Yunnan is well known for its diverse landscapes and stunning cultures of 26 ethnic groups. From this tour you will explore most section of Yunnan to find that this is such a pure place which contrasts as far as you can feel the harmonic neighborhood of high mountains, tropic forests, waterfalls, and distinct folk customs. Meanwhile to know about cultures and customers of Yi, Hani, Bai, Dai, Chinese Muslim, Naxi, Tibetan people of Yunnan.
Arrive at Kunming airport, our guide will pick up you at exit of the arrival Hall, then head to your hotel for check in.
Rest time of the day at your leisure or have a good rest after long flying.
Overnight at Kunming
Today firstly move to discover Stone Forest. 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, further the driving to Jianshui (3-3.5hrs 220km ) It enjoys the fame of being an ancient cultural city and important gateway.
visit Family Zhu’s Garden (The complex has a total area of 20, 000 square meters. With the well - arranged yards and well-furnished rooms and halls, the structure of the architecture can be described as ''streamlined'' it enjoys the fame ''the Daguan Garden at a Border Town''.）Stroll in the Old area of Jianshui to see the difference types of Old Wells in Jianshui and the Doufu workshop how to use the water for well to make the famous snack --Doufu.
Overnight at Jianshui
Morning visit Jianshui Confucius Temple (Based on its scale, construction standard and excellence in preservation, Jianshui Confucius Temple stands second only in China.) Then drive to visit Tuanshan Village ( This village has preserved a great number of ancient and traditional architectures. Most of the houses are made of clay walls and tile roofs.) And 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.
After lunch, take another 3hrs driving to Yuanyang. It 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. Check in your hotel after arrival.
Overnight at Yuanyang
Gets up early to enjoy the Sunrise view of Terrance fields at Duoyi village. Afterward, stroll in the local market to see the locals dressed with their colorful folk costume do Shopping and bargaining at the market.
Then move to visit Qingkou Hani Village where there is a small culture museum of Hanni people. Enjoy your leisure time stroll along the train of the fields. To watch how the local people farming the fields by their traditional way. In the later afternoon transfer to Tiger Mouth (Laohuzui ) or Bada area where is the best to palace of Yuanyang to take picture of terrace fields under the sunset.
Overnight at Yuanyang
Today continue your journey to Pu’er ( former Simao) through interesting landscapes such as Terrace fields, Tea Garden, valley etc. This journey takes 6-7hrs on the way. You can make a stops to visit local villages.
Check in your hotel after arrival.
Overnight at Pu’er
Morning further 2.5-3hrs transfer to Jinghong which is the capital of Xishuanbannan.
In the afternoon, explore the Wild Elephant Valley It is a place to observation spot of tropical wildlife. A gallery hung in between the trees a few meters above the ground allows you to observe elephants where they are most likely to pass. The number of the last wild elephants in the area is estimated to be around 300 specimens. This protected site, created in 1996 in the middle of a vast natural reserve also has a Butterfly Farm Park and a Tropical Bird Park. The elephant school offers three shows daily where the gentle animals display their skills.)
In the evening, you can stroll in night food market to taste the local B.B.Q. Food and local snack
Overnight at Jinghong
Morning, transfer across vast rubber plantation and the Mekong to Ganlanba, the main residential area of Dai, visit local morning market and explore villages in the countryside to find out the facts about their culture and authentic life. Then visit the Tropical Botanical Garden, view many rare exotic and endangered plant species here; the dragon tree, the matchwood, and the poisonous upas tree; the hirstrelieving " carriagepole vine "; the " clock flower " that opens and closes along with the sunrise and sunset; the " dancing grass " that responds to sound; the " king lotus " which can support a seated child on the water; the "mystery fruit" able to turn sour to sweet, then sweet to sour; etc. Afterward, move back to Jinhong, if time permits, drop in village of Jinuo peopleOvernight at Jinghong
This morning, drive to Menghun to visit local Saturday market, a weekly gathering of both ethnic villagers and various local produce.Visit Dai's paper making Village where people are still making paper with tree bark in dtraditional way and who see traditional product is adpoted for tea packing. Drop in quite and ince countryside temple to learn about Dai's Theravada Buddhism .
In the afternoon, visit Mount. Nannuo, short hiking across aged tea tree plantation and villages of Aini, chat with the local over a cup of homegrown organic tea to find out how local life is tightly related to tea growing. After the tour,continue drive back Jinghong.
Overnight at Jinghong
Morning drive to Jinghong airport for the flight to Dali (1hr flying time ).
Upon arrival, drive to have the cruise tour in Erhai Lake by a small pubic 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.
On the way back to Dali Old Town, you will have a photo stop to take picture of exterior view about Three Pagodas --which is landmark of Dali.
Then discover the Dali Old Town. (it was set up in 1382 A.D during the Ming Dynasty as the capital of the Dali kingdom. At present, only the south and north gate towers remain standing. There are well-preserved traditional houses of the Bai Ethnic Group people.
Overnight at Dali
Today go to visit the morning market of Xizhou Town It’s known as a historical town, a classic Bai ethnic town. Then you will go to a Bai court-yard to enjoy the “Three-Course Tea” ceremony which is the traditional treating for Bai people to their honored guests.
After that, transfer to Jianchuan County, (2-2.5hrs) to visit Shibaoshan Mountain which the famous writer Jinyong extolled as “The Treasure of South China” is located at Jianchuan County, Dali. The scenery is wonderful, and rather unique in being adorn with red rock geomorphology. Then move to Shaxi Old Town Lunch en route and dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Shaxi
Morning Stroll in Shaxi Old Town (The remains of an ancient market town and once an active trade stop on the Southern Silk Road that connected Tibet and China with Southeast Asia and on to Europe. This Road is actually older than the more famous Silk Road (in the North), predating it by at least 300 years. Shaxi has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the world's 100 most endangered sites).
