Day 01 Arrive in Kunming (D)
Flight Information: Please inform us in advance.
Sightseeing: the Green Lake
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 02 Kunming-78KM-Stone Forest-Kunming (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Stone Forest , Guandu Ancient Town, Jingang PagodaOptional Special
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.
-- --Guandu Ancient town is of long history, it is the birth place of Dian Culture. As early as Nanzhao Dali period, it was a big town and hub of the east bank of Dian. It was inhabited 4000 years ago. It has a ferry in Song Dynasty, and many official boats stopped at the ferry, got out of the boat and rode a horse or sit in the litter to get into Kunming. So it got its name “Guandu” (Guan Means official, Du means Ferry). In Ming and Qing Dynasty, it became a developed business and handicraft center.
Day 03 Kunming - Shangri La (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, Dukezong Ancient Town and the Guishan Park
Special Experience: Taste the butter oil and Tibetan snack with Tibetan dance and song in a Tibetan family.
Take the morning flight to Shangri-La, you'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. The Songzanlin Monastery is often called the little Potala Palace because of its traditional Tibetan architectural style. In 1679 the fifth Dalai Lama chose the monastery’s location by divination and it quickly became the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan.
And lunch you'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake located in Pudacuo National Park 30KM away from the downtown. Pudacuo qualifies as a natural wonderland according to any standard. It contains endemic species of fish found no where else in the world, rare and beautiful orchids, black-necked cranes, and taxus yunnanensis, a yew whose extracts are indispensable to the creation of many cancer-treating drugs. Nestled in the mountains of Southwest China, the park is an integral part of the Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Chinas most popular tourist destinations.
Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town in the late afternoon; climb up to the top of Guishan Hill and visit the largerst prayer whell of the world as well as the panoramic view of Shangri-La and Dukezong Ancient Town. Taste the butter oil and Tibetan snack with Tibetan dance and song in a Tibetan family.
Day 04 Shangri La - Deqin (B+L)
Sightseeing: Bengzilan Town, the Moon Bend of Jinsha River, Jinsha River Grand Canyon, Dongzhulin monastery and Baima Snow Mountain, the sunset of Meili Snow Mountain and the 13 white pagodas
In the morning, drive 6 to 7 hours to Deqin County (3400m altitude) which is 187km away from Shangri-La. The view along the way is fantastic with different kinds of trees, streams down the valley, prayer flags and stupas, and Tibetan villages. From Shangri-La, after half an hour driving, you will have a panoramic view of Nixi Pottery Village; drive town to the river valley, continue the nice scenery along the Jinsha River to Benzilan Town where you will have lunch.
After lunch, drive uphill to the Dongzhulin Monastery which is located in Shusong Village, Benzilan District, Deqin County, and 105km from the seat of Zhongdian County. The Yunnan-Tibet Road passes behind the temple and cars can get straight to the temple. The Dongzhulin Monastery was built in 1667, the sixth year of the Kang Xi Period in Qing Dynasty. Visit the First Bend of Jinsha River or Moon Bend, which is the boundary between Sichuan and Yunnan. This is different from the First Bend of Yangtze River in Lijiang City. The bend in Shigu Town changes the flow direction of the Yangtze River but in Benzilan, the Moon Bend is just a grand bend between the mountains with an impressive scenery. Visit Baimang Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, you will be able to view Baimang Snow Mountain if the weather is clear, pass the top part of today at 4292m altitude at 156km.
Arrive in Feilaisi in the late afternoon, you will have a nice sunset view of Meili Snow Mountain from the Sightseeing Platform, where you can see the 13 white pagodas meaning of the 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) above sea level, known as the "Prince's 13 peaks".
----Meili Snow Mountain (Meili Xueshan), also called Kawakarpo, is a UNESCO nature site located in Deqin County dividing Yunnan from Tibet, a wonderful place to hike and explore both nature and Tibetan culture.Rising between the Salween River and the Mekong River in the extreme edge of Northwest Yunnan, the Meili Snow Mt. region is part of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.Legend says that the Meili Snow Mountain is a god guarding Tibetan Buddhism. With 13 peaks over 6000m in the range, the main peak Kawakarpo ("Kawagebo" in Chinese) is a sharp snow mountain with an altitude of 6740m,which has never been conquered yet.
