It is a classical tour route travel Yunnan for south to the northwest which going along the old Tea horse road which is the most trade route in Old Yunnan. You will see the modern city life of Kunming, the birth-palace of Pu'er Tea --Jinghong and Dali the ancient capital of Nanzhou Kingdom , and walk in the square streets of Lijiang Old Town. And have a tour of the wonderful Pudacuo national park in Shangri-La.
Arrive at Kunming airport, our guide will pick up you at exit of the arrival Hall, then drive to your hotel for check in.
Rest time of the day at your leisure or have a good rest after long flying.
Overnight at Kunming
After the breakfast, firstly transfer 1.5hrs to discover Naigu Stone Forest is about 10km to the east of Large Stone Forest. “ Naigu “in the Yi language means old and black. Compared with the tourists crowed Stone Forest Park it is a good choice for travelers to explore the beautiful Karst Land form under a quiet atmosphere. Transfer back to Kunming city, stroll in Green Lake Park (which is one of the most picturesque park in downtown Kunming. The name Green Lake is come from the green lake water and green bamboo of the park all year around) And visit Yuantong Temple (it is the earliest Buddhist temple for Goddess of Mercy in China which was first build over 1200 years ago. Adopting the style of garden architecture which typical of the south of the Yangtze River region in the building of a solemn Buddhist temple is unique feature of the temple. )
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Kunming
Morning drive to visit the Western Hills (located in the west shore of the Daichi Lake. It consists of Huating, Taihua, Taiping, Luohan and Guabang Peaks which stretches over 40 km from north to south. ) Take a chairlift up to visit the Dragon Gate (Dragon Gate is the steepest spot in the Western Hills and well worth climbing up the winding old stone stairs because the view is spectacular), then head to visit Bamboo Temple ( The highlights in this temple are the 500 Arhat sculptures which are well-known for their vivid expressions and artistic characteristics. They are regarded as the gem of Oriental sculptures. )
Later move to Kunming airport for the 1 hour flight to Jinghong.
Upon arrival, drive to check in your hotel in Jinghong city.
Overnight at Jinghong
Morning, transfer across vast rubber plantation and the Mekong to Ganlanba, the main residential area of Dai, visit local morning market and explore villages in the countryside to find out the facts about their culture and authentic life.
Then further your trip to visit the biggest Tropical Botanical Garden, view many rare exotic and endangered plant species here.
Afterward, move back to Jinhong, drop in village of Jinuo people.
In the evening, you can stroll in night food market to taste the local B.B.Q. Food and local snack.
Overnight at Jinghong
This morning, drive to Menghun for the visiting of a Dai’s paper making village where
people are still making paper with tree bark in traditional way and whose traditional product is adopted for tea packing. Later drop in quiet and nice countryside temple to learn about Dai's Theravada Buddhism.
In the afternoon,visit Mount. Nannuo,short hiking across aged tea tree plantation and villages of Aini, chat with the local over a cup of homegrownorganic tea to find out how local life is tightly related to tea growing.
Overnight at Jinghong
Morning drive to Jinghong airport for the flight to Dali (1hr flying time ).
Upon arrival, transfer to Dali Old Town region. To star your tour in Dali from the cruise tour in Erhai Lake by a small pubic boat to enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas from a far as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake.
The move to discover the Dali Old Town. (It was set up in 1382 A.D during the Ming Dynasty as the capital of the Dali kingdom. There are well-preserved traditional houses of the Bai Ethnic Group people. Take a stop to visit Catholic Church of Dali in the old town is an architectural masterpiece that combine the Western features of the church layout and the exceptional Bai construction style.
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Dali
After breakfast, go to visit the morning market of Xizhou Town It’s known as a historical town, a classic Bai ethnic town. Then you will go to a Bai court-yard to enjoy the "Three-Course Tea ceremony" which is the traditional treating for Bai people to their honored guests, the Bai women will offering tea for three times including the first course of tea is called bitter tea, the second sweet tea and the third, aftertaste tea.
After that , transfer to Jianchuan County (2-2.5hrs), stop at Shibaoshan Mountain which the famous writer Jinyong extolled as “The Treasure of South China” is located at Jianchuan County, Dali. The scenery is wonderful, and rather unique in being adorn with red rock geomorphology.
Later go ahead to visit Shaxi Old Town.
Lunch en route and dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Shaxi
This morning transfer to Lijiang 2-2.5hrs ( only the Chinese speaking driver accompany with road ), after meeting with your guide from Lijiang transfer to visit Black Dragon Pond (Located at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountain (Elephant Hill) north of the city of Lijiang. As the water here is a lucid green color, it gained another name Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park) and Dongbu Culture Museum nearby. Finally explore Lijiang Old Town which has a history more than 800 years; it was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997. Have a stop to Mu's Mansion (Mufu) Located at the southwest of old town, Mu's Mansion was once the residential and working site of the Naxi rulers of Lijiang in the ancient time. It was first built in Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The family name of the ruler is called 'Mu', hence the name of this mansion. The family governed the Lijiang region during Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, lasting for 22 generations.
Lunch at local restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Lijiang
Morning drive to visit The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (it is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters . with a chair lift ride to up and down to visit the Spruce Meadow (3450m ) this place is a quiet grass field. Most people say that this place is comparable to Switzerland and Sweden when it comes to its mountainous beauty.
Afterward, move to Yuhu Village. It is a great place to go if what your looking for is a relaxing time in a beautiful environment where you can experience the true Naxi culture and lifestyle. Visit the former residence of Joseph Rock -a famous Austrian-American botanist Joseph Rock who called this village home for 28 years until 1949.
Lunch at Chinese restaurant, dinner on your own account.
Overnight at Lijiang
After breakfast , departure and drive 2.5hrs to Qiaotou Town. Take a stop to view First Bend of Yangtze River on the way. Then visit Tiger 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.
Afterward, further the driving to Shangri-la( 2hrs). It is located in the north -west part of Yunnan. It is the Tibetan region of Yunnnan with an average altitude is more than 3,000 meters (about 9,843 feet).
Check in your hotel after arrival.
Overnight at Shangri-La
Today go to visit Pudacuo National Park ( the park is largest forest park in China. It including Shudu Lake and Bita Lake lakes of there are known for their clear water, and the peaceful environment of the area around here).
In the afternoon, clime up to visit Songzanlin Monastery, or 'Little Potala' as it is affectionately known, is a spiritual place that invites you to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Then visit a local Tibetan Family to charting with the local people to know about their local life and at try to drink a cup of Yak Butter Tea.
At last , visit Dukezong Tibetan Old Town Dukezong comes from Tibetan language which means the moonlight city, on the summit of the Guishan Hill in the old town, you will see the largest Pray Wheel in the world.
Overnight at Shangri-La
After breakfast , transfer to Shangri-La airport for the departure flight
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