9 days Yunnan highlights tour

Upon arrival at Kunming airport or railway station, to be met and assisted to your hotel by Kunming local tour guide. Rest of the day is on your own. you can choose to walk around this city or stay in the hotel for retire.

Spend the whole day to visit the Qiongzhu Temple and the Stone Forest in Lunan. Qiongzhu Temple is located in the western outskirt of Kunming, it 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 whole afternoon, immerse yourself in the Stone Forest which covers an area of 400 sq. km. (98,842 ac.) in Lunan and is really the marvelous spectacle of nature. Consisting of six scenic spots like Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Qifeng Cave, Zhiyun Cave, Long Lake and Dadieshui Waterfall, the Stone Forest now is praised as one of the four most famous natural scenarios in China. 

In the evening, you may enjoy the grand dance musical ‘Dynamic Yunnan’ which has been an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years directed by Yang Liping. Primitive, unsophisticated folk dances and a fresh artistic concept converge in the program, giving audiences a unique 'Yunnan Impression'. 62 drums and 120 masks of strong ethnic characteristics are incorporated in the performance. (Fee is on your own).

Today you will take an early morning bullet train to Dali. Upon arrival, Your local guide will meet you at the Dali Railway Station and assist you to the hotel. Visit the Erhai Lake Park, the Three Pagoda Temple and the Dali Old Town. The Erhai Lake is a famous plateau lake in Dali with an altitude of 1,972 m. (6,470 ft.). Due to less pollution, the water is very blue and peaceful that it is long been known as Pearl at the Plateau. The Three Pagoda Temple is regarded as the cultural symbol of Dali Ancient town and is a typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. In the afternoon you will stroll around Dali Ancient town to feel the atmosphere of the town. Then return to your hotel for the evening.

After breakfast at hotel, drive about 3 hours to Lijiang, one of the most famous ancient town in China. On the way, visit a local market, the tie-dying in Zhoucheng and the Yan's Compound of Bai Minority in Xizhou. Upon arrival in Lijiang, you will be assisted to check in the local hotel in old town. Afternoon 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. 

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.

Morning drive to Shangri-La (Zhongdian), one of the most beautiful fairylands in China. On the way to Shangri-la, visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River,  the Stone Drum Town and the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is located about 100 km. (62 mi.) northwest of Lijiang between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain and it is the deepest  gorge in the world with an height of 3,790 m. (12.434 ft.). As you arrive in Shangri-la, get settled into the hotel for retire.

Start the tour today by visiting the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. Also known as Guihua Monastery, it is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan. The monastery is built imitating the layout of the Polata Palace in Lhasa and hence came the alias 'the little Potala Palace'. Afterwards visit the tranquil Shudu lake in Pudacuo National Park. The Shudu Lake is beautiful because the plants around the lake are lush and the wild animals are various.

Then you will pay a visit to one of the local Tibetan families to get close to the local people's lives and try some Tibetan home-made yak butter tea there.

Later afternoon visit Shangri-la Tibetan Ancient Town, climb up to the top of Guishan Hill, you will see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and have a panoramic view of Shangri-la county. After that, drive back to your hotel and prepare for the next day.

Say farewell to Shangri-la as you will take the flight to Kunming this morning or noon. Upon arrival, get settled into the downtown hotel. After having lunch, visit the Golden Temple which is a famous Taoism temple. The highlight buildings of this temple are serious of Heavenly Gates, which are highly decorated with painted pillars and carved beams and rafters. Next with a visit to the Green Lake Park, which resembles a beautiful emerald in Kunming. 

At last but not least, 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.

Today your guide and drive 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.