8-Day Classic Yunnan Tour: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La

Start your morning with a tranquil stroll through Green Lake Park, an urban oasis where locals gather to dance, sing, and practice tai chi. The willow-lined paths and pavilions bridging the water create a serene atmosphere, offering a perfect glimpse into the city’s leisurely pace of life.

Venture out to the magnificent Stone Forest (Shilin), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare to be amazed by a breathtaking landscape of towering limestone pillars that have been sculpted by wind and water over 270 million years, creating a labyrinthine forest of stone that feels like another world.

Board a high-speed train for a scenic journey to Dali

In the morning, we stop off at the ancient market town of Xizhou, just 19 kilometres north of Dali Old Town. Here we will visit the morning market, where locals dressed in traditional minority clothing sell and buy local fruits, freshly cut meat, piles of fragrant spices, livestock and anything else you can think of.

You can visit a traditional Three-course tea ceremony and an exquisite example of a traditional Bai-style courtyard home.

Zhoucheng Village is the largest Bai village in the region and famous for its tie-dyeing traditions. Stroll through the village streets and witness local artisans crafting batik fabrics and mastering intricate tie-dye techniques.

You’ll have the chance to visit a workshop where you can observe the entire tie-dye process, from dyeing to drying.

After breakfast, you will depart Dali for the next leg of your adventure: the ancient city of Lijiang.

Upon arrival, your first stop is the picturesque Black Dragon Pool Park located at the foot of the Elephant Hill. This park is famed for its classic Chinese garden landscape, where you can capture the iconic photograph of the elegant Snow Dragon Bridge perfectly framing the distant, snow-capped peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the tranquil pond.

A few kilometers form the park is the Dongba Museum, a fascinating institution dedicated to the culture of the Naxi people. Here, you can learn about the world’s last living hieroglyphic writing system, the Dongba script, and explore exhibits on Naxi rituals, music, and history.

Start your day with an early rise, embarking on an exhilarating journey to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

First, take a cable car up to Spruce Meadow, a perfect spot for a leisurely walk where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the landscape.

Afterwards, visit Blue Moon Valley, a breathtaking destination at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, known for its turquoise rivers and lakes. Stroll along scenic paths and enjoy the stunning views of the snow-capped peaks reflected in the crystal-clear waters.

After that, indulge in the Impression Lijiang show,choreographed by the famous film director Zhang Yimou and performed with the mountain itself as a backdrop.

Shortly after breakfast, your driver will drive you up to the First Bend of the Yangtze River at Stone Drum Town to see the impressive scenery, where the third-longest river in the world makes a sudden V-turn. This area is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.

Continue north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, trapped deep below the snow-capped peaks of Haba Snow Mountain to the north, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south.

This is one of the deepest gorges in the world, a 16-km stretch of river with a sheer 3900 meters between the wild waters of the Yangtze river below and the top of the Haba Snow Mountains rising up right next to it.

The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. Your new tour guide will meet you here.

Pick-up from hotel and drive to Shangri-La airport, it’s the end of your wonderful Yunnan trip. We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!