
Tour Code: YCCT013
Tour Dates: Daily
Kunming
Chuxiong
Dali
Lijiang
Shangrila








| Tour Dates | Destinations | Todays Activities | Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival Kunming | T[detail] | D |
| Day 2 | Kunming | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 3 | Kunming-Chuxiong | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 4 | Chuxiong-Dali | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 5 | Dali | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 6 | Dali-Lijiang | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 7 | Lijiang | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 8 | Lijiang-Shangrila | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 9 | Shangrila | T[detail] | B,L |
| Day 10 | Departure | T[detail] | B |
| Price(USD/Person) | Superior Class | Deluxe Class | Tourist Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $ | $ | $ |
| 2-5 Persons | $ | $ | $ |
| 6-9 Persons | $ | $ | $ |
| Destinations | Superior Class | Deluxe Class | Tourist Class |
| Kunming | |||
| Chuxiong | |||
| Dali | |||
| Lijiang | |||
| Shangrila |
1. Altitude Sickness:
Yunnan is a mountainous Province with high elevation. Sometimes people maybe suffer from the altitude sickness, you should drink much water,walk slowly and have much more rest. The elevations of Yunnan are as follows: Kunming(1895M),Dali(1976M),Lijiang(2416M),Shangrila(3280M).
2. Ethnic Folk Customs:
Please respect the local ethnic culture when you visit China. There are 55 ethnic minorities in China, you can find 52 of them in Yunnan Province. In this tour, you will experience Bai, Yi, Naxi, Tibetan,Mosuo minorities. You can learn more information about them from "Yunnan Ethnic Minorities".
3. Service Tipping
Giving a tip to someone who serves is a token of gratitude for a job well done.For the person who provides the service, their tip is often a large part of their income.Therefore, it is assumed they will do their best job to get the best tip possible.Unfortunately service tends to fall short quite often and then servers become insulted when the tip does not measure up to their expectations.
As the time flies to 21 century, tipping is no longer illegal in China since 1980s. Tipping for tour guides and drivers in recognition of their good service has become a common practice. Hotel bellboys and house keepers expect your tips as well. It is not customary to leave tips at hotel or local restaurants as the bill usually includes 10-15% service charge.
.Yunnan Adventure Travel does not include tipping in our quotation as tipping is a personal matter. If you don't know what the proper amount for tipping would be, the following standard is for your reference:
•If you are traveling in a small party like 2 to 5 members, We suggest approximately US $8 to US $10 /per guest per day as tips for tour guide and US $4 to US $6 for the driver and about US $2 to US $3 for hotel bellboys as a gratitude for their service.
For example, if 2 of you are traveling together and will stay in Beijing for 3 nights, the tip from both of you may be from US$48 to US$60 for the tour guide, US$24 to US$36 for the driver. But, for active tours like hiking, biking, rafting, we suggest you double the tipping.
•If you are traveling in a party like 6 to 9 members, We suggest US $6 to US $8 /per guest per day as tips for the tour guide and US $3 to US $5 for the driver and about US $1 to US $2 for hotel bellboys as a gratitude for their service.
•If you are traveling in a group with more than 10 people, We suggest US $3 to US $5 /per guest per day as tips for the tour guide and US $2 to US $3 for the driver and about US $3 to US $5 for hotel bellboys as a gratitude for their service.
The above is for your reference only, again tipping is a personal matter, you can always adjust the amount based on your satisfaction with the service you get from your tour guides, drivers, bellboys and so on.
4. Weather and Climate:
Yunnan is very nice to travel all the year around. From Kunmin to Shangri-La, you will experience different climate from 1900 to 3400meters above the sea level.
5.Tips for Photography fans
The unique high attitude, exotic culture, highland landscapes and friendly people in Tibet and Yunnan offer perfect photo oppotunities to all those foreign tourists. Here are some helpful tips for travelers with a hope of photography.
Take necessary technical precautions to protect your camera in case of extreme temperatures due to the harsh climate. It's a good idea to take enough film and batteries. Photographing in monasteries is generally allowed; however taking pictures inside the chapels is forbidden or usually charged at extremely high rates to prevent photography. However, Drepung Monastery allows inside photography and charges no fee.
Respect the person you invite to take picture and avoid to disturb them. If it is necessary, you can send them some tiny presents, which is much better than giving them money.If there are some avaricious guys asking you for money when you take pictures in public places. You can refuse to pay money strictly. To take pictures in the hall of the monastery, do remember to ask the lama or monks for permit.
About the meals by Yunnan Adventure Travel
We Yunnan Adventure Travel will do our best to provide our clients with well-arranged dinners when traveling. We do hope you can enjoy Chinese delicacies during the tour.