Day 05 Feilaisi-Lancang-Mekong Grand Canyon-Feilaisi (B+L)
Sightseeing: the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain, Lancang-Mekong Grand Canyon, Mingyong Glacier Park,Mingyong Village
Try to get up early in the morning, enjoy the magic sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. Then drive another 1.5-hyour to Mingyong village, where you will walk on the trails for about 4km to Mingyong Glaciers of Meili Snow Mountain, walk another one your or so, you will get to Tibetan Taizi Monastery-another good spot to view the magnificent Mingyong Glaciers. You can choose to hire a horse to go up to the glacier on your own expense in order to save your energy. After Mingyong Glacier in Mingyong Village, you will do some trekking along the Lancang River Grand Canyon as well as some Tibetan villages. This will be your most impressive part of your trip to Yunnan. Try to trek back to Feilaisi from the Lancang-Mekong River with a nice view of Meili Snow Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain. Overnight at Feilaisi
--Mingyong Glacier derives from Mount Kang Karbo, the main peak of the Meili Snow Mountains. They wind down along the valley, their ice tongues stretching down to the 2,600-meter forest area, just over 800 meters away from the waters of the Langcang River. The natural proto-ecology around the glaciers is well preserved, representing the diverse natural and geographical characteristics of the xerothermic valley of the Langcang River. According to research, the Mingyong Glacier is the low altitude glacier of the lowest latitude in the world. The whole length of the Mingyong Glacier is about 4 kilometers with the width of 30 meters to 80 meters. In the past years, however, the Mingyong Glacier has vanished gradually.
--Lancang River is the longest river flowing from north to south in China. It takes its source from the Zhaqu of the Guangguori Peak of Tanggula Mountain Range in Qinghai Province, China. It is called the Lancang River after it reaches Changdu. The river runs south until it leaves China at the Nanla Bay out of Yunnan Province and therefrom changes its name from the Lancang River to the Mekong River.
The Grand Canyon of the Lancang River is famous for not only its deep and long vale, but also the rushing water. The river water is limpid and rushing in winter, but turbid and onrushing in summer. As the river becoming narrow in the Grand Canyon, high waves are striking against the banks and making a sound like thunder. What a fantastic spectacle! Such steep mountains, deep valley and miraculous geographic structure are seldom seen all over the world.
Day 06 Deqin - Shangri La (B+L)
Sightseeing: the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain, Feilaisi Monastery,Tibetan Village
Visit Feilaisi Monastery and enjoy the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain in the early morning, then drive back to Shangri-La, have a nice experience of Yangtze River Grand Canyon, Baima Snow Mountain again on the way back. You will be free in Dukezong Ancient Town and explore the Tibetan life in the late afternoon.
--Feilai Temple means Guibading Temple in Tibetan. Legend has it that the temple was built by Sakyamuni Buddha who flew to the temple location from Tibet. This is the place for Tibetans to pay homage to the sacred mountains and it is said that circumambulators must get the key in Qidengge.
Circumambulators who are in inside circumambulation must get the key for the Yongzongbajiu Temple on the bank of the Lancang River as well as the the key in Qidengge. In recent years,various Buddhist activities have been held at the Wulongding Culture Square and Feilai Temple. There are two location in the Deqen county seat for tourists to view the sacred mountains.
Day 07 Shangri La-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang (B+L)
Sightseeing: the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang Old Town
Optional Special Experience: Enjoy Naxi Orchestral and Show in Lijiang Ancient Town at night
From Shangri-La, you'll drive about 100KM to 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. 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.
After lunch continue the driving 50KM more to visit the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Stone Drum 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.
Drive 60KM more to Lijiang. Explore Lijiang Ancient Town at night. After dinner, you will have an option to attend the Naxi Orchestral and Show in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Day 08 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang (B/L)
Sightseeing: Yulong Snow Mountain, the Yak Meadow, Baisha Village, Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum
Special Experience: Enjoy Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show in the outdoors theater of Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M)
Enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the early morning, then drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), from Ganhaizi Meadow Parking Lot, you will change the sightseeing bus to take the chairlift for visiting the Yak Meadow(3700M), Spruce Meadow(3200M) or Glacier Park(4506M). The cableway will be arranged according to the weather condition and your request.
On the way back, take a visit to visit Baishui River or White Water River, which is well-known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou". The water of Baishuihe River is from the Glacier Park of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain,so that it is extremely clean and crystal. You will have an option to enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show directed by Zhang Yimou in the outdoors theater of Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village; you’ll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.
