Dali and Lijiang Old Town Tour

• Kunming Arrival - Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities - Xishan Mountain

• 4+stars Hotel

• None

When you arrive at Kunming Airport or Railway Station, your local guide will meet you at the arrival hall on time and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. (Note: If you wish to join the afternoon tour, it is recommended that you choose a flight or train that arrives in Kunming before 10:00 a.m.)

Yunnan is the province with the largest number of ethnic minorities in China. This afternoon, we will take you to visit the Yunnan Museum of Ethnic Minorities, which is regarded as the largest ethnic minority museum in Asia. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the profound culture and unique charm of 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan up close.

Then you will visit Xishan Mountain, known as “Sleeping Beauty Mountain”, which offers a panoramic view of Dianchi Pond.

In addition to the natural landscape, there are also ancient sites such as the Dragon Gate(Longmen)where you can enjoy the art of grottoes.

If you are interested, we recommend you to visit HuatingTemple and Taihua Temple. Both temples are included in the entrance fee, where you can enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture and feel the peace of mind.

• Stone Forest - Cuihu Park - Dali

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, we will come to the Stone Forest, which is regarded as “the essence of the world's karst landscape” and listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Taking a sightseeing bus, we will go deep into the Boulder Forest Scenic Area, as if entering a labyrinth of giant boulders. Along the way, you'll see towering concentrations of rocky peaks and unique panoramas of rocky forests.

Next, we will continue by bus to the Little Stone Forest. Here you will have a chance to see the iconic stone “Asima”, a realistic boulder that resembles a graceful young lady.

While you are visiting the Stone Forest, you can also experience the unique charm of Yi ethnic minority culture, enjoy the traditional songs and dances of the Yi people, and taste the authentic Yi cuisine.

Next, you can take a leisurely walk to the nearby Kunming Cuihu Park. From November to March, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate here, where they spend the warm winter months and become a unique sight in the park.

After today's tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Dali.

• Three Pagodas Temple of Dali - Lake Erhai - Dali Ancient Town

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

Early in the morning you will visit the Three Pagodas Temple of Dali, a royal monastery during the Dali Kingdom. Historically, it has been a representative of Buddhist culture and art, attracting many monks and devotees to practice.

Afterwards, we will go to the famous Erhai Lake . The water of Erhai is so clear and transparent that it has been called the "Flawless Jade among the Mountains" since ancient times. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus, a boat tour, or try to ride a bicycle around the lake to explore the Erhai Lake.

Optional：

1. The Erhai Sightseeing Bus Tour costs RMB 50 per person for about an hour and follows the shoreline of the Erhai Lake.
2. If you want to get closer to the Erhai Lake, you can opt for a boat trip, which lasts about 2 to 3 hours and costs from RMB 145 per person.
3. Of course, if you love sports as well as want to explore the Erhai Sea freely, then cycling along the Erhai Sea will be a good choice. The approximately two-hour bike tour costs from about RMB 50 per person.

Afterwards, we will step into Dali Ancient Town, the former ancient capital of the Dali Kingdom. Here, you can enjoy the unique Bai culture. Stroll along the stone streets, admire the ancient buildings and traditional houses, taste the local cuisine, and visit the beautiful sites around Dali Old Town, such as Drum Tower and Wuhua Pagoda.

Next, we will explore Honglongjing, Renmin Road and Yangren Street. These are places where ancient dwellings meet modern bars and cafes. The bustling stores are filled with Yunnan's specialties and handicrafts.

Recommended Activities:
You can learn to make Dali's specialty flower cake. This traditional pastry is made with fresh rose flowers as the main ingredient, which is very delicious. After you finish making it, you can take the flower cake home as a wonderful reminder of Dali culture.

• Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng - the Old Town of Lijiang

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will come to the morning market in Xizhou Ancient Town, where people dressed in traditional costumes trade fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and daily necessities, giving you a close-up experience of the Bai people's living atmosphere.

Next, we head to Zhoucheng, the town of tie-dye. You can experience the production process of tie-dye craft and feel the charm of traditional culture.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Lijiang for about 2 hours. This is a World Heritage Site and a magical place where time seems to slow down. You can stroll through the old alleys around Sifangjie Square, browse the specialty stores and bars, and experience the hustle and bustle of Lijiang's Old Town.

If you are interested in the history of Lijiang, you can visit the Mufu Palace, which is the landmark of Lijiang Ancient City and was originally the office and private residence of the Lijiang Tusi. Now it has become an important place to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Recommended Activities:
Climbing up to the Shizishan Observation Deck, you will have a magnificent panoramic view of the whole Lijiang Old Town. You can also see the Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance.

• Yuhu Village - Baisha Village - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

In the morning, you will depart for an ancient village. At the southern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there is a village called “Wuluken”, which means village at the foot of the snow mountain, and this is the Yuhu Village.

Facing a crystal clear lake, the village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with magnificent views. With blue skies, white clouds and fresh air, it is a paradise away from the city.

Afterwards, you will proceed to Baisha Ancient Village to admire the Baisha murals at Dabao and Liuli Monastery, which were painted 500 years ago, showing the fusion of Dongba culture and Tibetan Buddhist style.

Then you will go to Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe Ancient Town is an ancient Naxi town full of historical heritage. With rich historical and cultural heritage and unique folk customs, it is an important window to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Next you will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, a museum focusing on the display and preservation of the Naxi Dongba culture, an important place to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi people and the Dongba culture.

• The First Bay of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang Departure

• None

• Breakfast

The first destination of today's trip is: the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It crosses the towering Hengduan Mountains, forming a unique canyon landscape.

Next you will see the stunning view of the Yangtze River rushing down from the Tibetan Plateau and making a sudden turn to form a spectacular U-shaped bend near the town of Shigu, which is known as the "First Bay of the Ten Thousand Mile Yangtze River". This scene is rare in the world and is a paradise for photographers.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a section of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and one of the deepest gorges in China. The width of the river at its narrowest point is only a few dozen meters, and it is said that a tiger can leap over it, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

Today, we will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the most famous attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along the trestle for about 1,000 steps and feel the shock of the tumbling river.

Tips: Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for most travelers with good physical strength. To ensure the comfort of your journey, it is recommended that you wear comfortable hiking shoes.