If you have any specific dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us on the inquiry form so that we can provide advance notice about any special accommodations that may be necessary for you. If you are a food lover, Yunnan Adventure can be your culinary guide and provide you the opportunity to savor tempting local food and world-famous dishes.
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.
Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.
Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.
Some Question and Answers about Meals in China:
Are the meals shown in the itinerary pre-arranged or could we make our own orders when we sit down at the table?
Answer: To guarantee the hygiene and quality, most of the meals are pre-arranged in the government approved restaurants, which are all set-menu meals. You can not make your own orders at this point. We also arrange a la carte meals in some restaurants, which have been inspected by the management of our company. If you have special requirements for meals, please inform us before the tour starts so we can make relevant arrangements.
What kind of meals will be available on tour?
Answer: All breakfasts are served at your hotel with western style buffet including fruits, cold and hot cereals, Chinese dim sum etc. Lunch and dinner are usually Chinese food. Each lunch and dinner will be offered with two cups of soft drink free of charge.
Do you provide vegetarian (including no chicken or seafood) meals?
Answer: Yes, we do provide vegetarian meals if required. We always respect the clients' dietetic habits and try our best to cater to their needs. But we would like to explain that if you are not on a private tour, you will have to share the vegetarian dishes with other members of the group.
Do we share large tables with other people?
Answer: If you are on a private tour, you will have your own table, but if you join in a group tour you will have to share a large table with other members of your group.
Can I arrange my own meals rather than the pre-arranged restaurants in the tours?
Answer: Yes, you can but we do not suggest you do so.
Firstly the restaurants we arrange are all approved by the national tourism administration or local tourism bureau and therefore are reliable in terms of hygiene and quality. Secondly, we arrange good restaurants located the closest to the place you will visit, that is to say, we will save time spent in transit and allow you the maximum time to enjoy your sightseeing as well as your meal. If you prefer to find a restaurant yourselves, you might not be able to find a reliable one with good quality because you are not familiar with local area. You might also sacrifice valuable eating and sightseeing time searching for a restaurant.
What are the suggestions for dinners that are not included in the program?
Answer: Besides some unique meals, like roast duck, we leave almost all dinners to discover for yourselves. You do not need to worry, however, about where or what to have for dinner. In each city, there are good things to eat and you only need to ask for suggestions from your local guide. Please always remember to choose a restaurant respected for its hygiene and quality.
China is a country of good food and there are eight main cuisines. Make sure to try some of these typical dishes when you have time.
Can you give us an idea of how much Chinese Yuan we will need for meals during our tour? Do they accept credit cards?
Answer: The meal price depends on the grade of the restaurant you choose and the dishes you order. Credit cards are only accepted in large hotels. In most of the restaurants in China, Chinese Yuan is more popular. In order to avoid embarrassment, we advise you to ask whether credit card is accepted before making an order.
Our food and menu in Yunnan
We do arrange the featured Chinese food and local Yunnan food as well as the local ethnic food and snack. Please click the Yunnan Restaurant and Food to get the menu.
Transfer and Transport Service
Yunnan Adventure has received wide recognition for its transfer service. We provide different vans with good aircondition and skilled driver according the number of clients. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".
With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family. The driver is very skilled and familiar with street in every city as well as excellent service to the clients. You will feel you are at home with our guide and driver.
Our Luxury Car for Families
Yunnan Adventure use only modern air-conditioned luxury cars, vans and small buses on all tours. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles that we use are well-maintained and always very clean.
Groups of 1-2 persons: 5 seats car
Groups of 3-5 persons: 11seats van
Groups of 6-10 persons: 19seats van
Groups of 11-20 persons: 35seats van
Black Taxis and Vans
Probably the first scam you will face begins at the airport or train station with the black taxi drivers - people with unlicensed vehicles that will offer to take you to your destination. Anyone with a Western face will almost certainly be approached by someone coming up to you and saying Taxi! - do not even talk to these people. At the train station, follow the Taxi signs outside to find a line of legal taxis, and make sure that they start the meter when you begin your journey.
At the airport, directly outside of the arrival terminal you will find a line of legal taxis to take for the 30-45 minute trip into the city of Beijing. If you have any doubt as to whether it is a legal taxi or not, check the license plate on the back of the taxi. Around some hotels, airports, bus stations, railway station, you will find some drivers can speak a little English and let you take their cars with lower price, because they use the "Black Cars"(黑车) in Chinese. Do not take these cheap cars, they do not buy any insurance for the illeagle vans and not get the certificate of tourist van from the goverment, especially you can not get a good service from them.
Day 1 Arrive in Kunming (D)
Flight Information:Please inform us in advance.
Sightseeing: the Green Lake, Kunming City Tour
Special Experience:Enjoy welcoming dinner of Yunnan Flavouring food with crossing Bridge Rice Noodle and Steam Pot Chicken/Qiguoji.