--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 cable cars in the mountain, the fist to the Glacier Park (4500M),the second to Spruce Meadow(3200M),the third to Yak Meadow(3700M).
Day 09 Lijiang-Dali by private van (B+L)
Sightseeing: Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village,Erhai Lake Cruise, Dali Ancient Town, the Foreigner Street,
Special Experience: Taste the Bai Three-Course Tea and enjoy Tea Art with ethnic dance and music in Xizhou
After breakfast, travel (200 km - 4 hrs) south on the old road to the ancient city of Dali. Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest. If this day happens to fall on a Monday you will call in at Shaping for a visit to the colorful Bai market.
Before Dali Ancient Town, you will take a small boat to visit Erhai Lake,which is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named.
After landing, visit Xizhou Ancient Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture. Drive 10 KM more to visit Zhoucheng Town, where you will experience how Bai people make the Tie-Dyed Cloth in the work shop. You will be free in Dali Ancient Town and explore the local ethnic life in the late afternoon as well as enjoy the nice drinking in the Foreigner Street.
--Dali Ancient Town
History of Dali Ancient Town can be dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty and it has been listed among the top historic cities of China.The town's layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the town, which has remained unchanged to this date. Besides the Bai houses, the houses with gray-green roof tiles, peculiar workshops, temples, schools and churches with antique flavor are scattered.
Day 10 Dali - Liuku (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Monastery, the City Wall,Nujiang River
In the morning, you will visit the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan. It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China. Walk around Dali Ancient Town and climb to the City Wall where you can have a panoramic view of the Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake.
After lunch, drive about 5hours to Liuku Town in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. You will walk along the Nujiang River in Liuku Town in the late afternoon.
--The Nujiang River is China's important river flowing from north to south. It has its source on the southern slope of the Tanggula Mountain Range in Tibet Autonomous Region, flowing across the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, with a total length of 2,816 kilometers and a drainage area of 324,000 square kilometers.
The name of the river is changed into the Salween River after flowing into Burma from China, and it finally empties into the Andaman Sea of Indian Ocean at the Moulmein. The upper reaches of the river are known as the Naqu River in Tibetan. The river is called Anurimei by the Nu ethic minority, Anu is the name of the Nu people called by themselves, the Rimei means the river, so Anurimei means the river dwelled by the Nu people.
Day 11 Liuku-248KM-Gongshan (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Nujiang Grand Canyon
Drive from Liuku to Gongshan. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Nujiang Grand Canyon.
The 316-kilometer-long Nujiang River Gorge is flanked by two 4,000-meter-high mountains. The mountain peaks on the two sides have an average altitude of over 3,000 kilometers. The gorge is located in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, an area rich in ethnic minority culture. It is now a first choice for many domestic and foreign travelers.
Overnight in Gongshan.
Day 12 Gongshan- 44KM- Bingzhongluo (B+L)
Sightseeing: Bingzhongluo, Nujiang River (Salween River)
One full day excursion to Bingzhongluo, sightseeing includes the first bend of Nujiang River (Salween River), the stone house of the Nu Nationality, Peach Island, the Tibetan Puhua Temple. You will then have the chance to visit a minority household and experience the life of the local people.
Overnight in Bingzhongluo
Day 13 Bingzhongluo-Gongshan-110KM-Fugong (B+L)
Sightseeing: Nujiang River (Salween River)
Leave Gongshan and drive 110 km through the fascinating mountain areas to Fugong. Sightseeing includes a visit to a suspension bridge and a glide cable. Special Lishu food will be served during dinner. In the evening you will take part in a party with the local people.
Overnight in Fugong
Day 14 Fugong-135KM-Liuku (B+L)
Sightseeing: Nujiang Grand canyon, Laomudeng Village
Return to Liuku. Enjoy your last day at Nujiang Grand canyon and visit Laomudeng Village and the bathhouse of Lishu Nationality. It is a tradition to welcome new year that all people take a bath together in the open hot springs by the banks of the river.
Overnight in Liuku
Day 15 Liuku-Tengchong (B+L)
Sightseeing: Heshun Ancient Town,Heshun Library, the Archway, Dragon Pool,the Wanlouzi Museum of Native Residence,the Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese
Special Experience:Enjoy the Lisu Ethnic Show and Lisu Family visiting in Jade Spring Garden at night.
