Yunnan is the provice with 25 mimproties in China. During this 16 days trip, you travel to the remote region of minority villages such as Yi, Dai, Hani, Naxi, Bai, Tibetan people.
Start with capital city Kunming, you will see the spectacular world heritage Stone Forest and discover Yi villages in Shilin. Then you will transfer to Jianshui for the exquisite old architecture like Zhu family Garden and Jianshui Confucius Temple. Taste the most decent Yunnan local food. In Yuanyang, you will see the world’s biggest rice terrace. Then go to Northwest Yunnan to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la. To see the mysterious Meili Snow mountain and experience Tibetan Culture in Diqing. The world’s largest Valley - Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lugu lake- the home to the only matriarchal society left on Earth.
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
Morning transfer 1.5hrs to visit Naigu Stone Forest which is located 10km east of Stone Forest park. Naigu means old and Black in Yi language. It covers 7.83 square kilometers with the characteristics of maginficence, roughness, primitiveness and simpleness.
After lunch, continue to discover Nuohei Yi Village The village nestles among mounts and lakes. It's a world of stones, composed of roads paved with polished stones, slate houses, rocky mounts and Karst lakes. Villagers had been using limestone to build their houses for centuries and hundreds of old houses, which have a history of more than a hundred years, are still well preserved in the village today. After that, further transfer to Mile (1-1.5hrs ) it is a nice small city in south part of Yunnan which well know for the hot spring and grapes grown and wine made
Check in your hotel and enjoy the hot spring in your hot spring hotel in the later afternoon.
Overnight at Mile
After breakfast, driving to Yuanyang (4-5hrs). 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.On the way, stop at a nice Dai Village located at the bank of Red River.
Upon arrival, have a tour of 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.
Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurant
Overnight at Yuanyang
In the morning, enjoy the terrace fields view at Duoyi village. Later stroll in the local Market to see the locals dressed with their colorful folk costume do Shopping and bargaining at the market.
Afterward , move to seet the traditional Mushroom houses of Hani people in Azheke Village
After lunch, transfer to Jianshui (3hrs ), enjoy the tropical climate along the Honghe River Valley.
Pay a tour of Family Zhu’s Gardenit 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, Jianshui Confucius Temple stands second largest only in China.) Then 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. ) Later explore Tuanshan Han Village (The village has preserved a great number of ancient and traditional architectures. Most of the houses are made of clay walls and tile roofs. )
In the afternoon,head back to Kunming (4hrs),stop at Xinmeng Mongolian Village at Tonghai. It is the only Mongolian Villages in Yunnan province.
Arrive at Kunming, drop off at railway station for the high speed train to Dali (2hrs running ) Be picked up by Dali guide, then drive to check in your hotel in Dali Old Town
Lunch en route, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Dali
In the moring, transfer to see the morning market in Xizhou town which is a town fully appreciate Bai-style traditional architectural and explore their distinctive culture.Then take a cruise tour in Erhai Lake by a small pubic boat.
On the way back to Dali Old Town,have a stop to take pictures of exterior view about Three Pagodas --which is landmark of Dali. Finally 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. )
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account
Overnight at Dali
This morning, transfer to Weishan (1.5-2hrs ) Make the tour of Weibao Mountain (Weibaoshan). It is also one of the 13 China's most famous Daoist holy mountains.
Stroll in Weishan Ancient Town it is the real resource of Nanzhao and Dali kingdom, it has a longer story than Dali ancient town which could date back to Tang dynasty.Weishan Ancient Town was built more than 600 years ago.
Continue to walking in Donglianhua Muslim Village is a delightfully well-preserved Muslim village in the Weishan valley, only about a kilometer from Yongjian. Many Muslims made their money in the caravan-trade and often carry the surname Ma. The village, built around one of the largest mosques in Yunnan, has many impressive court-yard houses, decorated with images and mementos from far-away lands. After the tour , transfer back your hotel in Dali.
Overnight at Dali
In the morning,transfer to Jianchuan County (1.5hrs). Tour of Shibaoshan Mountain (Stone Treasure 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.
Later visit 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.
Overnight at Shaxi
This morning drive to Lijiang (2-2.5hrs),after meeting with guide from Lijiang transfer to visit Black Dragon Pond 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 Dongbu Culture Museum nearby. Finally explore Lijiang Old Town It has a history more than 800 years; it was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997. Here you will see the wonderful wooden architecture of Naxi ethnic people. Have a stop to Mu's Mansion (Mufu) It was once the residential and working site of the Naxi rulers of Lijiang in the ancient time. It was first built in Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The family name of the ruler is called 'Mu', hence the name of this mansion. The family governed the Lijiang region during Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, lasting for 22 generations.
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)with a chair lift ride to up and down to visit the Spruce Meadow (3450m ) this place is a quiet grass field. 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, move 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.)
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, you will take the canoes to visit Liwubi Island in Lugu Lake.
Then visit a local Mosu People’s Family to experience Mosuo People’s primitive customs of a matriarchal society. In the evening, join a Bonfire Party with the local people in the evening.
Overnight at Lugu Lake
In the morning, you will drive about 20Km to visit the Zhamei Lamaist Monastery The largest extant Tibetan Buddhism temple in the Mosuo area is Zhamei Monastery in Yongning. 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).
Afternoon, drive back to Lijiang (4-5hrs). Upon arrival, check in your hotel in Lijiang
Overnight at Lijiang
After breakfast , departure and drive 2.5hrs to Qiaotou Town. Take a stop to view First Bend of Yangtze River on the way.
Meeting with your guide from Zhongdian after arrival, star the tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La section) the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river.
Afterward,further the driving to Shangri-La ( 2hrs). It is located in the north -west part of Yunnan. It is the Tibetan region of Yunnnan with an average altitude is more than 3,000 meters.
Check in your hotel after arrival.
Overnight at Shangri-La
In the morning, firstly go to visit 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 Songzanlin Monastery or 'Little Potala' as it is affectionately known, is a spiritual place that invites you to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
Then move to make a visiting a local Tibetan Family to charting with the local people to know about their local life and at try to drink a cup of Yak Butter Tea. Finally Finally stroll in the streets of 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.
Overnight at Shangri-La
After breakfast,transfer to visit Nixi black Pottery Village A tiny village standing by green grassland on which flocks of yaks, sheep and horse grze give a sense of timless tranquility. It is well known for the century-old art-making pottery.
Later continue to visit Benzilan Town , take the tour of the Great Corner of Jinsha(Yangtze River) , and Dongzhulin Monastery which built in 1667 This monastery has serveral "living Buddhas and each year the Mask Dancing ceremony attracts thousands of followers to hera.
After the tour , drive back to your hotel in Shangri-La ( 2.5hrs)
Overnight at Shangri-La
After breakfast,transfer to Shangri-La airport for the flight back to Kunming , arrive at Kunming airport ,you OWN take the connection departure flight to next destination.
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