16 Days Chengdu to Dunhuang Odyssey

Date: Apr. 7 & Oct. 8, 2025, 2026

Price: From 4100USD/PAX

Trip Focus: Nature + Culture

Status: Open to Booking

Route: Chengdu-Wolong-Rilong-Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou-Ruoergai-Langmusi-Xiahe-Lanzhou-Dunhuang

Trip Code: N002

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Overview

The Silk Road is one of the most fascinating trade routes opened by human beings ever in history. The impact from the Silk Road is far-reaching and has gone beyond the borders of nations involved. The influences can still be easily detected even in nowadays in China. By linking ancient China with the rest of the world through trade, the Silk Road successfully bridged the oriental wisdom with western civilizations and brought the whole human civilization to a new height. Along the Silk Road, a huge number of cultural relics from its prime time are still accessible. Hundreds of poems depicting beautiful scenery along the Silk Road have been written by poets in different dynasties in China.

This trip is designed to discover the stunning natural beauties and cultural attractions by focusing on the most exciting section of the Silk Road, the area between Chengdu and Dunhuang. Chengdu, as one of the birthplaces of silk production and the starting place of Southern Silk Road, is known as Land of Abundance and one of the most famous silk production bases in China. Its ancient name Shu comes from wild silkworm and the nickname of Chengdu is the City of Brocade. Dunhuang, famed as a pearl on the Silk Road, is the place where the world-famous site Mogao Grottoes are located. Geographically, between these two places, you can see almost all the different landforms and terrains in China. Culturally, this area boasts of rich ethnic culture represented by different ethnic groups, authentic Buddhism culture interpreted differently, and well-designed museums highlighting various cultural elements brought together by people traveling along the Silk Road. The rich resources along the Silk Road make this trip more than a culture or nature trip. It will be a trip of a lifetime for people of different interests to read what they like, explore what they are interested in, and unveil what they are unaware of.

During this trip, we have so many wonderful things to show you, the plants and wildlife living in different habitats and people from different ethnic groups, mystical Tibetan Buddhism, magnificent snow-capped mountains, gem-like alpine lakes, vast grasslands as well as a variety of different landscapes. Though we call this trip a nature Odyssey, you will be equally amazed by the cultural attractions we are going to show you during this trip if you are interested.

Highlights:

• Come face to face with giant pandas in Chengdu Panda Base, which is the largest giant panda breeding base in the world.

• Experience a great variety of different landforms and terrains including the fertile Chengdu Plain, gorgeous Minshan Mountain, vast grasslands on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, colorful Danxia landform in Zhangye and rolling deserts outside Dunhuang.

• Travel through one of the three ethnic corridors in China.

• Encounter a good number of birds, flowers, and mammals endemic to the different habitats we are going to visit.

• Guided by our nature and culture guide who know birds and plants well.

• Visit some of the most important monasteries, museums, and grottoes including Labrang Monastery and Dunhuang Grottoes.

Introductions to Trip Destinations:

Chengdu

As the gateway city to unveil beautiful western China and the provincial capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu enjoys abundant resources that attract travelers from all over the world and make the city the most popular tourist destination in China. Chengdu is located in the western part of the fertile Sichuan Basin and to the east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The vertical elevation gap from the lowest place and the highest mountain peak in Chengdu reach 5,000m, creating various habitats with different elevation ranges that accommodate unique species of birds, plants, and mammals.

Wolong Panda Base

Wolong Panda Base (Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base) is a new panda base built with the charity donation from Hong Kong Government after the 2008 earthquake when the old Wolong Panda Base was damaged by the earthquake. It takes about a 2-hour drive from Chengdu to the base. This base has the best natural temperature for pandas and is an excellent place for people who want to see active panda cubs with fewer crowds. Wolong Giant Panda Habitat Reserve where the base is located is one of the most first reserves set up in China to protect giant pandas and their habitats.

Balang Mountain
Balang Mountain is the first high mountain standing between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. From the foot to the mountain pass, the elevation rises sharply from 2,000m to 4,500m which provides a wide variety of habitats to support a lot of creatures including some rare kinds of pheasants such as Chinese Monal, Chestnut-throated Partridge, and Koklass Pheasant. The mountain serves as a demarcation line ethnically and, due to the change in topography, has rich flora and fauna resources including the precious panda and snow leopard. In a day of fine weather, we can overlook this wildlife kingdom by the side of its winding roads.

