Footsteps of the Plant Hunters

14-day escorted tour with a 17 day option which also includes Tibet

This China escorted tour follows in the footsteps of the intrepid botanists that explored the far-flung reaches and remote corners of our planet and found spectacular, exotic species of plants. You’ll see remarkable displays in dramatic native environments and commune with fascinating local cultures.

Tracking down the plant hunters
An Austrian-American botanist and explorer, Joseph Rock became a celebrity in the reign of King George V for introducing many exciting new plants into western high society, including rhododendrons. Rock moved to Lijiang in 1922 and lived there for 27 years. From 1924, National Geographic Magazine published a great number of photos and articles he had written about Lijiang, its scenery and plants, and some of these original publications are on display in the small museum next to his home.

Tour highlights

• Wandering round the symbolic gardens at the Classical Gardens of Suzhou
• Viewing the mysterious rocks rising like trees in the Stone Forest at Kunming
• Wandering round the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang town, with its cobbled streets
• Watching the wonderful Impressions Lijiang show against the impressive backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Learning the secrets of the plant hunters and seeing the species they discovered resplendent in their native habitat
• Joining the bustle of genuine local markets and meeting a local Tibetan family in their home
• Feeling the serenity of the Potala Palace in Tibet, in contrast to the vibrant street life in Lhasa, on the Tibet extension

Extend your holiday
From a focus on the natural plant life of China, why not extend your tour to include

the country’s most iconic wildlife? When your tour ends, you can choose the Chengdu extension and visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre. Alternatively, you can turn your attention to China’s rich cultural history, with a tour extension to Xian and Beijing, which takes in the Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Grand Mosque, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Your Tour Manager will welcome you into the executive lounge before your flight to Shanghai.
Meals: In-flight.

Day 2 Arrive Shanghai
On arrival you'll transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and refresh before this evening’s welcome drinks and dinner.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 3 Shanghai
Today you’ll board the high-speed train for a short journey to the Classical Gardens of Suzhou. Considered masterpieces in 16th-18th century classical Chinese garden design, they are UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listed. Each garden is highly symbolic and unique in design, combining art with nature to create a sense of great beauty, peace and harmony. With numerous pavilions, bridges and extensive planting, the vast Humble Administrator’s Garden reflects the idea of personal achievement. The small, elegant Master- Of-Nets Garden is all about self improvement through personal contemplation and artistic pursuits. After lunch you'll return to the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 4 Shanghai
Today is free for you to explore Shanghai or simply relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 5 Shanghai to Kunming
After breakfast, you’ll fly to Kunming and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Green Lake Hotel.

Day 6 Kunming to Lijiang
This morning’s tour is to the Stone Forest. With tall rocks rising from the ground, many resembling petrified trees, it’s easy to see how this UNESCO World Heritage Site gets its name. After lunch, you’ll visit the Golden Temple, which dates from the Ming Dynasty and is China's largest copper temple. You’ll also visit the Yuan Tong Temple, the oldest and most famous Buddhist temple in Yunnan, before a short evening flight to Lijiang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza.

Day 7 Lijiang
You’ll explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Lijiang, on a walking tour today. Down cobbled streets, along walkways and past rivers, you’ll see examples of local architecture from the Han, Bai and Naxi people. At the Mu Mansion, you’ll see intricate and delicate Ming dynasty architecture in white marble from the nearby Tiger Leaping Gorge. After lunch, you’ll visit Black Dragon Pool Park where there are wonderful views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as well as several smaller temples and pavilions to explore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza.

Day 8 Lijiang
The morning sky over the mountain makes a dramatic backdrop for the wonderful Impressions Lijiang show, in an outdoor theatre in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park. Depicting the traditions and lifestyles of the local Naxi, Yi and Bai people, this cultural show has been choreographed and produced by Zhang Yimou, who was responsible for the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. You’ll then take a cable car to Yak Meadow on top of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Immerse yourself in this simple, but impressive scenery, amongst yaks, plants, birds and butterflies, and visit the small Tibetan Buddhist temple. After a picnic, you’ll return to the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to visit two villages in the Lijiang Basin. At Baisha Village, you’ll see culturally significant frescoes depicting the history of Tibetan Buddhism. At Yuhu Village, you’ll visit the former home of plant hunter Joseph Rock.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza.

