This eight-day Yunnan tour takes you from the colorful culture of Kunming to the natural scenery of Dali to the ethnic customs of Lijiang and Shangri-La.
You'll enjoy the stunning beauty of the Stone Forest, the serenity of the Lake Erhai, and the grandeur of the First Bay of the Yangtze River and the thrill of the Tiger Leaping Gorge......
This trip is not only a visual and spiritual feast, but also a deep exploration and realization of this magical land of Yunnan.
Kunming Arrival - Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities - Xishan Mountain
4+stars Hotel
None
When you arrive at Kunming Airport or Railway Station, your local guide will meet you at the arrival hall on time and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. (Note: If you wish to join the afternoon tour, it is recommended that you choose a flight or train that arrives in Kunming before 10:00 a.m.)
Yunnan is the province with the largest number of ethnic minorities in China. This afternoon, we will take you to visit the Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities, which is regarded as the largest ethnic minority museum in Asia. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the profound culture and unique charm of 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan up close.
Then you will visit Xishan Mountain, known as “Sleeping Beauty Mountain”, which offers a panoramic view of Dianchi Pond.
In addition to the natural landscape, there are also ancient sites such as the Dragon Gate(Longmen)where you can enjoy the art of grottoes.
If you are interested, we recommend you to visit HuatingTemple and Taihua Temple. Both temples are included in the entrance fee, where you can enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture and feel the peace of mind.
Stone Forest - Cuihu Park - Dali
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
In the morning, we will come to the Stone Forest, which is regarded as “the essence of the world's karst landscape” and listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Taking a sightseeing bus, we will go deep into the Boulder Forest Scenic Area, as if entering a labyrinth of giant boulders. Along the way, you'll see towering concentrations of rocky peaks and unique panoramas of rocky forests.
Next, we will continue by bus to the Little Stone Forest. Here you will have a chance to see the iconic stone “Asima”, a realistic boulder that resembles a graceful young lady.
While you are visiting the Stone Forest, you can also experience the unique charm of Yi ethnic minority culture, enjoy the traditional songs and dances of the Yi people, and taste the authentic Yi cuisine.
Next, you can take a leisurely walk to the nearby Kunming Cuihu Park. From November to March, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate here, where they spend the warm winter months and become a unique sight in the park.
After today's tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Dali.
Three Pagodas Temple of Dali - Lake Erhai - Dali Ancient Town
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
Early in the morning you will visit the Three Pagodas Temple of Dali, a royal monastery during the Dali Kingdom. Historically, it has been a representative of Buddhist culture and art, attracting many monks and devotees to practice.Afterwards, we will go to the famous Erhai Lake . The water of Erhai is so clear and transparent that it has been called the "Flawless Jade among the Mountains" since ancient times. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus, a boat tour, or try to ride a bicycle around the lake to explore the Erhai Lake.
Optional:
1.The Erhai Sightseeing Bus Tour costs RMB 50 per person for about an hour and follows the shoreline of the Erhai Lake.
2.If
you want to get closer to the Erhai Lake, you can opt for a boat trip,
which lasts about 2 to 3 hours and costs from RMB 145 per person.
3.Of
course, if you love sports as well as want to explore the Erhai Sea
freely, then cycling along the Erhai Sea will be a good choice. The
approximately two-hour bike tour costs from about RMB 50 per person.
Afterwards, we will step into Dali Ancient Town,
the former ancient capital of the Dali Kingdom. Here, you can enjoy the
unique Bai culture. Stroll along the stone streets, admire the ancient
buildings and traditional houses, taste the local cuisine, and visit the
beautiful sites around Dali Old Town, such as Drum Tower and Wuhua Pagoda.
Next, we will explore Honglongjing, Renmin Road and Yangren Street.
These are places where ancient dwellings meet modern bars and cafes.
The bustling stores are filled with Yunnan's specialties and
handicrafts.
Recommended Activities:
You
can learn to make Dali's specialty flower cake. This traditional pastry
is made with fresh rose flowers as the main ingredient, which is very
delicious. After you finish making it, you can take the flower cake home
as a wonderful reminder of Dali culture.
Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng - the Old Town of Lijiang
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will come to the morning market in Xizhou Ancient Town,
where people dressed in traditional costumes trade fresh fruits and
vegetables, meat and daily necessities, giving you a close-up experience
of the Bai people's living atmosphere.
