11 days Yunnan adventure tour with holy Mount Meili

As the entrance city of this Yunnan adventure tour, Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate all the year and does its best to live up to its renown of 'the City of Eternal Spring'. Upon your arrival at the airport or railway station, your local guide will pick you up and assist you to the downtown hotel for retire. We highly recommend you to spend some time walking around this city. Your guide will be pleased to provide some suggestions on where to go.

After breakfast, head to the northwest of Kunming city to visit the Qiongzhu Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple which is surrounded by lush green plants. What makes it famous is the distinguished, finely crafted statues of the 500 Buddhist arhats, which is regarded as a pearl in the treasure house of oriental sculpture.

Afterwards, travel to the Lunan Stone Forest, a typical region of the Karst landform in China. This scenic area covers with extensive areas, which contains countless stone peaks, beautiful lakes, sequestered caves and pageant waterfalls. Spend the whole afternoon to immerse yourself into the marvelous spectacles before you return to the hotel for evening.

Drive to the train station for the bullet train to Dali this morning. The flight takes about 2 hours, upon arrival, be picked up and start your sightseeing today. The first sight today is the Erhai Lake Park, the best place to admire the breathtaking scenery of Erhai Lake in Dali city. The lake got its name as it shaped like an ear. It is one of the seven biggest freshwater lakes in China.

Next with a visit to the Three Pagoda Temple that faces the Erhai Lake. As its name implies, there are three ancient independent pagodas standing in a triangle inside the temple. Regarded as the symbolic architectures of the ancient Dali city, these pagodas have stood for more than 1,800 years. The last stop of today is the Dali Old Town, where you will see many traditional buildings and ethnic people wearing their unique costumes.

This morning you will leave for Lijiang, one of the most famous ancient town in China. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours, stop at Xizhou to visit the Yan's Compound of Bai Minority and learn about the traditional tie-dying by visiting a local market in Zhoucheng. After you arrive in Lijiang and get settled into the local hotel, spend the rest of the day to roam this beautiful ancient town on your own. 

Spend much of your time today on enjoying the natural scenery and rich local culture in Lijiang. First head to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a 5,596 m. (18,539 ft.) glacier made up of 13 magnificent peaks. 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 breath-taking view.
Afterward, head to Baisha Village, an ancient settlement of Naxi culture where you can explore the local architectures. The village is noted for the Mural painted during the Ming Dynasty, blending with the artistic styles of the Naxi, Tibet and Bai minority. Spend some time to visit one local family in the village, learn about their ancient culture that still in practice today. 

In the late afternoon, drive back to Lijiang ancient town to visit the Black Dragon Pools on the northern edge of town. Enjoy an amazing view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in distance and explore traditional stone buildings and bridges here, this park is also one of the best places to take photos in China. Next, drive back to the hotel and prepare for the next day.

Leave for Shangri-la this morning. The drive takes about 5 hours, and you will have a chance to see the breathtaking scenery along the way. First come to the Stone Drum Tower where you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River. A sudden V-shaped bend has been formed here when the Yangtze River flowing by, hence the name.

Next, stop at 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. Have the rest of the day to explore this ancient Tibetan town on your own.

Start today with a visit to the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan. The monastery is renowned as small Potala as it was built imitating the layout of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The highlights of this monastery include a serious of splendid architectures and a large collection of Tibetan Buddhist artworks. Afterwards, travel to the Pudacuo National Park where you will see the breathtaking Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake, which are well-known for the limpid water and the beautiful natural scenery against the mountains and forests. See the plants around the lake are lush and the wild animals are various.

After enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, you will visit a local Tibetan family to get involved in the Tibetan people's lifestyle. You will 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. 

Drive to Feilai Temple via Benzilan, where you will stop for a visit to the Jinsha River Grand Canyon this morning. Here be impressed by the natural mountains, swift currents and distinctive ethnic style. Then drive to the Feilai Temple, which is the best spot to see the magnificent Mount Meili. If weather permit, you will enjoy a spectacular scenery of the sunset. Standing at a height of about 6,740 m. (22,113 ft.), Mount Meili is a challenge for all mountain explorers from home and abroad.

Wake up early in this morning to catch the majestic sunrise of Mount Meili. Then drive about 1 hour to Mingyong Village. Spend the rest of the day to trek to the Mingyong Glacier, which is one of the few low altitude glaciers in the world. Resembling a long piece of white silk, Mingyong Glacier Runs from 5,500 m. (18,045 ft.) down to 2,700 m. (8858 ft.). Afterwards, experience horse riding here before you hike along the Lancang River Grand Canyon to visit some local Tibetan villages. Then return back to the Feilai Temple for retire. 

Drive back to Shangri-la this morning. Stop at the Napahai Nature Reserve where you will see the splendid lake and vast grasslands. Arrive in Shangri-la in the late afternoon, Relax yourself by incorporating pieces of your passion into the evening life of this ancient town. 

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.