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5 Days Kunming Lijiang High Speed Train Tour

Inspiring Way to Explore Highlights of Kunming & Lijiang

Want to explore the most outstanding destinations and iconic attractions in Yunnan? This 5 days tour takes you to Kunming and Lijiang, the two well known cities that can stand for Yunnan, covering all the essences, both natural and cultural.

What makes this trip special is the 3.5 hours high speed train well links Kunming with Lijiang. With many schedules in a day, it can save almost half day for traveling. Moving from the City of Eternal Spring to the Romantic City in China, you won’t lose the chance to feel the incredible of nature when walking in Stone Forest and appreciating Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, throw yourselves in the time-honored UNESCO Old Town of Lijiang and seize for the brilliant exotic culture of Naxi ethnic group! All are in the tour, in 5 days!

  • Type : Private Tour
  • Tour Code : CD-KLTT-05
  • Price : Request
  • Trip Length : 5D/4N
  • Theme : Culture / Nature / Train

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

  • Explore the best essence of kingdom of Karst stones at Stone Forest and listen to the legendary stories of a Yi girl named Ashima;
  • Have a good understanding of the 25 unique ethnic groups in Yunnan and fully know the culture and customs about Yi and Naxi minority living in Kunming and Lijiang;
  • Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the 5596-meter Jade Dragon Snow Mountain either by ascending to its top or catch gorgeous appearance of snow peaks in distance;
  • Explore leisurely in the World Heritage Town - Lijiang Old Town for half day wandering and learn the colorful and mysterious ethnic culture about Naxi group;
  • Take the high speed train after the must-do Kunming tour with a fast ride to Lijiang within 3.5 hours that you can save a lot of time and focus on the sightseeing;
  • Travel out of Lijiang Old Town for one day break to enjoy a light hike along the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge for magnificent gorge view and rolling waters of Jinsha River.
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Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)
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Day 1 Kunming Arrival & Kunming (L)

Arrive in Kunming - Yunnan Nationalities Museum - Western Hills & Dragon Gate

Welcome to Kunming, the Spring City of China! Upon arrival at the Kunming airport/train station, the local tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel and help you check in. (Please note: to take the afternoon itinerary, you'd better arrange flight or train landing in Kunming before 10:00.)

In this afternoon, you’ll take a visit to Yunnan Nationalities Museum for a wonderful understanding of the 25 ethnic minority groups in vast Yunnan. This largest minority museum in whole Asia boasts a collection of over 20 thousand pieces (units) of precious cultural relics to show you the beautiful costumes, diverse ethnic festivals, daily life scenes, exquisite musical instruments, brilliant cultural texts, and so on to know the essence of Yunnan culture!

Later, visit the famous Western Hills which is called “Sleeping Beauty Hills”, looking like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dian Lake (the largest freshwater in Yunnan and famed as the “Pearl on the Plateau”). It is a particularly pleasant experience to walk in such verdant forest mountain park with elegant sightseeing and a series of cultural relics and sites, including some old temples. You will not miss the symbolic visit to the magic Dragon Gate as it says “If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven't visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven't been to Western Hills”, where to admire the colorful old grottoes on the wall and catch the panoramic view of the large peaceful Dianchi Lake and Kunming City. (You can visit the temples if interested. Huating Temple and Taihua Temple are included in the ticket.)

After the tour, drive back to your hotel.

  • Western Hill & Dragon Gate Kunming Western Hill
  • Yunnan Nationalities Museum-20210404-Adrian from Philippines-CD-HA Adrian from Philippines visited Yunnan Nationalities Museum.

Day 2 Kunming - Stone Forest & Bullet Train to Lijiang (B, L)

Stone Forest - Green Lake - 3.5 Hours High Speed Train to Lijiang

After breakfast, your local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and then escort you to discover Stone Forest first for about 1.5 hours’ riding (85km)!

Kunming Stone Forest as the “Essence of World Karst Landform” has been listed as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage with the incomparable coverage of 12 square kilometers’ stone pinnacle groups. Take the sightseeing bus to visit the Greater Stone Forest Scenic Area to admire the typical concentrating cinerous stone pinnacles by walking through the maze of stone peaks and jumping high for the panorama of the forest of protruding stone peaks. Also, you will see the famous peak on many photos and even stones towering over 40 meters. Then, continue to ride the bus to explore the Lesser Stone Forest to closely look at the iconic stone “Ashima” like a young lady, listen to the touching love story of Ashima, and fill your eyes with the emerald garden-like park of wilder stone peaks surrounded by lush green plants and blossoms. Take the sightseeing bus to exit the scenic park.

After the discovering, drive back to Kunming downtown and enjoy a leisure visit to Kunming Green Lake. This pretty park with a lovely lake, old-styled pavilions, corridors, flowers, etc. is the most popular place for an authentic feeling of local Kunming people’s leisure life with citizens singing, dancing, talking, exercising, etc.  During November to the next March, Black-headed Gulls from Siberian will never be late to fly there for their expecting comfortable warm winter holiday. Do not miss playing with those adorable and vigorous elfin during your relaxing roam!

