12 Days Yunnan Highligts Tour

On this trip, you will firstly to experience the wonderful Karst land-form of Jiuxiang Cave and Stone Forest , the move to the south to see the most beautiful terrace fields in Yuanyang and well protected old well, bridge and houses in Jianshui. Then move to the northwest part to view of the crystal waters of Erhai Lake in Dali, and enjoy the outdoor show "Impress Lijinag"under the snow mantled Jade Dragon Snow Mount; explore the Tibetan culture in Shangri-la. This varied trip with great scenery, beautiful nature as well as cultures of difference ethnic group.   

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Day 1 Kunming Arrival (-/-/-)

After meeting with the guide at Kunming airport, then transfer to the hotel in downtown. 
Free at leisure the rest time of the day
Meals on your own account
Overnight at Kunming

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Day 2 Kunming-Stone Forest (B/L/D)

After the breakfast ,have a nice walk in Green Lake Park (which is one of the most picturesque park in downtown Kunming. )  Then move to Yuantong Temple (Adopting the style of garden architecture which typical of the south of the Yangtze River region in the building of a solemn Buddhist temple is unique feature of the temple. ) Afterward, transfer south about 90km  to discover Jiuxiang Cave (In Yunnan Province it is a well-equipped comprehensive scenic region which is famous for its caves, mountains, rivers, deep valleys, minority customs and cultures.
Finally, drive (30m) and check in your hotel nearby  stone Forest Park.
Overnight at Stone Forest

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Day 3 Stone Forest - Yuanyang (B/L/D)

This morning, firstly visit Stone Forest  Park with a area of 12 square kilometers. You will see the difference  types of limestone of here is isolated, exquisite and beautiful, showing its unique charm. It became the member in the list of World Nature Heritage in June , 2007.) After lunch,transfer to next destination Yuanyang ( 4-5hrs ) is located at 2000 meters above sea level and the entire mountains here are sculpted with terrace-field commonly called the ladder of the sky.
Lunch and dinner at Chinese restaurant.
Overnight at Yuanyang

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Day 4 Yuanyang (B/L/D)

Whole day enjoy the view of the marvelous Yuanyang Terrace fields : the tour will from getting up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise at Duoyishu Village Spend your day outside in the villages giving you a unique opportunity to approach the villagers and see their special techniques of agriculture. Later stroll in the local market Have a stop at Qingkou Hani Village for 1hour; Later we will transfer to Tiger Mouth area to take picture of terrace fields under the sunset.  
Lunch and dinner at Chinese restaurant.
Overnight at Yuanyang

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Day 5 Yuanyang -Jianshui (B/L/-)

After breakfast , further driving to Jianshui (3-3,5hrs).
Upon arrival, take the tour of the 2nd largest Confucius Temple in China- Jianshui Confucius Temple  It was build in 1285AD which has been repaired and extended for over 50 times and now occupied an area of 7.6 hectare)
Then move to visit Family Zhus Garden(The complex of total area of 20,000 square and was  bulit  in the later Qing Dynasty.It enjoys the fame ''the Daguan Garden at a Border Town'')
Finally walking along the streets of  the Old area of Jianshui to see the difference types of Old Wells  and the local Doufu workshop how to use the water for well to make the famous snack --Doufu.
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Jianshui

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Day 6 Jianshui -Kunming -Dali (B/L/-)

In the morning,  move to visit Tuanshan Village ( A village has preserved a great number of ancient and traditional architectures more than 100 years old . Most of the houses are made of clay walls and tile roofs.)  On the way , stop at Twin Dragon Bridge ( This stone bridge is well combination of science and art, and endowed as the first in Yunnan in terms of size and artistic value.)Afterward, drive back to Kunming (4-4.5hrs ). Have the tour of Xinmeng Village in Tonghai which is the only Mongolian Village in Yunnan.  

Then transfer to high speed train (2hrs) to Dali. Upon arrival, be picked up and check in your hotel in Dali Old Town area.

