9-day Yunnan Essence Tour

Day 1Arrival in Kunming

Upon arrival in Kunming, you will meet your local tour guide and transfer to check in the hotel for a rest.

Day 2Kunming

After breakfast, today your tour starts with Kunming Flowers & Birds Market. Then drive 1.5 hours (90 KM) to visit the Stone Forest. The Stone Forest covers 26,000-hectare and from a distance, it does indeed look like a forest of stones with its peaks and odd-shaped rocks standing straight up from the ground. You can walk around the forest on paths that have been built and there are some stairs for climbing if you want to walk around it.

Day 3Kunming/Dali

Take morning flight from Kunming to Dali. Upon arrival in Dali, you will be transferred to visit Zhoucheng Village for local Bai people's traditional Tie-dye cloth art workshop. Then visit Three Pagodas in Chongsheng Monastery which has a history of over 1,800 years located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain facing to the Erhai Lake. Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ancient Dali Town, walk around the Foreigner Street and enjoy the relax time with local people. Standing on the city wall of Dali, you will have panoramic view of the Erhai Lake.

Day 4Dali/Lijiang

After a morning visit to local market at Xizhou Town and Yan Family Mansion full Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea and explore their distinctive culture. Then drive about 180 km (3 hours) to Lijiang. Walk around for a relax the Lijiang Old City.

Day 5Lijiang

After having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven (50 munites ) to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. Here you will visit the Yufeng Temple and Yuhu Village, the largest village with Naxi minority located on the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Also you will see the old house here of Joseph Rock. Then to you will then be driven (30 munites) to visit the Baisha Mural Paintings. The murals are unique ancient religious murals which blend Buddhist, Daoist, and Muslim religious themes. You will then (30 munites ) visit the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture located inside.

Day 6Lijiang/Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to Tiger Leaping Gorge. On the way you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River. The views are spectacular. Then you will arrive the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge, known for its stunning rock formations and white water rapids, is one of the deepest gorges in the world. You will start your hiking journey. Hiking along the High Trail from the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, along the gorge's 28 bends until you get to the Tea Horse Guest House. This will take 5 to 6 hours. (Your hiking destination is about 2600 meters above sea level)

Note and Suggestion: Due to the fact that there are no roads leading to your hiking destination, Tea Horse Guest House, most of your luggage will be left on your car with your driver and they will be safely waiting for your arrival the next day. Or you can choose to rent a horse to carry all your luggage with you to your destination. The hiking track is mainly little paths, and Unpaved Road.

Day 7Tiger Leaping Gorge/Shangri-La

After you have had your breakfast, you will continue hiking. You will hike from the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, where you will stop at Tina's Guesthouse to have break and lunch. Also your car and driver and luggage will waiting for you here. After lunch you will take your car and drive to Zhongdian. (about 3 hours)

Day 8Shangri-La

In the morning, after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven (1 hours) to Pudacuo National Park. Here you will see the gorgeous scenery. Lakes, hills, herds of yaks. After visiting the lake you will be driven ( 40 munites) to the Songzanlin Lamasery. The monastery, often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace” due to its similar appearance, combines Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles. This beautiful monastery houses many priceless treasures.

Day 9Shangri-La/Kunming/Departure

After breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven (30 munites) to the airport for your flight (55 munites) to Kunming, where you will take another flight from Kunming to your next destination.