Yunnan Discovery
9 days - Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
9 days - Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
Discover China's southwestern Yunnan Province on this 9-day trip. We begin with arrival into Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, with a history that dates all the way back to 279 BC. Yunnan has a mild climate and pleasant temperatures year-round, and stretches from the Tibetan plateau in the north to the borders of Vietnam, Laos, and Burma in the south. It is rich in biodiversity, and home to the greatest number of ethnic minorities in all of China. A full-day excursion takes us to the Stone Forest; the multitude of karst formations jutting from the ground, and the unique shapes they form, give the appearance of a forest made of stone. Next visit Xishuangbanna, located in the far south of Yunnan and home to the Dai people and other ethnic minorities. The subtropical climate enables such local specialties as tropical fruit, coffee, tea, and tobacco. Our journey continues to Lijiang, where the beautifully preserved Old Town transports you back in time. Here we find charming restaurants lining the banks of the canals, a sea of red lanterns illuminating the night, and narrow cobblestone streets that wind their way through town, with interesting shops and a new discovery around every corner. Touring in the area takes you to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, beautiful Black Dragon Pool, and a visit to a Naxi minority village. Next we head north to Zhongdian, located on the Tibetan Plateau, it was renamed Shangri-La in 2001. En Route visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, a place of scenic beauty and filled with legend, it is one of the world's deepest canyons. In Zhongdian visit the impressive Songzanlin Monastery, filled with treasures and backdropped by snowcapped mountains. We finish by returning to Kunming by flight, and enjoy some afternoon touring there.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Kunming. Arrive in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province in southwest China, it is known as the "city of eternal spring" for it's mild and delightful weather year-round.
Day 2: Xishuangbanna. A full-day excursion to the Stone Forest. Located about 75 miles outside Kunming, the landscape of rock formations jutting into the sky like trees are a sight to behold and a true masterpiece of nature. Later fly to Xishuangbanna, the Dai Autonomous region bordering Burma and Laos and home to the Dai people, as well as several other ethnic minorities. The tropical climate makes it China's most biodiverse region. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Xishuangbanna. Embark on a full-day tour, including visits to the Menglun Botanical Garden, and Ganlanba Dai local village. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Lijiang. In the morning visit Wild Elephant Valley, and visit a local minority village. Later fly to Lijiang, whose delightful Old Town is perhaps the best preserved ancient town in all of China. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Lijiang. Embark on a full-day tour including visits to Yak Meadow, where you can ascend by cable car to the top of Jade Dragon Show Mountain. Also tour picturesque Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Cultural Museum, and explore the Old Town. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Zhongdian (Shangri-La). Proceed by road to Zhongdian, located on the Tibetan plateau, it was renamed Shangri-La in 2001. En route visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, believed to be one of the world's deepest, it is a place of scenic beauty. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Zhongdian (Shangri-La). A full-day tour includes visits to the Songzanlin Monastery, Napa Prairie, and a visit to a local Tibetan town with a local family visit. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Kunming. Return flight to Kunming. Upon arrival enjoy an afternoon tour of Western Hills and the Golden Palace. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Depart Kunming. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (8), and seven lunches.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Day 1: Kunming. Arrive in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province in southwest China, it is known as the "city of eternal spring" for it's mild and delightful weather year-round.
Day 2: Xishuangbanna. A full-day excursion to the Stone Forest. Located about 75 miles outside Kunming, the landscape of rock formations jutting into the sky like trees are a sight to behold and a true masterpiece of nature. Later fly to Xishuangbanna, the Dai Autonomous region bordering Burma and Laos and home to the Dai people, as well as several other ethnic minorities. The tropical climate makes it China's most biodiverse region. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Xishuangbanna. Embark on a full-day tour, including visits to the Menglun Botanical Garden, and Ganlanba Dai local village. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Lijiang. In the morning visit Wild Elephant Valley, and visit a local minority village. Later fly to Lijiang, whose delightful Old Town is perhaps the best preserved ancient town in all of China. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Lijiang. Embark on a full-day tour including visits to Yak Meadow, where you can ascend by cable car to the top of Jade Dragon Show Mountain. Also tour picturesque Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Cultural Museum, and explore the Old Town. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Zhongdian (Shangri-La). Proceed by road to Zhongdian, located on the Tibetan plateau, it was renamed Shangri-La in 2001. En route visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, believed to be one of the world's deepest, it is a place of scenic beauty. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Zhongdian (Shangri-La). A full-day tour includes visits to the Songzanlin Monastery, Napa Prairie, and a visit to a local Tibetan town with a local family visit. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Kunming. Return flight to Kunming. Upon arrival enjoy an afternoon tour of Western Hills and the Golden Palace. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Depart Kunming. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (8), and seven lunches.
For pricing, please contact us here.
Our deluxe China tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
