8 Days Best Yunnan Classic Tour

Day 2 Kunming – Dali by night train

Sightseeing and Activities: the Stone Forest, Jiuxiang Caves
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to visit the most typical Karst landscape in the world – the Stone Forest, which was listed as one of the famous UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 2007.

Have lunch at the nearby village, then go to the Jiuxiang Caves, this scenic area is a large cluster of karst caves which combine rivers, waterfalls, gorges, forests, and ethnic minority cultures.

Return to Kunming to take a night train to Dali.(Note: train tickets of soft sleeper)

Day 3 Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: the Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive in Dali train station at early morning, be met by the local guide and transferred to the hotel to check in and luggage settlement, after a short rest, head to the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Monastery, which is a symbol of the history of Dali city, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area.

After lunch, cruise in Erhai Lake by the small boat to the Jinsuo Islet in the east Erhai Lake, enjoy and fell the delightful scenery of green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake.

The next attraction is Dali Ancient Town, its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery have been attract many visitors and give this city a distinctive feel.

Stay overnight at the Dali Ancient Town.

Day 4 Dali – Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Xizhou Old Town, Xizhou Morning Market
Accommodation: Lijinag
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in the early morning, head to the Xizhou Old Town to experience Bai people’s ethnic culture and lifestyle in their dwellings. Besides, taste their authentic foods and typical drinks such as the Three Course Tea.

Strolling through the morning market and main walking street to have a good look at this vibrant town which mix the traditional Bai ethnic culture with modern influence from Eastern China and abroad.

Keep on our way to Lijiang in the afternoon, be relaxed around Lijiang Old Town, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture.

Day 5 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishui River, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show,Baisha Mural
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), take the sightseeing bus for a short visiting through the Baishuihe River, take the chairlift up to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The cableway will be arranged according to the condition of the mountain. Hike around 1 hours in the original forest in Yak Meadow (3700M).

After lunch, enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show directed by Zhang Yimou in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). Which is a cultural show demonstrate the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai ethnic peoples of the area. The show takes place inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park at 3500m in an outdoor theater specifically designed to showcase the mountain which is used as a backdrop.

In the afternoon, stroll through Baisha Ancient Town, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village. Visit the Baisha Mural about 600 years old, which is one part of the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997.

Day 6 Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities: Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge , Dukezong Ancient Town
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive about 60KM from Lijiang to the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, visit the Iron Chain Bridge,the Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in the Shigu town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum.

Have an experience of the floating from the First Bend of the Yangtze River to Longpan Town, after one hour floating, meet the driver and transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Visit thebTiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river.

Afternoon, head for Shangri-La, the former Zhongdian which is wellknown as the paradise destination for every tourists. Upon arrival in Shangri-La, entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.

Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, which is an important town of the Ancient Tea-horse Trade Caravan from Yunnan to Tibet and India.

Day 7 Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities: Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Guishan Hill , Tibetan’s faMILY
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. Songzanlin Monastery has another alias – ‘the little Potala Palace ‘, so named because the whole monastery is in the traditional style with mysterious atmosphere.

Then, visit Dukezong Tibetan Ancient Town in the late afternoon, climb up to the top of Guishan Hill or tortoise Hill, the largest Prayer Wheel of the world will shown to us, besides, you will have a panoramic view of shangrila county and Dukezong Ancient Town.

Finally, you will have an option to visit a Tibetan’s family to experience the local life in the bonfire party with Tibetan dance and music and you will try Tibetan home-made yak and cheese.