You'll begin your journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel.
You will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. If time permits, you will have a Kunming city tour. Enjoy welcoming dinner of Yunnan Flavouring food with crossing Bridge Rice Noodle and Steam Pot Chicken/Qiguoji.
-- Kunming is the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, a primarily agricultural province of 45 million. Kunming has a population of five million and is located in one of the world's most geographically, ethnically, biologically and linguistically diverse regions. Situated at 1,900 meters (6,233ft) above sea level and 25° north of the Equator it has a rather unique and pleasant climate for a Chinese city.
Day 2 Kunming-78KM-Stone Forest-Kunming (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:the Stone Forest , Guandu Ancient Town, Jingang Pagoda
Optional Special Experience:Enjoy the large-scale dance drama "Dynamic Yunnan" in Kunming People's Hall (show time: from 20:00-21:30).
You will drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan. After lunch drive back Kunming to visit the Guandu Ancient Town which is a famous historical & cultural town in Kunming; it keeps the main architectural style of Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.
After dinner, you will have an option to enjoy the large-scale dance drama "Dynamic Yunnan" which has been an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years directed by Yang Liping. Primitive, unsophisticated folk dances and a fresh artistic concept converge in the programme, giving audiences a unique "Yunnan Impression." Sixty-two drums and 120 masks of strong ethnic characteristics are incorporated in the performance.
-- The Stone Forest is in Shilin Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. The Stone Forest has unique karst topography which is one of the best of its kind within China. There are six scenic spots in the Stone Forest: the Greater Stone Forest, the Lesser Stone Forest, the Naigu Stone Forest, the Zhiyun Cave, the Long Lake, the Da Dieshui Waterfall and the Qifeng Cave.
Day 3 Kunming-157KM-Chuxiong by car (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Western Hills, Dianchi Lake, Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Yunnan Nationalities Museum
In the morning, visit the Western Hills, climb steps up to the Dragon Gate, where you can have a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake. Take the chairlift from the Western Hills to Yunnan Ethnic Villages with a nice view of Dianchi Lake from the chairlift. Enjoy the 25 ethnic minorities life and culture in Yunnan Ethnic Villages. Visit Yunnan Nationalities Museum.
In the late afternoon drive to Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture.
On the way visit the Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley Park which is the most largest dinosaur cultural theme park based the world Class dinosaur ruins in Lufeng county. Yunnan Province. Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley Park,was newly built in 2007. Tourists from all over the world will soon enter the dinosaur kingdom, through the Jurassic world, interpreted the rise and fall of the Earth's evolution of life, sharing retirement wonders of the world circle the Earth.
In the late afternoon, walk around the Yiren Ancient Town and enjoy the Yi ethnic life with local people.
--Situated in the north-central of Yunnan Province, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture neighbors Kunming in the east and Dali Bai Autonomous Region in the west. It is separated from Lijiang by the Jinsha River in the northwest and bordered by Sichuan Province in the north.
Yi is the largest ethnic minority of Chuxiong. Black is the predominant color for Yi costumes in this area. While different tribes of Yi have their own styles. Axi Dance under the Moon is the popular dance of the Axi Tribe. The 'three courses of wine' is the most courteous reception the Yi minority offers to their guests.
Day 4 Chuxiong-170KM-Dali by car (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Chuxiong Museum, Miyilu Yi Minority Custom Valley, Dali Ancient Town, City Wall, the Foreigner Street
After breakfast, visit Ten-Month Solar Calendar Park and Chuxiong Museum. Drive to Nanhua County and visit Miyilu Yi Minority Custom Valley in Nanhua Yi Autonomous County.
Entering Miyilu, you will gather in the girl’s room to experience the custom of Yi Nationality. Here you can not only taste the pure and green black goat meat, black-bone chicken and Shanmao wild vegetable, but you can also appreciate the romance of Yi girl’s room, joining in the enthusiastic and unrestrained ethnic dance…it is a minority gathering area with beautiful landscape, strong ethnic style, deep accumulation of Yi culture and well reserved folk customs.
Continue the driving to Dali,which is a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest and Bai ethnic culture. After check in the hotel, you will visit the Ancient Dali Town, walk around the Foreigner Street and enjoy the relax time with local people. After climbing up to the City Wall of Dali, you will have panoramic view of the Erhai Lake.
Day 5 Dali (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Three-pagodas in Chongshen Temple, Erhai Lake Cruise
After breakfast,visit the Three Pagodas in Chongshen 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.
After lunch, you’ll cruise in Erhai Lake by the small boat to the Jinsuo Islet in the east Erhai Lake. There are 200 Bai ethnic families around 1000 people in Jinsuo Island.In Erhai Lake cruise, you will enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas from a far as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake.
