Private 8 Day Yunnan Tour Kunming, Dali Lijiang Shangrila

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Kunming, visit Kunming Old Street, Nanping Street and Jinbi Square
2 stops
1
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Your guide will be waiting at the arrival hall to meet you and escort you to your hotel in the downtown area for check-in.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Nanping Business Street
Visit Kunming's century-old street 【Kunming Old Street（昆明老街）】, where you can see the epitome of old Kunming. This street retains the layout from the Ming and Qing dynasty with plenty of historical relics and protected buildings. The main parts of the quarter are Wenming, Guanghua, Qianwang, and Jingxing Streets. Explore【Nanping Shopping Street（南屏街）】and【Jinbi Square（金马碧鸡坊）】with its two large Chinese archways 【Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Memorial Archways】. The archways were built in the Ming Dynasty, so they are about 400 years old. The lights come on at night, so they look amazing at night. Enjoy the street food at【Nanqiang Night Market（南强集市）】 and watch the nightlife come alive in Kunming.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Travel from Kunming to Dali by bullet train, visit Chongsheng Three Pagodas and Dali Old Town
2 stops
3
Chongsheng Three Pagodas
The centerpiece of this site is three magnificent and uniquely structured pagodas, which are not only architectural marvels but also symbols of Dali’s glorious past. First constructed during the Nanzhao Kingdom (823-859 AD), the temple later became the imperial temple of the Dali Kingdom, holding immense religious and political significance. The tallest pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, stands majestically at 69.13 meters, flanked by two smaller pagodas that form a graceful symmetrical layout. Crafted with exquisite ancient craftsmanship, the pagodas have withstood the test of time, preserving intricate carvings and architectural details that reflect the artistic prowess of the era. Surrounded by ancient cypresses and reflecting pools (where the pagodas cast perfect mirror images on calm days), this scenic area exudes an atmosphere of tranquility and sacredness
2 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Dali Ancient City
This Ancient Town dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is rich in the culture of the Bai ethnic minority. It is also the ancient capital of Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. It is a perfect place to appreciate the Bai architecture, shops, cafes, temples and old courtyard homes converted to hotels. Walk around the old town to explore the history of the city.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Visit Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, Xizhou Old Town & Zhoucheng Village
4 stops
5
Cangshan Mountain
This is also known as Diancang Mountain, which is the main peak of Yunling Mountain range. It is Dali’s national park, with a combination of natural scenery and historical sites. You will take the sightseeing bus and get off at the Baihexi Lower Station to take Ximatan cableway to get up to Ximatan. Ximatan is about 3,920m above sea level, only around 20m from the top of Cangshan Mountain. It’s actually an artificial lake built in the Nanzhao Kingdom period. Xima means “cleaning horse” in Chinese, and the name of the pool derives from a story that troops once cleaned their horses here while climbing Cangshan Mountain. the cable car, you will be able to see Dali Ancient City and enjoy the natural scenery on Cangshan Mountain. The cable ride will take about 35 mins. After enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the top of Cangshan Mountain, return back to Xiamatan Upper Station and take cable car to get down.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Erhai Lake
This is the second largest highland lake in Yunnan. The people of Dali consider Erhai Lake to be their "mother lake". Erhai Lake is in the shape of an ear, hence its name. If you visit during November to March each year, it is seagull-watching season. Especially in December, you will see the largest flocks of red-billed gulls. Tens of thousands of these migratory birds travel all the way from Siberia to spend the winter by the lake, circling and dancing above the water. Visitors may feed and interact with them up close. Against the backdrop of the snow-capped Cangshan Mountains and glistening lake water, this forms an exclusive winter landscape you won’t want to miss. You can visit 【Longkan Pier (龙龛码头)】, and have a coffee at the famous S bend.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
7
Xizhou Town
It is an old town with a history of more than 1000 years and home to the best-preserved Bai ethnic architecture. You can try the local snack Xizhou Baba, which is a pan-fried bread with stuffing, available in both sweet and salty flavours.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
8
Zhoucheng Village
It is renowned for its tie-dye fabrics and embroidery, earning it the title “the hometown of Bai tie-dye”.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Visit Shaxi & Lijiang Old Town, travel from Dali to Lijiang by private car
2 stops
9
Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town
This is the only surviving ancient market on the "Tea Horse Ancient Road" , which is known as the "place where the wind blows". This is the shooting location of the famous film “Meet Yourself”. Walking along the streets is like stepping back in history. The town was put on the World Monument Watch List of the 100 most endangered sites in 2001. You can visit a very picturesque library in this town and walk around the old town to explore the old shops and watch the locals go about their daily lives.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Old Town of Lijiang - China
At an elevation of 2400m, this is one of China's best-preserved minority ancient towns by the Naxi people, and the only one among China's ancient towns without city walls. It is famous for its ancient architecture and orderly system of waterways. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. You can get lost just wandering through the different parts of this Old Town.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley & watch Impressions Lijiang
3 stops
11
Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is an enormous mountain with an elevation of 5,596m. This mountain is regarded as a holy mountain by Naxi people. Take the cable car to Spruce Meadow, which is at an elevation of 3,240m. This is a huge lawn hidden in the original spruce forest, full of green grass and colourful mountain flowers in the spring and summer. You will be able to see the amazing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain up close.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
12
Blue Moon Valley
This is an extremely blue river meandering through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain between Ganhaizi and Spruce Meadow. It is mainly composed of four large turquoise lakes and dozens of miniature white waterfalls. The incredible scenery in Blue Moon Valley makes the place a perfect spot to feast your eye.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
Lijiang Impressions Show
Sit at the VIP area to watch the amazing【Lijiang Impressions (印象丽江)】with the views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background. One of the directors is famous Zhang Yimou, who also directed the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is a large scale open air song and dance performance. The 12m high stage is made of the red sandstone that symbolizes the red clay of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau where Lijiang is located in. More than 100 horses and 500 non-professional actors from 16 local villages and over 10 ethnic minorities perform using unique movements and original songs to portray their culture, history and customs.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge & Potatso National Park, Lijiang to Shangrila by private car
2 stops
14
Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
Admire the scenic views along the way as you make your way to【Tiger Leaping Gorge（虎跳峡）】,one of the deepest gorges in the world. The rugged beauty of this gorge takes your breath away. The gorge has 3 sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge. You will take the elevator down to visit the Upper Gorge Scenic Spot, where you will walk along the Jinsha River and get to the narrowest point of the whole gorge to hear the roar of the river.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
15
Potatso National Park
This national park is an alpine gem at 3,700m altitude. Hop on the sightseeing bus to explore the park and its various lakes. You can stroll along the wooden boardwalk that encircles the Bitahai Lake.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Visit Songzanlin Monastery & Dukezong Ancient Town, then travel from Shangrila to Kunming by bullet train
2 stops
16
Songzanlin Monastery
Explore the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan, also known as “Little Potala Palace” as it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Learn more about the Tibetan Buddhist culture as you walk through the monastery, where halls are lit with incense and yak butter oil lamps, and decorated with beautiful sculptures.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
17
Dukezong Ancient Town
This is a 1300 year old town situated at 3200m altitude. It features traditional Tibetan homes, ancient temples, narrow winding alleyways, all decorated with iconic Tibetan prayer flags. From here, you can walk to Guishan Park, to see the largest prayer wheel in the world, which also offers great views over the town.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Free and easy day in Kunming, depart from Kunming
1 stop
18
Kunming
Free and easy time to explore Kunming and buy some last minute souvenirs before the driver arrives to pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport for your journey home. Wishing you a safe trip home!
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Infant chairs can be provided with an additional fee

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