10 Days in Zhaotong
Ten days at plateau pace — the 1,900-metre city, two days with the 3,000-metre cranes of Dashanbao, the 47 falls of Huanglianhe, the 2,200-year pass and an honest Sichuan day.
Quick Answer
Is 10 days enough for Zhaotong?
10 days lets you go beyond Zhaotong's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.
Source: NihaoVisit Zhaotong guide
10-day Zhaotong itinerary at a glance
Use our full Zhaotong travel guide as the base and adapt it to 10 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.
Arrival at altitude
The city lies at about 1,900 metres — keep day one gentle with old-town lanes, Qingguan Pavilion and Wanghai park.
- zhaotong old town
- zhaotong qingguan ting park
- zhaotong wanghai park
Long shrine & orchards
The Long family shrine dates to the early 1930s and the Long Yun era; the district's apple orchards grow fruit from 1940 plantings. Market lunch between the two.
- zhaotong long shrine
- zhaotong apple orchards
Dashanbao & the cranes
About 80 kilometres west, above 3,000 metres: from November to March over 1,000 black-necked cranes winter at Dahaizi and Tiaodunhe, and Jigongshan's rim drops into the canyon. Sleep at a plateau guesthouse or return to the city.
- zhaotong dashanbao reserve
- zhaotong jigongshan canyon
Dashanbao slow morning
A second morning at the wetlands for the cranes' feeding hours — mist, reflections and birder company — then the road back to Zhaotong for a low-altitude night.
- zhaotong dahaizi lake
- zhaotong tiaodunhe lake
Huanglianhe waterfalls
North to Daguan county, whose scenic area counts 47 waterfalls; walk the gorge loop between cascades and bamboo. Sleep in Daguan or Yanjin.
- zhaotong huanglianhe falls
Doushaguan pass
The Qin-era Wuchi Road — more than 2,200 years old — climbs past Bo-people coffins set in the cliff and the 794 inscription of Tang envoy Yuan Zi. Sleep in Yanjin town on the Guan river.
- zhaotong doushaguan pass
- zhaotong wuchi road
- zhaotong bo hanging coffins
- zhaotong yuanzi cliff inscription
Hot springs at Shuifu
Down the Jinsha to Shuifu, the "first port on the long river": cliffside soaks at the West Grand Canyon resort and a look at the 6.4-gigawatt Xiangjiaba dam. Overnight at the resort or in town.
- zhaotong west grand canyon hot springs
- zhaotong xiangjiaba dam
Xiaocaoba valley
East to Yiliang county's Xiaocaoba — forests, streams and the local tianma markets, red leaves in late October. Sleep in Yiliang or push on to Weixin.
- zhaotong xiaocaoba valley
Zhaxi conference site
In Weixin's Zhaxi town the Red Army leadership met in February 1935 during the Long March; the preserved site reads as a heritage visit. Road back to Zhaotong for the night.
- zhaotong zhaxi conference site
Xichang day (Sichuan) & departure
An honestly labelled neighbouring-province day — around five hours by road west into Liangshan for the Qionghai lakeside wetlands of Xichang, a natural onward stop toward Chengdu. Depart from Xichang or circle back to Zhaotong.
- zhaotong xichang qionghai
Budget for 10 days in Zhaotong
| Tier | Per day | 10 days total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD $50–$80 | USD $500–$800 |
| Mid-range | USD $100–$200 | USD $1,000–$2,000 |
| Luxury | USD $300+ | USD $3,000+ |
Useful tools
Book your Zhaotong trip
We may earn a commission when you book through these links. This does not affect our editorial recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the daily budget for Zhaotong?
Do I need a visa to visit Zhaotong?
How do I get from the airport to the center of Zhaotong?
Can I use 10 days for both Zhaotong and a side trip?
Is Zhaotong safe for tourists?
See also: Zhaotong travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.