9 days Amazing Kunming Lijiang and Shangri-La tour

Kunming
⇀ Dongchuan Red Land
⇀ Lijiang
⇀ Shangri-la
This Lijiang Shangri-la tour offers a great photography opportunity in the natural wonder called Red Land. Fully explore the breathtaking scenery and mysterious culture of North Yunnan. The Ethnic Naxi and Tibetan people welcome all visitors.
Type
Private
Duration
9 days
Theme
Culture and Heritage, Natural scenery, Photography
Trip code
YE-05
Price
From CN¥ 7,400 per person
CN¥ 7,400
you save CN¥ 0 (0%)

This Lijiang Shangri-la tour offers a great opportunity to visit the highlights in the Northern Yunnan. Start with a trip to Dongchuan, where you will see the marvelous natural wonder known as Red Land. Your second destination starts with a flight to Lijiang, where you will discover the natural landscapes and ethnic culture. Endless scenery awaits along the way as you drive from Lijiang to Shangri-la. Roam this Tibetan ancient town to experience the unspoiled lifestyle of locals. 

Day 01 :
Arrive Kunming

Visit three highlights cities and explore the best scenery that Yunnan has to offer in the next 8 days. Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, is the first destination of this memorable tour. After being greeted by your local guide at the airport or railway station, get settled into the hotel and then spend the remainder of the day to roam this city on your own. Known as the City of Eternal Spring, Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and flowers blooming all year long.

Day 02 :
Kunming City Tour

The first stop in this morning is the Bamboo Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple which is surrounded by lush green plants. The highlights here are hundreds of painted arhat sculptures, which looks like some real people who are just frozen in a moment in time.

Afterward, drive to Lunan to visit the famous Stone Forest, where you will see lots of eroded needle-pointed rocks and top-heavy towers jutting into the sky in a typical karstlike formation. Admire the marvelous spectacle of nature.before you return to Kunming city for dinner in the late afternoon. As the bonus of the trip today, choose to enjoy the grand dance musical Dynamic Yunnan in the evening. 

Day 03 :
Drive to Dongchuan - Dongchuan Sightseeing

Make sure your camera is ready since today is a photography day. After breakfast, drive to Dongchuan to have a grand view of the majestic Dongchuan Red Land. This place is a stunning masterpiece since it has the most imposing red earth in the world. Standing atop of the valley, you will see the vast lands are decorated with fiery red soil, emerald green barley, golden yellow buckwheat and snow-white oil flowers, which resemble some rolling rainbow ribbons stretching to the dramatically blue sky.

If you regard the Dongchuan Red Land as a palette left by God, Luoxiagou Valley must be the most dazzling color in this palette. Outlined by the crops' curve, the valley is ornamented with terrace in various shapes, vibrant out of the multi-color. Stop here in this afternoon to enjoy the spectacular sunset view here with local villages and farmlands.  

Day 04 :
Drive Back to Kunming - Bullet train to Lijiang

You need an early breakfast to catch the sunrise of the Dongchuan Red Lands. After that, drive about 3 to 4 hours back to Kunming. Then take the late afternoon bullet train to Lijiang, the train ride takes about 3.5 hours. Overnight at Lijiang. 

Day 05 :
Lijiang old town one day sightseeing

Lijiang, an ancient town blessed with fresh air, clear stream, magnificent snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people, is the second destination of your tour. Today you start your trip in Lijiang with a visit to the Black Dragon Pool. Also known as the Jade Spring Park, this place is famous for the endless bubbling clear spring waters. Enjoy a spectacular view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance while exploring traditional stone buildings and bridges here. Then head back to the old town and visit the Square Street of the Lijiang Old Town which is in the center of the town. Four streets stretch out in four directions and stores are standing one by one. You will find various kinds of goods or snacks on the street. Also pay a visit to the Dongba Museum, located in the Yushui Village Scenic Area of Lijiang. This museum is designed to display the splendid Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Afternoon free explore Lijiang Ancient Town on your own. 

Day 06 :
Lijiang Sightseeing Tour

This morning, drive to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which provides a magnificent backdrop to the peaceful ancient town of Lijiang. Ride a cable car up to a high grassland meadow, where you can witness the 13 peaks lively in distance. As you descend the mountain, Every step will reveal a breathtaking view.

