South China Train Tour
Overview
See the best scenery in southern China and save! Your train trip starts at visiting cuddly pandas in Chengdu, and then go to the colorful Yunnan, discovering the magical Shangri-La, riding through the Bai villages in Erhai, peaceful ancient town Lijiang as well as the snow-capped Mountains; Taking bullet train from Dali to Kunming to visit Stone Forest, and travel further to Jianshui Old Town for the historic Narrow-gauge Railway and more exploration.
Duration: 13 days & 12 nights
Destinations: Chengdu- Shangri-La - Lijiang - Dali - Kunming - Jianshui - Kunming
Travel style: Private tour
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Itinerary Expand All
Drive for about 2 hours to Leshan to see world’s biggest stone-carved Buddha sculpture. The Leshan Giant Buddha was completed finished in the 8th-century after 90 year’s construction, as high as 71-meter. Then pay a visit to Huanglongxi Old Town, to experience a total different atmosphere from the modern world. There are ancient archways, temples, cliff tombs, old dwellings and big banyan trees. Transfer to Chengdu.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, you will start today's tour with a visit to Chengdu Research and Breeding Center of Giant Panda. Usually panda get fed in the morning, it is the most active period during the day. Watch a film at Panda Museum to have some knowledge of pandas. In the afternoon visit People’s Park to have some tea at local teahouse. Take a snack food tour at Jinli Old Street. Catch the night flight to Shangri-La, one of the unexplored places in China. Pick up and transfer to hotel.
Kind Reminder
- Average altitude of Shangri-la is 3459m. Please make sure your physical condition is fine to the area. It’s best to ask your doctors for precautions and do a physical examination before your coming. During your time in Shangri-la, please avoid fast walking, alcohol, smoking and drink extra water, especially on the arrival day.
Meal: B, L
Have a refreshing morning, exploring Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. Take the shuttle bus to see the jade-like Shudu Lake and Bita Lake and other amazing plateau sceneries. This afternoon pay a visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, where many Buddhist relics and art treasures are preserved. If you’re interested in, your guide can lead you to the dormitory where the lamas live. Respect them and chat with them to learn about their lifestyle and customs.
Meal: B, L
Before leaving Shangri-La, have a stroll at Ancient Town of Shangri-La, named Dukezong or Moonlight City. Continue your journey, heading for Lijiang. En route, pay a visit to Xiaozhongdian Pasture, which is especially beautiful in spring and summer, with wild azalea flowers. Then enjoy a brisk walk at Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most beautiful canyons in China and beyond. Walk up and down the plank road for about one thousand stairs to Tiger Leaping Rock for an amazing view of the mountains, high roads (hiking paths) and the roaring Jinsha River down on the bottom. After the tour at Tiger Leaping Gorge, keep driving to Lijiang. Check in your hotel.
Meal: B, L
Drive to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain - 'God of Sanduo' of Naxi people. Take cable car to Yak Meadow. Then go to Yuhu Village, where the houses were made of a unique stone called monkey head by Naxi people. Visit Former Residence of Joseph Rock . At last, pay a visit to Shuhe Town, with an altitude of 2440 meters above sea level, it is a tranquil town with a population of about 3000 people.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
- Impression Lijiang Show - a fantastic open-air show showcasing the local Naxi minority culture, with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the backdrop
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Lijiang Ancient Town including a panaramic view of the whole town and the distant mountains and valleys from the Lion Hill. Visit Black Dragon Pool (also called Jade Spring Park) and Dongba Museum. Dongba culture refers to the traditional writings, religion, music, and customs of ethnic Naxi people. Move to Dali in the afternoon by train running for around 2.5 hours
Meal: B, L
This morning enjoy boating on Erhai Lake and view the surrounding fishing villages. With an altitude of 1972 meters above sea level, the Lake is a beautiful highland lake of Yunnan Province and one of the seven largest fresh water lakes in China. Later, admire The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, the iconic structure of Dali. And explore Dali old Town. The town’s layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the town, which has remained unchanged to this date.
Meal: B
Visit morning market at Xizhou Town, when it reaches its peak time. And then go for the traditional residential houses of Bai people – the houses with gray-green roof tiles, peculiar workshops, temples, schools and churches with antique flavor are scattered. Enjoy your free time before transfer to rail station. Take speed train to Kunming (around 2hrs).
Meal: B, L
Visit Stone Forest, which is about 120 km from Kunming City and requires only a 1.5-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers and includes both large and small forest as well as many other scenic spots. A visit to a minority village on the way where you can enjoy precipitous hills, beautiful lakes and an integration of the customs, religious and architecture of the 26 nationalities. Take a free walk at Old Streets, a historical and cultural area with old style buildings.
Meal: B, L
Drive to Jianshui Old Town, visit the ancient structures, especially Family Zhu's Courtyard Houses. This grand complex is a typical local residence with distinctive features. The Chinese style furnitures in the room, the hollow carved window, flowers in the yard and tea table will bring you back to Qing Dynasty. Walk the historical streets to trace history and discover many local snack foods.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, explore more of Jianshui by the “Little train of Jianshui Ancient Town”. The old railway station is a pleasant surprise for rail enthusiasts. By taking the little train and in wooden compartment, you can enjoy idyllic scenery and chat about the memory of childhood. The 13km railway takes about two hours, one the way you will have chance to get off the train and visit Double-Dragon Bridge, Xianghui Bridge and Tuanshan. Later drive back to Kunming.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination. End of your 13 days China tour by rail.
Meal: B