After the tour, you’ll be escorted to Kunming Railway Station to take a high speed train from Kunming to Lijiang (about 3.5 hrs). After your arrival at Lijiang Railway Station, your local guide and drive will meet you there and escort you to your hotel. Have a nice sleep!

  • Major Stone Forest Major Stone Forest
  • Kunming Green Lake-20190415-Marcin from USA- TD-Li Kunming Green Lake Winter Scenery photoed by our customer Marcin

Day 3 Lijiang & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (B, L)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Blue Moon Valley - Baisha Village

In this morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The 13 peaks in this mountain area are the sacred mountains among Naxi people. Take the tramway to the Spruce Meadow at 3,000 meters high, and you can both see the fascinating sightseeing and appreciate the gorgeous look of the whole snow mountain at the best place.

After that, you can choose to enjoy the electrifying Impression Lijiang Show (Optional) performed by about 500 local people under the white snow and blue sky with the background of white Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which lasts for about 60 mins. (Note: For the ticket is hard to book in peak season, if you are interested in the show, please tell us your likes in advance.)

On the way back, you will enjoy the charming scenery and the crystal clear water various with the weather in Blue Moon Valley and its White Water River.

After that, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. (Optional experience: You can have in-depth cultural experience to learn how to make Baisha embroidery instructed by the local masters in Baisha Village.)

Please Note:

1. If you want to visit Yak Meadow (with an altitude of 3,500 meters) which offers a good location to appreciate the 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; or go to Glacier Park (at 4,680 meters ) to see the wonder of the “Green Glacier Peaks”, please tell your like to your travel consultant to adjust the itinerary. Different tramways have different prices. Please pay attention that it will be difficult to book the ticket of Glacier Park tramway, you need to tell your likes to us or book the ticket in advance. Besides, it takes about 1-2 hours to queue up for the tramway to Glacier Park.

2. For the tickets of Impression Lijiang Show are hard to book in peak season, if you want to enjoy the show, please tell us your interest and we’ll help to book the tickets in advance.

3. If time allows today, you can extend a leisure trip to Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route.

  • Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan YuSuke from Japan visited Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in 2021
  • Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand Daisy from Thailand visited Baisha Village in 2018
  • Large Scale Outdoor Show Impression Lijiang-201512-Jack from Japan Jack from Japan visited Lijiang in 2015

Day 4 Lijiang (B, L)

the First Bend of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 52 kilometers from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn. Then it changes the direction and goes to the northeast. You’ll reach the observation deck to catch a panoramic view of the bend, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes. You’ll have a look at local market and Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in Shigu Town.

Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. This steep gorge is situated between the 5596 meters Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and 5396 meters Haba Snow Mountain to the north. Measuring 17 kilometers in length, the whole gorge is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower gorge and you’ll pay a visit to the maturest section - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk about 1,000 stairs along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves. (Travel tip: This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended.)

After the tour, drive back to Lijiang. 

  • First Bend of Yangtze River

Day 5 Lijiang & Lijiang Departure (B)

Yuhu Village - Dongba Culture Museum - Black Dragon Pool Park - Drop off

After breakfast, you will be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you will see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing and the tranquil Yuhu Lake. Explore leisurely around the village and then go to explore the Former Residence of Joseph Rock , who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures. Lastly, return to Lijiang Ancient City to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town.

After the tour, be escorted to the airport or railway station to catch your flight / train to next destination or back home.

  • Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China Carrie from China visited Black Dragon Pool Park in 2021
  • Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore Louis from Singapore visited Lijiang Old Town in 2021
  • Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand Daisy from Thailand visited Yuhu Village in 2018

The quotation for this trip is from $768 Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

  • Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
  • Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
  • Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
  • Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary;
  • Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
  • Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
  • All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
  • Accident insurance;
  • Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

  • China visa;
  • Personal expenses;
  • Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
  • Single Room Supplement;
  • Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
  • Recommended optional activities;
  • Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
  • Excess Baggage Charges;
  • Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Dear Rita,

I am very satisfied with tour arrangements. I have recommended your company to many friends/relatives.

Overall, we are very happy with the trip. Our driver Ms Liu was a very pleasant & careful driver. I highly recommend her.

Mona

Mona‚ Malaysia, September 12, 2024

Hi Rita,

As my trip is coming to an end tomorrow, I would like to express my appreciations to the following individuals who had made my trip possible and memorable.

1) Ms Rita Jiang for helping me to plan my itinerary from scratch and in my budgeting.

2) Mr Wine Wang for being a friendly driver-cum-tour guide in Kunming.

3) Mr Andy Wang for his untiring driving from Dali to Lijiang and Shangri-La for sightseeings.

Both Wine and Wang speak good English and are knowledgeable about sightseeing attractions and local authentic food outlets. I would definitely recommend them to any of my friends and travel buddies from around the world who speak only English.

Last but not least, thanks to the Government of China for granting 15-days visa free entry to China for tourists who hold Australian passports, among many other countries. It’s timely to open up China to the world to see for themselves a modern China blended in with history-rich ancient cities, towns and villages in multi-minority communities of Yunnan Province from a tourist perspective.

Once again, thanks to Rita and her team.

