Yunnan High-Speed Rail Tour | 5-Day Kunming and Lijiang High-Speed Rail Tour

Welcome to Kunming, the "Spring City." Our guide will meet you at the reception desk of the airport/train station and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. If it is still early and you want to look around the neighborhood, you can also ask the guide for professional travel advice. How to Get There 1. By Plane: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) has many direct international flights, such as from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Nepal, as well as many direct domestic flights, such as from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Hong Kong. 2. By Train: Kunming has two railway stations, namely Kunming Railway Station and Kunming South Railway Station. You can travel to Kunming by train or high-speed rail from various cities in China, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, Guiyang, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

This morning, we will drive 78 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) to visit the [Stone Forest Scenic Area], known as the "Bonsai of God." The Stone Forest Scenic Area, also known as Yunnan Stone Forest, is famous for its stunning karst landscape and is highly praised as the essence of the world's karst landscapes. You can take the sightseeing bus to visit the Major Stone Forest and Minor Stone Forest in sequence, admire and learn about various unique karst landscape features up close, and also listen to moving legends about the Stone Forest. After the visit, return to downtown Kunming to visit [Yuantong Temple]. Yuantong Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kunming, with a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is also the only temple in China that accommodates Han Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism at the same time. It is well known in southwestern China and Southeast Asia, with flourishing incense offerings. Finally, you can also walk about 700 meters from Yuantong Temple to visit [Green Lake Park]. Green Lake Park is named for its emerald waters on all sides, emerald bamboo in all seasons, and emerald willows in summer and autumn. It is known as the "Jade of the City" and is the leisure center for Kunming locals. Every day, many residents walk, enjoy the scenery, dance, and exercise here, making it the best place to experience the atmosphere of Kunming life.

This morning, we will take you to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Lijiang (journey time approximately 3.5–4 hours). Upon arrival at Lijiang Railway Station, our local guide and driver will greet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel in Lijiang Old Town for check-in. After a short rest, your Lijiang tour begins. First, you will visit [Lijiang Old Town], a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of over 800 years and once an important town on the Tea Horse Road. You will first visit the [Mu Mansion] inside the old town, known as the "Forbidden City of the South," to learn about the local Naxi culture and the rise and fall of the Mu family, and walk to the best viewing point to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the old town with the snow mountain as a backdrop. Afterwards, you can walk to [Sifang Street], where there are many shops selling Naxi handicrafts and local specialties, as well as lively bars. If the weather is good, in the evening local residents will gather around a bonfire for lively dancing activities. Evening activity suggestions 1. Best places to photograph the night view of Lijiang Old Town: Xianwen Lane, Zhenxing Lane, South Gate Bridge, Fengling Street, and Cherry Blossom Restaurant, etc. 2. Best places to experience nightlife, bars, and night markets: Sifang Street (Naxi bonfire party after 7 PM), Wuyi Street, Xinhua Street, Zhongyi Market, etc.

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide, you will visit the bustling Zhongyi Market near the South Gate of Lijiang Ancient Town. Here you can see many Naxi locals in traditional dress selling or buying ingredients, daily necessities, etc., and personally feel the rich local atmosphere and cultural character. You may also buy some local specialty snacks to try, such as fried potatoes, pan-fried liangfen, grilled rushan, etc., and experience a different flavor of cuisine. Afterwards, head to Black Dragon Pool Park in the north of Lijiang Ancient Town, to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the surrounding mountains and waters and the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected on the water's surface. Then, walk to the Naxi Dongba Culture Museum located near the park. Here, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the history and cultural customs of the Naxi people, and also visit the Dongba culture exhibition. By observing Dongba priests, Dongba ancient manuscripts written in Naxi pictographic script, and traditional Naxi clothing, etc., you can gain a deeper understanding of Dongba culture. Afterwards, set off toward Yuhu Village, stopping along the way to visit Yufeng Temple, built during the Qing Dynasty. This is one of the five great Buddhist temples of Lijiang, renowned worldwide for its "Ten Thousand Camellia" tree. Legend has it that this camellia tree was planted by a living Buddha himself and is now more than 500 years old. When it blooms, tens of thousands of camellia flowers sway among the branches, a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Then arrive at Yuhu Village for a visit. Yuhu Village is a traditional Naxi village nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On one side of the village is the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and on the other is the tranquil Yuhu Lake, while the village itself is made up of houses built of stone and wood, making for a very beautiful scene. You can also interact closely with the locals and experience their traditional way of life. In addition, there is the former residence of Rock here, where you can see exhibits and photos related to the research of this famous explorer and botanist on local plants, Naxi culture, etc. If you are interested in horseback riding, you can also rent a horse and ride along the beautiful Yuhu Village. Suggested Naxi cultural experience activities 1. Visit a local Naxi family to learn about the traditional way of life of the Naxi people 2. Witness the traditional Naxi Dongba papermaking craft and learn to write Naxi Dongba script 3. Wear traditional Naxi clothing and take beautiful Naxi travel photos

After breakfast, we will conclude this wonderful 3-day Yunnan Lijiang Naxi cultural journey. Our guide or driver will escort you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more popular tourist destinations in Yunnan, such as Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La, and Xishuangbanna, you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.