Siguniang Mountain

Located at the junction of Xiaojin County and Wenchuan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Yaomei Peak (6,250m) of Mt. Siguniang (Four Sisters Mountain) is the highest mountain peak of the Qionglai Mountain Range on the eastern edge of Hengduan Mountains. In the transition zone from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Sichuan Basin, the Valleys here are shaped steep by the forces of glaciers and rivers. The relative height differences from the valley floor to the snowy peak are up to 2,000 ~ 2,500 meters, providing magnificent views and variable ecosystems. Siguniang Mountain, together with Wolong and Jiajin Mountains, is recognized as the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries World Natural Heritage Site.

Huanglong National Park
Huanglong National Park is located in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. About 100 kilometers away from Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong is famous for its "Four Wonders", the colorful pool, awesome snow mountain, scenic valley, and virgin forest. In 1992, it was included on the World's Natural Heritage List. The travertine landscapes and colorful pools accumulated in a process of thousands of years make Huanglong stand out as one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Jiuzhaigou Valley
Listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage, Jiuzhaigou is famous for its "Six Wonders," including the crystal water, terraced waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, Tibetan culture, and gem-like lakes. Water is the soul of Jiuzhaigou Valley, and numerous lakes of different sizes put Jiuzhaigou on the top of travel destinations in Asia. The lakes here are crystal clear all year round, and with the changing seasons, the color of the water shifts.

Ruoergai

Ruoergai (Zoige) National Wetland Park is located in the northwest corner of Sichuan Province. Zoige wetland is one of the world's largest and best-preserved plateau peat swamp wetlands, as well as the typical representative of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine wetland ecosystem. With an altitude between 3,400 and 3,600 meters, this highland wetland ecosystem is rare and needs good protection due to its vulnerability.

Langmusi
Langmusi is a small town at the border between Sichuan and Gansu provinces with two mountains sitting behind and a stream flowing through. Monasteries stand quietly among the mountains with prayer flags flying in the air, sending a strong religious message to the passerby. It is said Langmusi is a mini version of "Shangri-La": it is not only a paradise of natural beauty, the intersection of ancient roads, but also a place where diverse cultures blend and develop.

Labrang Monastery
Labrang Monastery is a transliteration of the Tibetan word for the residence of the living Buddha master. Founded in 1709, it is one of the big six monasteries of the Gelug Sect (the yellow hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism and the highest Buddhist school of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the "World Tibetan Buddism University". More than 4,000 monks have studied in its splendid buildings at its golden age. Labrang Monastery has one of the longest corridors of prayer wheels over the world, which has over 1,700 scripture wheels. Now Labrang hosts many important and magnificent Buddhism ceremonies that attract Buddism believers worldwide.

Zhangye and Danxia Landform
Zhangye City is located in the central part of the Hexi Corridor, and there are various natural landscapes such as deserts, hills, grassland, and primitive forest in the its area. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is famous for its Danxia landform, in which sedimentary rocks have risen with colorful stripes and beautiful shapes. The tourist attractions in the park are divided into "Binggou Danxia" and "Qicai Danxia". Both of them are vast and magnificent especially when they are bathing in the sunlight of dawn and dusk or after rain.

Dunhuang
Dunhuang, a city that flourished as an oasis on the Silk Road. Located at the western end of the Hexi corridor. Historically, it is the only pathway from central China to the western regions, even to Europe, and a confluence of four ancient civilizations—China, India, Greece, and Islam. Mogao Grottoes, also known as "Thousand Buddha Caves", is located on the south side of the city. Nearly 500 caves decorated with colorful murals and Buddha statues, making it a holy place in the Buddhism world. There are also many attractions near Dunhuang such as the Crescent Spring and Mingsha Shan, Yardang National Geopark, and the Ancient Great Wall of the Han Dynasty.

How Can We Make This Trip Special?

• Many times of running this itinerary for western panda funs, nature and culture lovers enables us to ensure your trip is enjoyable and comfortable in the hidden area.

• A team of passionate guides specializing in panda and wildlife with rich experiences of guiding and solid knowledge about local cultures and places.

