11 Days In-depth Yunnan Tour of Kunming Jianshui Yuanyang Dali Lijiang Shangri-La

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kunming Arrival

   Welcome to the most romantic place in China - Yunnan! A local private driver will greet you at the airport holding a welcome sign with your name. Then you will be transferred directly to your hotel to check in.

   Later on, you can visit Green Lake Park on your own.  Aka Cuihu Park, it is a beautiful urban park in Kunming city center. You will appreciate the natural beauty, enjoy ultimate relaxation, experience local daily life, and even look into the rich cultural and historical relics of Kunming.

   Accommodation: in Kunming

   

2. Day 2: Kunming to Jianshui Tour by Van
   Marvel at the Karst Landscape of Stone Forest

   In the morning, your tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and then take you to Stone Forest to start your Yunnan tour. This place is known for its typical karst landscape. Roaming in the special forest, you will be surprised by the surroundings that can be fantasied into the forms of swords, towers, mushrooms, and even human beings, the scene of which is peculiar and wonderful.

   After lunch, we will drive 2 hours to Jianshui Ancient Town, which can be called a "museum of ancient architecture" and "museum of folk dwellings". You can freely explore the town on your own, or just have a good rest in your hotel keeping energy for the next day's visit.

   Accommodation: in Kunming

   

3. Day 3: Jianshui to Yuanyang Tour by Van
   Learn abou the History and Architecture of Jianshui

   Today your Yunnan tour package in Jianshui takes you to Zhu Family Garden, the mansion built in the late Qing dynasty for Zhu's family. Your tour guide will show you around the garden and delight you with each unique part of the design, including the exquisite decorations, the function of the houses, and the story at that time.

   Then, go to visit Jianshui Confucius Temple, with a history of more than 700 years. The temple adopted the palace-type design with north-south axis symmetry. The whole building is magnificent and well-structured, giving people a sense of solemnity. It also highlights the property of Confucianism.

   

   After the visit, you will have lunch and then be transferred to Yuanyang County for about 3 hours.

   Accommodation: in Yuanyang

4. Day 4: Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour
   Capture the Beautiful Rice Terraces and Glimpse the Hani Culture

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide at the hotel lobby and then take a guided Yuanyang tour of Hani Rice Terraces. It is the masterpiece that Hani minority people left by generations, which looks very spectacular. Walk through the surrounding villages and experience the ethnic customs of Yuanyang. You will also encounter the distinctive architecture and costumes.

   What comes after is Qingkou Hani Ethnic Village. Visitors can experience the essence of Hani terrace culture in just a few hours by walking along the village's stone path and viewing the national costumes, harrows, hoes, looms and other production and living tools.

   Accommodation: in Yuanyang

   

5. Day 5: Yuanyang Back to Kunming by Van
   Visit a Local Market to See the Daily Life of the Native Minority

   After your breakfast, follow your guide to a local market to get down to the daily life of the native minority. You will see people wearing their traditional costumes and women carrying the special pack basket made of bamboo, for carrying babies. Your guide will narrate the customs and other ethnic things to make your today's Yunnan tour more interesting.

   Bid farewell to Yuanyang, you will hop on the comfortable van for a 6-hour ride back to Kunming City. Enjoy the scenery outside the window along the road. When you get to Kunming, the guide will help you check in at a local hotel.

   Accommodation: in Kunming

   

6. Day 6: Kunming to Dali Tour by Van
   Explore the Highlights of Dali from Old Town to Landmark and Lake

   After breakfast, you will be picked up and then driven to the train station. Take the bullet train for 2 hours and get to Dali. Upon your arrival, the local guide will greet you at the train station and then transfer you to the hotel in the Old Town of Dali.

   Here, you can stroll along the alleys of the ancient city and enjoy its languid atmosphere. Also, catch the sight of those wearing traditional ethnic costumes and take a leisure walk in the market street selling various souvenirs.

   

   After that, be guided to visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, with Erhai Lake in the east and Cangshan Mountain in the west. It is an important cultural symbol and iconic landmark of Dali. Finally, explore the Erhai Lake at your own pace. You are encouraged to rent a bike and cycle around the lake, enjoying its beautiful scenery and story of the lake.

