In-depth Yunnan Tour by AirAsia
Overview
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Departing at 13:05 from Kuala Lumpur Airport, you will land at Kunming Changshui International Airport at 16:55 after the 3h50m flight. Transfer to have Halal food dinner and check into hotel. Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province, also the political and economic center of the province, as well as the transportation hub to different parts of the province.
Meals: No meal
After breakfast at hotel, drive 83km to the Stone Forest (1.5 hrs), it is a UNESCO Global Geopark (World Heritage sites) featured with the tall and pillar-like limestone scattered and distributed on this area. Here it is also the major habitat for the minority Sani people, a branch of Yi ethnic group in China. Transfer back to Kunming and pay a visit Wanda Plaza for shopping.
Meals: B, L
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to board the bullet train to Dali (2 hrs). Be picked up at train station and transferred to have lunch. After checking into the hotel, transfer to Cangshan Mountain, take the cable car up and enjoy the fantastic view of the mountain and Erhai Lake. If you are a more active traveler, then walk further to take another cable car down. Then transfer to take photos with the Chongsheng Three Pagodas outside the temple.
Later, explore the old town of Dali. With a history of 3000 years, the old town of Dali has been preserved in a 1.5 by 1.5 km wide townsite surrounded by its ancient walls. Now it has become well known as a tourist destination thanks to its picturesque location and historic Bai architecture.
Meal: B, L
Drive to Xizhou, walk into one of the Bai people's Residential Houses. You will see a typical local courtyard, with 3 rooms and a wall screening. And taste Three-course Tea ceremony, which is the tradition of local Bai people to receive their guests at home by offering three courses of tea, described as “the first course of tea is bitter, the second is sweet, and the third is a mixed aftertaste.” You will also have a chance to visit a home-run batik workshop to see the local fabrics with Bai featured partners.
After lunch, drive to Shaxi old town, en route, visit Shibao Mountain which located in the northwest section of Shaxi Town. The Danxia landscape is the most unique view of all and the Shizhongshan Grottoes is another highlight, which were created by the ancient Bai People in Tang (618-907AD) and Song dynasties (850-1179AD). Afterwards, drive 30mins to Shaxi Old town. It is a well-kept Bai Minority village, and it was one of the important trading centers on the Tea-Horse Ancient Road since several hundred years. Have stroll at the peaceful ancient town and stay one night here.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, further explore the 1000-year-old town Shaxi on the Tea-Horse Road. Then drive 1.5 hrs to Lijiang. After hotel check-in and lunch, go ahead to Shuhe Old Town, which is the earliest settlement of Naxi people in Lijiang area when their ancestors first moved here. Compared with Lijiang, the town is less touristy and polished with more original characters. Later, explore the Lijiang old town on your own.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive about 30 km to Ganhaizi Meadow (altitude: 3100m), you will take the sightseeing bus for a short visit through the Baishui River in Blue Moon Valley, then take the cable car up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Proceed to the Spruce Meadow by walking (altitude: 3200m).
After lunch, go to enjoy the must-see Impression Lijiang Show with the snow mountain as the stage backdrop. The show is a spectacular outdoor singing and dancing performance, depicting the traditions and lifestyle of the local ethnic people. Drive back to Lijiang old town. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park. Don’t forget to capture awesome shots of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected on the pool. Free time for our own exploration.
Meals: B, L
After breakfast, drive to board the bullet train to Shangrila (1.5 hrs). After arrival, drive to Pudacuo National Park, located in the core area of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. Discover the Bita Lake, Shudu Lake, plateau pasture yourself. Later, go back to stroll at Shangri-La Old Town, also named Dukezong. It brims over with Tibetan cultural facts such as Buddhist paintings and Tibetan residences side by side. Have a leisure walk through the Tibetan houses.
Meals: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to Nixi Pottery Village, once an important trading post on Tea-horse Road. Merchant caravans used to travel through Nixi to Deqin, heading into Tibet. Nixi is more famous for its black pottery. Visit a workshop to know the local traditional way of pottery making. End the day with the visit to a Tibetan family. Chat with the friend host, and taste some local snacks and drinks. In visit the Songzanlin Monastery built against the hillside, covers an area of 33 hectares (82 acres), it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province.
Take an afternoon train back to Kunming (4.5 hrs). Be picked up at the train station and transferred to your hotel.
Meals: B, L
Drive to the West Hill, and take chairlift up to have a panoramic view of Dian Lake, walk through the Dragon Gate. You will see the stairs were painstakingly chiseled out along the cliffs by a Taoist priest and his followers in the Qing dynasty over 90+ years.
After lunch, go to the Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Archways (Jinma Biji Historic site), which are a symbol of Kunming with a couple of legends as to their origins. It is quite nice to visit and explore the surrounding shops and laneways.
Transfer to the airport and board your AirAsia flight back home (departing at 17:55).
Meals: B, L