Overnight on Dali

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Day 7 Dali (B/L/-)

Today firstly visit the morning market of Xizhou Town It’s known as a historical town, a classic Bai ethnic town. Followed by a walking around in the old street of Xizhou and to witness the Bai traditional architectures. Later enjoy the "Three-Course" Tea  ceremony which is the traditional treating for Bai people to their honored guests. 
Continue to  take a cruise tour  in Erhai Lake by the small boat you will enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas from a far as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake. Finally discover the Dali Old Town. (Dali old town was set up in 1382 A.D as the capital of the Dali kingdom.  Now, only the south and north gate towers remain standing. There are well-preserved traditional houses of the Bai Ethnic Group people. 
Lunch at Chinese restaurant,dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Dali 

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Day 8 Dali-Lijiang (B/L/-)

This morning, departure to Lijiang  with your Chinese speaking driver (2-2.5hrs). Upon arrival, meeting your local guide and star the tour from Black Dragon Pond (As the water here is a lucid green color, There are many distinctive and ravishing sites in the park. Hiding in the lush trees or standing along the liquid pool is the antique and exquisite architectural pieces, which are in the style of Naxi.) and know about the Dongba Culture of Naxi people at the Dongba Culture Museum nearby.
Then enjoy leisure time at Lijiang Dayan Old Town  ( a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture.The old town looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab. Lijiang was placed on the world cultural heritage list in 1997.)
Overnight at Lijianig

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Day 9 Lijiang (B/L/-)

Morning drive to visit The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ( it is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere.) with a chair lift ride to up and down to visit the Yak Meadow (3750m ) this place is a quiet grass field. The place is very peaceful and devoid of crowd. Most people say that this place is comparable to Switzerland and Sweden when it comes to its mountainous beauty. And enjoy the outdoor Show"Impress Lijiang Lijiang " (regular seat) which is directed by Mr Zhang Yimou, the show is demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of Naxi, Yi and Bai minorities in Lijiang area.
Continue to visit Baisha Fresco (The greatest feature of the frescos is the syncretism. Figures of Buddism, Taoism and Lamaism are painted together, which is peculiar in the world.) Later, move to  Shuhe Old Town (It is an ancient trade post for tea caravans between China and the Red Sea, is set to regain its past prosperity with the launch of a new protection program. This town is the former city center of LiJiang and has a history of more than 1000 years.).
Overnight at Lijiang

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Day 10 Lijiang -Shangri-La ( Zhongdian ) (B/L/-)

Today you will drive north to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) via Qiaotou along the Yunnan-Tibetan road.
After around 2hrs’driving, take a stop on the way to make a bird view of The First Bend of the Yangtze River, a world-famous geological phenomenon and an extraordinary panoramic scene whose vistas you will long remember with great pleasure.
Continue to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge (Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Gorge), which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.
After the tour,  drive to Shangri-La ( 2-2.5hrs ). Shangri-la formerly known as Zhongdian and sometimes called 'Gyalthang' in Tibetan, where is the Tibetan region of Yunnan. Check in your hotel after arrival.  
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Shangri-La

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Day 11 Shangri-La (B/L/-)

After breakfast, making a half day morning tour to Pudacuo National Park ( the park is largest forest park in China. It including Shudu Lake and Bita Lake lakes of there are known for their clear water, and the peaceful environment of the area around here.).
In the afternoon, visit the famous Tibetan Temple Songzanli Monastery (Founded in the 17th century during the reign of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama and nicknamed as Lesser Potala Palace by the locals, is one of the thirteen Tibetan monasteries in the Kangba Region, where Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan join.).
After that, move to Dukezong Tibetan Old Town , Dukezong comes from Tibetan language which means the moonlight city, on the summit of the Guishan Hill in the old town, you will see the largest Pray Wheel in the world. You can try to push the huge pray wheel around with local people together to show your blessing to your family or friends.
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Shangri-La

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Day 12 Shangri-La -Kunming Departure (B/-/-)

Take a morning flight from Shangri-La to Kunming. Upon arrival Kunming airport , you own take the connection flight to the next destination.


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