Yunnan Rice Terraces and Gansu Rainbow Mountains

Today you will fly to Kunming. On arrival, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall, and transfer to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

Begin your journey to Yuanyang, home to China's most beautiful rice terraces and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site - the Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and prepare for an unforgettable afternoon at Bada Rice Terraces. As the sun sets, witness the spectacular transformation of 950 hectares of rice paddies spanning from 800 to 2000 meters elevation. The terraces create a breathtaking "ladders to heaven" effect, shifting through magnificent shades of pink, rosy, dark red, golden, and white as the sunset glow intensifies. Return to your hotel for a restful night in Yuanyang.

Begin with an early visit to Duoyishu Rice Terrace for a captivating sunrise experience. Surrounded by high mountains on three sides, witness the misty Hani village with mushroom-like houses resembling sailboats at sea as the first light transforms tranquil blue terraces into brilliant golden hues.Continue to Aichun Village, 5km away, to marvel at the famous blue rice terraces reflecting the expansive sky. From the high observation deck, enjoy azure skies, white clouds, and layered blue terraces with traditional Hani houses peeking through trees. Optimal viewing time: 09:00-10:00.Explore Azheke Village, a primitive Hani village featuring 51 traditional mushroom houses showcasing harmonious human-nature coexistence. Discover old stone mills, encounter local livestock, and observe daily village life with smoke rising from chimneys. Conclude at Laohuzui Rice Terrace (Tiger Mouth), the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage site and the steepest, grandest terrace in Yuanyang. From this panoramic viewpoint resembling a blooming white flower, witness the spectacular sunset transformation from clear blue to radiant golden, pink, rosy, and dark red hues.

Begin your final day with a visit to the vibrant Ethnic Market & Bazaar to immerse yourself in authentic Hani culture and witness traditional trading practices. Experience the colorful atmosphere as local ethnic minorities gather to sell their handmade crafts, fresh produce, and traditional goods. En route back to Kunming, make stops at additional primitive ethnic villages to gain deeper insights into the diverse cultures of Yunnan's ethnic minorities. These authentic village visits provide final photographic opportunities and cultural exchanges.

.:

.

Enjoy your free time until your guide come and escort you to airport for your onward flight.

Today you will fly to Lanzhou. On arrival, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall, and transfer to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River weaves through the city's soul. You'll stand before the magnificent Yellow River Mother Sculpture, a testament to the region's deep connection with this life-giving waterway. Cross the historic Yellow River Iron Bridge, feeling the pulse of industrial heritage beneath your feet. Explore the Lanzhou Waterwheel Park, where traditional irrigation technology comes to life, showcasing the ingenuity of local culture. Tantalize your taste buds with an authentic Lanzhou Pulled Noodles experience, a culinary journey that captures the essence of Gansu province's gastronomic tradition.

Enjoy your free time until your guide comes and escort you to the high-speed train station.

Take a 3-hour bullet train ride from Lanzhou to Zhangye.

Today you will arrive in Zhangye by high-speed train station. On arrival, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall, and transfer to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

Begin your photography adventure at the most popular site — the Rainbow Mountains (Danxia Landform). These magnificent geological formations feature several colorful belts that appear as though colors have been spilled across the mountains, earning the poetic nickname 'Color Palette Overturned by God'.Spend the entire day exploring different vantage points and capturing the mountains' dramatic color transformations throughout the day. In the morning, enjoy cooler weather as the mountains display predominantly blue tones, while in the afternoon, witness the spectacular shift to red hues under the warm sunlight.This full-day experience allows ample time to capture the Rainbow Mountains' ever-changing beauty from multiple angles and lighting conditions.

Photography Tips:

- Morning: Cool blue coloring, misty atmosphere 

- Afternoon: Warm red tones, dramatic shadows- Multiple viewpoints available for varied compositions 

- Best lighting conditions change throughout the day

Experience the contrasting beauty of Binggou Danxia Landforms, the second spectacular area within Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. While visitors go to Rainbow Mountains for their vibrant colors, Binggou is renowned for its extraordinary rock formations and peculiar shapes.

Spend the full day exploring Binggou's unique geological wonders, which display more natural earth tones but showcase dramatically more unusual and intricate rock formations compared to the colorful Rainbow Mountains. The area offers a completely different perspective on Danxia landforms with its sculptural rock pillars, arches, and canyon formations.Then Return to Zhangye city for authentic local dinner.

Comparison Highlights:

- Rainbow Mountains: Spectacular colors, "God's overturned palette" 

- Binggou Danxia: Extraordinary shapes, sculptural rock formations

Enjoy your free time until your guide come and escort you to airport for your onward flight.