• This trip can be customized to better meet your travel style by centering on a different focus.

• 20-plus years of working in the travel industry and serving travelers from all over the world enable us to know how to make great trips for travelers of different travel styles.

What makes AbsolutePanda excellent?

• We are one of the premier travel companies focusing on panda and other wildlife in China.
We use AbsolutePanda as company brand because of our deep love toward panda and our determination to create your absolutely enjoyable panda trips.

Since 2003, our professional tour leaders and wildlife experts have helped thousands of travelers gain an in-depth understanding of Giant Panda and their companion animals, enjoy stunning scenery all over China and explore the authentic local culture.

• Exclusive Quality & Value Guarantee.

We define our quality by well-designed itineraries, stunning destinations, creative interactions, small groups, professional guides, and reasonable prices.

• Explore China in comfort and your style.

We understand each traveler is different. In addition to selected accommodations, meals and vehicles, we would like to show you the real China by an authentic experience with incredible wildlife and lovely locals.

• We care and share.

We believe the best way to help wildlife is through love and appreciation. By bringing nature lovers to enjoy the beauty of nature in China, we hope that local people can know the value of wildlife and learn how to love and appreciate those beautiful creatures living near their villages.

Map

16 days Chengdu to Dunhuang Odyssey Trip Map

Itinerary

Outline:

Day 1. Arrive at Chengdu. (D)
A city tour based on your time of arrival. Dinner and trip briefing. Overnight: Chengdu (Attitude 500m)

Day 2. Chengdu-Wolong.105km 2.5h (BLD)
Chengdu Panda Base, then drive to Wolong Nature Reserve. Overnight: Wolong (Around 2,000m)

Day 3. Wolong-Rilong. 105km 2.5h (BLD)
Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base and nature safari on Balang Mountain. Overnight: Rilong (Around 3,200m)

Day 4. Siguniang Mountain. (BLD)
Shuangqiao Valley. Overnight: Rilong (Around 3,200m)

Day5. Rilong-Huanglong. 390km 9h (BLD)
Drive to Huanglong and see the landscape and ethnic culture along the road. Overnight: Huanglong (Above 3,000m)

Day 6. Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou. 108km 2h (BLD)
Visit Huanglong National Park and drive to Jiuzhaigou. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou (Above 2,000m)

Day 7. Jiuzhaigou. (BLD)
Jiuzhaigou exploration. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou (Above 2,000m)

Day 8. Jiuzhaigou-Ruoergai. 230km 4h (BLD)
Jiuzhaigou to Ruoergai, enjoy the wetland scenery in Ruoergai. Overnight: Ruoergai (Above 3,400m)

Day 9. Ruoergai-Langmusi. 90km 1.5h (BLD)
Enjoy beautiful nature and culture along the road and visit Langmusi. Overnight: Langmusi (Above 3,300m)

Day 10. Langmusi-Xiahe. 190km 3h (BLD)
Visit Labrang Monastery and the neighboring area. Overnight: Xiahe (Around 3,000m)

Day 11. Xiahe-Lanzhou. 240km 3.5h (BLD)
Drive from Xiahe to Lanzhou, city tour in Lanzhou. Overnight: Lanzhou (Around 1,500m)

Day 12. Lanzhou-Zhangye by high-speed train. (BLD)
High-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye and reach Zhangye Danxia Geopark before sunset. Overnight: Zhangye (Above 1,700m)

Day 13. Zhangye-Dunhuang by high-speed train. (BLD)
Watch the sunrise and visit Zhangye Big Buddha Monastery. High-speed train to Dunhuang. Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 14. Dunhuang. (BLD)
Visit Mogao Grottoes in the morning and Mingsha Shan in the afternoon. Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 15. Around Dunhuang. (BLD)
In the morning we drive to explore the "ghost city" (Yardang landform). After that, we head to see the Great Wall of the Han dynasty and the Yumen Pass. Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 16 Dunhuang departure. (B)
Airport see-off.

Details:

Day 1. Chengdu arrival. Meals: D
Airport picks up. Based on the time you arrive, we can plan some free city tour programs such as visiting People’s Park to experience the typical laid-back lifestyles of Chengdu or visiting Jinli Street to feel the bustling shopping street with all types of shops selling unique local souvenirs and food stands to offer delicious local take-away food.

