10 Days Yunnan and Tibet Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kunming
   Enjoy Panoramic Kunming Views and Intricate Carvings at Dragon Gate

   Welcome to our 10-day Yunnan and Tibet Tour! Kunming, known as the City of Eternal Spring, is the starting city for your trip in Yunnan. Upon your arrival at the airport, your private local driver will greet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall by holding a welcome sign. And then, he/she escorts you to your comfortable hotel to check in and freshen up.

   

   In the afternoon, you guide will lead you to Xishan Mountain, Western Hill, just outside of Kunming, about an hour's drive. It is known for its dense forests as well as its prime location offering panoramic views of the city. The Dragon Gate is a highlight here. You will be amazed by intricate pavilions & sculptures carved into the cliffs. Enjoy beautiful panoramic city views of Kunming from the Dragon Gate.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Kunming

2. Day 2: Kunming to Lijiang Tour by High-speed Train
   Explore the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, Stroll through the Scenic Green Lake

   After breakfast, your guided Kunming tour begins at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stone Forest in Shilin Yi Autonomous County. Featuring the remarkable karst landforms, the Stone Forest greets you with various limestone shapes including columns, cones, pagodas, and mushrooms, etc. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery and capture some stunning photos with your camera.

   

   After that, you will enjoy a lunch of local specialties in a restaurant near the Stone Forest. Drive back to Kunming downtown and visit the Green Lake, one of Kunming's most beautiful city parks. Take a leisurely stroll here and perhaps, you will also find locals dancing or playing musical instruments. After the tour, you will be escorted to the Kunming Railway Station for a high-speed train to Lijiang.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Lijiang

3. Day 3: Lijiang Tour
   Experience Naxi Culture, Ancient Murals, Mountain Views, and Old Town

   Today, your Yunnan Lijiang tour takes you to Yuhu Village. Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Naxi Minority Village is the birthplace of the Naxi ethnic group and has a rich history and culture. The Austrian-American scholar Joseph Rock lived here for a long time, and his former residence is now an attraction.

   

   Next, transfer you to Baisha Village, a beautiful traditional Naxi-style old town. Baisha Murals here are the must-see sites that have been enrolled in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO 1997. Then, go to visit Dongba Culture Museum, which houses more than 12,000 artifacts that fully demonstrate the mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people.

   Black Dragon Pool Park, also known as Jade Spring Park, located at the foot of Elephant Mountain in Lijiang. With the backdrop of the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Black Dragon Pool attracts many photographers with its five-hole bridge, the Moon Tower and the reflection of the snow mountain in the pool. Grab your camera and record this wonderful view.

   

   Last, explore the Lijiang Old Town leisurely, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the famous towns on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. As you explore the ancient town, you'll encounter traditional Naxi courtyard houses and bustling bazaars. With an in-depth explanation from your private tour guide, you will get a real insight into the local way of life.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Lijiang

4. Day 4: Lijiang to Shangri-La Tour
   Explore the Dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge with its Legendary Rock

   After breakfast, the local driver will pick you up from your hotel, and drive you to Shangri-La. Along the way, you will visit The First Bend of Yangtze River. The rolling yellow Yangtze River, blocked by cliffs in Shigu Town, suddenly make a sharp turn into a "Ⅴ" shaped curve.

   Then continue driving north for about 1 hour to one of the deepest canyons in China - Tiger Leaping Gorge. You will see the huge Tiger Leaping Rock. It is said that a tiger once leaped from one side of the gorge to the other with this rock. This's why the gorge is called "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

   

   After the tour, we drive to Shangri-La city. Shangri-La was immortalized in the novel "The Lost Horizon" by a famous British author. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and have a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shangri-La

5. Day 5: Shangri-La Tour
   Discover Shangri-La's Cultural and Natural Treasures

   Shangri-La has a totally different appearance from the past places where you will start to meet Tibetan elements. The first site today is Songzanlin Monastery which is the largest Tibetan monastery in the Yunnan area and is famed as the "Small Potala Palace". It was built along the hillside, looking like an old castle, showing the brilliant construction technology of Tibetan.

