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Day 1 Stone Forest
Welcome to Kunming, the capital of the province with the most ethnic groups in China. You will be transferred to the Stone Forest after meeting your guide at the airport or train station.
Listed a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2007, the Stone Forest is a natural museum of karst landform. Some of the stones look like animals, some assemble like an army and some are in the shape of ancient castles.
The residents in the Nuohei Village are Yi People. They are hospitable and conscientious. All their houses are built by themselves. The major materials are the stones quarried from the nearby hills. You will marvel at Yi people’s wisdom after seeing those houses.
Meals：None
Accommodation：Hotel in Shilin County
Day 2 Laohuzui Terraced Field
You will take a 6-hour long car ride to the Laohuzui Terraced Fields today, and visit the Yunnan Folkways Village on road.
Located beside the beautiful Tianchi Lake, the Yunnan Folkways Village is a place to soak up the atmosphere of the culture and lifestyle of the 26 ethnic groups in Yunnan. The exquisite houses in the village are also worth a visit.
The Laohuzui is the steepest most magnificent terraced fields in Yuanyang. The Laohuzui Terraced Field looks like a piece of oil painting and is liked by photographers. Both sunrise and sunset are the best times to shoot masterworks on Laohuzui.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Yuanyang
Day 3 Terraced Fields in Yuanyang
Surrounded by the cloud for over 200 days a year, the Duoyishu Terraced Field looks like a traditional Chinese wash painting. November to next April are the best times to shoot the terraced fields. When the sun rises, the color of the fields changes due to the sunshine refraction.
The Yuanyang Market is the best place to learn about the lifestyle and culture of the 7 ethnic groups in Yuanyang. Women in the costumes of their own ethnic group go to the market for the freshest vegetables and fruits, carrying big bamboo baskets on their backs.
There are over 180 Hani Families in the Qingkou Hani Village. A Hani Ethnic Group Museum is built at the east end of the village, and a painted corridor is located at the west end. However, the villagers’ houses, which look like mushrooms are most renowned attractions in the village.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Yuanyang
Day 4 Jianshui Tour
You will drive to Jianshui after breakfast.
Housing over 50 ancient houses, the Jianshui Ancient Town enjoys a reputation of Museum of Ancient Buildings. The styles of houses vary for different ethnic groups. For instance, the Hani people like grass-roofed houses, while Dai people are good at constructing tile-roofed house.
Built around 600 years ago, the Chaoyang Tower was the east gate of the Jianshui Ancient Town. Standing on the top of the tower, tourists can have a bird view of the Jianshui Ancient Town. Lots of old photos are collected in the second floor of the tower.
The Confucius Temple in Jianshui is the largest and best preserved Confucius relics in Yunnan province. Thousands of students of Confucius Institute visit this temple every year. The temple was a noble school in ancient times. The houses in the temple are also worth a visit,
Boasting 42 courtyards and 214 houses, the Zhu Family Garden was the most luxury private garden in Jianshui. The garden belonged to the richest men in Jianshui in 1890s. It is now the best place to learn about the folk culture in Jianshui.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Jianshui
Day 5 Back to Kunming
The Shuanglong Bridge was critical to avoid flood in ancient times. There are two exquisite pavilions located respectively at the south end and middle part of the 148-meter long and 9-meter high bridge.
Most houses in the Tuanshan Village were built in the nineteenth century. 15 folk houses, 3 village gates, 3 monasteries and 1 ancestral hall are the best-preserved ancient relics in the village. The unique local culture and lifestyle are the most appealing things to tourists.
You will drive back to Kunming after today’s tour.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Kunming
Day 6 Erhai Lake
You will take a train to Dali today.
The Chongsheng Temple was royal property during the Dali Kingdom period (937-1253). There were nine kings gave up the throne and served as abbots in Chongsheng Temple. The temple was destroyed during wartimes, however, its three pagodas still stand. These three pagodas have a history of 1000 years.
Erhai Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan. It is shaped like an ear. The Erhai Lake was formed at the end of the Ice Age. In the Han Dynasty (25 BC to 220 AD), Erhai Lake became an important hub of the Southwest Silk Road.
The Ancient Town of Dali is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, faceing the Erhai Lake in the east. It was the capital city of the ancient Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms (738-1253). It used to be the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Dali
Day 7 Ancient Town Tour
You will visit two ancient towns today.
The major residents in the Xizhou Ancient Town belong to the Bai Ethnic Group. The local people’s houses, which feature black tiles and white walls, are the must-see attractions in the ancient town. Besides, the local desserts are also worth a try.
Lijiang Ancient Town has been one of the most tourist destinations since it was selected as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. It is also one of the most romantic places in China. Ancient houses and streets and modern bars and restaurants are in a perfect harmony here.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Lijiang
Day 8 Lijiang Ancient Relic Tour
Situated at the foot of a snow-capped mountain, the Yuhu Village is the best place admire the mountain view. The reflection of the mountain on the mirror-like lake in the village looks almost the same as the mountain itself. The local culture and lifestyle are also interesting.
Around 500 years ago, a local leader in Baisha claimed his allegiance to the Chinese emperor. And then, he built lots of temples and asked local artists to paint on the walls of these temples. The 558 pieces of Baisha murals are mainly about religions and nature.
Compared to the Lijiang Ancient Town, the Shuhe Ancient Town is not so famous. However, it is also less commercialized than the Lijiang Ancient Town. Tourists can bask in the tranquility of ancient stone roads and houses in the Shuhe Ancient Town.
The Black Dragon Pool is a park in Lijiang. The lake in the park is the headwater for the Lijiang City. Scaling to the top of the Xiang Mountain in the park, tourists can have the best views of the Lijiang Ancient City and a snow-capped mountain.
Naxi is an ethnic group in Yunnan, and Dongba is a religion created by Naxi People around 1000 years ago. The 12,000 exhibits in the Naxi Dongba Culture Museum include agricultural tools, scriptures, paintings and handicrafts.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Lijiang
Day 9 Tiger Leaping Gorge
The First Bay of Yangtze River is actually the intersection of Yangtze, Nu and Lancang Rivers. The First Bay of Yangtze River is located at the east end of QinghaI-Tibet Plateau. The drastic drop in altitude make all these three rivers roaring past the bay.
Due to the drastic fall, the river behind the Tiger Leaping Gorge looks a like an angry dragon. Thousands of tourists go to the gorge to admire the spectacular river view every year. The gorge is also a place of interest for hiking fanciers.
You will drive to Shangri-La after today’s sightseeing.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Shangri-La
Day 10 Shangri-La Tour
Built in 1683 AD, the Songzanlin Monastery is a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists who live in Sichuan or Yunnan. With an altitude of 3380 meters and located on a mountain, the Sozanlin Monastery enjoys a reputation of “Lesser Potala”.
The Shudu Lake is a clear and blue plateau lake. It is surrounded by endless original forest. The wild animals in the forest and fish in the lake are loved by thousands of tourists.
The Dukezong Ancient Town is the best preserved ancient residential area for Tibetan People. It was the last stop for ancient merchants who transported tea to Tibet. Local people like to dance on the city square, and you are welcome to join in them.
Meals：Breakfast Lunch
Accommodation：Hotel in Shangri-La
Day 11 Goodbye! See You Next Time
Your tour comes to an end today. Do you like Yunnan more after this action-packed 11 days? Hope you like both the tour and our service. We are looking forward to serving you for your next trip. Best wishes!
Meals：Breakfast
Accommodation：
