Yunnan Classic Tour (4N5D standard)
Kunming-Dali-Lijiang
This 5-day’s classic tour is what we recommend, covers Kunming, Dali and Lijiang. The unique geographical location and the complex ethnic situation created by 26 nationalities and their interaction have made Yunnan an exotic place to visit. The beautiful natural landscape, the colorful ethnic diversity, the long history and splendid cultures contribute to more than 60 scenery sites in Yunnan. Kunming is historically and culturally renowned throughout the country. With an annual average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, it is well known as the City of Eternal Spring without bitter cold in winter and intense heat in summer. Dali is home to Bai minority. The old town of weathered gray granite stands at 2,100 meters on a long, narrow rice plain between the Cangshan Mountains and the Erhai Lake, a natural configuration that seems specially designed for a good, bountiful life. A gathering place of rugged mountain people with the Naxi forming the majority, Lijiang is a small mountain town of stone and tile, laced with swift canals, which has been recently listed as an UNESCO world monument.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Kunming-Arrival
After airport formalities, meet the local guide in Kunming and proceed to visit the Western Hills including the Dragon Gate and the Hua Ting Temple. The Western Hill is a range of 4 mountains stretching over 40 kilometers by the western shore of the Dianchi Lake. Time permitting, visit also of the lovely flower and bird market.
Day 2 Kunming---Dali
After breakfast, transfer to airport for morning flight from Kunming to Dali. Meet at airport and proceed to the village of Caicun. From there, take a private boat and have a ride on the lake (about 1 hour one way) to Jin Suo Isle. Visit the Bai minority fishing village on the Isle with its colorful market. On the way back to Dali stop and visit the Three Pagodas. In the afternoon, visit the Bai village Xizhou some 23 kilometers north of Dali. Rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for your own exploration of the old town of Dali.
Day 3 Dali-180km-Lijiang
In the morning, overland drive of 180 kilometers, or 3.5 hours, along the highway to Lijiang. From Lijiang, drive another 120 kilometers, or 2 hours, to the Tiger Leaping Gorge with visit in the way, the First Bend of the Yangzi River and the Stone Drum village. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is the Yangzi's best-known gorge after the Three Gorges in Sichuan and Hubei. Wedged tightly between titanic cliffs, the river is so narrow here, as legend says, that a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side in a single bound. Here, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and the Haba Snow Mountains lean close to each other and a large volume of torrent moving between them, cutting deeper and deeper into the bottom of the gorge. In some places there is a drop of 3,000 meters to the water. Then drive back to Lijiang and arrive in Lijiang late in the afternoon or early in the evening.
Day 4 Lijiang
In the morning, visit the Black Dragon Pond with the Wufeng Temple and Dongba Research Institute. Then, drive out to the Yak Meadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains. Take chairlift (roundtrip) ride up with superb views over the mountains and valleys. In the afternoon, visit Yuhu, a simple village of Naxi minority with the former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock. Dr. Rock, an Austro-American botanist and explorer who lived here off and on from 1922-1949, is best remembered for the introduction of innumerable plant species to the West and his rigorous works on Naxi ethnology. Visit also the Naxi village Baisha. North of Lijiang Country finds the Liulidian Temple and Daobaoji Temple at Baisha village. Rest of afternoon is at leisure for your own discovery of the old town of Lijiang.
Day 5 Lijiang---Kunming-Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Lijiang Airport for morning flight Lijiang to Kunming.Upon arrival in Kunming, proceed to a half day excursion to the Stone Forest. An extremely rare geological phenomenon dating back to 270 million years ago, the Stone Forest is 80 hectares of Karst limestone pillars in fantastic shapes that resemble a forest viewed from a distance some 85 kilometers, or 1.5 hours one way, southeast of Kunming. The Stone Forest is also home to the Sani tribe, a branch of the diverse and scattered Yi minority renowned for their diligence, embroidery and dancing.On the way back to Kunming, visit also a Sani tribe village Qi Xin. Transfer to airport for departure flight in late afternoon.
Trip ENDs.