   Accommodation: in Dali

   

7. Day 7: Dali to Lijiang Tour by Van
   Gain an Insight into the Bai Minority Culture

   In the morning, you will be transferred to Lijiang from Dali. The journey usually lasts 3-4 hours. Along the road, you will stop by Bai Minority Traditional Houses in Xizhou. Follow your guide to explore the distinctive dwellings with a typical minority culture, and you may also have a chance to see the process of local food making, which is called Baba as the specialty.

   Later, stop by a former mansion of Yan's Family, where you can learn the layout of the Chinese courtyard of Bai minority style and appreciate its wood sculpture as well as the architectural ornament. Stop by Zhoucheng to explore the ancient handcraft of tie-dying. You will have the chance to enter the workshop to learn the procedure of the skill and try to do it (optional, cost on your own).

   

   When you arrive in Lijiang, the guide will then lead you to appreciate the charm of Lijiang Ancient Town. It is characterized by a culture that fully embodies the harmony and integration of man and nature. The road is paved with breccia, which adds a sense of nostalgia and vintage here. When it comes night, the colorful lights make the town glitter and much more attractive. Finally, the guide will help you check in at the hotel.

   Accommodation: in Lijiang

   

8. Day 8: Lijiang Cultural Tour
   Pay a Visit to a Naxi Family to Learn More about the Local Culture

   On today's Yunnan tour in Lijiang, you are arranged to visit the Baisha Village first. It is the original settlement of the Naxi people. The village still retains the antique style, which is quiet and simple. There's a highlight here - Baisha Mural. The painting of the Baisha mural lasts for more than 300 years from the beginning of the Ming dynasty to the Qing dynasty, vividly depicting the local lifestyle and religious impressions.

   

   In addition, you will also pay a visit to a local Naxi family to learn more about the local culture of the inhabitants.

   In the afternoon, explore the Black Dragon Pool Park, which is the landmark scenic spot of Lijiang and the site of researching Dongba culture. You will also be led to the Dongba Museum, learning some history of the Naxi minority people.

   Accommodation: in Lijiang

   

9. Day 9: Lijiang to Shangri-La Tour by Van
   Take a Hike on One of China’s Deepest Canyons

   In the morning you will be transferred to Shangri-La for about 4-5 hours. Before reaching your destination, you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River on the way. The site got its name from the special form of a sudden V-like bend of the stream of the Yangtze River. The Stone Drum Town is less visited but keeps its original visage, which still holds the custom of Market Day. The observation deck of First Bend of the Yangtze River is set in the town.

   Tiger Leaping Gorge is a highlight of your Yunnan tour. This is one of China’s deepest canyons and one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Tiger Leaping Gorge's name originates from the fact that the river’s width is merely more than 50 meters at its narrowest point, where a tiger can jump over in one leap.

   Upon arrival, check in at the hotel in Shangri-La.

   Accommodation: in Shangri-La

   

10. Day 10: Shangri-La Tibetan Tour
    Immerse Yourself in Tibetan Culture and Natural Beauty

    After breakfast, your Shangri-La tour starts at the Songzanlin Temple. Founded in the 17th century during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Ganden Sumtseling Monastery or Guihua Monastery, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Quite similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa looking from afar, the temple collects lots of religious artifacts and precious cultural relics.

    

    After lunch, go to visit China's First National Park - Pudacuo National Park. This is a paradise on Earth with an area of over 500 square miles (1,300 square kilometers). You'll find yourself placed in a painting, with continuous snow mountains around you, grasslands and pastures extending beyond the horizon, and vast, clear lakes reflecting the sky. Bita Lake and Shudu Lake are major attractions in the park.

    Before the end of today's tour, you will visit a local Tibetan family to be fully immersed in the unique cultural atmosphere. You can try traditional Tibetan food and never miss the dance and music shows performed by real Tibetan folks.

    Accommodation: in Shangri-La

    

11. Day 11: Shangri-La Departure

    You will check out the hotel today, and then visit the last station of this Yunnan cultural tour – the Old Town of Dukezong. Built in the Tang dynasty, Dukezong is a Tibetan pronunciation meaning "moonlight city" and "castle built on stone". The layout of the town is like eight petals of a lotus, and the center is the moonlight square. Climb Guishan Hill to view the world’s largest Prayer Wheel and have a panoramic view of the Dukezong Old Town.

    Afterward, the guide will see you off at the airport for your departure. Our 11-day tour in Yunnan ends here.