8-Day Private Yunnan Tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La

When you arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, you will meet your guide at the arrival hall and be escorted to your hotel in the downtown area for check-in.

After a short rest, you will proceed to the Golden Temple, a Taoist temple situated on the Mingfeng Hill. This 400-year-old temple features its bronze structures, which dazzles in the sunlight and the beautiful natural landscapes.

Then you will take a leisurely stroll in the centrally located Green Lake Park to enjoy the local peaceful lifestyle and immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery with the sound of seagulls

Today your private tour will begin with a visit to the Zhuanxin Famers' Market, the largest marketplace in Kunming. Roaming around this place, you will get an impression of local people's daily life, since every day thousands of people come here to buy fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.

Then you will head to the Stone Forest, a typical model of China's Karst landforms. The stones in interesting shapes, such as animals and plants, will provide you with a memorable experience.

After, your guide will transfer you to the railway station and instruct you to board the high speed train to Dali, which takes around 2 hours on the way. Our guide based in Dali will pick you up on your arrival and escort you to the hotel in the primitive Dali Ancient City.

Begin the Dali exploration with a visit to Dali Ancient City, which can date back to the Ming Dynasty in 1382. It is a good place to learn about the local lifestyle and culture by a wander along the markets and meeting the local people in their ethnic costumes.

Then you will continue to the Three Pagodas, which sits in Chongsheng Temple and faces the mirror-like Erhai Lake. These 1,800-year-old pagodas are like a beautiful history book of Dali, which will show the visitors the development of Buddhism in Dali and the unique architectural style in China.

Later, enjoy some walking in the ecological corridor of the Erhai Lake accompanied by your guide. If interested, the guide will leave you with some free time to enjoy the fun of cycling along the Corridor. He or she will assist you to rent a bicycle at your own cost and inform you the best biking route. Afterward, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Today a 3-hour drive will take you to Lijiang. On the way, you will pay a visit to the Bai Minority Traditional Houses in Xizhou. The layout of these houses is distinctive with the features of wood and stone carvings and paintings on lime powdered walls. Xizhou is the place where the best and most of Bai Minority Traditional Houses are preserved.

Then you will continue to the nearby Zhoucheng Village, where you will visit the traditional hand-made Tie Dyeing, in the local people's home.

Upon arrival at Lijiang, you will first check in at your hotel in the old town. After a short rest, your tour guide will take you to visit the Square Street of Lijiang Old Town. The street is paved by the local bluestones, with numerous souvenir shops, unique bars, and delicate restaurants scattered around. The most charming part of the street is at night. When red lanterns along the street are all lit up, all people here including tourists will enjoy relaxing but exciting nightlife.

You will first explore the Baisha Village and visit a local Naxi family in the morning. You will learn more about the Naxi people's living habits and customs. Then you will proceed to visit Baisha Murals. These murals, combining the Han, Tibet, and Naxi culture together, are a wonderful art form of minorities in west Yunnan, and vividly unfold the life of the minority people to the visitors.

Then, you will pay a visit to the Former Residence of Dr. Joseph Rock in Yuhu village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

After that, you will visit the Black Dragon Pool Park (Jade Spring Park), an enormous park with beautiful landscapes and some ancient monuments.

Next, you will visit the Dongba Cultural Museum, which is an interesting folk cultural museum featuring Dongba culture preserved by Naxi People. By visiting this museum, you could learn more about this minority group.

Today you will be transferred to Shangri-La. On the way to Shangri-La, visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River and the Stone Drum Town. After that, your Lijiang guide will say goodbye to you, and the driver will escort you to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, where your Shangri-la guide will greet you and escort you to continue the visit. Later your Shangri-la guide will take you to check in at the hotel.

In the morning, you will first head to the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan, Songzanlin Temple. This temple collects the elite of Tibetan religious culture and presents splendid architecture. Because of its similar appearance and layout to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, it is also reputed as 'small Potala Palace'.

Then, you will travel to the breathtaking scenery in Potatso National Park. The Shudu Lake inside is one of the largest plateau lakes in Shangri-La with an altitude of over 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) and it’s the most beautiful part of Potasto. After enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, you will visit a local Tibetan family to get involved in the Tibetan people's lifestyle.

After breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to the Shangri-La airport on time for your departure flight. We wish you a nice trip!