Overnight: Chengdu (Attitude 500m)

Day 2. Chengdu-Wolong. 105km 2.5h Meals: BLD
We catch an early morning to visit the renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. In this world-class research facility, conservation center and international educational center lives more than 100 pandas varying from cubs to adults. Our guide will tell you about their diet and mating habits and how they have survived despite increasing threats to their existence. The base environment is quite pleasant with nice bamboo sitting and green vegetation. In the afternoon, we will head to an even greener place, Wolong.

Overnight: Wolong (Around 2,000m)

Day 3. Wolong-Rilong. 105km 2.5h Meals: BLD
Today, we set out to visit the Wolong Panda Base. Renowned for its picturesque natural backdrop, this base has the best natural temperature for the pandas and is an excellent place for people who want to see active panda cubs with smaller crowds. After our tour of the base is complete, we will drive to the nearby Balang Moutain to view some magnificent snowy peaks and ranges. Also, there are some endemic birds and plants such as Chinese Monal, Meconopsis for you to search. Driving through Balang Mountain, we have chances to see an overall perspective of the "Queen of Mountains in Sichuan"—Mt. Siguniang. Then we will rest in our cozy hotel in Rilong, a small town at the foot of the Mt. Siguniang. The Tibetans live in this area are called Jiarong Tibetan. They are a separate branch of the Tibetan ethnic group and mainly engaged in farming instead of living a nomadic life. They have architecture styles, clothing, dining, custom, festivals, culture, and dialect of their own.

Overnight: Rilong (Around 3,200m)

Day 4. Siguniang Mountain. Meals: BLD
After waking up in the beautiful morning in Rilong, we will spend a whole day exploring the incredible scenery in Shuangqiaogou Valley which is nearly 35 kilometers long. With the altitude of above 3,000m, we can see snow-capped peaks in every direction with domestic yaks flock scattered on the meadows by the riverside. Colorful geological forms and mirror-like lakes are along the boardwalk trails. Pagodas and prayer flags are narrating the holiness of this land. A legend says that four beautiful and kind-hearted girls fought a fierce demon long time ago for protecting their beloved giant pandas and sacrificed themselves. They became the Mt. Siguniang, namely four girls mountain. After touring this beautiful place We travel back down the valley and drive back to the hotel in Rilong.

Overnight: Rilong (Around 3,200m)

Day 5. Rilong-Huanglong. 390km 9h Meals: BLD
After packing our luggage, we will ride a whole day to Huanglong. Drive north along the eastern edge of Tibetan Plateau, we will drive past many ethnic Qiang villages. As an ethnic group with a long history in the west of China, the Qiang people have a broad and far-reaching influence on the historical development of China and the formation of the Chinese nation. Their fortlike houses are interesting to watch and explore. The religious belief of Qiang people is still in the primitive stage of polytheism, which is dominated by nature worship and ancestor worship. They put white stones on the roofs of their houses expressing the worship for the gods of the sky, earth, mountains, etc.

Overnight: Huanglong (Above 3,000m)

Day 6. Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou. 108km 2h Meals: BLD
In the morning, we will ascend to the top of Huanglong National Park to watch the colorful pools in Huanglong. Besides, Huanglong also offers snow-capped mountains, scenic valley, and virgin forests as the rest three of its "Four Wonders". After enjoying the picturesque landscape in this park, we head to its big sister park—Jiuzhaigou.

Overnight: Jiuzhaigou (Above 2,000m)

Day 7. Jiuzhaigou. Meals: BLD
Known as the "Fairyland on Earth," Jiuzhaigou Valley offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience for its mirror-like lakes, magnificent waterfalls, snow peaks, immense forests, and local Tibetan culture. We will spend the whole day in the park's beautiful valleys to explore the entirety of this heavenly-like place.

Overnight: Jiuzhaigou (Above 2,000m)

Day 8. Jiuzhaigou-Ruoergai. 230km 4h Meals: BLD
Today, we will slowly drive out of the mountains into the vast Ruoergai Wetland. After a nice Tibetan meal in Ruoergai County, we head to the diamond of Ruoergai—the "Flower Lake". Known as "the oasis of the northwest Sichuan Plateau", Ruoergai (Zoige) ranks first among the six most beautiful marshes and wetlands selected by China National Geographic. Hundreds of wetland plant species are shriving here, providing a precious shelter for some rare wildlife including the Black-necked Crane—the only crane breeds on high plateaus. We head back to Ruoergai County to rest for tonight.

