This tour focuses on the most famous cities and classic attractions in Yunnan Province and it also provides a chance to experience the winter of Yunnan–Meili Snow Mountain tour. Moreover, Lugu Lake tour, another discovery of mysterious Muosuo minority which combines matrilineal society with matrilocal society.
Code of Tour: SZW0000001Length of Travel: 12 Day
Departure City: Kunming
Price of Tour: Request
Features of Tour: Nature Hiking Culture Minorities Landscape Mountains
Highlights
- Visit the highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La.
- Experience the winter of Yunnan–Meili Snow Mountain tour.
- Discover the mysterious Muosuo minority which combines matrilineal society with matrilocal society.
INQUIRY
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Kunming Arrival
- Day 2: Kunming - Dali
- Day 3: Dali
- Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
- Day 5: Lijiang
- Day 6: Lijiang - Lugu Lake
- Day 7: Lugu Lake - Shangri-La
- Day 8: Shangri-La
- Day 9: Shangri-La - Feilaisi
- Day 10: Feilaisi - Shangri-La
- Day 11: Shangri-La - Lijiang
- Day 12: Lijiang Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kunming
Attractions & Activities: Green Lake, Nanping Pedestrian StreetMeals: None
Accommodation: Kunming
After you arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, the staff will arrange a car to pick you up at the arranged hotel and complete the check-in procedures. Visit Green Lake (about 1 hour) - The scenery is different in each season, and then visit Nanping Pedestrian Street (about 1 hour) - Taste Kunming's specialty snacks, experience the charm of the "Spring City", and you can also ask the tour guide for any attractions and food you want to learn about.
Day 2: Kunming - Stone Forest - Dali
Attractions & Activities: the Stone Forest, Dali Old TownMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Dali
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Stone Forest Scenic Area (with a tour time of about 3 hours). The karst landform of the Stone Forest was formed 270 million years ago, with strange stones, lakes, waterfalls, streams, and caves crisscrossing the area, creating a beautiful scenery. After the tour, return to Kunming and take the high-speed train to Dali.
After arriving at Dali, visit Dali Ancient City (about 1.5 hours). It is the capital of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. The city gate is tall and thick, and you can also see the ancient flavor of old houses on the street.
Day 3: Dali
Attractions & Activities: Three Pagodas,Shuanglang Old Town,Dali SantoriniMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Dali
Driving to the Three Pagodas, It is a symbol of Dali and an important cultural relic, with a history dating back over 1,800 years. Explore the pagodas and the surrounding grounds, including the Chongsheng Temple, which offers panoramic views of the area.Then visit the ancient town of Shuanglang (approximately 1.5 hours), located at the northeast end of Dali City, Yunnan Province, on the northeast bank of Erhai Lake. To the north of Shuanglang is Luoshi Qu, to the south is Lianhua Qu, and in front of it are two islands, Jinsuo and Yuji, surrounded by a double curve, hence the name Shuanglang.
Dali Ideal State (tour time about 2 hours), a tourist resort town facing Erhai Lake and backed by Cangshan Mountain. Ideal State is known as the "Santorini of China" for its mysterious and romantic architectural style, where you can enjoy afternoon tea.
Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
Attractions & Activities: Fengyangyi,Photography Tour, Xizhou town, Zhoucheng village with tie dye experience, Dali Old CityMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Lijiang
In the morning, visit Dali Ancient City (approx. 1.5 hours), which served as the capital of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. The tall and sturdy city gates and the ancient charm of the old residences are still visible in the streets. Next, head to Fengyang Village (approx. 1 hour), a small town located near Dali Ancient City, which is an ancient village on the Tea Horse Road. Fengyang Village was also a filming location for the 2023 production "To the Place with the Wind." Then proceed to the Flower Sea Photography Base and Ethnic Costume Experience (approx. 1 hour), where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the perfect combination of plants, flowers, and gardening in Dali's most leisurely atmosphere. Visit Xizhou Ancient Town (approx. 1.5 hours), which preserves a large number of Bai ethnic residences, rich in Bai cultural elements. About 80% of the buildings in Xizhou Ancient Town are ancient structures, and any random house can have a history of over a hundred years. Then visit Zhou Cheng (approx. 2 hours) to experience tie-dyeing. This area is known as the "Hometown of Bai Tie-Dye." The tie-dye here mainly features white and blue colors, with white symbolizing auspiciousness and blue representing hope, simplicity, and sincerity. After that, head to Lijiang and explore Lijiang Ancient City , an ancient town with over 800 years of history. It is not only a tourist destination but also an important junction on the Silk Road and the Tea Horse Road, representing the culture and history of the Naxi ethnic group. The streets and architecture retain the style from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the natural scenery of Lijiang Ancient City is also very beautiful. Check into your hotel in Lijiang.
Day 5: Lijiang
Attractions & Activities: Ganhaizi Meadow, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Glaciar Park cable way, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show, Baisha Old Town, Baisha MuralsMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Lijiang
Depart in the morning to visit the Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area. Take the Glacier Park Cableway (approximately 3 hours) to fully enjoy the scenery of Yulong Snow Mountain. Yulong Snow Mountain is not only a paradise for nature enthusiasts, but also a paradise for cultural explorers. Then go to Little Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area [Blue Moon Valley] with a battery car (about 1 hour's tour time). On a sunny day, the water is blue, and the valley is crescent shaped, which looks like a blue moon embedded at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain from a distance, so it is called Blue Moon Valley.
