(Fam Trip Sponsored by China Panorama Travel)
Kunming – Dali – Shaxi – Shangri-la – Lijiang 10D9N
Day 1 Arrival Kunming D
Arrive in Kunming by flight, meet the local guide and transfer to check in the hotel. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its pleasant climate and fragrant flowers that bloom all year round, Kunming is a destination not to be missed if you find yourself in Yunnan.
Evening welcome banquet offered by China Panorama Travel.
Overnight in Kunming, 5 star hotel
Day 2 Kunming B/L
Leave Kunming in the morning and drive to Stone Forest (Yi people’s region). An 80 ha site of fantastic limestone formations created during the Permian Era when the sea covered this area. Stone Forest is in the World Heritage List and managed by the traditional owners the Yi people inhabited here. It is famous in China and unique in the world. Visit the Stone Forest for 2.5 hours, on the way back to Kunming taste famous local flavor Yiliang Roast Duck as lunch.
In the afternoon Kunming downtown, make your way to the Flowers and Birds Market, the biggest and most attractive market where spring reigns all year, and explore the narrow old streets that offer a dazzling array of goods that you may not find anywhere else!
Overnight in Kunming, 5 star hotel
Stone Forest Kunming Old Street
Day 3 Kunming to Dali by High Speed Train B/L/D
In the morning take high speed train to Dali (Bai people’s region), which is nicknamed as “Oriental Switzerland” and “Chinese Geneva”. After arrival visit Three Pagodas which is 1000 year old known as the landmark of Dali situated in front of Chongsheng Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie one kilometer northwest of Dali Old Town and located at the foot of Mount Cangshan which is over 4400 meters above sea level.
Then you could take a pleasant stroll in Dali Old Town which was the capital city of Nanzhao Kingdom 1100 years ago. The town is known for its picturesque setting, well-preserved traditional architecture and vibrant local culture. Inside the town’s ancient stone walls, visitors will find narrow streets with Bai-style houses, traditional courtyards, cafes, artisan shops and markets. Dali Ancient town has long been an important stop on the historic China Tea-Horse Road.
In the evening try the Bai people dishes as dinner.
Overnight in Dali Old Town, 4 star hotel
Dali Old Town Bai Girls in Bai Costumes
Day 4 Excursion to Nuodeng Village by driving B/L
Hidden in the mountains of Dali, Nuodeng Village is a quite gem with over a thousand years of history. Famous for its ancient salt wells and beautifully preserved Bai architecture, the village offers winding stone valleys, traditional courtyard homes, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore old temples, enjoy the serene rural landscape, and experience the charm of a village untouched by time. Its remote location has helped maintain an authentic, peaceful atmosphere, making it a living museum of traditional village life along the ancient China Tea-Horse Road.
Overnight in Dali Old Town, 4 star hotel
Day 5 Dali to Shaxi by driving B/L
In the morning visit marvelous local morning market in the biggest Bai village of Xizhou, and stroll in the huge Bai people living area. If time allows go to a local Batik workshop give you the opportunity to learn how to make Bai People’s Tie-Dying, tie-dyeing is a technology of printing flower patterns on cloth with natural plantings. After a lake-viewing lunch in the Bai village by the eastern bank of Erhai Lake, drive to Shaxi Old Town. Surround by mountains, fields and old caravan routes, the town features stone-paved streets, wooden courtyard houses, ancient temples and a charming Friday Market that has served local communities for generations. This Road is actually older than the more famous Silk Road of the Northern China, is one of the best-preserved market towns along the ancient China Tea-Horse Road. Shaxi has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the world’s 10 most endangered sites.
Overnight in Shaxi, 4 star hotel
Day 6 Shaxi to Shangri-la by driving B/L/D
Morning drive to Shangri-la (Tibetan region) and visit Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way, which the deepest gorges in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands River (up reach of Yangtze River) with its frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.
In the evening visit Zhongdian Old Town named Dukezong (Tibetan pronunciation) with Tibetan old streets and houses, enjoy the local people dancing performed by Tibetan people in the middle square of old town.
Try the Tibetan Hot Pot as dinner.
Overnight by the old town, 4 star hotel
Songzanlin Monastery Tibetan People
Day 7 Shangri-la B/L
In the morning take a visit to Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism Monastery, this is 5km from the seat of Shangri-la County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. It is said that the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through divination and named it "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery". In 1724, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery". During its time of greatest prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple, now there are still 700 monks inside.
In the afternoon go to the Napahai Lake, which is a beautiful big seasonal lake with vast water and Black-necked Cranes, wild ducks on it in summer but grand grassland with groups of yaks, horses wondering on it in winter.
Overnight by the old town, 4 star hotel
Day 8 Shangri-la to Lijiang by driving B/L
In the morning set out to Lijiang (Naxi people’s region). On the way, stop at the Tibetan villages to find chance for visiting genuine Tibetan Family which is not for tourist.
At noon arrive Lijiang, after lunch take two hours’ walk inside Lijiang Old Town, which is rare well-preserved ancient city of ethnic minority in China, concentrated the essence of Naxi culture and remains the historical type formed since Song and Yuan Dynasty (900 years ago). It belongs to UNESCO Heritage Site.
Overnight in Lijiang, 5 star hotel
Black Dragon Pool Lijiang Old Town
Day 9 Lijiang B/L
In the morning take a visit to the Black Dragon Pool, located inside Jade Spring Park on the northern side of Lijiang Old Town. It is one of the most iconic landmarks of Lijiang. The pool is renowned for its crystal-clear spring water, classical pavilions and breathtaking reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on calm days.
Then Dongba Culture Museum, displays on Naxi dress and culture, Dongba pictographic script. After that, go to visit Baisha Ancient Mural, located in Baisha Village near Lijiang, one of the most important cultural treasures of the Naxi people. Created between the early Ming and Qing dynasties, the murals combine elements of Buddhist, Daoist and Tibetan art, reflecting the region’s unique. Many of the paintings depict religious scenes, legendary figures and daily life, showcasing the artistic achievements of the Naxi Dongba culture and the exchange between Han, Tibetan and Bai ethnic groups.
In the evening the welfare banquet offered by China Panorama Travel.
Overnight in Lijiang, 5 star hotel
Day 10 Departure Lijiang B
Take flight for leaving, end of the fam trip.