In the afternoon, visit one of the three most famous ancient towns in Lijiang, Baisha Village. This town was the first settlement of Naxi people as well as the economic and political center of Lijiang for centuries. During your stay in this ancient village, visit a local Naxi family to learn about their traditional culture that still in practice today. After, see the most precious treasure of this village, Baisha Murals, Blending the styles of Han, Tibet and Naxi. These murals reflect that Buddhism, Taoism and Tibetan Buddhism have coexisted harmoniously in this village for hundreds of years. After, drive back to Lijiang, the rest of the day is on your own.

Day 07 :
Drive to Shangri-la

After breakfast, drive about 5 hours from Lijiang to Shangri-la, the fairyland in northwest of Yunnan province. Stop at the Stone Drum Town where you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River. Have a spectacular view while seeing the Yangtze River forms a sudden V-shaped bend here.

After, come to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the deepest and most beautiful gorges in China. The water current is very fast here as the river is surrounded by high peaks, steep cliffs and jagged rocks. Then continue driving to Shangri-la. Upon arrival, get settle into a local hotel. The rest of the day is left free for you to explore this ancient Tibetan town on your own.

Day 08 :
Shangri-la Day Tour

Start today by heading to the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. This monastery is also reputed as the Small Potala Palace since it was built based on the layout and appearance of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It preserves a serious of gorgeous buildings and countless Tibetan Buddhist treasures.

Next, drive to the Pudacuo National Park, where you will see two spectacular takes, Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake. Fed by small streams from the snow mountains encircled, Bitahai Lake resembles a trumpet shell. Appreciate the beauty of nature while see the azure water with snow mountains and threes reflecting in it. Next with a visit to the Shudu Lake, which is famous for the lush plants and various wild animals.

After enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of these two lakes, you will visit a local Tibetan family to get involved into the Tibetan people's lifestyle. Then return to the Shangri-la Tibetan Ancient Town. Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill, to see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and have a panoramic view of this ancient town. 

Day 09 :
Departure from Shangri-la

Today your guide and drive will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the airport 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.

Tour notes:

Please note prices are based in CNY.

General inclusions:

2 bottles of mineral water provided daily.
All required government taxes and fees.
Your selection of 3, 4 or 5 Stars hotel (shared twin room, private bathroom and daily breakfast)
All entrance tickets as noted in the tour's itinerary.
Guide fluent in English, Chinese or Japanese that is certified by the state tourism build and from the local community. (If your native language is not listed please let us know, we are certain we can assist your needs.)
Airport and/or train station pick-up and drop-off.
All domestic flight and train tickets. Economy-class for flights and soft sleeper / seat for train tickets.
Transportation will we be provided via a comfortable and clean car, minivan or tourist bus depending upon the groups size.

General exclusions:

Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, internet access, fax, telephone calls etc.
Tips for your guide and driver.
Flight and/or railway ticket(s) to the first city of the tour and departure from the last city of the tour.
Meals not specified in the itinerary.

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Comments

De Houwer Veerle
De Houwer Veerle
Sun, 01/05/2020

Dear
Taking interest in a two week's holiday In Yunnan province, scheduled for early autumn 2020, kindly asking what or which arrangement you could propose us best ?
FYI we're a couple mid 50's, Belgium based, experienced in travelling, yet have visited China so far only once
Looking out for your proposal
Kind regards
Koen & Veerle

Replied by
Hi, I'm Zoe,your trip advisor
Zoe Yu
Mon, 01/06/2020

In reply to by De Houwer Veerle (not verified)

Dear Koen & Veerle,

Happy New Year 2020!

Thank you for your inquiry. This is Zoe from Windhorse Tour responding to your email.

I have already sent you the email with detailed itinerary and quotation based on your inquiry, please kindly go through it and feel free to let me know any question you may have.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm regards,

Zoe

Giulia Milanesi
Giulia Milanesi
Wed, 05/31/2017

Hi, I am interested in visiting yunnan.
Could you give me some information about prices and quotation please.
If i could go in vacation i will go on december with my boyfriend.
Could i know the prices of your 9 days tour in yunnan?
Thank you very much.
Have a good day.
Giulia

Replied by
Yuki from WindhorseTour
Yuki Yi
Thu, 06/01/2017

In reply to by Giulia Milanesi (not verified)

Hi Giulia,

Thanks for the comments. I have provided the quotation details via email by earlier today, please have a look and kindly let me know for any further questions on it.
Look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,
Yuki