Experience a different Yunnan, famous for its stunning natural scenery, including majestic mountains, tranquil lakes, and rolling valleys that provide a picturesque backdrop for exploration and adventure. The region boasts rich cultural diversity, with itineraries showcasing the vibrant traditions of various Nationalities, allowing visitors to experience local customs and savor authentic cuisine. The journey invites travelers to enjoy the tranquility of ancient villages, stroll through charming old towns, and embrace the harmonious beauty that arises from the fusion of nature and spirituality, which is the essence of this unique region. With its mild climate and warm atmosphere, this journey promises visitors an unforgettable experience, highlighting the beauty of nature and deep cultural heritage.

Code of Tour: SZW0000012

Length of Travel: 8 Days

Departure City: Dali

Price of Tour: Request

Features of Tour: This most sought-after Yunnan tour from Dali will take you into the region's breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, including the time-honoured tie-dye culture.

Highlights

• Tie-dye Experience: Learn about the Bai Nationality's tie-dye techniques and create your own unique tie-dye piece.  
• Three Pagodas of Dali: Experience the silent beauty that has stood for a thousand years.
• Charming Ancient Towns: Experience the charm and rich history of Dali Ancient Town and Lijiang Ancient Town.  
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: The closest mountain to the equator in the Northern Hemisphere that is covered in snow year-round, where you can feel the ancient glaciers.  
• Tiger Leaping Gorge: famous for its "danger," it is one of the world's renowned gorges.  
• Pudacuo National Park: explore dense primeval forests and visit high-altitude lakes.  

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Dali  Arrival 
• Day 2: Dali  
• Day 3: Dali - Lijiang (by HSR)
• Day 4: Lijiang  
• Day 5: Lijiang - Shangri-La
• Day 6: Shangri-La - Lijiang
• Day 7: Shangri-La - Dali  
• Day 8: Dali Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Dali

Attractions & Activities: None  
Meals: None  
Accommodation: Dali Ancient Town
Upon your arrival at Dali, the staff will arrange the vehicle to transfer you to the hotel where has booked for you. After arriving at the hotel, you may either explore Dali to experience its unique culture or take some time to rest and prepare for the upcoming tour.

Day 2: Dali

Attractions & Activities: Dali Ancient Town, Three Pagodas of Dali, Shuanglang Ancient Tea, Dali "Santorini"  
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)  
Accommodation: Dali Ancient Town  
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, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (approximately 3 hours), which is not only a treasure of architectural art but also a testament to historical culture.Then, head to Shuanglang Ancient Town (approximately 1.5 hours), located at the northeastern end of Dali City, known as the “first town of Cang Hai scenery.”Then, visit Dali Ideal Homeland (approximately 2 hours), praised for its mysterious and romantic architectural style, often referred to as “the Santorini of China,” where you can enjoy afternoon tea.

Day 3: Dali - Lijiang (by HSR)  

Attractions & Activities: Fengyangyi Village,  Photography base (Flower Sea), Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhou Cheng Tie-Dye Experience, Lijiang Ancient town
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)  
Accommodation: Lijiang Ancient town
After breakfast, visit Fengyangyi village(approximately 1 hour), the 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, take the HSR to Lijiang and explore Lijiang Ancient City (approx. 2 hours), 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 4: Lijiang

Attractions & Activities: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Glacier Park Cable Car, Blue Moon Valley (including battery car), Impression Lijiang, Baisha Murals, Baisha Ancient Town  
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)  
Accommodation: Lijiang Ancient Town
Depart at the designated time for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area. Take the Glacier Park Cable Car (approx. 2 hours) to fully appreciate the scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Ascend to the snow peak and overlook the stunning landscape from above, experiencing the dramatic momentum of the "Jade Dragon River rushing into the sea." Next, visit Blue Moon Valley (approx. 1 hour, including battery car ride), which features blue water on sunny days and has a crescent-shaped valley that resembles a blue moon nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, hence the name. Watch the performance Impression Lijiang - Snow Mountain Edition (if there are adjustments in the performance schedule causing a conflict preventing viewing of "Impression Lijiang," it will be replaced by "Lishui Jinsha"). Baisha Ancient Town (approx. 1 hour) is the birthplace of the Naxi ethnic group, preserving much of the original Naxi culture, and is also the cradle of the Mu family chieftains of Lijiang, serving as the earliest political, economic, and cultural center for the Naxi people. The Baisha Murals (approx. 1 hour) are part of Lijiang's World Cultural Heritage, showcasing the multicultural expression of Lijiang and are an indispensable aspect of Lijiang tourism.

Day 5: Lijiang - Shangri-La  

Attractions & Activities: First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge (including escalator), Dukezong Ancient Town
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)  
Accommodation: Shangri-La
After breakfast, depart from the hotel and travel to the sacred land of Shangri-La, stopping at the First Bend of the Yangtze River (approx 30 minutes visit) for a photo opportunity. Continue along the Dali-Tibet Road to visit the world-famous Tiger Leaping Gorge (including escalator; approximately 2 hours visit). Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the most renowned gorges in the world and is also one of the deepest gorges in China. Then, visit Dukezong Ancient Town (approximately 1.5 hours) and see the Guishan Park, where you can turn the largest rotating prayer wheel in the world to pray for your family's blessings. Then check-in the hotel of Shangri-La and have a good rest today.

Day 6: Shangri-La - Lijiang  

Attractions & Activities: Sumtsenling Monastery,Pudacuo National Forest Park
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own)  
Accommodation: Lijiang Ancient Town
After the breakfast,visit Sumtsenling Monastery(Approximately 2 hours), is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, known as the "Little Potala Palace." It has a history of over 300 years and is an important site for Tibetan Buddhism, featuring rich cultural connotations and unique architectural styles.Then, take a car ride to Pudacuo National Forest Park (approximately 3 hours), which is a pollution-free fairy-tale world with clear lakes and blue skies that change with the seasons.

Day 7: Lijiang - Dali

Attractions & Activities: Yuhu Viliage, The former residence of Hoseph Rock
Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch and Dinner (on your own) 
Accommodation: Dali
After breakfast this morning, visit Yuhu Village(approximately 2 hours) is an ancient Naxi village built with stones, exuding a natural and primitive ambiance. With an air of detachment from the world, it quietly nestles at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This is the birthplace of the Naxi people, embodying a unique beauty. Next vist the former residence of Joseph Rock (approximately 1 hours) is located in Yuhu Village, Lijiang, and is an excellent spot for exploring the life of the legendary explorer. Rock spent 27 years in Southwest China, revealing the geographical, cultural, and historical charms of this land to the world.

Day 8: Dali Departure

Attractions & Activities: None
Accommodation:  None
Transfer to the airport or train station, marking the end of a pleasant trip.  

Service Included

• Accommodation: A 4-star hotel throughout the trip.
• Daily hotel breakfast.
• Excellent English-speaking guide.
• 5-19 seat vehicle.
• Yunnan Tourist Insurance.
• HSR Second-class seats tickets of Dali-Lijiang.
• 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day.

Service Excluded

• Lunch and dinner throughout the trip.
• International transportation to and from the airport.
• China visa fees.
• Guide and driver tips (suggested 200 yuan/day/guide and 150 yuan/day/driver).
• Travel accident 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.