Known as Gyalthang in Tibetan and Zhongdian in Chinese, could this small city in the foothills of the Himalayas really be James Hilton’s mythical paradise? Get swept off your feet by views of Mount Meili and become immersed in Tibetan culture as you surround yourself with people in the market. Then, lose them all again and stroll through the silent, incense-filled rooms of Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Lamasery.

Was the mythical paradise just that – a story? Or is there more behind the myth, tucked away in the back streets or hills that surround the real city of Shangri-La? Mount Meili dominates the view from the moment you reach the city and your first day sees you climbing a winding path upwards, taking in fresh mountain air and admiring a landscape so remote, you feel a world away from the life you’re used to. Another life awaits you in Shangri-La, a life of Buddha’s relics interred in white stupas, of yak-butter tea simmering on the stove, and of incense burning in golden-rooved temples.

Recommended seasons

What’s Included

What’s Excluded

Hotels

We’re on the ground with you

Our team of advisors will design every detail of the trip with you through close consultation, then orchestrate your entire journey while on the ground. We’re in the same time zone as you, so we can fulfill requests and handle issues without a hitch. With over 40 staff in Beijing and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we have the manpower to ensure your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. We pull off journeys for pioneers with a 6-hour layover to Hollywood’s elite, and everywhere in between. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

Supporting inspired local economies allows you to experience the soul of the destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s artisanal culture. From watching artisans hand make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.