10 Days Classic Yunnan Tour with Dongchuan Red Land

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kunming Arrival

   You'll start your 10-day Yunnan tour with Dongchuan Red Land from Kunming. After arriving at Kunming, our local driver will be ready to welcome you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in downtown Kunming.

   The rest of the day is for you to explore this city yourself. Feel free to ask your guide for some ideas.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Kunming

2. Day 2: Kunming to Dongchuan Red Land Exploration Tour
   Appreciate the Vibrant Colors of the Red Soils

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Then, drive about 3 hours to Dongchuan Red Land. Famous for its multi-layered terrain and vibrant colors of the red soil that is dotted with crops of different colors, Dongchuan Red Land is often referred as "God's overturned palette".

   

   Start your Dongchuan trip with a visit to Shuipingzi Terraced Fields, aka Moon Terraced Fields, which is the only area suitable for rice cultivation among the surrounding red soil hills. The vista of terraced fields stretching across mountain slopes layer upon layer creates a spectacular scenery for photography.

   Then, head to the Thousand-year-old Ancient Tree, a landmark of Dongchuan that stands alone on the red land, and is surrounded by vast red plains. Continue your visit to Luoxia Valley to catch the extraordinary sunset spectacle. Feast your eyes with brilliant colors and dreamlike light and shadow effects.

   After that, drive to your hotel in Dongchuan Red Land.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dongchuan Red Land

3. Day 3: Dongchuan Red Land Discovery, Drive to Shilin
   Catch the Stunning Sunrise in Dongchuan Red Land

   Get up early in the morning to catch the stunning sunrise in Dongchuan Red Land. You'll get to Damakan, one of the best spots to witness the terraced fields and the red soil bathed in the golden sunrise light in Dongchuan Red Land.

   Move on to Jinxiu Garden which features a color contrast of layered and vibrant red soil and different crops. Marvel at the richly colored soil at Qicai Slope. Different mineral contents in this area contribute to the diverse colors of the soil. Ranging from deep red and brown to light yellow and dark green, the fields in this area look like a rainbow spreading across the hills.

   After that, visit Yuepuao, a little village known for its undulating fields and well-arranged terraces. The colorful lines of the terraces and fields are beautifully reminiscent of musical staves.

   At the end of the day, conclude your visit to Dongchuan and drive to Shilin County for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Shilin County

   

4. Day 4: Stone Forest Tour, Kunming to Dali by High-Speed Train
   Explore Million-year-old Limestone Pillars

   After breakfast, start your Yunnan tour in Kunming with an exploration of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest. A stunning karst landscape, Stone Forest attracts tourists from around the world with its numerous million-year-old limestone pillars, towering stone peaks, mysterious caves, etc. Inhabited by the Yi and Sani people for generations, this area will also offer you rich ethnic and cultural experiences, like traditional performances, and Yi Torch Festival.

   

   Following the adventure at Stone Forest is a visit to Green Lake Park, at the heart of Kunming City. A haunt for locals to relax and enjoy entertainment, the park teems with numerous antique pavilions, elegant bridges, lush islands, and diverse plants and birdlife.

   After the leisure time at Green Lake Park, hop on the 2-hour high-speed train to Dali in the evening.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dali

5. Day 5: Dali Highlights Tour
   Visit the Essence of Dali - Dali Old Town & Three Pagodas

   Today is for you to explore the best highlights of Dali. After breakfast, follow your guide to visit the iconic landmark of Dali - Three Pagodas in Chongsheng Temple. All in typical Tang Dynasty style, these three pagodas stand as a representative masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture, featuring elegant eaves on each floor, and exquisite carvings and Buddha statues inside.

   Then, enjoy your leisure time at Erhai Lake. Surrounded by Cangshan Mountain and several ancient Bai villages, a visit to Erhai will reward you with breathtaking views of mountains and water, and chances to join local cultural activities. You can either rent a bike to cycle around the lake or hot on a traditional wooden boat to enjoy the lakeside views from a different angle.

   

   In the late afternoon, explore the essence of Dali - Dali Old Town. Dating from the Nanzhao kingdom period, Dali Old Town still retains its street layout from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many ancient buildings and traditional Bai ethnic residences. You can stroll along its stone-paved roads to admire the ancient towers, temples, Bai architectural wonders and taste authentic Bai ethnic food.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dali

   

6. Day 6: Dali to Lijiang Tour
   Experience the Culture of the Bai Ethnic Minority

   After breakfast, your Yunnan trip continues in Xizhou Ancient Town. One of the best-preserved Bai ethnic settlements, Xizhou Ancient Town is home to numerous lavishly decorated Bai buildings. You will visit the most outstanding Yan Family Compound to look into the Bai people's architectural art. Built by a Bai merchant in the Qing Dynasty, the compound features a unique style, combining Chinese and Western elements, as well as traditional Bai architectural essences.

