9-Day Awe-Inspiring Exploration of Yunnan Tour

9-Day Awe-Inspiring Exploration of Yunnan Tour Highlights

Price Per Person: Available upon request

Notes:

Day 1 Arrival at Kunming

Night activity: Dynamic of Yunnan Show.

Meals: Chinese Dinner.

Accommodation:

Kunming Jinjiang International Hotel **** or similar class

Welcome to visit China, one of the most incredible countries in the world, which features a 5000-year-old history, splendid culture, numerous historical heritage sites, and fascinating natural landscapes. This tour will let you explore the highlights of Yunnan, the remote area which is home to ethnic minority people from 52 different nationalities. You will have the chance to see the fascinating natural wonders, experience the splendid and distinguished culture, local people and their lifestyle.

Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to the downtown hotel. Then you will have a leisurely walk through the old city center, taking in the horticulture that fills the landscape. Stroll around the local famous Flower Market.

Dinner will be a delicious local Chinese meal. Tonight, you will enjoy the amazing dancing of the Dynamic of Yunnan Show which gives you a better understanding of the local people, culture and customs.

Day 2 Kunming-Stone Forest-Kunming

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Kunming Jinjiang International Hotel **** or similar class

After breakfast, drive to visit the famous Stone Forest. Located in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, the Stone Forest is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres). The Stone Forest is divided into several scenic areas with names like Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Fall. The Stone Forest was formed by karst two million to thirty million years ago. It contains peaks, pillars, stalagmites, depressions, underground rivers, and caves. The fantastic stone pinnacles rising abruptly from the ground resemble a huge, dense forest. After the trip, drive back to the Kunming and visit the famous Longmen on West Hill where you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the famous Dianchi Lake and the precious grotto on the cliff. The one-way cable car and single-way electrical car ride included there. After the tour, drive to check in at your hotel.

Day 3 Kunming-Dongchuan

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner.

Accommodation: Kaiquan Boutique Hotel, Double Room

Today, do have a good breakfast at your hotel as it will be a long-distance trip to the fantastic Dongchuan Red Land. You’ll drive for about 3-3.5 hours (one way) until reaching the Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Area, a scenic hideaway in the Wumeng Mountainous region. Once there, you’ll stop to admire the awe-inspiring landscape at Yueliangtan and explore the many gorgeous vistas at Damakan village, Qicaipo, and the splendid Jinxiu Garden. If the weather permits, you will have the chance to enjoy the amazing sunset there. In the evening, you will have the chance to stargaze if the sky is clear. Tonight, you will stay at a lovely local hotel.

Day 4 Dongchuan-Kunming-Dali (by bullet train, around 2-hours)

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Dali Landscape Hotel **** or similar

This early morning, you can get up early to see the sunrise (depending on the weather) over the colorful fields and village. You will be amazed by the magic of nature. Afterward, return to the hotel and have breakfast. Then you will check-out and drive to Kunming railway station for the departing bullet train to the romantic city Dali. Once there, be picked up transfer to your hotel in the old town. You will stay at Dali for 2 nights.

Day 5 Dali

Activities: Cruise on Erhai Lake.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Dali Landscape Hotel **** or similar

This morning, you will be picked at your hotel and transferred to start your day-trip to explore the romantic city which is the home of Bai Nationality. As one of the cradles of the splendid culture of Yunnan, the ancestors of Dali have lived here since the 4th century.

Firstly drive to take a leisurely cruise on the sapphire blue waters of Erhai Lake, where you can enjoy the stunning lake views. Then visit the Dali ancient town, the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom, Tang Dynasty. The city existed was built in 1382 A.D.(Ming Dynasty ). You can still see the ancient city wall, city gate, and towers. Afterward, visit the Three Pagodas, three magnificent pagodas erected under a regime based here in Dali, Nanzhao, around mid-9th century. You will also have the chance to visit the nearby south gate of the Dali Old Town.

Day 6 Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Hilton Garden Inn **** or similar class

This morning after breakfast, attend the local famous Xizhou Morning Market and experience the traditional lifestyle there. Then visit the local traditional residence of the Bai minority followed by the traditional3-course tea of Bai minority people. Afterward, drive to visit the famous Shaxi Ancient Town which was a prosperous town on the ancient Tea-Horse Route. Upon arrival, you will stroll along the old street and explore the ancient commercial town including the famous Ouyang Courtyard, Old Theater, cobbled streets, alleyways, hundreds of year-old trees, etc. Next, on the tour, drive to Lijiang Ancient Town. You will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 7 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang

Fantastic Show: Impression of Lijiang

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Hilton Garden Inn **** or similar class

Today after breakfast, the first stop is high above the Earth’s surface, riding a cable car through the air and up the soaring summit of Yulong Snow Mountain and Yak Meadow, situated more than two-and-a-half miles above the verdant plains below. Marvel at the incredible views over the southern Chinese countryside before returning to lower altitudes to enjoy the fantastic show called “Impression Lijiang.” This spectacular performance is a celebration of the lifestyles and traditions of the Naxi, Yi and Bai people, choreographed by the famous Zhang Yimou and set amidst the spectacular scenery of the mountainside, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain itself providing the main backdrop. Continue on to visit the stunning Blue Moon Valley (eco-friendly car ride included) and the famous Yushui Village. Afterward, drive back to your hotel.

Day 8 Lijiang-Kunming (by bulletin train,around 3 hours)

Meals:Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Kunming Jinjiang International Hotel **** or similar class

After breakfast, you will visit the famous Lijiang Ancient Town which is home to the local Naxi Minority people for many generations. The town was inscribed as the world cultural heritage by UNESCO. The visit the famous Black Dragon Pond, where you can get a great photo with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain View and the pond.You’ll find a Naxi Cultural Center, an elegant white marble bridge, several small temples and pavilions, and a spectacular view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, perfectly reflected in the pool’s calm waters. Then visit the Baisha Village to meet a Naxi family, and take in the incredible murals on the walls of the town’s temple, which are hundreds of years old and offer incredible insight into the village’s past.

Your day ends at the Shuhe Town, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the richness of Naxi culture even further. Catch a glimpse of Naxi women in their traditional dress, take some tea and griddlecakes at one of the renowned tea houses of the area, and see if you can spot Naxi falconers practicing an art that has been part of their culture for centuries. You will have some free time there, giving you ample opportunity to investigate all of the unique offerings of the Naxi people.

After the trip, drive to take the speed bullet train back to Kunming (17:30-20:47). Upon arrival, our local guide in Kunming will pick you up and transfer to your hotel.

Day 9 Kunming-departure.

Meals: Buffet breakfast

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for the flight (China Southern Airlines) to Guangzhou. Thus, the end of the memorable exploration tour.