9 days Kunming, Lijiang & Shangri-La with Red Land

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.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.