Top Choice for Yunnan | 8-Day 7-Night Classic Group Tour of Kunming + Dali + Shangri-La + Lijiang

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

This morning, we will drive 78 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) to visit the 【Stone Forest Scenic Area】, known as the "God's Bonsai." 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 landforms. You can take a sightseeing bus to visit the Major Stone Forest and Minor Stone Forest in sequence, admire and learn about various unique karst landscapes up close, and also listen to moving legends about the Stone Forest. After the tour, return to downtown Kunming and visit 【Yuantong Temple】. Yuantong Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kunming, with a long history of more than 1,200 years, and is also the only temple in China that accommodates Chinese Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism at the same time. It is quite famous in southwestern China and Southeast Asia, with flourishing incense offerings. Finally, you can also walk to 【Green Lake Park】, about 700 meters from Yuantong Temple. Green Lake Park is named for its green waters on all sides, green bamboo in all seasons, and green willows in summer and autumn. It has the reputation of being the "jade in the city" and is a leisure center for local Kunming residents. Every day, many citizens walk, enjoy the scenery, dance, and exercise here, making it the best place to experience the atmosphere of Kunming life. In the evening, enjoy the arranged Yunnan specialty dinner - Yunnan Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles. This is one of Yunnan's famous specialty foods, made with delicate rice noodles paired with various meats, eggs, seasonal vegetables, fried peanuts, chives, and other ingredients, plus a broth simmered over low heat. You can taste the authentic Yunnan rice noodle flavor while listening to the story of its origin.

This morning, we will take you to the railway station to board the high-speed train from Kunming to Dali (about 2 hours). After arriving at Dali Railway Station, our local guide and driver will greet you at the exit and begin your Dali tour. First, you will visit Dali's landmark attraction [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 viewing. Chongsheng Temple was once a royal temple during 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. Afterwards, head 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 ecological corridor on the west bank of Erhai Lake and immersively enjoy the beauty of the lakes and mountains along the way and the simple Bai-style dwellings. In the afternoon, you can freely explore [Dali Ancient Town], either stroll along the bluestone-paved streets of the ancient town and experience the [Ancient City Gate Tower], [Wuhua Tower], and [Foreigner Street], which remain prosperous after a thousand years of change, or go to Renmin Road in the ancient town to experience the lively and bustling market life of the local Bai people, and fully enjoy this comfortable and relaxing time.

This morning you will visit [Xizhou Ancient Town], browse the lively local morning market, and deeply experience the local lifestyle. Afterward, you can stroll along the town's paths to visit various traditional residences, learn about Bai architecture aesthetics, and experience the Bai Three-Course Tea ceremony to feel the local folk culture. Afterward, 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. In the afternoon, drive to Shangri-La, located northwest of Dali City (about 300 km, about 4 hours' drive). After arriving in Shangri-La, go to the hotel for check-in and rest.

This morning, you will drive (about 40 minutes) to visit China's first national park - 【Potatso National Park】. Potatso National Park has a variety of natural landscapes including forests, grasslands, lakes, and relics. After entering the scenic area, you will transfer to an eco-bus and first go to see Shudu Lake. Shudu Lake is the largest lake in the park and is famous for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Then take the eco-bus to Bita Lake. Bita Lake is famous for its pagoda-shaped hills and clear, tranquil lake water. Around the lake are many tall trees, and their reflections in the water form a series of beautiful pictures. Afterward, you will visit 【Songzanlin Monastery】, known as the "Little Potala Palace." Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Built against the mountain, the temple adopts a unique five-story Tibetan carved architectural style and embodies the essence of Tibetan plastic arts, and is also known as a "Tibetan Art Museum." Here you can experience Tibetan Buddhist culture and also climb to the top of the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Songzanlin Monastery and Lamuyangcuo Lake. After the visit, go to see 【Dukezong Ancient Town】, with a history of more than 1,300 years. Dukezong Ancient Town is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China and was also an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Here you can view various Tibetan-style dwellings, temples, pagodas, and more, learn about Tibetan culture, and also climb Guishan to turn the world's largest prayer wheel together with local people to pray for yourself or your relatives and friends, or find a good spot to overlook the entire ancient town. In the evening, visit a local 【Tibetan family】 to learn about the daily life of the local Tibetan people, chat with them, and taste butter tea and local snacks. Then return to the hotel, ending a day of culture and beautiful scenery.

This morning, you will travel by car from Shangri-La to Lijiang and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. First, you will come to [Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge]. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world. Here you can enjoy the breathtaking sight of the roaring Jinsha River rushing down, and you can also go down along the plank road/elevator (additional charge) to feel the surging river up close and the powerful force of nature. Afterwards, come to [First Bend of the Yangtze River], admire the rare V-shaped bend formed by the majestic Yangtze River because of the obstruction of the mountain terrain, and climb onto the viewing platform to overlook the spectacular panorama of the more than 100-degree great bend. After the visit, continue to Lijiang. Upon arrival in Lijiang, visit [Lijiang Ancient Town]. Lijiang Ancient Town is a World Cultural Heritage site with a long history of more than 800 years and was once an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. You can stroll along the bluestone paths in the ancient town and admire the traditional buildings with flying eaves and bracket sets, feel the lively and leisurely living atmosphere in the ancient town, or climb to a high viewing platform to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the ancient town with snow mountains as the backdrop, and you can also walk to Sifang Street to explore Naxi-style handicrafts and local specialties. Finally, head to [Black Dragon Pool Park] north of Lijiang Ancient Town, and enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery of clear mountains and waters and the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected on the water. Overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town

This morning you will visit the famous [Jade Dragon Snow Mountain]. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the sacred mountain of the Naxi people and is named for its jade-dragon-like appearance in winter. You can take a cable car, accompanied by magnificent scenery along the way, up to Spruce Meadow 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 has 4 lakes and 1 river, among which Jade Liquid Lake and White Water River are the most worth seeing. When the sun is bright, the water of Jade Liquid Lake is clear and blue, like a precious mirror, while White Water River is named for appearing white overall because the water flows over white stones. Enjoy a hearty local specialty hot pot for lunch, then 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 greatest feature is that in a single mural you can see images from Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, and Lamaism and other different sects, which is very rare. Finally, return to Lijiang. If you still have energy to explore, you can stop for a while at [Shuhe Ancient Town] (at your own expense) along the way, stroll through the peaceful and tranquil ancient town, and taste local specialty snacks.

After breakfast, we will conclude this classic 8-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 or other popular China travel destinations, you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.