Next, we head to Zhoucheng, the town of tie-dye. You can experience the production process of tie-dye craft and feel the charm of traditional culture.
Afterwards, you will be transferred to Lijiang
for about 2 hours. This is a World Heritage Site and a magical place
where time seems to slow down. You can stroll through the old alleys
around Sifangjie Square, browse the specialty stores and bars, and
experience the hustle and bustle of Lijiang's Old Town.
If you are interested in the history of Lijiang, you can visit the Mufu Palace,
which is the landmark of Lijiang Ancient City and was originally the
office and private residence of the Lijiang Tusi. Now it has become an
important place to understand the history and culture of the Naxi
people.
Recommended Activities:
Climbing up to the Shizishan
Observation Deck, you will have a magnificent panoramic view of the
whole Lijiang Old Town. You can also see the Yulong Snow Mountain in the
distance.
Yuhu Village - Baisha Village - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
In
the morning, you will depart for an ancient village. At the southern
foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there is a village called “Wuluken”, which
means village at the foot of the snow mountain, and this is the Yuhu Village.
Facing a crystal clear lake, the village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with magnificent views. With blue skies, white clouds and fresh air, it is a paradise away from the city.
Afterwards, you will proceed to Baisha Ancient Village to admire the Baisha murals at Dabao and Liuli Monastery, which were painted 500 years ago, showing the fusion of Dongba culture and Tibetan Buddhist style.
Then you will go to Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe Ancient Town is an ancient Naxi town full of historical heritage. With rich historical and cultural heritage and unique folk customs, it is an important window to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.
Next you will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, a museum focusing on the display and preservation of the Naxi Dongba culture, an important place to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi people and the Dongba culture.
The First Bay of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La Dukezong Old Town - Guishan Mountain Park
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
The first destination of today's trip is: the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It crosses the towering Hengduan Mountains, forming a unique canyon landscape.
Next you will see the stunning view of the Yangtze River rushing down from the Tibetan Plateau and making a sudden turn to form a spectacular U-shaped bend near the town of Shigu, which is known as the "First Bay of the Ten Thousand Mile Yangtze River". This scene is rare in the world and is a paradise for photographers.
Afterwards, we will visit the Red Army Long March Monument and other attractions.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a section of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and one of the deepest gorges in China. The width of the river at its narrowest point is only a few dozen meters, and it is said that a tiger can leap over it, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Gorge".
Today, we will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge
- one of the most famous attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along
the trestle for about 1,000 steps and feel the shock of the tumbling
river.
(Tips: Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for
most travelers with good physical strength. To ensure the comfort of
your journey, it is recommended that you wear comfortable hiking shoes.)
After the hike, we will depart for Shangri-La, which is known as the Garden of Eden on earth. Shangri-La has magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast meadows, and clear seas will bring you endless surprises.
You will continue to explore the old town of Dokuzong, one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complexes in China. Located in the heart of the old town is Guishan Mountain Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will overlook the snow-capped mountains.
Songzanlin Temple - Potatso National Park - Visit to a Tibetan Family
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery. This magnificent temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace" because it is modeled after the architectural style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Visitors can experience the strong religious and cultural atmosphere here and observe the real scenes of monks' daily life - praying and chanting. You will feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture
If you have enough time, you can also take a walk along the shores of Lake Lamyangtso, where the clear waters of the lake reflect the panoramic view of the Songzanlin Monastery.
Next, you will go to Pudacuo National Park. It has a comprehensive natural landscape of highland lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, meadows and pastures.
There are also many hiking routes to choose from in the park, allowing you to explore this natural wonderland more deeply.
Tips: Pudacuo Park is at an altitude of 3500m-4150m, please avoid strenuous exercise to avoid plateau reaction. In addition, some areas may be temporarily closed due to environmental protection needs
After a pleasant day in Pudacuo, we will visit a local Tibetan family.
You will experience the life of the Tibetan people, taste the authentic
Tibetan snacks and buttered tea, and learn the process of making
buttered tea with the locals.
Shangri-La Departure
Breakfast
This is the end of our journey. We will transfer you to the airport or train station to your next destination.
As you leave, we hope you will take away with you your deep affection and fond memories of this land, and we look forward to seeing you again.
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