Group Tour E: 8 Days to Yuanyang, Jianshui, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La (Departing From Kunming)

Day 1 -  Kunming  - Shilin 

At 9:00 am, your tour guide picks you up in Kunming downtown (within second ring road), from where you are driven to visit Jiuxiang Caves and Stone Forest.

Meals: L

Overnight in Shilin Bosheng Holiday Hotel or similar

Day 2 -  Shilin - Yuanyang

Day 3 - Yuanyang - Jianshui

The Yuanyang Rice Terraces belong to the Hani and Yi people and were listed as world heritage in 2013. Get up very early today to witness the sunrise over the terraces at Duoyishu Village and visit Sheng Village afterward. After the lunch break, we proceed to Jianshui (about 130 km, 3.5 hours). On the way, stop over at Tuanshan Village, which was listed as world monument of architectural heritage in 2006. Both Jianshui and Tuanshan attract a lot of visitors from China and abroad. Before getting dropped off at the hotel, pay a visit to Zhu Family Garden in Jianshui.

Meals: B/L

Overnight in Jianshui Tongxin Hotel or similar

Day 4 - Jianshui - Kunming - Dali

After breakfast, attend a local tofu workshop (about 30 minutes) as tofu is one of the most important foods of the area. Afterward, visit the Confucius Temple, which is the second largest of its kind in China! After lunch, we proceed back to Kunming. Drop you off at Kunming Train Station to catch the speed train to Dali later.

Meals: B/L

Overnight in Dali Landscape Hotel or similar

Day 5 - Kunming - Dali

Today, get picked up at Dali Train Station, from where you are driven to the Xizhou Morning Market to experience some traditional local life and have breakfast on the way. Visit Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste the typical fragrant Three-Course Tea and explore the Bai's distinctive culture. Xizhou is 19 kilometers north of Dali Old town and lies between Erhai Lake and the Cangshan Mountain Range. It is famous for Bai culture with its old and well-preserved folk houses. It's not only a historically famous city but also a typical commercial center of Bai Ethnic Nationality. The Bai minority are very present at Xizhou. With a more mixed population and cosmopolitan background, it is considered a must for travelers nowadays. Here, you can enjoy lovely local clothes, decorative architectures, and wonderful handicrafts.

After Lunch, we will join a cruise on close Erhai Lake to Jinsuo Island – a local fishing village. Enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain Range and the Three Pagodas from far as well as lots of birds flying over the lake. Then go to Zhoucheng Village which called the “Hometown of Bai’s Tie- Dye Culture” and experiences the tie-dye culture in the Tie- Dye factory.

After that, the guide will take you to check in your hotel and enjoy your free and easy evening after a long day.

Meals: B/L

Overnight in Dali Landscape Hotel or similar

Day 6 - Dali - Lijiang

In the morning, we drive you from Dali to Lijiang. Upon arrived Lijiang, we will visit Zhongyi Morning Market, then visit the Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture. Afterward, take a visit to close Jade Lake Village: from here, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After the lunch break, get driven to Shuhe Ancient Town including a visit to a local market.

Lijiang became known in the 'western countries' through a book written by an American commissioner who traveled in and out of Yunnan province in the late 19th century. And then it was the earthquake in 1996 that brought Lijiang back to the world's attention.

The Old Town of Lijiang, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today. It is an exceptional ancient town set in a dramatic landscape which represents the harmonious fusion of different cultural traditions to produce an urban landscape of outstanding quality.

Meals: B/L

Overnight in Lijiang Wangfu Hotel or similar

Day 7 -  Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La

Today after breakfast, get driven about 60 km to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, which is close to the town of Shigu and can be marveled at before heading further north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge with an imposing gorge scenery (about 88 km, 1.5 hours). It's one of the deepest gorges in the world with 34 rapids. The gorge measures 16 km long and a steep 3900m from the waters of Jinsha River to the snow-capped mountaintops of Haba Snow Mountain to the north-west and Yulong (or Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain to the south-east. The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is another top attraction of Yunnan!

After having lunch near Qiaotou Village, the tour proceeds to Shangri-La (100 km, 2.5 hours), the former Zhongdian which is well-known as the paradise destination for every traveler. Upon arrival in Shangri-La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields with yaks scattered across the valleys. On the way to Shangri-La, we will visit a Yi Minority Village.

Meals: B/L

Overnight in Shangri-La Zhaxidele Hotel or similar

Day 8 - Shangri-La

After breakfast, head for Ganden Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. Visit a local family afterward to get close to the real life of Tibetans.

After lunch, have a closer look at Baiji Temple which is very close to the west of Dukezong Ancient Town, from where a great view over the city can be enjoyed.

Afterward, we invite you to a relaxing break in Shangri-La’s High Mountain Resort to enjoy a cup of coffee, facing beautiful Napa Lake and enjoy great views into the local nature. Spend your free and easy evening around Dukezong Ancient Town.

Shangri-La County is administered by Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The average altitude is more than 3,000 meters (about 9,843 feet). In the past, it was called Zhongdian or Jiantang in Tibetan. In 2002, Zhongdian changed its name to Shangri-La. The region is inhabited by many different ethnic groups, with the Tibetans comprising the majority of the population. You will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan life and learn about their lifestyle, religion, and cuisine. The unique scenery, highlighted by plateaus, together with the fascinating ethnic culture makes the land very attractive and charming to visit.

Shangri-La is the "Eden in dream". Since it first appeared in British novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon in 1939, it has been associated with the mystique of a place which could not possibly exist here on Earth. In Tibetan, Shangri-La means the "sun and moon in heart", an ideal home only found in heaven. The lofty and continuous snowy mountains, endless grasslands, steep and grand gorges, azure lakes and the idyllic villages always leave a deep impression on its visitors.

Meals: B/L