6 Days and 5 Nights Yunnan Exploration

Day 1 Kunming City Tour

Good morning, your tour guide will meet you at an appointed place in Kunming to kick off this 6-day tour. After the sightseeing in Kunming, you will take a train to Dali.

Stone Forest

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.

Flower and Bird Market

Opened in 1983, the Flower and Bird Market in Kunming is the most popular place for local people to but pets, plants, wood carvings, antiques, and handicrafts. Walking in the noisy market, you will see the real Kunming.

Green Lake Park

The Green Lake park is a place for people to get relaxed. Due to the mild climate, thousands of birds make the park their home. In winter, red-beaked gulls fly to the lake from north China, so winter is the best time to watch birds in the park.

Day 2 Dali Old Town

Dali Old Town

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 was the political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan.

Chongsheng Temple and Its Three Pagodas

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

Haishe Ecology Park on Erhai Lake

The park is a sand island on Erhai Lake. The waves are rapid on the left side of the island, while it is peaceful on the left side. It is a perfect place to admire the Erhai Lake and original plants.

Zhoucheng Village

Most people in the Zhoucheng Village belong to the Jing Ethnic Group, who are renowned for their houses with tile roofs and white exterior walls.

Day 3 Lijiang Ancient Town

Today you will proceed to Li Jiang.

Black Dragon Pool

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 Dongba Culture Museum

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.

Lijiang Ancient Town

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.

Day 4 Lijiang Tour

Baisha Murals

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.

Yuhu Village

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.

Shuhe Ancient Town

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.

Former Residence of Joseph Rock

Joseph Rock was an American adventurer who arrived in Lijiang from the border between Thailand and Myanmar in 1922. He spent 27 years in Lijiang and was the first people to introduce Lijiang to the Western world. You can see some of his clothes and tools in his former residence.

Day 5 Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike

You will visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River and hike on the Tiger Leaping Gorge today, and then drive to Shangri-La for sightseeing.

The First Bay of Yangtze River

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.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

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.

Dukezong Ancient Town

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.

Guishan Hill

Standing on the top of the Guishan Hill, you can have a far view of the magnificent snow-capped mountains and the ancient Shangri-La city. You can also see the world’s largest prayer wheel for Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 6 Shangri-La Tour

Napahai Lake

The lake is lots of rare birds’ home in winter, such as the Black-Necked Cranes and Bar-Headed Goose. The lake scenery is also beautiful.

You will be transferred back to Shangri-La after today’s sightseeing. Our service ends today. If you like us, please feel free to ask us arrange tours to other places in future. Best wishes!