After breakfast drive to Tengchong County, visit Nujiang River Bridge in Lujiang Basin, drive along the Gaoli Gongshan Mountain and arrive in Tengchong at noon. After lunch, you will visit Heshun Ancient Town including the Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War,Heshun Library, the Archway, Dragon Pool,the Wanlouzi Museum of Native Residence, Wenchang Daoist Palace, Clothes-washing Pavilions,Yuanlong Daoist Pavilion,the Philosopher Ai Siqi's Former Residence, Guanyin Ancient Spruce Trees an so on.You will enjoy the Lisu Ethnic Show and Lisu Family visiting in Jade Spring Garden at night. You can dance and sing with Lisu ethnic people as well have some snacks.
--“Heshun” means peace and harmony. You could walk leisurely around the historical old town, built in earlier days by overseas Chinese as a location for their retirement. The remaining old town is a very beautiful place with many ornamental structures such as pavilions, memorial halls, archways, and balustrades, and also with lotus ponds and outlands with many birds. The library in this town is worth mentioning-set up in 1924, it possesses over 60,000 volumes of books, many of which are rare editions of ancient works.
Day 16 Tengchong (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Graveyard of the National Heroes,, Dieshuihe Waterfall Park,Beihai Wetland and Rehai Hot Spring Park
Optional Special Experience: Enjoy the natural hot spring about three hours in Rehai Hot Spring and Lisu Ethnic Show
Visit Liafeng Mountain National Forest Park in the early morning, climb up to the half mountain, pay a visit to Laifeng Temple bult in Tang dynasty; Climb to the top of the mountain, visit Wenbi Pagoda and the panoramic view of Dianyue Town of Tengchong County.
Visit the Graveyard of the National Heroes, and Dieshuihe Waterfall Park in the town, then drive to Beihai Wetland Park, you will take a small boat to the lake for a nice view. After lunch, drive back to Tengchong, and visit Rehai hot spring Park.. You will have an option to enjoy the hot spring in the park.
--Tengchong is one of China's three major geothermal areas, known as "Land Abounding in Geothermal Resources". There are plenty of springs of hot water and hot vapour, called "Hot Sea". There are quite a number of hot fields as well. Tengchong is a resort where people can travel, take a bath and have medical treatment. The Hot Sea, with an area of 9 square kilometers, lies 20 kilometers away southwest of the county seat and in the center of the geothermal area.
There are over 80 springs of hot water and hot vapour, of which there are 14 spring whose temperature reaches 90¡ãC. The spring can be regarded as a rarity as far as their number and geothermal energy are concerned. The most magnificent view is the boiling pool with a temperature of 97¡ãC, so it is called "the Big Boiling Pot" by the local people. There are dozens of big springs of vapour with a temperature of 94¡ãC at the mouths of the springs, where you can steam food.
Day 17 Tengchong- 230KM –Ruili (B+L)
Sightseeing: Xuanfu Chieftain Office, Yunyan Burmese Pagoda, Jingpo Ethnic Square in Longchuan, Ruili Night Market,
In the morning drive 1 Km to visit the Dieshuihe Waterfall, 1 Km to visit the Graveyard of the National Heroes. Sightseeing at the Pagoda wrapped inside tree, then drive to Ruili, on the way, visit Wanding, the smallest city in China, which is also a border with Burma. Also stop at the One Single Tree Forest, which is a very big banyan looks like a forest.
Day 18 Ruili-110km-Mangshi. (B+L)
Sightseeing: Dai ethnic villages, Jiegao Border Gate and Street, Moli Tropical Rain Forest and Waterfall, the Pagoda wrapped inside tree,the One Single Tree Forest, Menghuan Grand Pagoda, Peacock Lake,
Visit a waterfall in the forest which is not far away from Burma, then visit a Dai village and a Jingpo village. After dinner, visit the prosperous Night Market which is really an attraction of Ruili, you will meet many businessmen from Burma, Laos, Thailand, India, Pakistan and Nepal. Many travelers come to this market to buy jade products.
Day 19 Mangshi-Kunming-Departure (B)
Flight Information: MU5735 12:15/13:10
In the morning drive to Mangshi and take the flightto Kunming for returning.
Service ends.
Shangrila→Deqin→Lijiang→Dali→Liuku→Gongshan→Bingzhongluo→Tenchong→Ruili→Mangshi
Discover the places your friends have visited around the world.