Day 6: Lijiang - Lugu Lake
Attractions & Activities: Eighteen Bends of the Mountain Road, Lugu Lake Viewing Platform, Lake Tour (by car), Bonfire PartyMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Lakeside Hotel at Lugu Lake
Depart from Lijiang to Lugu Lake, stopping at the Eighteen Bends of the Mountain Road (approx. 20 minutes for photo stop). The road stretches approximately 20 kilometers with an elevation drop of over a thousand meters, making it an excellent spot for observing natural scenery. Arrive at the best viewpoint for Lugu Lake at the Lugu Lake Viewing Platform (approx. 15-20 minutes). Take a car for the Lake Tour (approx. 1.5 hours) and check into your hotel by Lugu Lake. Tonight, experience the culture of the Mosuo people with a bonfire party, where you can learn about their matriarchal clan customs that have been passed down for over 1,500 years.
Day 7: Lugu Lake - Shangri-La
Attractions & Activities: Watch the sunrise on the lake, take a boat ride to Liwubi IslandMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Enjoy the sunrise over Lugu Lake in the high-altitude region. Take a boat ride on a unique vessel called a "pig trough boat" to visit Liwubi Island (approximately 60 minutes). Walk through the forest canopy and listen to the stories of the Mosuo people about the legend of A'yunshan Mountain. Then, head to the sacred land of Shangri-La and check into the hotel.
Day 8: Shangri-la
Attractions & Activities: Songzanlin Monastery,Pudacuo National ParkMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Begin your day by visiting the Songzanlin Monastery, which stands as the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple complex in Yunnan Province. Also known as the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery or the Guihua Monastery, it belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelug) Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery’s architecture mirrors that of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, earning it the nickname “Little Potala Palace.” Explore its mysterious halls and discover precious Tibetan Buddhist cultural relics, including gilded statues, palm-leaf scripts, thangka (religious tapestries), and golden lamps. The monastery also serves as a Tibetan Art Museum.
Then driving to Pudacuo National Forest Park (about 3 hours of sightseeing), famous for its magnificent natural scenery and plateau climate, with dense vegetation and rich animal species.
Back to Shangri-la for accommodation.
Day 9: Shangri-la - Feilaisi
Attractions & Activities: Bengzilan Town, the Moon Bend of Jinsha River, Dongzhulin monastery and Baima Snow MountainMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Feilaisi
In the morning, drive 4 to 5 hours to Deqin County (3400m altitude) which is 187km away from Zhongdian via Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, where you will be able to view Baima Snow Mountain if the weather is clear, pass the top part of today at 4292m altitude at 156km.
After traversing the mountain ranges, you will make a short stop and have lunch at Benzilan town, take some shots on the first bend of Jinsha(Yangtze) River, Dongzhulin Monastery and Baima (white horse) Snow Mountain. The view along the way is fantastic with different kinds of trees, streams down the valley, prayer flags and stupas, and Tibetan villages.
Stay at Feilaisi.
Day 10: Feilaisi - Shangri-La
Attractions & Activities: Feilaisi Monastery, the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain,BalagezongMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Shangri-la
Try to get up early in the morning, enjoy the magic sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. 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.
Then head to Balagezong.The Balagezong Scenic Area, part of the Three Parallel Rivers World Natural Heritage, is famous for its dramatic landscapes, including towering snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes, dense forests, and picturesque meadows. The region offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventure and cultural immersion. During the tour, you’ll explore the Balagezong Grand Canyon, visit Shika Snow Mountain, and experience local Tibetan culture, all while soaking in the stunning natural beauty of the area.
Day 11: Shangri-La - Lijiang
Attractions & Activities: Dukezong,the First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping GorgeMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: Lijiang
Go to the ancient town of Dukezong (about 1.5 hours of sightseeing), which means "castle built on stones" in Tibetan, also known as "Moonlight City". Rotate the world's largest prayer wheel in the ancient city to pray for your family.
Then driving to the disappearing Horizon Shangri La, passing through the First Bay of the Yangtze River (about 30 minutes of tour time), stop and take photos, then continue along Dianzang Road to the world's most famous canyon - Tiger Leaping Gorge with an elevator (about 2 hours of tour), which is the largest canyon in the Yangtze River, named after the magnificent scene of the legendary tiger leaping over the Jinsha River.
Stay at Lijiang Hotel.
Day 12: Lijiang Departure
Attractions & Activities: NoneMeals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)
Accommodation: None
The guide or driver will take you to the airport or high speed rail station for departure.
Service ends.
Service Included
- Accommodation: All accommodations are local guesthouses.
- Breakfast: Hotel breakfast every morning.
- Guide: English-speaking guide.
- Transportation: 5-19 seat car.
- High speed train from Kunming to Dali.
- Tour insurance: Yunnan tourist insurance.
- Mineral water: 2 bottles per person per day.
Service Excluded
- Lunch, and dinner
- Transportation to and from Dali.
- China visa fees
- Guide and driver tips (recommended: 200 yuan per person per day for guide; 150 yuan per person per day for driver)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement
Group Tour Service Standards
- For groups of 2-4 people, there will be an English-speaking tour guide as driver.
- For groups of 5-10 people, there will be an English-speaking tour guide and a Chinese driver.
Price Notice
Child prices: Children under 3 years old are free, children aged 4-6 years old are 50% of the adult price (Not occupying a bed), children aged 7-11 years old are 70% of the adult price (occupying a bed and tickets), and children aged 12 years and above are charged at the adult price.Itinerary Notice
To offer you better travel experience, our company reserves the right to adjust the order of the tour itinerary, but the content of the tour will not be reduced. If certain attractions cannot be visited due to force majeure or policy adjustments, our company has the right to cancel or replace them with equivalent attractions, and any fees for additional attractions will not be refunded.