Best regards,

Ping

Ping‚ Australia, September 10, 2024

Dear Rita,

My husband and I were on the 13-Day Beijing/Xian/Guilin/Zhangjiajie/Shanghai Tour with China Discovery from 15-27 May 2024.

Overall, we had a wonderful time on our trip.

Organisation

Everything went very smoothly, just like clockwork.

Guides

In each city, on our arrival we were met by our guide who took very good care of us.

Our guides were: Beijing- Andy; Xian - Grace; Guilin - Peter; Zhangjiajie - Nina; Shanghai - Jeff.

All the guides we had were knowledgeable about their city, its history, and culture. They were also friendly, and flexible in accommodating our requests and also showed their professionalism by always being on time in the morning and during our time with them, they were always helpful, patient and understanding.

I would like to mention that 2 of our guides (Andy in Beijing and Peter in Guilin) were excellent. Their English was fluent. It was also obvious that both took great pride in their work.

Peter was very earnest, and very clear and systematic in his explanation of what we would see and do in the places we visited and he was also extremely helpful.

Andy was the best guide we have ever had. In addition to the qualities mentioned above, we found him very energetic, enthusiastic, lively and with an amazing sense of humour. He was very flexible and really went out of his way to accommodate our requests, for example, to visit a place which was not on our itinerary, but which both of us wanted to see - a Catholic Church associated with Matteo Ricci. He knew interesting little areas and eating places to which he took us for local food and snacks. He even got us some snacks when he thought we might need some sustenance. We had interesting conversations with him and it seemed more like we were spending time with a friend rather than with a guide we had just met.

Nina, our guide in Zhangjiajie, was very sweet. Her English was not as fluent, but she was very caring, helpful, very patient and kind especially when we had to negotiate all the steps up and downhill in the mountains. She was always very concerned about how we were faring, even in the type of food we enjoyed when we told her we just wanted to try the local food.

Transportation

The cars we travelled in were very nice, clean and comfortable. All the drivers, besides being very helpful, especially with our luggage, were also skilful drivers who conveyed us safely through, often, very heavy traffic.

The express speed train from Beijing to Xian was an enjoyable experience. The train was very comfortable, and the toilets were very clean.

But the 7-hour journey on the high speed train which stopped at all the stations between Guilin and Zhnagjiajie was less comfortable.

The train itself was fine although the journey was long.

For one thing, there was a man just behind me who talked very loudly for hours on his mobile phone. I could not change seats because the train was quite full.

Then, there were 2 people quarrelling at the entrance of our compartment when we were trying to board the train. They blocked the entrance and refused to move until someone in charge of the compartment screamed (right next to my ear) for the security guard. We had to literally bulldoze our way into the train which was about to leave.

Hotels

The hotels, besides being grand, were clean, comfortable and had all the amenities we needed. The one in Guilin had a fantastic view.

In general the breakfasts provided by the hotels were also excellent.

Sights

We think China is a very beautiful country with so much history, culture and nature to enjoy. Being on a guided tour, we had less contact with the ordinary people than we would normally have when we do a free-and-easy trip. But, all in all, we had a great trip and we would like to visit China again.

So we are thinking of going to the following places sometime in October 2024, after the Chinese National Holiday in early October.

Thank you.

Loh

Loh‚ Singapore, September 4, 2024

Hello Rita,

Some of the most incredible sights I have ever seen are on Day1 & Day2.

Nothing was too much trouble for Bree. She took us to quiet places when we needed a rest from the noise.

We only ever waited a few minutes for our driver. He was good.

Jones

Jones‚ Australia, September 1, 2024

Hi Rita,

So sorry for the long delay, I am still travelling and haven’t been on the laptop so much.

Very good tour, very happy with all arrangements. I am willing to recommend your service to my friends who also have an interest to visit China.

Thanks

George

George‚ Britain, August 30, 2024
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Susila
"The tour guides' services were good. They took great care of us especially Lobsang who kept holding my friend's arm (over 80) to make sure she would not fall. The other guides, Grace, Sofie..." read more »
Reviewed on September 14, 2024
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Susila
"The tour guides' services were good. They took great care of us especially Lobsang who kept holding my friend's arm (over 80) to make sure she would not fall. The other guides, Grace, Sofie..." read more »
Reviewed on September 14, 2024
Read all reviews(1,970+)

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

China Tour

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

China Tour

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

China Tour

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

China Tour

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

  • Western Hill & Dragon Gate Western Hill & Dragon Gate
  • Yunnan Nationalities Museum-20210404-Adrian from Philippines-CD-HA Yunnan Nationalities Museum-20210404-Adrian from Philippines-CD-HA
  • Major Stone Forest Major Stone Forest
  • Kunming Green Lake-20190415-Marcin from USA- TD-Li Kunming Green Lake-20190415-Marcin from USA- TD-Li
  • Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan
  • Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand
  • Large Scale Outdoor Show Impression Lijiang-201512-Jack from Japan Large Scale Outdoor Show Impression Lijiang-201512-Jack from Japan
  • First Bend of Yangtze River First Bend of Yangtze River
  • Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China
  • Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore
  • Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand

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