DAY 01 | ARRIVAL AT KUNMING

Welcome to Kunming!

Upon arrival at the Kunming airport, the local tour guide and driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

After some rest, you’ll start the tour to Western Hills which is called “Sleeping Beauty Hills”. Explore the famous temples (Huating Temple and Taihua Temple included) and other cultural relics. There is a saying: If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven’t visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven’t been to Western Hills.

Then, continue your trip to Yunnan Nationalities Museum, the largest minority museum in China.

DAY 02 | KUNMING

DAY 03 | KUNMING – DALI

On this day, take a morning high speed train to Dali (about 2 hours), a historical and cultural city for Bai ethnic group. Upon arrival, meet the local tour guide and transferred to begin today’s sightseeing.

You’ll first visit Three Pagodas (Qianxun Pagoda and other two sibling pagodas forming a symmetric triangle), Chongsheng Monastery and Reflection Lake and know more history of Kingdom of Nanzhao and Kingdom of Dali.

Later, it will be a relaxing boat trip on the vast Erhai Lake (Ear-shaped Sea) with crystal clear water and charming landscape. On Erhai Lake cruise, you’ll enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and Three Pagodas from afar as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake. Enjoy an excursion to one of the famous islands for an in-depth look at the peaceful Bai fishing village and other sites on island.

After the peaceful time, transfer to Dali Old Town which has a history of more than 1200 years. Climb up to Wuhua Tower and enjoy panoramic view of the whole old town. It feels like time goes back.

DAY 04 | DALI – LIJIANG

In the morning, drive 18 km to Xizhou Ancient Town. Wander in Morning Market in Xizhou, a place for local people trading daily supplies and  is a great opportunity for getting close to local living conditions.

Later, transfer to Lijiang with 2-hour driving. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a memorable tour to wander in Lijiang Ancient Town(Dayan Ancient Town). Pay a visit to Ming-dynasty style Mufu Palace, the “Forbidden City” of Lijiang to know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round.

DAY 05 | LIJIANG

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Explore leisurely around the village and then get to the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Then, it is followed by a trip to Shuhe Ancient Town – one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings.

DAY 06 | LIJIANG – SHANGRI LA

From Lijiang, drive about 60 kms to the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, visit the Iron Chain Bridge, the Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in the Shigu Old Town. 

Visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Afternoon, you’ll head for Shangri La, the former Zhongdian which is well known as the paradise destination for every tourist.

Upon arrival in Shangri La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks in the valleys. Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, an important town of the Ancient Tea-horse Trade Caravan from Yunnan to Tibet and India. Walk up to the top of Guishan Hill or tortoise Hill, you will see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and have a panoramic view of Shangri La county and Dukezong Ancient Town.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is on the Jinsha River of the upper reaches of the Yangtze, located 105 kms south of Shangri la County. Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot the river is only 30 meters wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 meters above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 meters. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world.

DAY 07 | SHANGRI LA

In the morning, visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan.

And afterwards you’ll visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park Pudacuo National Park is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world.

Visit Dabao Monastery on the way back from Pudacuo National Park. Drive around Napahai Lake and visit some Tibetan villages and families.

DAY 08 | SHANGRI LA – KUNMING

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. 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.

DAY 08 | KUNMING – DEPARTURE

Enjoy a lavish buffet breakfast in at your Hotel; later complete your check-out formalities and embark on a journey to Airport to catch your flight to India. Board your flight from there and come back to your home with the cheerful memories of your wonderful trip.

***YOUR Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri La Tour Package CONCLUDES***