Code of Tour: SZW0000004
Length of Travel: 8 Day
Departure City: Kunming
Price of Tour: Request
Features of Tour: As one of the most thought-after tour itineraries of Yunnan, this 8-day tour will offer you a wonderful travel experience in the very unique natural wonders, cultural heritage and delicious foods of Yunnan province.
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Highlights
- The World's First Wonder: the karst landscape of the Stone Forest, a masterpiece of Earth's evolution.
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple: three symmetrical pagodas symbolize the solemnity and tranquility of Buddhism.
- Experience Tie-Dye: unique Bai ethnic tie-dye art, create your own colorful tie-dye work.
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: breathtaking snow-capped mountains, thrilling river rapids, rich ecological diversity.
- Tiger Leaping Gorge: a world-famous hiking and adventure destination, one of the top ten beautiful gorges in China.
- Lugu Lake: the mysterious "Kingdom of Daughters" with blue skies, white clouds, and picturesque lakes, a highland lake far from urban noise.
- Songzanlin Monastery: known as the "Small Potala Palace" and the "Tibetan Art Museum."
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Kunming Arrival
- Day 2: Kunming - Dali
- Day 3: Dali - Lijiang
- Day 4: Lijiang
- Day 5: Lijiang - Lugu Lake
- Day 6: Lugu Lake - Shangri-La
- Day 7: Shangri-La - Kunming
- Day 8: Kunming Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kunming
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: None
Upon your arrival at Kunming, staff will arrange for your transport to the designated hotel for check-in. Then you will explore Green Lake Park (approximately 1 hour) where each season offers a unique landscape, then visit Nanqiao Walking Street (approximately 1 hour) to taste local Kunming snacks and experience the charm of the "Spring City."
Day 2: Kunming - Dali
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Stone Forest (approximately 3 hours) to marvel at this unique karst geological wonder, the only one in the subtropical plateau area and one of the largest in the world—making it a must-visit for photography enthusiasts. After the tour, return to Kunming and take the high-speed train to Dali. Explore Dali Ancient Town (approximately 1.5 hours), a gateway on the Southern Silk Road with a rich history and cultural heritage.
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Day 3: Dali - Lijiang
Accommodation: Lijiang Ancient City
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (approximately 3 hours), which are treasures of architectural art as well as witnesses of historical culture. Next, enjoy a memorable experience at the Flower Sea photo shoot wearing Minority Nationality Costume (approximately 1.5 hours), where you can take pictures amidst beautiful flowers and enjoy life. Then head to Xizhou (approximately 1.5 hours), a cultural gem located between Cangshan and Erhai Lake. Later, visit Zhou Cheng (approximately 2 hours), a paradise for tie-dye enthusiasts with indigo-dyed cloths drying in Bai courtyards for a thousand years, emanating captivating charm. Travel to Lijiang and check into your hotel. Then take a visit to Lijiang Ancient Town.
Day 4: Lijiang
Accommodation: Lijiang Ancient Town
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
Depart at the designated time to explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Ride the Glacier Park Cableway (approximately 3 hours) to enjoy the views; this area is a paradise for nature lovers and cultural explorers alike. Then visit the stunning Blue Moon Valley (approximately 1 hour), known for its deep blue water due to mineral content and crescent-shaped valley resembling a blue moon, set against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Experience the performance of Impression Lijiang Snow Mountain edition (if performance times are adjusted due to schedule changes and impact the itinerary, it will be substituted with “Lijiang Eternal Love ”). Baisha Ancient Town (approximately 1 hour) is the origin of the Naxi people, preserving much of their primitive culture. The Baisha Murals (approximately 1 hour) are renowned for their unique painting style and are a representation of Lijiang’s multiculturalism.
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Day 5: Lijiang - Lugu Lake
Accommodation: Lugu Lake
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
Depart from Lijiang to Lugu Lake, stopping at Eighteen Bends (approximately 30 minutes for photo stops), where the winding road provides an unparalleled driving experience with stunning mountain and grassland views along the way. Arrive at Lugu Lake Viewing Platform (15-20 minutes) to admire and photograph the scenic lake. Enjoy a Lake Tour (approximately 1.5 hours) by vehicle, relax, and check into the Lugu Lake hotel. Attend a Mosuo bonfire party and learn about the matrilineal customs of the Mosuo people, a tradition that has been passed down for over 1500 years.
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Day 6: Lugu Lake-Shangri-La
Accommodation: Shangri-La
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
Wake up early to watch the sunrise at Lugu Lake, feeling the serene atmosphere and the sacredness of nature. Afterward, take a unique Mosuo transportation— the pig trough boat to visit Liru Island (approximately 60 minutes), walking under the cover of primitive forests while listening to the Mosuo people share legendary tales of Mount Ayun. Following this, head to Shangri-La and check into your hotel.
Day 7: Shangri-La - Lijiang - Kunming (HSR)
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, travel to Dukezong Ancient Town (approximately 1.5 hours), which translates in Tibetan to "Castle built on stone," also known as "Moonlight Town," where you can overlook the whole ancient town from Guishan Park and spin the world's largest prayer wheel. Next, explore Songzanlin Temple (approximately 3 hours), built on a mountainside resembling an ancient fortress, with blue skies, white clouds, golden roofs, and red walls creating beautiful paintings in every frame. Finally, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge (including elevator) (approximately 2 hours), recognized as the largest gorge of the Yangtze River, named after the glorious scene of tigers leaping over the Jinsha River. Afterward, drive back to Lijiang and take the high-speed train to Kunming.
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Day 8: Kunming Departure
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Self-paid Lunch and Dinner
Transfer to the airport or train station. The end of your pleasant journey.
Service Included
- Accommodation: 4 star hotels throughout the trip;
- Daily hotel breakfast;
- Excellent English speaking guide;
- 5-19 seats vehicle for transportation;
- Yunnan travel insurance package;
- Second class high speed train ticket from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang to Kunming;
- 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day.
Service Excluded
- Lunch and dinner throughout the trip;
- International transportation for arrivals and departures;
- Chinese visa fees;
- Tips for guides and drivers (suggested: 200 RMB/group/day for guide; 150 RMB/group/day for driver);
- Travel accident insurance;
- Personal expenses;
- Single room supplements.
Group tour Service Standards
- For groups of 2-4 people, there will be an English-speaking tour guide as driver.
- For groups of 5-10 people, there will be an English speaking tour guide and a Chinese driver.