Overnight: Ruoergai (Above 3,400m)

Day 9. Ruoergai-Langmusi. 90km 1.5h Meals: BLD
Today we take a slow and leisure journey on the good roads to Langmusi. Langmusi is sitting at the border of Sichuan and Gansu with a graceful environment surrounded. Monasteries stand quietly among the mountains with prayer flags flying in the air, sending a strong religious message to the passerby. It is said Langmusi is a mini version of "Shangri-la", it is not only a paradise of natural beauty, the intersection of ancient roads, but also a place where diverse cultures blend and develop. It is a small but exquisite place to explore with alpine birds and flora as a plus.

Overnight: Langmusi (Above 3,300m)

Day 10. Langmusi-Xiahe. 190km 3.5h Meals: BLD
After saying farewell to Sichuan Province, we will enter the territories of Gansu Province. Our first stop is the prestigious Labrang Monastery. We immerse ourselves in the magnificence of Labrang Monastery by watching hawks and griffins flying overhead and listening to the sound of Tibetan longhorns echoing from the surrounding massifs. Labrang Monastery is a grand monstery that has one of the longest corridors of prayer wheels over the world with over 1,700 scripture wheels. Now it hosts many important and magnificent Buddhism ceremonies that attract Buddism believers worldwide. Though Tibet is not on our itinerary, this monastery fully conveys the mystery of Tibetans’ devout faith, leaving us an indelible impression of the Holiness of this land.

Overnight: Xiahe (Around 3,000m)

Day 11. Xiahe-Lanzhou. 240km 4h Meals: BLD
After breakfast in Xiahe, we will head to the capital city of Lanzhou. The capital of Gansu Province. Lanzhou was once an important link along the Silk Road and presently a major transition center of the Yellow River. This trip provides us with a gateway into the culturally rich landscapes of the Hexi Corridor. Our first stop at Lanzhou is at the Gansu Provincial Museum which exhibits over 350,000 artifacts of Buddhism Art, Fossils, Pottery, and Silk Road Civilization. In the evening, we have free time to explore people’s life near the hotel. An early good rest can help the journey heading to the northwest.

Overnight: Lanzhou (Around 1,500m)

Day 12. Lanzhou-Zhangye (by high-speed train). Meals: BLD
Take a high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye in the morning and reach the Qicai Danxia (colorful Danxia) in Zhangye National Geopark to photograph the sunset view. Known for its colorful rock formations, the park has been voted by Chinese media as one of the most beautiful landforms in China. Hills here are in different shapes and colors are bathing in the twilight, driving you to marvel at the incredible craftsmanship of nature.

Overnight: Zhangye (Above 1,700m)

Day 13. Zhangye-Dunhuang (by high-speed train). Meals: BLD
We wake up early today to take sunrise pictures in the morning and leave no regret. Then we head to Zhangye city to visit Big Buddha Monastery, a prestigious monastery with more than 900-year history. In the late afternoon. We will board a high-speed train to Dunhuang.

Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 14. Dunhuang. Meals: BLD
Dunhuang was the last supply point for the merchants on the ancient silk road before venturing into the Taklimakan Desert. However, Dunhuang is famous mainly due to its Mogao Grottoes, which are one of the world's richest art treasures of Buddhist manuscripts, murals, and statues. The murals (wall paintings) are especially exquisite and inclusive in Mogao, reflecting the scenes from Buddhist activities, people’s daily life to the entertainments of the nobles and mentalities of the artists. The colors of the paintings remained quite well due to the extremely dry climate. But in recent 150 years, visitors’ activities are exerting a negative impact on these precious artifacts and some of the caves are periodically closed for sustainable protection. We will be using torches like ancient Buddhist to enter those caves now. Mogao is among the highest artistic achievements in this world and a glance at it shall be an unforgettable and touching experience for all of us. After lunch, we will head to the Crescent Spring and Mingsha Shan (the Echoing Sand Mountain). Here we can climb to the top of the vast dunes to view the crescent-shaped spring and the ancient architectures beside it. The water of the spring surrounded by the vest dunes is amazingly crystal-clear. We wait for the stunning views of the sunset in the desert and then go back to the hotel.

Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 15. Around Dunhuang. Meals: BLD
In the morning we drive to explore the Yardang National Geopark near Dunhuang. Local people call it "the Ghost City" for the peculiar-looking rocks shaped by the howling wind. It looks fantastic in the Gobi Desert and a great place to take pictures. We also will have a look at the ancient Great Wall of the Han dynasty and its Yumen Pass which is renowned nation-wide. As an important military fortress and trade center in history, Dunhuang was once protected by these walls and gates. Now they are quite shattered by the force of time, letting people think and feel the prosperity of the silk road behind this desolation.

Overnight: Dunhuang (Around 1,150m)

Day 16. Dunhuang departure. Meals: B
Airport see off.

Notes:
1. If you need help in arranging a flight to Chengdu from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, etc., or a flight out of Dunhuang, please feel free to contact us.
2. This trip ventures into remote areas with high altitudes. Follow the advice from your doctor on altitude sickness before deciding to join this trip. In some events, high elevation can cause severe health complications for those with cardiovascular diseases or other poor cardiopulmonary function.

Dates & Prices

1. Dates

Group A: April 7 to 22, 2025, 2026
Group B: May 7 to 22, 2025, 2026
Group C: Oct. 8 to 23, 2025,2026
Group D: Nov. 8 to 23, 2025,2026

AbsolutePanda can tailor-make this trip according to your time and interest.

2. Prices

The AbsolutePanda team works hard to provide the highest quality tour experiences at a fair price. However, after working in the travel industry for more than 20 years, our team knows that no two travelers are alike in terms of their travel style, personal interests, choice of guides and preferences in restaurants and hotels. For AbsolutePanda, our client’s satisfaction is a top priority. To meet the needs of different clients and ensure they enjoy a trip suited to their preferences, you are welcome to email with specific requests ranging from trip themes, guides, the quality of vehicles, accommodations, and restaurants. Our group trip price has the following includes and excludes below.

This standard price is made based on a minimum of four travelers. The group size is 4~10.

The cost for a group of 4 to 10 people:
4100USD/PAX

Single supplement:
490USD/PAX

The cost includes:
1. Hotels listed in the itinerary;
2. Nice and fit vehicles during this trip;
3. A fluent English-speaking guide for each destination;
4. Train tickets listed in the itinerary;
5. Meals as listed above as BLD;
6. Sites entrance tickets and shuttle buses/cable cars listed in the itinerary;
7. China domestic travel insurance.

The cost excludes:
1. Drinks during the meal;
2. Extra charges due to change of itinerary from client-side or factors beyond the control of AbsolutePanda such as natural disaster and governmental policy change;
3. Discretionary tips to the guide and driver;
4. All personal expenses, such as laundry service and personal shoppings;
5. Train tickets or airfares not listed in the itinerary.
6. Any program not listed in the itinerary;
7. Entrance fee, car rental, or meals during your free time trip;
8. Single supplement.

Notes:
1. This trip price is based on two clients sharing one twin-bed room in 4-star standard hotels in big cities and local best guesthouses in a remote area. If you prefer to use a private room or we cannot find a roommate for you, then a single supplement will be added to your trip price.
2. For travelers who hope to tailor-make the day programs with their specific travel preferences in mind (transportation, hotels, special privileges, and famous local experts), tailor-making a tour is the best way to ensure your desires are met. Please contact us with your specific needs and we will make an itinerary based on your expectations. Once you confirm, we work out the cost and send it to you. Please feel free to ask any questions to learn more.
3. Please note that guides with specialized knowledge are not always available, especially during our peak tour season (April to October). If you are in the process of planning a trip, please contact us as early as possible so that we will block the date of our expert guide for you.

When you put your trust in our team, we are certain to help you enjoy an unforgettable travel experience!

Accommodations

AbsolutePanda firmly believes travel is an art. To ensure every trip with us is a great travel art for our clients, the AbsolutePanda team does all we can to consider every possible detail. The choice of hotels is an essential part of making a great trip. After many years of running a travel business, we have built up our network of cooperative hotels at different levels. We understand people are different in the choice of hotels when they travel. If you want to use some specific hotels, please feel free to let us know, we are delighted to book it for you at a competitive price to make the hotel choice better meet your taste, budget and travel style. We can either reserve a hotel with competitive price for you or simply include the hotel into your trip cost if possible. You are welcome to contact us and tell us your requests, we will do our best to create the best travel itinerary for your private use.

