Best of Yunnan with Meili Snow Mountain

Arrive in Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring,” known for its mild climate and year-round flowers. Your local driver (w/ guide) will meet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city on your own.

After breakfast, travel to the Stone Forest, one of Yunnan’s most iconic natural landmarks and a UNESCO listed karst landscape. Formed over millions of years, the area features towering limestone pillars, narrow pathways, stone ridges, and dramatic rock formations that resemble a forest made of stone. Spend the entire morning immersing yourself in this stunning natural wonder by visiting the Greater Stone Forest with its towering spires and intricate caves.

After your visit, return to Kunming and explore Green Lake Park, known locally as Cui Hu. This lovely urban park is surrounded by willow trees, bridges, lotus ponds, and shaded walking paths. It is a favorite gathering place for local residents, and in winter, flocks of red beaked seagulls migrate here from Siberia, adding to the lively scene.

In the evening, you may enjoy the popular stage show Dynamic Yunnan by Yang Liping (optional, at your own expense) or explore Yunnan’s local specialties such as guoqiao mixian (Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodles), wild mushroom hot pot, or a seasonal wild mushroom feast dinner.

This morning, transfer to take the bullet train to Dali, a scenic city located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. The train ride takes about two hours. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin your sightseeing.

Visit Erhai Lake Park, one of the most convenient and beautiful spots to enjoy the lake. Stroll along the lakeside walkways and viewing pavilions to admire the clear waters of Erhai framed by the Cangshan Mountains. Erhai Lake is one of China’s seven largest freshwater lakes and is named for its ear shaped outline.

Continue to the Three Pagodas, the symbol of ancient Dali. These three independent pagodas, standing in a triangular formation, date back more than 1,800 years and have survived several major earthquakes.

End the day in Dali Old Town, where you can explore traditional Bai architecture, lively streets, and local markets, and observe Bai ethnic people wearing their distinctive costumes.

After breakfast, drive to Lijiang with cultural stops along the way. Visit Xizhou, a well preserved Bai minority town known for its historical courtyard homes. Explore the Yan Family Compound to learn about Bai decorative architecture and traditions.
Continue to Zhoucheng, the largest Bai village in the region and the center of traditional indigo tie dye craftsmanship. Visit a workshop to observe the dyeing process and see the handcrafted textiles.

Arrive in Lijiang in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Enjoy free time wandering through Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its canals, stone bridges, and wooden Naxi houses.

Today you will explore the natural and cultural highlights around Lijiang. Begin at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a towering glaciated massif with thirteen peaks. Take the cable car to a high alpine meadow for panoramic views of the snow capped range and the surrounding landscape.

Continue to Baisha Village, the first settlement of the Naxi people. Visit a local Naxi family to learn about their traditional lifestyle and explore the Baisha Murals, remarkable frescoes from the Ming Dynasty that combine Naxi, Tibetan, and Han cultural influences.

Return to Lijiang to visit Black Dragon Pool in Jade Spring Park. This scenic pond offers one of the best photo viewpoints of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with reflections of classical bridges and pavilions in the clear water.

Depart Lijiang and travel north toward Shangri La. Stop first at Stone Drum Town to view the First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the river makes a dramatic V shaped turn as it curves through the mountains.

Continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most impressive river canyons in the world. Walk along a section of the trail to appreciate the power of the Jinsha River as it rushes between steep cliffs and massive boulders.

Arrive in Shangri La in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and take time to explore the Tibetan old town on your own.

Begin your day in Shangri-la with a visit to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, this seventeenth century monastery houses precious Buddhist statues, paintings, and scriptures.

Continue to Pudacuo National Park, one of the first national parks in China to meet international ecological standards. Visit Shudu Lake and Bitahai Lake, both surrounded by dense forests, alpine meadows, and diverse wildlife. Boardwalks allow you to explore the peaceful landscapes at a relaxed pace.

Later, visit a local Tibetan family to learn about traditional customs, food, and daily life. In the late afternoon, return to Shangri La and climb Guishan Hill for panoramic views of the old town and the famous giant prayer wheel.

Depart Shangri La and travel north toward Deqin. Stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Jinsha River Grand Canyon, where the river winds through dramatic mountain terrain.
Continue to Dongzhulin Monastery, one of the earliest Tibetan monasteries in the region and home to a large silk thangka displayed during an annual festival.

Arrive at Feilai Temple in the afternoon. This viewpoint offers the best panoramic views of Meili Snow Mountain, including the sacred main peak, Kawagarbo. If weather permits, enjoy a spectacular sunset over the mountain range.

Get up early to witness the sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain, when the peaks glow gold under the first light of dawn. This natural phenomenon is one of Yunnan’s most memorable sights.

Afterward, travel to Mingyong Village and hike or ride a horse to the viewing platform overlooking Mingyong Glacier. This glacier descends from over 5,500 meters to the forested valley below, making it one of the lowest elevation glaciers in China.

Drive back to Shangri La, stopping at Napahai Nature Reserve, a high altitude wetland surrounded by vast grasslands. In winter, the reserve hosts migratory birds such as black necked cranes.
Arrive in Shangri La in the late afternoon and enjoy free time in the old town.

Your guide and driver will transfer you to Shangri La airport or train station for your departure. If you wish to extend your travels to Tibet or other regions of China, we are happy to assist with tailor made arrangements.