Overview

China travel map - Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La Tour

The Stone Forest of Kunming, the intact old town of Lijiang, and the magical Tibetan culture in Shangri-La all makes Yunnan a colorful destination. On this 9-day highlights of Yunnan tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, travelers from all over the world, with the company of local guide and driver, can explore the amazing natural scenery, savor up the colorful ethnic culture and experience the interesting local lifestyle. Visit other highlight attractions like Dali Old Town, Erhai Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Shuhe old town, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery...

Duration: 9 days & 8 nights

Destinations: Kunming - Dali - Lijiang -  Shangri-La

Customize Your Tour:
☑  Travel Dates  ☑ Your Interests  ☑ Your Travel Style

Day
Fly over mountains and rivers, arriving in Kunming, be met and welcomed by your Yunnan tour guide at the airport. Transfer with a private vehicle to the hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Today you will explore an essential part of South China Karst (UNESCO world heritage site) -  the Stone Forest (around 80km south-east of Kunming), which is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded for millions of years to their present fanciful forms. Besides, you will visit a primitive village to meet Sani people - one branch of Yi minority, which is with the largest number of population in Yunnan minorities’ family. Transfer back to Kunming. If time permits, take a brisk stroll along Green Lake Park.

Meal: B, L

Meet Sani people

Today you travel from Kunming to Dali, taking 2-hour high speed train, passing cities and villages. After setting into your hotel, transfer to visit Xizhou Old Town. A large area of white-wall-black-eave traditional Bai dwellings first jumps into our sight. Stroll through the town for not only the beautiful architecture but also the Bai ethnic culture, batik workshops, and also local life experience at a traditonal market in Xizhou. In the afternoon, enjoy a private guided tour of Dali Ancient Town, previously the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom and Kingdom of Dali. Walk on the old street lined with old structures to discover many ancient sites such as South City Gate, Yangren Street, Dali Church...

Meal: B, L

Enjoy a delightful morning boating in jewel-like Erhai Lake, one of most beautiful sites in Dali, with a shore excursion to an islet or peninsular to take in the views of surrounding areas and Cangshan Mountain. Get off the boat and visit a fishing village nearby, to learn about Bai people’s traditional way of fishing. In the afternoon, go to see the famous Three Pagodas, An ensemble of three independent pagodas arranged on the corners of a equilateral triangle, It has been a landmark of Dali City and selected as a national treasure meriting preservation in China. Move to Lijiang on private vehicle or a train, and check-in to your hotel.

Meal: B, L

Dali Three Pagodas

Enjoy a wonderful morning, exploring the beautiful landscape of Lijiang. Transfer to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, consisted of 13 towering silver peaks resembling flying silver dragons, hence the name. It is the most important sacred mountain in Lijiang, worshiped by Naxi people. You'll take a cable car to its picturesque Spruce Meadow (including eco-friendly bus), at 3240 m. Take in the views of primeval forests and snow mountains and see flocks of sheep and cattle grazing. Naxi myth depicts Spruce Meadow a purified ideal kingdom. Thereafter, visit a small peaceful village named Yuhu, connected with a beautiful man-made lake, at the foot of JDSM. Walk along the rugged mud-and-stone path to find The Former Residence of Dr Joseph Rock, among rows of brick-and-stone houses. Then trip to Baisha Old Town, the source of Naxi civilization and Lijiang Kingdom. It is less touristy and more authentic than Dayan. If you are interested in Naxi Dongba art, visit Baisha Mural.

Meal: B, L

Start the private guided tour of Lijiang Ancient Town. Built in the late Song and early Yuan Dynasty (late 13th Century), it covers an area of 7.279 square kilometers. Walk on the stone-paved crisscrossed paths through the "maze city" to explore Sifang Street, find many ancient temples, former residences of celebrities, museums, etc. Climb up Lion HIll, the highest place of the old town, getting to Wangu Tower, which you can take in a panoramic view of Lijiang and overlook the idyllic countryside. Then go and visit Black Dragon Pool Park, part of the UNESCO-protected Lijiang site. Visit the Dongba Culture Museum inside the park to learn about Naxi history, culture and language. Free time at the rest of the day.

Meal: B, L

Lijiang Black Dragon Pool

Today it is time to explore Tiger Leaping Gorge, passing by Shigu Town, with a stop to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. Tiger Leaping Gorge stands out for its precipitousness, dangerously deep and spectacular scenery. After flowing through the first bend of the Yangtze River in shigu town, the Jinsha River suddenly turned north and squeezed its way through the gap between the Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, forming the most spectacular grand canyon in the world. The narrowest part of the canyon is the famous Tiger leaping Gorge. After the visit, cotinue your trip, driving about 2 hours, getting Shangri-La, one of the last unexplored places in China.

Meal: B, L

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Start Shangri-La tour on a visit to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan. Of great significance in China’s Tibetan Region, it is celebrated as the “Lesser Potala Palace”, and famous for its architecture masterpiece and Tibetan Buddhist cultural treasures. You may chat with the lamas at the dormitory about Buddhist art and their life. Then you will be invited into a local Tibetan family house, drinking tea, tasting snacks, and learning from the hosts about the Tibetan custom. Thereafter, transfer to Napahai Nature Reserve, a habitat of black-necked crane and other immigrating birds. As the season changes, the lake becomes a vast grassland. End of the day at Dukezong Old Town, or named Moonlight City. Here you may pray for a healthy and happy life by pushing world’s largest payer wheel. 

Meal: B, L

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery


So your 9 day Yunnan tour comes to end. Enjoy your last minute sightseeing around. Then your guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to airport to fly to Kunming, connecting your flight back home.

Meal: B

What's included

  • 1-on-1 Travel Consultant

    Your China based expert listens to your wishes carefully, provides professional advice, ensures unlimited itinerary revisions before done and 24/7 helpline service while traveling.

  • Private Local Guide and Driver

    Your guides are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and your drivers are professional, polite and patient. They are very flexible to accommodate your personal needs and happy to show you the local attractions, history, culture, foods and real life. 
    Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station are also included.

  • Accommodation to Suite Your Preference

    In each place, we hand pick hotels ranging from luxury 5 star, superior 4 star to comfortable 3 star. Luxury or cozy boutique hotels and budget guesthouses are also among your choices. You could decide where to stay to meet your taste and budget.

  • Gourmet Meals

    Most of the hotels we select offer both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner included are arranged in selected restaurants to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and local specialties. Thus you may also have a unique food tour.
    Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.

  • Attractions and Activities Listed on the Itinerary

    Our China tour packages have included the (first/main) entry to all attractions and the expenses of activities on the itinerary (except the optional activities).

  • Internal Transportation

    Based on your needs, we could make bookings of internal transportation, including domestic flights, inter-city trains, long-distance bus, etc.

Quick Question

Comments