Day 9 Lijiang
Today is a free day, but your Tour Manager will have plenty of suggestions for how you can fill it, from golf to cycling, horseriding or trekking. As this is your last evening in Lijiang, enjoy a group dinner together in the old town.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 10 Lijiang to Shangri-La
Travelling north, you’ll arrive in Stone Drum Village by the Yangtze River, for a taste of true local life at the market, including the fascinating Chinese medicine sellers with their weird and wonderful goods. You’ll then visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s most stunning gorges in the uppermost reaches of the Yangtze River. After lunch, you’ll ascend to the noticeably cooler climes of Shangri-La, also known as Zhongdian. Surrounded by mountains, this wide, flat valley is home to azaleas, rhododendrons, wild ponies, yaks, pigs, cows and butterflies – alongside 30 different nationalities of people.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-La.

Day 11 Shangri-La
The 500 square mile Pudacuo National Park is a haven for photographers, painters and plant lovers; teeming with plant species, mammals, birds and endangered species. A wooden pathway winds around Shudu Lake, and you can walk with the group or go at your own pace. A park bus service will take you from place to place, and you can do as much or as little as you like. You’ll meet up with your fellow explorers for lunch, then return to the hotel mid-afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-La.

Day 12 Shangri-La
You have a free morning to take in the views, indulge in a well-earned spa treatment or join in with a gentle trek to the local village and temple. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Songtseling Monastery to discover the mysteries and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Then, you’ll visit a local Tibetan family in their home and sample yak butter tea, which is something of an acquired taste! Your interpreter will enable you to ask questions about the family’s lifestyle, and answer any questions they may have. Back in Shangri-La, you’ll have a look around the old town before your group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-La.

Day 13 Depart Shangri-La
If you haven’t chosen a tour extension, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Shanghai via Kunming, accompanied by your Tour Manager. You’ll stay in the Marriott City Centre overnight, then fly onwards to Heathrow the following morning. If you’re making the most of the opportunity and continuing to Tibet, you’ll fly to Lhasa, via Chengdu, where you’ll meet the experienced local guide who’ll be accompanying you.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre in Shanghai: St Regis in Lhasa.

Day 14 Arrive Lhasa
Your exploration of the ‘Roof of The World’, as Tibet is known, begins at the Sera Monastery, originally founded in 1419 and spread over 28 acres. You’ll view its distinctive murals, fine statues, scented cloths and scriptures written in gold powder. In the afternoon, you’ll have the unique cultural experience of visiting a local Tibetan family in their home, to gain an insight into their lifestyle and daily rituals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: St Regis, Lhasa.

Day 15 Lhasa
This morning’s tour takes you to Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered to be the jewel in Tibet’s crown. As well as having been the Dalai Lama’s residence, the Palace was also the seat of Tibetan government and a school for the religious training of monks. It is now a major pilgrimage destination. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Buddhist Jokhang Temple; a blend of Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese architecture, originally built in the reign of King Songsten Gampo in 605-650 to celebrate his marriage, and the Jokhang Statue, which is the most revered in Tibet and has great religious significance. On Bakhor Street, you’ll get a fascinating glimpse of Tibetan life with shops selling copper Buddha, prayer wheels, prayer flags, butter lamps, beads, joss sticks, cushions, aprons, leather bags, snuff bottles, Tibetan-style shoes, hats and wooden bowls. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel: St Regis, Lhasa.

Day 16 Lhasa to Shanghai
There’s time to explore Lhasa accompanied by your local guide before transferring to the airport for your afternoon flight to Shanghai via Kunming.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Ramada Pudong.

Day 17 Arrive Heathrow
Your morning flight arrives home later the same day, leaving you plenty of time to decide where to go next.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616