   You'll have free time to visit a local morning market to witness the bustling scene of locals buying and selling. Don't miss the Bai Three-Corse Tea in Xizhou, a unique tea-drinking custom of the Bai people.

   

   After lunch, be transferred to visit Zhoucheng Old Town which is famous for its ancient handmade tie-dye art. You'll see how locals create unique patterns and colors by using natural plant dyes.

   Continue driving to the UNESCO-listed Lijiang Ancient Town in the late afternoon. After hotel check-in, immerse yourself in the well-retained Naxi houses, canals, and Dongba culture.

   Visit Mu Palace, the residence of the former chieftains of the Naxi ethnic group which has witnessed local Naxi history for centuries. Then, stroll around Sifang Street Square, the vibrant heart of Lijiang Ancient Town. As the entertainment center of the ancient town, Sifang Street is bustling with various vendors, bars, restaurants, and cafes. Enjoy the local vibrant nightlife there.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Lijiang

   

7. Day 7: Lijiang Exploration Tour
   Take a Leisurely Stroll in the Town along the Ancient Tea Horse Road

   Today is for you to discover more of Lijiang's natural landscapes and cultural heritage. You’ll first visit Yuhu Village about 18 km away from Lijiang City. With the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its backdrop, Yuhu Village will entertain you with traditional stone houses, pristine natural landscapes, and unique Naxi culture.

   Continue your Lijiang tour to Baisha Village to appreciate the famous Baisha murals. An example of the coexistence of multiple cultures in Lijiang, Baisha Murals will introduce you to the fusion of culture and religious art of the Naxi, Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic groups in this area.

   

   Next, drive to Shuhe Ancient Town, a well-preserved trading town along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Here you can either stroll through the stone-paved streets to feel the rich Naxi culture elements and rustic atmosphere or enjoy a quiet moment in an old workshop or teahouse.

   In the afternoon, visit a Dongba Culture Museum in the ancient town to admire many Dongba scriptures, paintings, costumes, etc., getting a better understanding of the unique Naxi Dongba culture.

   End the day at Black Dragon Pool Park for stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Lijiang

8. Day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour, Shangri-La Arrival
   Hike the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge to Catch the Beautiful Natural Views

   After breakfast, check out your hotel in Lijiang and embark on the trip to Shangri-La. En route, make a stop at the First Bend of the Yangtze River lying near the border between Lijiang and Shangri-La. The Yangtze River makes a dramatic "V"-shaped turn in this region, forming such a breathtaking spectacle for photographers and nature enthusiasts. There are viewing platforms for you to take some great photos.

   Near the First Bend of the Yangtze River is the Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the best hiking paradise in the world. Today, you’ll hike the upper Tiger Leaping Gorge for about 2.5 hours to catch the stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and feel the awe of the majestic Jinsha River.

   After the hike, continue your drive to Shangri-La and check into your hotel after arrival.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Shangri-La

   

9. Day 9: Shangri-La Tibetan & Nature Tour
   Understand Tibetan Culture through Visiting Monastery and a Local Family

   After breakfast, begin your Shangri-La tour with a visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Similar to the Potala Palace, Songzanlin Monastery was also built into the hillside, thus was widely called the "Little Potala Palace". It is the great site for visitors to either enjoy panoramic views of surrounding mountains and lakes or to immersively experience local religious life and art.

   

   Followed by a visit to Potatso National Park. As the heart of the UNESCO-listed "Three Parallel Rivers" region, Potatso is home to diverse untouched natural landscapes, including forest streams, expansive meadows, clear Bita Lake and Shudu Lake, deep gorges, and various wildlife.

   After the leisure time at Patatso National Park, you’ll follow your guide to visit a local Tibetan family. The host will be glad to invite you to taste their homemade food, like yak butter tea, and barley wine. If you like, you can learn to make local food and handicrafts with the host.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Shangri-La

10. Day 10: Shangri-La Exploration, Departure
    Turn the World's Largest Prayer Wheel

    This morning is for you to explore the rich Tibetan culture and traditional wooden structures in Dukezong Old Town. One of the largest Tibetan residential areas in China, Dukezong boasts a history of over 1,300 years, and once served as an important hub along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

    A big highlight of the town is the largest prayer wheel in Guishan Park. You can join locals or other tourists to turn the wheel and invoke blessings and good fortune. Also, you can ascend to a higher point of the park to see the entire ancient town and surrounding snow mountains unfold before your eyes.

    

    After the leisure time at Dukezong Old Town, it’s time to say goodbye to Shangri-La. Your guide and driver will escort you to Shangri-La Zhongdian Airport for your departure flight. Your 10-day Yunnan classic tour will end here.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A