If you need help with hotel booking in other big cities of China at different styles and luxury levels (International-brand Hotels, Local Brand Hotels, Economical Hotels), please feel free to email our team at info@absolutepanda.com.

FAQs

1. When is the best time to do this travel?

We suggest guests avoid the summertime (July-August) when is extremely hot and crowded, and winter (December-February) which is too cold and windy in some places we plan to visit. The Chinese National Holiday in early October needs to be avoided. Besides these, the rest time is fine to do this trip and AbsolutePanda arranges this trip in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) for the best experience of our clients.

2. How many types of special geographical landscapes we will see on this tour?

There are 5 types of special landscape, the steep glacial mountain valleys in Siguniang Moutain, the calcified sedimentary landscape in Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong, the vast grassy wetland in Ruoergai, the Danxia landform in Zhangye and the Gobi Desert landscape near Dunhuang represented by Yardang landform.

3. How are the accommodations on this tour?

The hotels we choose in the city like Chengdu, Lanzhou, Dunhuang will be based on 4-star rank or similar with a good reputation and special characteristics. In some small places like Langmusi, we choose one of the best local hostels with as good facilities as possible.

4. Should I be worried about altitude sickness on this tour?

The highest altitude we come across in this tour is around 3800m and will not stay long in that altitude. Please consult your doctor before you come and bring necessary personal medications. Our team is especially experienced in guiding foreign tourists through these regions. We have planned this itinerary to give you a gradual acclimation period to get used to the elevation. However, if you have any trouble with the altitude, please talk to us for specific suggestions.

5. Will there be opportunities to purchase local souvenirs during this tour?

As we travel through Tibetan communities and in places like Mogao Grottoes and panda bases, there will be many opportunities to purchase keepsakes from local vendors. Our guides are happy to help.

6. If I am particularly interested in finding birds and seeking plant species, is there a way for me to request a specialist as a guide?

We have birding experts and plant specialists on the team. Please let us know in advance so we can arrange it for you.

Email us if you have any questions. Read our FAQ

Testimonials

Only Good Travel Agency We've Ever Worked With. Phenomenal!
All of my previous experiences with travel agents/tour planners have been unmitigated disasters at one end and massive disappointments with added inconvenience on the other. Absolute Panda was the first exception and thank all the travel the gods for that.
We contacted them on short notice (just under 3 weeks) and during a busy time, with most of the guides already committed to other travelers. The team still managed to get something put together in time for us to get our expedited visas and locked up a great guy named "Leo" to be our guide.
Leo may have not known all the names of the birds we saw, but he knew the sights and their history well, freely providing detailed historical anecdotes with precise dates and other added insights. At one point, my DSLR camera body had an error that I couldn't clear and he was able to find an authorized Nikon repair shop that was open and, with just a 90 minute detour, we were able to get it fixed and not miss out on any of our planned activities.
Another thing we greatly appreciated (and it was one of the most grievous failings of the previous companies) was that they really listened to what we asked for, which was to fill our days from early start to late finish. When things ran short, Leo was always able to find another interesting stop or location to check out.
ven though Philllip was with another group during our visit, he still found time to check in with us and make sure we had everything we needed and that we were happy with the service. Our driver was a little quiet, but always polite and professional.
The only negative point is the whole payment by direct bank transfer thing, which is sadly standard practice across all the Asian countries we have visited, so it can't and shouldn't be held against them.
I unreservedly and enthusiastically recommend Absolute Panda and Phillip's team to anyone considering a trip to the shockingly beautiful country of the Sichuan Province. It was worth every cent and then some. I find it highly improbable that there is a better company to work with in the entire region.

—SasquatchFingers

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Videos & Photos

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Chengdu Panda Base is one of the best places to see captive pandas.

Mirror-like lakes and jade mountains in Jiuzhaigou Valley.

Waterfall of Jiuzhaigou.

Huanglong National Park

Shuangqiaogou Valley.

Danxia landform in Zhangye.