Day 6 Dali-183KM- Lijiang by private car (B)
Sightseeing:Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village, Shaping Monday Bazaar, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Museum, Lijiang Ancient Town
Special Experience:Enjoy the Three Course Tea of Bai Minority with ethnic dance and music in Xizhou Town
After landing, you will head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea and explore their distinctive culture. Visit Zhoucheng Village and the Bai people's Tie-dying cloth workshop where you can take some special souvenir with the Bai ethnic style.
Visit the Shaping Bazaar happened every Monday in Shangguan Town.Shaping market is ratified by the government of Yunnan province to trade cultural relics inferior to the third class. Multitudinous curios, jade article, embroider are sold there, alluring many tourists around the country and abroad. Therefore, it got the reputation of “the foreigners’ street”.Drive about 180KM to Lijiang with the beautiful farmlands and ethnic villages on the way. Lunch at NO.8 Restaurant at the bank of Black Dragon Pool, after lunch you’ll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.
In the late afternoon, explore Lijiang Old Town.Lijiang Old Town has a history more than 800 years; it was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997. Here you will see the wonderful wooden architecture of Naxi ethnic people.
--Lijiang Ancient Town is a largely Naxi settlement first built 800years agao, located at the foot of the Lion Hill and completely surrounded by the new city of Lijiang.In December 1986, the State Council designated it a famous ancient historical and cultural city of national caliber. In 1997, UNESCO made Lijiang a World Cultural Heritage Site. Most of the dwellings, scattered at the foot of a mountain or by the river, are brick-and-tile structures with carved doors and painted windows. Traffic across the river is facilitated by a large number of tiny stone bridges. The town is similar to the Zhouzhuang Water Town in the south of the Yangtze River.
Day 7 Lijiang-30KM-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang (B)
Sightseeing:Yulong Snow Mountain,Spruce Meadow, Baisha Village and Murals,Baishui River and Terraces
Special Experience:Enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100m).
Enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town in the morning, drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), you will take the sightseeig 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. You will hike around1 hours in the original forest in Spruce Meadow (3200M).
After lunch, you will enjoy the Impression Lijang Ethnic Show directed in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). A cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai 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. The production itself was designed by Zhang Yimou, Fan Yue and Wang Chaoge, a cast of over 500 people, and a number of horses.In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Baisha Village, 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.
--Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The highest peak named Fan Peak (Shanzidou in Chinese) which is about 5596 meters above sea level. There are three cablecars in the mountain, the fist to the Glacier Park(4500M),the second to Spruce Meadow(3200M),the third to Yak Meadow(3700M).
Day 8 Lijiang-100KM-Tiger Leaping Gorge-100KM-Shangri La (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:Shigu Ancient Town, the Iron Chain Bridge, Stone Drum,Tiger Leaping Gorge
Optional Special Experience:the floating tour at First Bend of the Yangtze River from Shigu Town to Longpan Town
From Lijiang, you'll drive about 60KM 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. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks. You will 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 trasfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Visit the 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. Afternoon, you'll head for Shangri La, the former Zhongdian which is welknown as the paradise destination for every tourist. Upon arrival in Shangri La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys. Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, an important town of the Ancient Tea-horse Trade Caravan from Yunnan to Tibet and India.
-- Tiger Leaping Gorge is on the Jinsha River of the upper reaches of the Yangtze, located 105 kilometers south of Shangrila County. The gorge is 17 kilometers long with a drop of 213 meters. Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot the river is only 30 meters wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 meters above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 meters. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Day 9 Shangri La (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:Sogzanlin Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, Dukezong Ancient Town, the largest Prayer Wheel
Optional Special Experience:Enjoy the bonfire party in the Tibetan family at night with butter oil tea and Tibetan snack.
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.And afterwards you'll visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park Pudacuo National Park is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world. While the region comprises only 0.7 percent of China's land area, it contains more than 20 percent of the country's plant species, about one-third of its mammal and bird species and almost 100 endangered species.
Visit Dukezong Tibetan Ancient Town in the late afternoon, climb up to the top of Guishan Hill or tortoise Hill, you will see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and 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.
--Shangri-La is the "Eden in dream". Since it first appeared in British novelistJames Hilton's Lost Horizon in the 1939, it has been associated withthe mystique of a place which could not possibly exist here on Earth. In Tibetan,Shangri-La means the "sun and moon in heart", an ideal home only found in heaven.There the lofty and continuous snowy mountains, endless grasslands, steep andgrand gorges, azure lakes and the bucolic villages always leave a deep impressionon visitors.
Day 10 Shangri La-600KM-Kunming-Departure City (B)
Flight Information:MU5934 08:50/09:50
Take the flight to Kunming and change the flight for your next destination.
Before leaving and finish your Yunnan trip, you will get a nice gist from our guide in Shangri-la, this will give you unforgetable experience in China.Service ends.