FROM SEA TO SKY: CHINA’S WINE TRAIL

Hebei, Ningxia & Yunnan
China

September 6 - 19, 2026

Join the Journey
A house perched on a hillside in Shangri-La, Yunnan, China with mountainous terrain in the background, featuring rugged peaks and a partly cloudy sky.
Vineyard with rows of grapevines, mountains in the background, partly cloudy sky overhead.
The Great Wall of China winding through lush green mountains.

Discover China's emerging wine scene through an extraordinary journey that weaves together ancient kingdoms, sacred monasteries, and pioneering winemakers across three distinct terroirs. From the Great Wall's dramatic coastline to the mysterious Western Xia tombs of Ningxia's desert vineyards, and finally to the Tibetan-influenced highlands where French missionaries planted vines 150 years ago, this immersive expedition reveals how China's diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry are shaping a revolutionary wine renaissance. Experience authentic regional cuisines alongside exceptional wines and connect directly with visionary winemakers who are redefining what Chinese wine can be.

  • September 6 - 19, 2026
    14 days / 13 nights
    Starting Qinhuangdao, Hebei and ending in Lijiang, Yunnan

  • Maximum 12 guests
    8 guests required for the trip to go ahead

  • A$18,979.98 per person based on double occupancy.
    For solo travelers, single occupancy available with an additional supplement

  • Pioneer Winemakers & Harvest Season - Connect directly with visionary Chinese vintners during harvest season, tasting exceptional wines from desert vineyards to high-altitude Tibetan terroirs across three distinct wine regions.

    Regional Food Traditions - Experience authentic cuisines from coastal Qinhuangdao specialties to Ningxia's unique desert flavors and Tibetan-influenced Yunnan dishes, discovering how local terroir shapes both wine and food.

    Great Wall Coastal Adventures - Explore where the ancient wall dramatically meets the sea at Shanhaiguan Pass, discovering Ming Dynasty fortifications and the legendary "Old Dragon's Head" extending into the Bohai Sea.

    Desert Tombs & Sacred Temples - Journey through Ningxia's mysterious Western Xia imperial burial grounds and visit the unique Gao Miao Temple combining Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in one remarkable complex.

    Tibetan Monasteries & Mountain Culture - Discover Shangri-La's largest Buddhist monastery and explore French missionary vineyards planted 150 years ago in remote villages where Catholic and Tibetan traditions converge.

    • 13 nights accommodation

    • Ground transportation during trip

    • Domestic flights

    • Meals as noted in itinerary

    • Wine and drink experiences as noted in itinerary

    • Activities and entrance fees as noted in itinerary

    • Bilingual guide

    • English-speaking sommelier

  • View of a pier extending over the ocean with red support columns, wooden railing, and a small observation area at the end, under a partly cloudy sky.

    DAYS 1-3: QINHUANGDAO

    Begin your Chinese wine journey where the Great Wall dramatically plunges into the Bohai Sea. This coastal gateway combines the Ming Dynasty fortress at Shanhaiguan Pass with an emerging seaside wine culture, while the legendary "Old Dragon's Head" offers striking views where ancient stone meets open water. Discover how coastal terroir shapes local wines alongside seafood traditions that have sustained this port for centuries.

  • A traditional Asian-style building with a curved, tiled roof, partially obscured by green foliage, under a clear blue sky.

    DAYS 4-5: YINCHUAN

    Journey into Ningxia’s desert wine region, where Silk Road trading routes now frame some of China’s most acclaimed vineyards. The Western Xia imperial tombs stand as a dramatic backdrop, while pioneering wineries show how desert conditions give rise to distinctive terroir. Taste the contrast between stark desert landscapes and vineyard oases, pairing exceptional wines with Hui Muslim cuisine that reflects the region’s diverse heritage.

  • Dune desert landscape with rolling sand dunes under a hazy sky.

    DAYS 6-7: ZHONGWEI

    Discover where Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian traditions converge at the remarkable Gao Miao Temple, then shift gears at Shapotou’s desert playground. This unique destination combines spiritual contemplation with adrenaline-filled activities like sand boarding down massive dunes and ziplining across the Yellow River, or if you’re looking for something a little more chill, then floating on traditional sheepskin rafts through desert oases. Lastly taste the dishes that have sustained desert life for centuries.

  • A rock cairn with colorful prayer flags and a figure at the top, overlooking a large river and mountains in the background.

    DAYS 8-10: SHANGRI-LA

    Ascend to the Tibetan highlands where monasteries rise above some of China’s highest vineyards, their altitude shaping wines of remarkable clarity and depth. The Songzanlin Monastery anchors this landscape with centuries of spiritual practice, while local winemakers show how thin air and fierce mountain light define the region’s style. Explore Tibetan life through monastery rituals, prayer wheels, and highland dishes that sit naturally alongside these bold, high-altitude wines.

  • View of Lijiang, Yunnan, a UNESCO world heritage town in China with tiled rooftops, green trees, and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky. A wooden sign with red and black Chinese characters and a traditional lamp are in the foreground.

    DAYS 11-14: LIJIANG

    Conclude your journey in the Naxi heartland, where UNESCO-listed towns still carry the legacy of the Tea Horse Road. Join local masters to learn ancient tea-making techniques or forage wild botanicals to craft your own gin. Wander the cobblestone streets of old Lijiang, reflecting on your wine journey as you see how centuries of trade shaped regional flavours through distilling and brewing traditions passed down for generations.

GET OFF THE EATEN TRACK WITH US

Our tours are deliberately small, created for travelers who crave discovery and connection. Register your interest and if there’s room we’ll be in touch to arrange a quick call—so we can get to know you, and you can get a taste of what’s waiting Off The Eaten Track.

Image credits:
James Wheeler via Unsplash
Visiondaillerus1 via Pixabay
 
Peggy Marco via Pixabay
August Zhang via Unsplash
 
Niteesh Yadav via Unsplash
Wolfgang Hasselmann via Unsplash
 
James Wheeler via Unsplash
Rogan Yeoh via Unsplash