Situated in Southwestern China, Yunnan has literally been known as “South to the Color Clouds”, for its warm winter and cool summer. Because of its special location, it enjoys huge differences in elevation, in diversity of geography and ecology as well as the culture of different ethnic groups amongst its population of 43 million, of which 14 million are ethnic minorities. This trip will cover Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, Dali and Lijiang…
Kunming Changshui International Airport (Google Map)
Lijiang Airport (Google Map)
Day 1 Arrive at Kunming (-/-/-)
Transfer via: flight arranged by you
Meet you at Kunming airport, and then transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you will have free time to explore around Kunming city.
Day 2 Kunming (B/L/-)
This morning, drive you to the famous scenic place Stone Forest. It will take about two hours from Kunming to Stone Forest. After finishing Stone Forest trip, transfer you back to Kunming. When come back to Kunming, you will have another tour to Bamboo Temple. After finishing this trip, transfer you back to your hotel.
Stone Forest located in Shilin Yi Nationality Autonomous County. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. The fantastic stone pinnacles rising abruptly from the ground resemble a huge, dense forest. The stone forest with its mysterious scenery and natural beauty is described as “the most fantastic scenery under heaven” by the people in and out of China.
Bamboo Temple is located in Yu’anshan Mountain which is in 10km northwest of Kunming. It is a much-restored Tang Dynasty temple known for its Arhat statues, is arguably the most famous of Kunming’s temples.
Day 3 Kunming to Dali (B/L/-)
Transfer via: domestic flight arranged by us
Take an early flight from Kunming to Dali. Be met at Dali airport and transfer to you hotel. After check-in and a short rest, drive you to Erhai Lake. Then you will take a cruise on the Erhai Lake. Erhai Lake has formed one of the most beautiful and best known scenery in China. Dali was once the ancient capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom for hundreds of year since Tang dynasty to Yuan dynasty till Mongols took over it. However, its important role in trading on the ancient Tea-Horse-Caravan has never changes.
And then lead you to Three Pagoda Temple and Dali Ancient Town. The main attractions of Dali are the ancient town, the Chongsheng pagoda and the surrounding countryside.
Day 4: Dali to Lijiang (B/L/-)
This morning, we will drive to to Lijiang via Shaxi on the old road, enjoying the spectacular landscape.After lunch, lead you to explore Lijiang Ancient Town.
Shaxi was a bustling trade station on the Tea and Horse Caravan that linked Yunnan and Tibet with Southeast Asia for tea and horse trading. The World Monuments Fund has listed Shaxi as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world because of its historical importance as the only surviving example of a Tea & Horse Caravan trade center.
Lijiang Ancient Town Lijiang was a name given by Kublai Khan in 1,254; the old town is an interesting place to explore. The canals in the town are really unique, the local people block water to wash the ground in the town every day, and this has been practiced ever since the town was established.
Day 5: Lijiang (B/L/-)
Today’s highlights are Baisha Mural Paintings, Yufeng Temple and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
After breakfast, will drive you to Baisha Village to visit the local Naxi family and Basha Mural Painting. You can experience the local people’s life and their traditional culture. And then, pay a visit to Yufeng Temple. In the evening, enjoy Music show of Dongba People at the ancient town.
Baisha Mural Paintings is located in Baisha Township; 8km north of the seat of the Lijiang Naxi Nationality Autonomous County, there are altogether 53 groups of mural paintings located in the hall.
Yufeng Temple:It is known in English as Jade Peak Temple. The temple shows distinctive architectural style of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and the local Naxi Dongba Religion as a result of the cultural fusion between different minoritiesin the Qing Dynasty.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. It stretches a length of 35 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers. Looking from Lijiang Ancient Town in the south, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon laying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
And you can enjoy the Naxi Ancient Music in the evening.
Day6: Lijiang departure (B/-/-)
Transfer via: TBA-flight on your own arrangement
This morning is free for you to explore Lijiang. And transfer you to the airport for catching your flight to your next destination.
