9 days Yunnan photography tour to Yuanyang and Luoping

Upon arrival at the airport or railway station in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, be greeted and assisted to the hotel by your local guide. In the next 9 days, you will explore this most southern west province in China, to see its splendid rice terraces and experience its unique ethnic culture. 

Since the best time to catch the breathtaking scenery of rice terraces is from Jan. to Mar. In order to gain better experience, we highly recommend you to choose this tour during these three months. 

Start the tour today with a visit to the Lunan Stone Forest, a typical model of the Karst landform in China. Be impressed by the outstanding workmanship of nature while seeing countless rugged stones form the shapes of plants, animals and even humans in the park. After having lunch here, drive about 4 to 5 hours to Luoping, a small county in eastern Yunnan, which is noted for its beautiful scenery in Spring.

Stop at Jinjifeng in the late afternoon as you will catch the magnificent scenery of sunset here. See the vast fields of canola flowers are in full bloom, taking on the look of a golden sea stretching all the way to the horizon. This spectacle has made Luoping as a Mecca for photographers. Please make sure your camera is ready. 

Admire the spectacular scenery of the Sunrise in Jiajifeng in the early morning. Then head to the northeast of Luoping County to visit the Jiulong Waterfalls, which are the greatest of the waterfall clusters in China. Standing on the sightseeing platform, you will take in over 10 waterfalls in one viewing, including the largest tier, which is 112 m. (367 ft.) wide and drops 56 m. (184 ft.).

Later in the afternoon, drive to Luositian. The canola fields here are carved out of a shallow valley with gentle slopes. As you walk along the road to an increasingly higher viewpoint and see the fields from above, you'll find the yellow flowers grown in circular rings following the contours of the slopes and the fields, resembling the rings of a snail's shell. Afterward, drive back to your hotel to retire.

Morning drive to the Shiwandashan for the majestic views of Sunrise, which offers you many more creative photographic opportunities for the spectacular canola fields. Then say farewell to these yellow flowers as you will drive to Jianshui, a famous ancient city in southeastern Yunnan.

After you get settled into the hotel in the downtown area, visit the Jianshui Confucius Temple, renowned as the third of all the Confucian temples around China according to its grand scale and splendid technical skill. The temple enjoys a history of over 700 years. However, most of the intricate stoneworks and traditional architectures are still well preserved. Next, walk around this ancient town to explore its folk houses and unique cultures.

This morning you will continue exploring the folk houses and culture in Jianshui. The first sight is the Zhu's Family Garden, which enjoys a high reputation as the “Grand View Garden in southern Yunnan”. This place is the residential house of two rich brothers in Qing dynasty. Walking through the exquisite courtyards to see the austere ancestral hall, antique furniture, and delicate wood carvings, you still will be astonished by the rich life that its former owner once led.

Afterward, head to the Tuanshan Village, which is the only intact cultural village of the Qing Dynasty existed currently in Yunnan. This village is a perfect place to learn about the culture and customs of the Yi ethnic minority as it was ever their habitation for centuries. As you finish visiting the village, drive to Yuanyang, a beautiful county which is famous for its rice terraces and Hani Minority. Late in the afternoon, stop at the Tiger Mouth Village to catch the sunset on the terraces. Then drive to the hotel and prepare for the next day.

Another photography day on this tour as you will spend the whole day to admire the spectacular scenery of the rice terraces in Yuanyang. Unlike other natural landscapes, these terraces are some extraordinary workmanship created by human beings. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to shoot the terraces. This early morning, you will take this photographic opportunity by seeing the sunrise at Duoyishu Village. Next with a visit to some local markets where you will see the local ethnic people dressed in their traditional clothes and their lifestyle.

In the afternoon, visit the Jingkou Hani Ethnic Village, where you'll appreciate the best-preserved folk culture of the Hani Minority in Yuanyang. Afterward, drive to Bada Scenic Area and immerse yourself into the breathtaking scenery of the sunset. The visual impact of these boundless rice terraces can be overwhelming. 

Spend the morning to trek through these rice terraces and stop at some local villages to capture more spectacular views. Always keep your camera ready at every step in today's trip is filled with picturesque scenery.

Then, say farewell to rice terraces and drive back to Kunming, freely exploration in Kunming for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, head to the Flowers and Birds Market, where you will see lots of small shops for selling birds, flowers, and knick-knacks. Walk around here in search of some good bargains.

Then pay a visit to Western Hills, also called 'Sleeping Buddha Hills', for looked at from a distance, they have the appearance of a giant sleeping Buddha. Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery.

Afterward, visit the Bamboo Temple, which is outstanding for its five hundred colorful statues of carats produced in the Qing dynasty. Nowadays these statues have become precious cultural heritage in Buddhism.

In the evening, you may choose to enjoy the grand dance musical "Dynamic Yunnan" (Fee in on your own). This show is an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years.

Today your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the airport or train station for departure. If you wish to continue your travels, we are experts in tailor-made trips and ready to assist you in extending your stay in China.