The continue transfer to Zhongdian (Shangri-La )with driver (4-5hrs). Check in your hotel after arrival.
Overnight at Zhongdian
In the morning, discover the 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 Ganden Songzanglin 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.).
At last ,stroll in Dukezong Old Town where you can see a big pray wheel about 10 meters high and the local house. In the evening, people will gather at here to dance Guochuang Tibetan dancing.
Overnight at Zhangdian
In the morning, drive 4 to 5 hours to Deqin County (3450m altitude) which is located in the Hengduan mountain at the northwest of Diqing prefecture. It is a town in the intersection of Yunnan, Sisuan and Tibet. For population, 80% of its 55,000 inhabitants are Tibetan.
On the way, you will take some photos at the Great Jingsha River Corner it is the famous Great Jingsha River Corner. After turning for 180 degrees here, the Jingsha River flows slowly to Bengzilan. Landscape enjoyment terraces is set up beside the highway. Stop to visit Dongzhulin monastery was built in 1667, the sixth year of the Kang Xi Period. Its original name was “Chongchongcuogang temple", meaning “the temple by the crane lake”) as well as the point 4292m altitude in the pass of Baiman Snow Mountain Upon arrival, check in your hotel nearby Feilaisi Temple.
Overnight at hotel nearby Feilaisi
If the weather is permits, gets up early to enjoy the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. ( It is considers by 13 peaks. Kangwaboge Peak is the main peak of the mountain with height of 6740m which is the highest point of Yunnan Province) Then make a tour of Feilaisi Temple ( it was first built in 1614A.D. The temple is right face the peaks of Meili Snow Mountain. Hence it become the best place to enjoy the amazing sunrise view of Meili Mt. ) Continue to star your tour of Mingyong Glacier (located on the foot of the Kagebo, the main peak of the well-known MeiLi Snow Mountains.MingYong Glacier is a modern glacier with lowest altitude and lowest latitudes in nowadays' land which is about 11.7km long and over 500m wide.
Take a nice stroll in the Tibetan Village nearby before transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel nearby Feilaisi
Morning further driving to Weixi ( 4-5hours ) Enjoy the landscape on the way, have a stop at Cizhong village is co-inhabited by ethnic groups such as Chinese Han, Tibetan and Naxi etc. With the altitude of less than 2,000 meters above the seal level, Cizhong Village exhibits mild weather conditions and is a rice-producer in Deqin, so it’s dubbed as “place of abundance”. You will see Cizhong Catholic Church was first constructed in 1909 and became the major church of Yunnan Parish after its completion. In 1987, it was listed as a key protected cultural relic site of Yunnan Province. And the local grape Garden.
Then further the driving to Tacheng via Weixi (1.5hrs ).
Overnight at Tacheng
After the breakfast , visit Tacheng Black Snub-Nosed Monkey Park as a national park integrating primitive ecology, Neolithic sites, religious pilgrimage place, paradise of black snub-nosed monkey and multi-national style, the scenic area is particularly distinguished with the religious culture and temple scenic sports It has hundreds of black snub-nosed monkeys, a national Grade I protection animal.
Afterward continue your driving to Tiger Leaping Gorge ( 5-6hrs ), stop at Shigu for taking a bird view of The First Bend on the Yangtze River a world-famous geological phenomenon. Arrive at Qiaotou Town, change into local minibus for further into Tea Horse G.H.
Overnight and dinner at Tea Horse Guest house
After breakfast, begin a trekking of the highligt trekking section of TLG
Trekking route :Tea Horse G.H.--Half way G.H. (2hrs )- Tina's G.H. (1.5-2hrs)
Trekking time : 3.5-4hrs.
After trekking, transfer to Lijiang accompany with the driver (2.5hrs) , upon arrival, check in hotel in Lijiang Old Town.
Overnight at Lijiang
Morning visit the Black Dragon Pond (As the water here is a lucid green color, it gained another name Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park.) and know about the Dongba Culture of Naxi people at the Dongba Culture Museum nearby.
After that , enjoy your leisure time of the rest day in Lijiang Dayan Old Town ( a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture. It 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 Lijiang
Morning drive to visit The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain it is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,360 feet.)with a chair lift ride to up and down to visit the Yak Meadow (3700m ) this place is a quiet grass field. Most people say that this place is comparable to Switzerland and Sweden when it comes to its mountainous beauty.
Afterward, enjoy the outdoor Show “ Impress Lijiang “ (regular seat ) which is directed by Mr Zhang Yimou, combining 500 actors, 100 horses, a 360-degree open-air stage at around 3200m above sea level with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the back.
In the afternoon,walk around the Baisha Village and 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.)
Overnight at Lijiang
Early in the morning, dive 4-5 hrs on the spectacle mountain road to visit the mysterious Lugu Lake. On the way, enjoy the beautiful view among the huge mountains and rivers.
In the afternoon, take the canoes to visit Liwubi Island in Lugu Lake. And
visit a local Mosu People’s Family to experience Mosuo People’s primitive customs of a matriarchal society. Join a Bonfire Party with the local people in the evening.
Overnight at Lugu Lake
In the morning, drive to visit the Zhamei Lamaist Monastery The largest extant Tibetan Buddhism temple in the Mosuo area. It originally was a Gelug Sect (white sect) temple, and later was transformed into a Gelug Sect (yellow sect) temple during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Then drive back to Lijiang (4-5hrs). Upon arrival, check in your hotel in Lijiang. Free at leisure the rest time of the day.
Overnight at Lijiang
After the breakfast, you will transfer to Lijiang airport for the morning flight to next destination.
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