China has the richest repository of Rhododendron, surely the most glamorous of all flowering woody plants. This new tour focuses on areas with these wonderful trees and shrubs as well as including many of the other iconic Chinese woodland and alpine plants from Arisaema to Primula, Chionocharis hookeri and orchids such as Cypripedium.
Arrival into the lakeside city of Dali. Overnight Dali.
A cable car will take up to 4000 metres, where there are extensive rhododendron shrubberies including R. taliense, R. lacteum and smaller species such as R. impeditum and stunning red R. haematodes. Plenty of other flora too such as Primula bryophila, Megacarpea delavayi and Pegaeophyton scapiflorum. Overnight Dali.
From Dali we will traverse to this large mountain region and spend four days exploring this rich area, including visits to Laojunshan, Tacheng, Weixi and a final overnight in Cizhong, where the plant hunter George Forrest spent time. The vineyards established by the missionaries two hundred years ago are still here! Amongst the other flora we hope to find the lovely Nomocharis pardanthina. Overnight Cizhong.
Spectacular high mountain (Zhongque Shan) area with (hopefully) stunning shrubberies of Rhododendron neriiflorum. Overnight Dijin.
Superb area with huge shrubberies both on the lower slopes and alpine areas. One slope is limestone, the opposite slope is granite so there is great variety in the flora. Also here are some standout alpines such as Chionocharis hookeri, Paraquilegia microphylla, Primula zambalensis, P. polyneura, electric blue Corydalis pachycentra and Chesneya purpurea. Overnight Dijin Day 7, Benzilan Day 8.
A morning drive to Xiancheng and then in the afternoon we look at the extensive shrubberies of smaller species and alpines on nearby high passes. Other plants include cerise trumpets of Incarvillea mairie and pretty Androsace wardii. Overnight Xiancheng.
Many rhododendron species, including R. agnniphum, R. primuliflorum, R. oreotrephes and good alpine plants such as Corydalis benecincta and Meconopsis integrifolia. For those with the energy the may be the chance to hike higher to see the amazing Rheum nobile in flower. In the afternoon we continue onto Shangri-la (3300m).
After all of our travelling we'll have an easier day looking at local sites around the town where some areas are rich in rhododendrons (e.g. R. decorum) and orchids, especially Cypripedium with four species possible. Overnight Shangri-La.
An excellent area for Rhododendron wardii and Daphne retusa and for those we a head for scree it is home to stands of Cypripedium flavum, diminutive C. bardolfianum, both mauve Meconopsis pseudovenusta and slopes with blue M. racemosa growing among sulphurous Daphne calycosa. Overnight Shangri-La.
This high elevation lake has several rhododendron species ranging for the flamboyant R. phaeochrysum to dwarf R. telmateium, the rich purple of R. russatum and more fine stands of R. wardii that grow with drifts of Primula sikkmensis and P. secundiflora. Hopefully the first Lilium souliei will be poking up among the extensive rhodo shrubberies alongside pretty drifts of Cassiope pectinata. Overnight Shangri-La.
Limestone mountain to the south of Shangri-La, cable car and for those that want the exercise we can walk back down finding Primula sonchifolia and various rhododendrons on the way. Overnight Shangri-La.
24 May - 8 June 2026
Per person: 5950 GBP
Single supplement: 550 GBP
Deposit: 900 GBP.
Included:
Minimum number of participants 5; maximum 12.
For more information on our tours
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