TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR SOUTHWEST CHINA

Travel information for South-West China. The largely undiscovered provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi are amongst China’s most facetted regions. Together these four provinces make up the south-west of China and are slightly bigger than the European countries France, Germany, Denmark and Poland combined.(or about the size of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico combined in the U.S.)

South-West China’s spectacular scenery reaches from 7500 meters high majestic mountain peaks, hidden monasteries, Tibetan highlands, karst mountains, volcanoes, sub-tropical rainforests and some of the world’s deepest gorges. The Yunnan Province alone is home to 26 ethnic minorities, the largest number of different ethnic groups in a single province in China. With the Rivers Yangtze, Mekong, Yellow, Salween and Pearl, some of China’s largest Rivers run through the Southwest of China.

This Website will give you valuable, up to date travel information about South-West China and will assist you in planning your next journey to China. You find  more information about Colorful-China Travel and Tours on Tripadvisor and here.

For a quick overview of spots you want to visit we have put together two quick reference pages. On "The ten best places to visit in Yunnan", we'll highlight some of Yunnan's most interesting spots to travel to. For Sichuan Province, there is more to be found on "The ten best places to visit in Sichuan". More in depth information about sightseeing spots and important cultural and natural sites to travel to, there is our location overview. If you are looking for a location, but just cannot find it, feel free to contact us directly. We'd be happy to help you with any questions regarding south-west China travel.

EXPLORING CHINA’S MAGNIFICENT SOUTH-WEST

The South-West of China is without doubt one of the most attractive regions for visitors to China.

Weather you travel the remote Tibetan Highlands of Western Sichuan, explore the cobble-stoned alleys of the weathered villages along the ancient Tea and Horse Road in Yunnan, or take a boat trip through the magnificent karst-landscape of Guangxi Province -  the cultural, geographical and ethnic diversity of this part of the World is simply overwhelming.

You can tour South-West China with one of our group tours or you let us design your own, private journey. An individual tour to China (private tour) offers maximum freedom and flexibility to the traveler. You will be traveling together with your driver and tour guide and benefit from a private service customized to your needs. The itinerary will be designed in such a way that you have time to visit spontaneously a local market, can converse with a Tibetan monk over a cup of tea or that you can explore a village on your own and without your tour guide constantly by your side.

EASY ACCESS THANKS TO MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE

With the development of the high-speed train network in recent years, the South-West of China is now easily accessible. From Hong Kong Island the travel time to Guilin in Guangxi Province takes only about 3.5 hours. From Guilin, you can continue your journey by highspeed train to Guiyang in Guizhou or to Kunming in Yunnan Province.

There are also direct flights from Europe and many Asian countries to Kunming and Chengdu in South-West China. Chengdu, Guiyang, Guilin and Kunming all have a modern airport with flights to all major cites in China and some even to South-East Asian airports.

The hotel infrastructure has also improved significantly in recent years. Most travel destinations throughout South-West China offer clean and affordable accommodation. In some places you can even find accommodation in old, traditional houses that have been transformed to tastefully furnished boutique Hotels.

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAVELING FROM YUNNAN TO MYANMAR LAOS OR VIETNAM

South-West China shares its borders with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. Especially the Yunnan province can easily be combined with an overland trip to either Laos, Vietnam or, along the legendary Old Burma Road to Myanmar.

Some of these cross-country journeys lead through to the remotest corners of Southwest China and allows the traveler a fascinating insight into the different cultures and traditions.

The traveler awaits breathtaking natural landscapes, huge river valleys, ethnic minorities and the many exciting encounters with the local population.

Contact us for more information about overland tours to neighboring countries from China.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO YUNNAN, SICHUAN AND SOUTHWEST CHINA

The best time to travel to the north of the Yunnan Province is from April to October. July and August are the rainiest months. October to March the temperatures are cold. However, the winter months are a good travel time in Southwest China, since there are not many tourists and hardly ever rainfall.

For the southern subtropical areas of the Yunnan and Guangxi Province, the best time to travel is the cooler winter months from October to March.

The climate in Sichuan differs considerably depending on the region. For the subtropical Sichuan Basin in the East of Sichuan, the best time to travel is during the winter months. On the other hand, the Sichuan plateau, located in the West, experiences a warm and mild spring and autumn. That is the best time to travel to the West of Sichuan. The most rain falls between May and October. The  winter months are not considered to be the best time to travel to Western Sichuan because the climate is cold, dry and quite rough in most places.

"... Every journey begins with a first step in the right direction ..."
(Confucius 551 - 479 BC)