Spend ten days exploring the rich cultural diversity of the Yunnan province on a China culture tour. Visit Kunming, Lijiang and old town Dali as you learn about the centuries-old history that has shaped the cultural landscape found in this region today. Roughly half of all ethnic minority groups in all of China are found in this tiny province. Spend ten days visiting renowned sights such as fabled Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge on this rich culturally focused Yunnan tour.
Highlights
Walk along the Jade Trail on Cangshan Mountain for great views of the Dali
Visit the bustling Xizhou market which sells groceries & handicrafts
Climb Lion Hill for panoramic views of Lijiang
Explore Nixi Pottery Village and watch locals carry out their craft
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive this morning into Kunming's airport. Here you are greeted by your local guide and transfer about one and a half hours to the nearby Stone Forest. This towering collection of limestone formations creates the illusion of being petrified trees, and is part of the South China Karst and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If the opportunity arises, we may stop to visit with a local Yi family, the main ethnic group found in this area.
After the visit, drive back to the city of Kunming and settle into your hotel for the evening.
Head back to the airport today for a quick flight on to nearby Dali, an old town with beautiful landscapes and a rich history. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and head out to explore Cangshan Mountain. Take a chair lift up the mountain where you set out on a two hour walk along the Jade Trail, which connects to another chairlift station. Enjoy the city views of Dali below and smell the wildflowers that often bloom in the summer months.
Next visit Chongsheng Temple, one of the most popular Buddhist shrines in southwest China. This evening explore the small and charming Dali Ancient Town. Built during the Ming Dynasty, "Old Town" Dali has been kept separated from the "new town" and other modern growth, thereby preserving its traditional architectural style.
Today you will drive an hour south to the old village of Weibaoshan (or Weibao). One of the most renowned scenic spots in the Dali area, it is one of China's Taoism holy mountains and the birthplace for the legendary King of the Nanzhao Kingdom, Xinluo. The mountain is home to multiple Daoist temples along the mountain sides that were built during the Nanzhao Kingdom.
After lunch visit the Dong Lianhua Village, a Hui Muslim village located near the Hong He River. The well-preserved ancient town was dubbed a national cultural village in 2008 and its preserved buildings reflect the charm and culture of the Hui people. After your visit here, drive back to Dali for the evening.
This morning drive to Xizhou Bai Village, an important town throughout history and the best preserved example of Bai traditional houses and Qing Dynasty architecture. Visit the bustling Xizhou market today where a range of items from groceries to handicrafts are sold. See the traditional dress of the Bai women, visit a local family's house, and see a show called Tea Ceremony of Three Courses - a tradition amongst the Bai people often accompanied with a show that includes singing and dancing.
Continue 2-3 hours to Shaxi Village. Stop en route at Shibaoshan to see the vivid grottos carved during the Nanzhao Kingdom about 1100 years ago. Arrive to Shaxi Village, a once important bustling trade station on the Tea & Horse Caravan that linked Yunnan and Tibet with Southeast Asia, and the world's only surviving example.
This morning continue to explore Shaxi before driving two hours north to Lijiang. The road ascends to the higher altitude of Lijiang and offers great countryside views of Yunnan. Lijiang received its name (Beautiful River) by Kublai Khan in 1254 and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is comprised of an orderly system of bridges and canals and the townspeople still use the water to wash the ground everyday as has been done since the town's founding.
Upon arrival stop for lunch, then spend some time to see some main sights, such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which dominates the northwest horizon and the Museum of Naxi Culture. Explore the ancient town of Lijiang and learn about the history of this town. Climb up Lion Hill and enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient city before turning in for the day.
Today drive to Baisha Village, located in the oldest zone of the city of Lijiang, to see 44 frescos (murals) that were carved during the Ming Dynasty. Most of the paintings depict religious stories from Taosim, Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism and exemplify the artistic talent of the Naxi, Tibetan, Han, and Bai ethnic groups.
Visit next Yuhu Village, a lakeside town fed by melted snow in the mountains. The mountain is considered holy by locals, and thus the holy water that reaches the village gives it a layer of mystery. This picturesque spot also claims to have been home to the first foreign resident, National Geographic explorer Joseph Rock, who came to live here in 1922 and introduced the outside world to the Yunnan province through his photographs and writing.
Drive next to Shuhe Old Town, a UNESCO component of Lijiang, and an example of a well-preserved town along the tea route. Lijiang is one of the earliest settlements of the ancestors of the Naxi people. Explore this town and enjoy an evening concert of ancient Naxi music, considered to be a "living fossil" of the Chinese civilization. Naxi music is also known as Dongjing music and highlights mystery, calmness, and a detached mood.
Today drive towards Tiger Leaping Gorge. En route, stop to admire Stone Drum Town located at the First Bend in the Yangtze River. This near 180 degree bend is a world-famous geological phenomenon. Enjoy the panoramic vistas and learn of the strategic importance of this site throughout history.
Continue on to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic canyon along the Jinsha River and one of the longest and deepest river canyons in the world. Hike along the upper trail of the canyon here and peer down to the river flowing below. See the Tiger Leaping Stone, where according to legend a Tiger jumped across the river to escape a hunter, thereby giving the canyon its name.
This afternoon continue on to Gyalthang, a Kham Tibetan area that was renamed Shangri-La by the government in order to promote tourism due to its beautiful scenery and similarity to the fictional Himalayan paradise as written about by James Hilton in 1933. The true inspiration for Hilton's portrayal is a subject of hot debate amongst towns in the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, with many claiming to have been the basis upon which he wrote. Visit the ancient town before retiring for the night.
Set out today to visit Songtsam Monastery, a spiritual haven for Gelukpa Tibetan Buddhists built in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This monastery houses more than 700 monks and lamas and is open for visitors to wander its colorful buildings around the multi-leveled grounds.
This afternoon visit Nixi Pottery Village, famous for its black pottery, most of which are fire pans, pots and kettles. The traditional pottery-making technique has been passed down for thousands of years and is still employed by locals today. Using only simple wooden tools such as bats and hammers, the pottery-making process is very complex. Around seventy percent of the families remaining in the village practice this traditional art. Watch the locals carry out their craft during your visit today.
Today explore the Pudacuo National Park, the first of its kind on mainland China. Hike along the path and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Shudu and Bita Lakes and centuries-old oak trees, spruces, and firs. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike. The month of May also allows for a variety of azalea species in bloom. After your return explore Shangri-La town some more on your own on your last evening in the region.
Day 10: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Return to the airport for a domestic flight to connect with your international flights home.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,9832-3 travelers
Notes
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Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 30% of Land Cost + Total Transportation Fare required at the time of confirmation of the reservation, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.