Itinerary
- Day 1
Kunming
You'll arrive in Kunming where your local guide meets you at the airport to help with the transfer to your hotel. This gives you time to settle in and get your bearings before the trip really kicks off.
- Day 2
Kunming
Start with a peaceful morning paddling on Green Lake, then head to the Flower and Bird Market, the largest in Kunming, where you'll find local vendors and wildlife. Grab lunch with local Yunnan rice noodles, then drive roughly 2 hours to Stone Forest to walk through its famous karst landscape. You'll return to Kunming for the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Yunnan Rice Noodles - local special food)
Included Activities
- Morning leisure tour to Green Lake
- Paddle boat on Green Lake
- Visit Flower and Bird Market
- Visit Stone Forest
Optional Activities
- Yunnan Impression Show - Dynamic Yunnan performance
Landmarks/POIs Green Lake Flower and Bird Market Stone Forest - Day 3
Kunming to Dali
After breakfast, take a half-day tour to West Hill and Dragon Gate where cable cars take you up for views over Dianchi Lake. Following lunch, you'll catch a D-train to Dali, traveling about 2.5 hours through changing Yunnan landscapes. The train ride gives you a real sense of the terrain between these two towns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Half day tour to West Hill and Dragon Gate
- Cable car services at West Hill and Dragon Gate
- Sightseeing car in scenic spot
Landmarks/POIs West Hill and Dragon Gate Dianchi Lake - Day 4
Dali
Visit the Three Pagodas in the morning, with the option to hike to the top for views across Dali old town and Erhai Lake. After that, take a relaxing bike ride along the lakeshore. Later you'll stop in Zhoucheng to see traditional Bai architecture and learn about tie-dyeing methods. The evening is yours to explore Dali Ancient Town at your own pace.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Leisure tour to Three Pagodas
- Bike riding along Erhai Lake
- Visit to Zhoucheng
- Learn tie-dyeing techniques
Optional Activities
- Hiking to the top of Three Pagodas
Landmarks/POIs Three Pagodas Erhai Lake Zhoucheng Dali Ancient Town - Day 5
Dali
Following breakfast, head up Cangshan Mountain via cable car to Jade Belt road and hike to a Taoist temple while seeing mountain vegetation. You'll have local lunch there, then move on to Xizhou to check out Bai minority culture and traditional houses. Back at the hotel, you can relax or take a bike ride around Erhai Lake if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch)
Included Activities
- Cable car to Jade Belt gallery road
- Hiking on Cangshan Mountain
- Visit Taoist temple
- Visit Xizhou Bai's Houses
- Explore Bai minority culture
Optional Activities
- Bike riding around Erhai Lake
Landmarks/POIs Cangshan Mountain Xizhou - Day 6
Dali to Lijiang
After a relaxed morning, check out and take a 2-hour train to Lijiang. Once you arrive and have lunch, your guide helps you settle into your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Lijiang Ancient Town at your own pace, checking out Sifang Street for evening activity or Lion Mountain for panoramic views. You'll get a map to help you navigate.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Lijiang Ancient Town
Optional Activities
- Visit Sifang Street
- Visit Lion Mountain for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Lijiang Ancient Town Sifang Street Lion Mountain - Day 7
Lijiang
Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take the cable car up to Glacier Park at 4506 meters. Lunch happens in Baisha village, then you'll visit Yufeng Temple with its blend of different religious architecture. See Baisha Mural, the ancient Naxi cultural site, and finish at Black Dragon Pond Park where you can photograph the mountain reflected in the water before heading back.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local restaurant in Baisha village)
Included Activities
- Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Cable car to Glacier Park
- Visit Yufeng Temple
- Visit Baisha Mural
- Visit Black Dragon Pond Park
Landmarks/POIs Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park Baisha village Yufeng Temple Baisha Mural Black Dragon Pond Park - Day 8
Lijiang to Shangri-La
Check out and drive toward Shangri-La, stopping at Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River. This canyon winds 25km through one of the world's deepest valleys, and you'll hike about 30 minutes to a viewing deck. After lunch, continue to Shangri-La and check in. The evening includes exploring Dukezong Ancient Town, the largest preserved Tibetan city in China, learning Tang-ga painting from a local artist, and optionally catching the bonfire at Moonlight Square.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Hiking to viewing deck at Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Explore Dukezong Ancient Town
- Learn Tang-ga painting with local artist
Optional Activities
- Bonfire night at Moonlight Square
- Dancing party with local residents
- Night bar visit
Landmarks/POIs Tiger Leaping Gorge Dukezong Ancient Town Moonlight Square - Day 9
Shangri-La
Start at Sumtsaling Monastery, Yunnan's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery covering 30 hectares 5km from town. You'll visit a local resident's home for lunch and conversation, then spend the afternoon at Potatso National Park, mainland China's first national park. There you'll see lakes, forests, marshland, valleys, and alpine meadows connected by footpaths so you can get close to the natural environment.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tibetan food shared with local resident in their home or at nearby restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Sumtsaling Monastery
- Family visit to local resident home
- Visit Potatso National Park
Landmarks/POIs Sumtsaling Monastery Potatso National Park - Day 10
Shangri-La to Kunming
You have a free day before transferring directly to the airport for your flight back to Kunming. This gives you flexibility to rest, do last-minute shopping, or revisit a spot that caught your attention during the trip.
