7 Days Kunming – Dali – Shangri-La – Lijiang Small Group Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kunming

   Welcome to our 7-day Yunnan Group Tour! Upon your arrival at Kunming airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board and transfer you to downtown hotel.

   The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can have a good rest at the hotel or freely explore the city on your own.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Kunming

2. Day 2: Kunming to Dali Tour by Bullet Train
   Marvel at the Remarkable Karst Landforms of Stone Forest

   After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at 8:30 am and then transfer you to explore the Green Lake Park, one of the most beautiful city parks in Kunming. Taking a leisurely stroll here, you can admire the large tulips in spring, the beautiful lotus flowers in summer, and witness thousands of red-billed gulls flying in from the north competing for food in winter. Perhaps, you will also find locals dancing, playing musical instruments and practicing Tai Chi.

   Then, drive for about 85 km to the famous Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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.

   In the late afternoon, you will be escorted to the railway station to take a high-speed train to Dali. Upon arrival, the Dali tour guide and driver will meet you and then transfer you to the hotel for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Dali

   

3. Day 3: Dali Tour
   Experience Bai Culture - Three-course Tea & Tie-dye

   After breakfast, your Yunnan tour in Dali will take you to Xizhou Ancient Town to savor the Three-course Tea. This is a traditional drink of the Bai people, which is divided into three stages: bitter tea, sweet tea and reminiscent tea. Afterwards, transfer you to Zhoucheng to visit a tie-dye workshop to learn about the process of dye making and how it is done.

   

   After lunch, we head to the Erhai Lake to feel the gentle sea breeze. Finally, we explore Dali Old Town. Located at the foot of the scenic Cangshan Mountain, Dali Ancient City has a history of more than 2,000 years, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Once an important political, cultural and commercial center, it has preserved many exquisite ancient Bai buildings and cultural heritages. There are many stores in the ancient city dealing with local specialties such as marble carvings, ethnic costumes and local specialty foods. After the visit, return to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Dali

   

4. Day 4: Dali to Shangri-La Tour
   Visit China's Deepest Canyon and Explore the Tibetan Ancient City

   After breakfast, the local English-speaking guide and the 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".

   

   Upon arrival, start your Shangri-La tour at 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

   Accommodation: in Shangri-La

   

5. Day 5: Shangri-La Tour
   Explore Grandeur at Songzanlin Monastery & Napahai Lake's Seasonal Wonders

   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.

   

   Afterwards, you will be guided to Napahai Lake and visit a local Tibetan family. Napahai, meaning "lake next to the forest" in Tibetan, is an ideal habitat for rare species such as the black-necked crane. In different seasons, the Napahai presents different beauties: green grass in spring, undulating sea of grass in summer, golden colors in autumn, and snow-capped mountains in winter.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shangri-La

   

6. Day 6: Shangri-La to Lijiang Tour
   Discover Lijiang's History, Culture, and Natural Beauty

   In the morning, we will drive around 3 hours to Lijiang to visit Lijiang Old Town. This old town won its name nationwide with its unique historical, cultural, and tourist value and is listed as one of World Cultural Heritage. It's home to Naxi Ethnic Minority, located on the plateau 2,400 meters above sea level.

   With the well-preserved unique architecture, the layout of the town, distinct traditional customs, and folk culture, you will find the ever achievement of the Chinese ancient city. Besides these shining titles, Lijiang is "Utopia" in China, especially for the youth trying to escape from the pressure of modern life.

   

   Then, head to 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.

   Today's Lijiang tour ends at Dongba Culture Museum, which houses more than 12,000 artifacts that fully demonstrate the mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. After the tour, check in at your local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lijiang

   

7. Day 7: Departure from Lijiang
   Unwind in Shuhe & Baisha Towns and Delve into Yuhu Village's Rich History

   After breakfast, spend a leisurely time in Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi ancestors in Lijiang. Walking through the streets and alleys of the town, you can be surprised by the tranquility and elegance of the town. Later on, come to visit Baisha Old Town, 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. Transfer you back to your Lijiang hotel after the tour.

   Then head 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.

   Your 7-day Yunnan group tour comes to an end. You will be transferred to Lijiang Airport.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A