   After that, drive about 30km to the picturesque Pudacuo National Park. The park is definitely a priceless gift from nature: with an altitude between 3,500 meters and 4,159 meters, it collects rich natural resources including geology and landforms, lake wetlands, meadows, rivers and valleys, and rare plants and animals. The amazing scenery here will make you can't stop the camera in your hands and marvel at this wonderland. Afterwards, you will be guided to a Tibetan family and enjoy special Tibetan butter tea there.

   

   Return to Shangri-La to explore the Dukezong Ancient Town. It's the largest and best-preserved Tibetan population in China and also a very important stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Besides, you can walk up to the top of Guishan Hill to appreciate the typical Tibetan-style view - Prayer Wheel. From there, you will have a bird-view of Shangri-La County and Duzekong Ancient Town.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shangri-La

   

6. Day 6: Shangri-La to Lhasa Tour by Flight

   After breakfast, say goodbye to your China tour in Yunnan. Then your private driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Lhasa, the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as the City of Light, is a gathering place for devotees. Upon arrival, a local driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Along the way you can enjoy the Himalayan landscape and unique Tibetan architecture.

   Tips:

   • To reduce or avoid symptoms of altitude sickness, you are advised to avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa.
   • Do not take a shower to avoid catching a cold.
   • Avoid drinking alcohol.
   • Drink plenty of water and get enough rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

7. Day 7: Lhasa Tour
   Visit Tibet’s Summer Palace and Lively Monk Debates

   After breakfast in the hotel, your Tibet tour starts at the Norbulingka Park, a UNESCO-listed park established in the 18th century to serve as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lama. It is a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, where you can see beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, elegant pavilions, and vivid murals.

   

   Following that, we will transfer to Drepung Monastery, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Founded in 1416, this sprawling monastery houses exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals and other valuable art treasures. It showcases Tibetan architectural brilliance and artistic splendor.

   Continue your journey to the renowned Sera Monastery. Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, this temple is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa and is the latest of the three to be built. Here you will witness the monks engaging in lively debates, a centuries-old tradition. Sera Monastery is also home to many ancient murals and tens of thousands of Vajra statues, both locally made and a few brought from India.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

8. Day 8: Lhasa Tour
   Be Amazed by the Sacred Potala Palace, Filled with Statues, Murals, Priceless Artifacts

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit Potala Palace, a sacred place in the hearts of all pilgrims. The Potala Palace contains two parts, the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace, named after the white color of its outer walls, is where the lamas live and operate. The Red Palace is located at the top center of the Potala Palace and has a red exterior wall and consists of numerous pagodas and various Buddhist temples. You will enjoy many artifacts inside the palace, including statues, murals, Thangka paintings, gold and silverware, jade, enamel and other craft treasures.

   

   In the afternoon, your Lhasa tour continues to Jokhang Temple, with a history of more than 1,300 years. This spiritual center, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. After that, stroll through the surrounding Barkhor Street, the busiest commercial street in Lhasa where you can purchase unique Tibetan souvenirs and experience vibrant local culture.

   Please note that taking photos is not allowed in the chapel of the monastery.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

9. Day 9: Lhasa to Namtso Lake Tour
   Experience the Tranquil Beauty of Namtso Lake

   Today, from Lhasa, drive 3.5 hours north to Namtso Lake, one of the "Three Holy Lakes" in Tibet. The lake is the highest lake in the world and the second largest saltwater lake in China after Qinghai Lake. Along the way you can see sheep and yaks grazing on the vast grassland.

   Upon arrival, the first thing that catches the eye is the vast lake surface, which is clear and transparent, presenting a beautiful blue-green color. The lake shimmered in the sunlight, like a huge mirror reflecting the magnificent scenery of the surrounding snow capped mountains. This is an excellent photography opportunity. Besides, you will see many yaks by the lake. You can pay extra to ride a yak and take photos as a souvenir. As the day winds down, we will return to Lhasa.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

10. Day 10: Departure from Lhasa

    After breakfast in the morning, your 10-day Yunnan and Tibet tour comes to a perfect end. The driver will escort you to the airport to catch your flight to your next destination or home! Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A