Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kunming
Your guide meets you at Kunming airport and takes you straight to the hotel. They'll help with your bags and get you checked in so you can settle in and rest after your flight.
- Day 2
Kunming
Meet your guide at 8:00 AM in the hotel lobby. You'll start with Yuantong Temple, which has been around for over 1,200 years and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Kunming. After that, it's a two-hour drive to Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site with incredible karst rock formations that look like a forest of stone pillars. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and then you head back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Yuantong Temple
- Explore Stone Forest (Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest)
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Yuantong Temple Stone Forest - Day 3
Kunming to Dali
Take the morning at your own pace before your guide picks you up and brings you to the high-speed train station. You'll arrive in Dali and check into your hotel. From there, Cangshan Mountain is waiting with hiking trails to explore at your own level. The ropeway at Gantong Temple gets you up high for views across Erhai Lake, and later you can walk through Dali Old Town with its stone streets and local markets to browse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cangshan Mountain hiking (trail selection based on preference and fitness level)
- Ropeway at Gantong Temple with views of Erhai Lake and surrounding countryside
- Explore Dali Old Town
Landmarks Cangshan Mountain Gantong Temple Erhai Lake Dali Old Town 
- Day 4
Dali
This morning takes you to Xizhou Bai Minority Village where you'll see traditional Bai architecture and learn how local people live and work. Next is a visit to the Three Pagodas, ancient structures that are over 1,000 years old. Later, you'll bike along the shores of Erhai Lake with mountain views all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Xizhou Bai Minority's Village
- Explore Dali Three Pagodas and temple grounds
- Bike ride along Erhai Lake shores
Landmarks Xizhou Bai Minority's Village Dali Three Pagodas Erhai Lake 
- Day 5
Dali to Lijiang
Relax in the morning before heading to the high-speed train station with your guide. Once in Lijiang, you'll go to your hotel and then check out Black Dragon Pond Park to see the Moon Embracing Pavilion and catch views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You'll walk through the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow winding alleys and traditional Naxi buildings. If timing works, head up Lion Hill Park to see the sunset over the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Black Dragon Pond Park
- Explore Old Town Lijiang (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Ascend Lion Hill Park for sunset views
Landmarks Black Dragon Pond Park Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Old Town Lijiang Lion Hill Park 
- Day 6
Lijiang
After breakfast, take a cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the Yak Meadow section, a famous area for mountain views and wildlife. Later you'll drive to Baisha Village to see ancient murals and Yufeng Monastery, which gives you a quieter look at authentic Naxi culture away from the busy tourist areas. You should be back at the hotel around 4:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car experience (Yak Meadow section)
- Visit Baisha Village
- View Baisha Murals
- Visit Yufeng Monastery
Landmarks Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Baisha Village Baisha Murals Yufeng Monastery - Day 7
Lijiang to Shangri-La
Your guide picks you up in a private vehicle and you head out to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons around with massive cliffs, waterfalls, and rapids rushing below. From there, continue on to Shangri-La on the Tibetan plateau. After checking in, you'll have time to explore local markets and try authentic Tibetan food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
Optional Activities
- Explore Shangri-La charming streets
- Visit local markets
- Savor authentic Tibetan cuisine
Landmarks Tiger Leaping Gorge 
- Day 8
Shangri-La
Start the day at Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, also called the Little Potala Palace, which is the largest monastery in Yunnan Province with impressive Tibetan Buddhist architecture and decorated rooftops. Your guide can arrange a visit with a lama in his dormitory to see what daily monastic life looks like. Later, head to Pudacuo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with clear green lakes, thick forests, and easy walks through undisturbed landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
- Visit a lama in his dormitory
- Explore Pudacuo National Park
Landmarks Ganden Sumtseling Monastery Pudacuo National Park - Day 9
Departure from Shangri-La
You have the morning to yourself before your guide takes you to the airport for your flight out.
