First Encounter with Yunnan | 6-Day Tour of Dali, Lijiang and Shaxi Ancient Town

Welcome to Dali, the gathering place of the Bai ethnic minority in China. Our guide will meet you at the airport/train station reception and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. If it's still early and you want to explore the surroundings, you can also ask the guide for professional travel advice. How to get here: 1. By plane: Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU) has many direct flights. You can fly to Dali from cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changsha, Wuhan, etc. 2. By train: You can take high-speed trains to Dali from various Chinese cities, such as Kunming (2 hours), Lijiang (1.5 hours), Chengdu (8 hours), Chongqing (7-7.5 hours), Guilin (10 hours), Guiyang (5 hours), Guangzhou (11 hours), etc.

This morning, you will visit Dali's landmark attraction, the [Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple]. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple consist of one large pagoda, two small pagodas, and the grand Chongsheng Temple behind them. The three pagodas were first built during the Nanzhao Kingdom period, more than a thousand years ago, and are typical of Tang Dynasty architectural style, serving both to ward off evil and for ornamental purposes. Chongsheng Temple was once the royal temple of the Nanzhao and Dali periods and enjoys the reputation of the Buddhist Capital, where you can learn about and experience Buddhist culture. In addition, do not forget to take beautiful travel photos at the Reflection Pool in front of the three pagodas. After the visit, you will go to Dali Ancient Town. [Dali Ancient Town] was first built during the Ming Dynasty more than 600 years ago and was once the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. Here, you can stroll along the stone-paved streets of the ancient town, learn about its history and appearance, browse the lively shops, admire various unique local handicrafts, and taste some local snacks such as cold chicken rice noodles, Bai-style sour and spicy fish, Xizhou baba, and roasted tea. Then you can go to [Erhai Lake], known as the pearl of the plateau. Erhai Lake is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, with deep blue water, and is famous worldwide for the beauty of its mountains and waters. You can cycle along the west shore of Erhai Lake, immersively enjoying the beauty of the lake and mountains along the way, as well as the quaint Bai residential architecture and pastoral scenery.

This morning you will visit [Xizhou Old Town], stroll through the lively local market, deeply experience the local lifestyle, walk along the old town paths to visit various residences, learn about Bai architectural aesthetics, and experience the Bai Three-Course Tea ceremony to feel the local folk culture. Afterwards, you will visit [Zhoucheng Village], known as the hometown of tie-dyeing. Zhoucheng Village is a Bai village famous for its excellent tie-dyeing techniques. Here you can admire various exquisite handicrafts and, under the guidance of artisans, learn to make tie-dye works. After lunch, you will drive about 2 hours to visit Shaxi Old Town. [Shaxi Old Town] was once an important town on the Tea Horse Road, with a history of about 2,400 years. Far from the noise of the city, it still retains its original appearance and is the best place to learn about the culture and trade history of the past.

After breakfast, you can stroll along Sideng Street, the main road of Shaxi Old Town, admiring the old shops and the traditional Bai-style courtyard houses and alley architecture. Then head to Sifang Street, the center of the old town, to see the ancient theater stage and Xingjiao Temple, which are steeped in history and cultural atmosphere. Afterward, go to Yujin Bridge to enjoy and photograph the beautiful surrounding scenery. Activity Recommendation: The Friday market in Shaxi Old Town is well worth a visit. If today happens to be Friday, you can ask your guide to take you to experience the most traditional and lively market here, where you can see various fresh local agricultural products, distinctive handicrafts, and all kinds of Bai specialty foods—the best place to feel the local everyday life. Afterward, you will travel 107 kilometers (approximately 2 hours) by car to Lijiang. First, you will visit the famous Lijiang Old Town. Lijiang Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of over 800 years and was once an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. You will visit the Mu Mansion, 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 viewpoint to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the old town with the snow mountain as a backdrop. Afterward, you can walk to Sifang Street to explore Naxi handicrafts and local specialties. Finally, if time permits, you can visit Black Dragon Pool Park to the north of Lijiang Old Town, enjoying the picturesque scenery and the spectacular reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the water.

This morning you will visit the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the sacred mountain of the Naxi people, named for its resemblance to a jade dragon in winter. You can take a cable car, accompanied by magnificent scenery along the way, up to Yunshanping at an altitude of 3,240 meters. This vast meadow hidden in the primeval spruce forest is the best spot to view Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After sightseeing, take the cable car down and transfer to a sightseeing bus to Blue Moon Valley. Blue Moon Valley consists of 4 lakes and 1 river, among which Yuye Lake and Baishui River are the most worth seeing. On sunny days, Yuye Lake's water is clear and blue, like a precious mirror, while Baishui River appears white overall because the water flows over white stones, hence its name. Optional activity (at your own expense): If you are interested in Lijiang's culture, you can go to Ganhaizi in the afternoon to watch the large outdoor performance "Impression Lijiang." The performance is mainly song and dance, lasting about 1 hour, vividly showcasing the traditional lifestyle of the local Naxi people. Afterwards, leave Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and head to Baisha Ancient Town, once the ancient capital of the Naxi people, to admire the time-honored Baisha Murals. Most Baisha Murals were created during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Their most distinctive feature is that in a single mural, you can see images from Han Buddhism, Taoism, and Lamaism, which is very rare. Finally, return to Lijiang. If you still have energy, you can stop by Shuhe Ancient Town on the way, stroll through the peaceful and tranquil old town, and taste local specialty snacks.

After breakfast, we will conclude this wonderful 6-day Yunnan tour. Our guide or driver will take you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more popular Yunnan destinations such as Kunming, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna, and more, you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.