Yunnan is “ the palace under south of the colorful clouds” and Tibet is called as “ the Roof of the World” both of them are the most attractive provinces in the western China. In this 15-day marvelous tour, you will be attracted by the breathtaking landscape such as karst land-form in Kunming, old town in Shaxi of the former Tea & horse Road, the deepest gorge --Tiger Leaping Gorge-and the holy lake in Tibet- Namtso Lake, Potala Palace --the universal symbol of the Tibetan people. Moreover you will meet the diverse ethnic minorities people -- Yi, Bai, Naxi and Tibetan etc during this trip.
Arrive at Kunming airport, after be met by your English speaking guide , transfer to your hotel in Kunming city which is located in the middle of Yunnan, it not only as the capital of Yunnan but also is the economic and cultural center of Yunnan and well known as “The City of Eternal Spring”.
Free at leisure for the rest of day to fresh you up for the tours from the long-flying.
Overnight at Kunming
In the morning, have a tour to Stone Forest, consisting of ancient limestone cliffs and peaks eroded by wind and water over 200 million years. Its area is the home of the Sani minority.
Drive back to Kunming, continue to visit Golden Temple Golden Temple actually is a copper temple with 6.7m in height and 7.8m both in width and length. All of its beams and columns, roof,ceiling, decorations, and other parts are made of copper. The copper temple was glittering like gold under the sunlight thus named golden temple by the local people. Then drop off at Nanping shopping street to walk around in the downtown in Kunming
In the evening, your can choose the Option tour: Dynamic Yunnan Show
(The tickets you can pay on spot not including in package)
Time: 20:00-21:30
Overnight at Kunming
This morning, transfer to railway station for taking the high speed train to Dali (2hrs running time )
Arrive at Dali , after meet your guide move to take a cruise tour on Erhai Lake by small boat to small Island (local temple, fishing village, market) and Zhoucheng, where you will visit a local temple and a tie-dye processing factory.the outstanding landmarkand drive back to the old city of Dali with a stop to visit about Three Pagodas, in the area. Later go to have a look about Dali Old Town.
Lunch at local Chinese restaurant and dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Dali
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Lijiang. On the way stop at discover some Bai minority villages like Xizhou, famous for the architecture of its residences.
Then continue to have a tour of Shibaoshan Mountain ( The scenery is wonderful, and rather unique in being adorn with red rock geomorphology.Continue to visit Shaxi 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.Shaxi has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the world's 100 most endangered sites).
After the tour ,driving with your Chinese driver to Lijiang (2-2.5hrs) Upon arrival,check in hotel.
Overnight at Lijiang
In the morning, visit Naxi villages-- Yuhu Village and Joseph Rock’s former residence (the house is located in Yuhu--- a small Naxi village about 10km north of Lijiang. It is a pretty farming village, quite isolated - and hence perfect for the quiet scholarship that Rock practised. )Afterward, visit Black Dragon Pond Park As the water here is a lucid green color, it gained another name Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park). There are many distinctive and ravishing sites in the park and Dongba Culture Museum, sanctuary of the ancient Naxi culture.
Walk about the old streets of Lijiang Old Town. A well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture. Lijiang was placed on the world cultural heritage list in 1997.
Overnight at Lijiang
In the morning, depart for Shigu, where the Yangtze River makes a stunning 180-degree roundabout, flowing parallel to itself for nearly 20 kilometers. You will continue your discovery of the area with the Tiger Leaping Gorge, located half way between Lijiang and Zhongdian. After entering the area by car for about 10 km, you will reach the narrowest point of the Gorge. Legend says it is so narrow here that a hunted tiger could escape in one jump.
Then, drive to Shangri-La ( 2.5hrs ) check in your hotel.
Overnight at Shangri-La
Take a tour of Lake Napa Nature Reserve (aka Lake Napa), lying in the valley of a high mountain plateau situated about 3270 m above sea level and covering 660 sq km , is located about 400 km northwest. Later visit the jewel of Tibetan cultures, Ganden Songzanglin Temple, built by the 5th Dalai Lama. This monastery follows the architecture of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and hosts a community of 700 monks. Later go to visit a Tibetan Family and stroll in Dukezong Old Town.
Overnight at Shangri-La
In the monring, take the flight to Lhasa (2 hours and 30 minutes).
Upon arrival at the roof of the world, you will be transferred to Tsedang (1.5-2hrs ). Have a tour of Tandruk Monastery is one of the earliest Buddhist Temples in Tibetan history. Built in 641 A.D, it is said that King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom, and later it became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang. and Yumbulakhang it is the first palace in Tibet. It was built for the first Tibetan King by Bon believers in the 2nd century, and became the summer palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. Then the 5th Dalai Lama changed it to the temple of Old-Yellow Hat Sect.
Overnight at Tsedang
Breakfast at hotel. Move to the entrance of Samye Monastery by road transfer the oldest monastery belonging to the Red Hat School Yumbulakhang and the first castle built for a Tibetan King. Located in the quiet piedmont area of the Shannan Region, the Samye Monastery is the first temple built in Tibet and the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. With these unique features, this splendid temple has become an attraction for visitors from near and far.
Drive to Gyantse through amazing landscapes and cross the Khambala-la Pass (4,794 meters) before reaching the Nyang Chu River valley. And take a view of Yamdrok Lake on the way .
Lunch en route , dinner at local Chinese restaurant.
Overnight at Gyantse
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Gyantse Dzong and the Pelkhor Chode Temple. Drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Shigatse used to be the headquarters of the Panchen Lama government and now displays interesting monasteries. Visit Shalu Monastery and Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the four major monasteries of the "Yellow hat faction". Compared to the Potala Palace, Tashilunpo is smaller in scale. In the monastery there is a huge statue of the Maitreya Buddha cast in gold and copper. Inlaid in the forehead are 32 diamonds and 1,400 pieces of pearl, amber, coral and turquoise. Tour the colorful market of the city.
Overnight at Shigatse
Today is a long journey by road on the Tibetan plateau to Namtso Lake (332km -6-7hrs) The scenery at Namtso is beautiful and magnificent. Mt. Nyainqentanglha standing to the southeast of the lake, soars to a height of over 7, 100 meters (23, 294 ft) above sea level, and is snow-capped throughout the year. The lake's northern side is bounded by gently undulating hills that form this part of the continental plateau
After the tour, you will transfer to Damxung (137km -3hrs ) for overnight.
Overnight at local hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from Damxung to Lhasa.( 250km about 3.5hrs on the way )
Enjoy the beautiful view on both side of the road.
Arrive at Lhasa, check in your hotel. Have a good rest.
Overnight at Lhasa
Breakfast at hotel. Begin your visit to Lhasa at Potala Palace, the universal symbol of the Tibetan people. Then visit Bakhor Street, traditionally used by the pilgrims arriving to Lhasa, and pay respect to the Holy place and the old city of Lhasa. In the afternoon, visit Norbulingka, the summer residence for Dalai Lamas, one of the most rated buildings in Lhasa.
Lunch and dinner at local Chinese restaurants.
Overnight at Lhasa
Breakfast at hotel. Continue to discover the rich culture of Tibet at Johkang Temple, built some 1,300 years ago, and the most sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimage. Also visit Drepung Monastery, called the "Temple of Mother" by lamas, and Sera Monastery, featuring absolutely magnificent architecture. Lunch and dinner at local Chinese restaurants.
Overnight at Lhasa
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure before transfer to Gongkar airport for departure flight.
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