harsh winters and rainy seasons. Pack layered clothing for varying climates and sturdy shoes for trekking. Respect local customs, especially in ethnic minority regions and religious sites. Carry cash as some rural areas may not accept cards. Stay hydrated and be cautious of altitude sickness in highland areas like Tibet. Learn basic Mandarin phrases or use translation apps for easier communication.
Culture & Customs
Southwest China is culturally diverse with many ethnic groups such as the Yi, Tibetan, Bai, and Naxi. Social customs emphasize respect for elders and hospitality. Traditional festivals like the Torch Festival and Tibetan New Year are vibrant and worth experiencing. Visitors should dress modestly when visiting temples and religious sites. Gift-giving and polite greetings are appreciated. Photography of people should be done with permission.
About The Author
Calvin has loved travel and adventure since first visiting Los Angeles with a suitcase in 1992 at the age of 20. He ditched the suitcase and got a backpack pretty fast.
He hates leaving after any trip and has to console himself by writing and sharing articles on it. You can find and connect with him on linked in here.
Likes
Travel, Gaming, Scuba Diving, Skiing and anything to do with water.
Dislikes
Exact luggage sizing police and being tired in an airport and many more..