[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
Reach the amazing paradise south of the colorful clouds and feel the brilliant ethnic culture in hundred styles on beautiful plateau. This vast and mysterious land is presenting himself in different way - sometimes peaceful, sometimes jubilant, in his own rhythm... Deep gorge and flowing river are accompanied together, snow-capped mountains are guarding its people with gorgeous reflections in the emerald water, different ethnic groups are telling their true stories in the time-honored ancient towns...yes, this is Yunnan, a place you have ever dreamed of! Taking this 6 days Yunnan essence tour, you can have a deep understanding about Kunming, Dali and Lijiang - top three classic destinations with altitudes all around 2000 meters which can be visited all the year round!
Extend Your Trip: If you have one more day for your Yunnan tour, you are highly suggested to take the golden route with four classic destinations in Yunnan. Have a look at our 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La) and make a comparison with this 6 days tour. Feel free to select your likes and tell us your ideas. Travel with China Discovery now!
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.
Kunming Western Hill
Yunnan Nationalities Museum
Day 2 Kunming - Stone Forest & High Speed Train to Dali (B, L)
Stone Forest - Green Lake - 2 Hours High Speed Train to Dali
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 Dali (about 2 hrs). After your arrival at Dali Railway Station, your local guide and drive will meet you there and escort you to your hotel in Dali Old Town. Have a nice sleep!
Major Stone Forest
Day 3 Dali (B, L)
Three Pagodas - Erhai Lake - Dali Old Town
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, pay a visit the symbol of Dali - Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple. Built in 10th century in Nanzhao Kingdom, Three Pagodas is made of one big pagoda and two small pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. If you look at it from a distance, the pagodas are like three giant ballpoint pens breaking up the landscape of the never-ending mountains. Here, you’ll get close to look at the pagodas to know more history and stories, visit the royal temple in Dali - Chongsheng Temple, take awesome photos of Three Pagodas and the reflections…
After that, go to have a relaxing boat trip on the vast Erhai Lake (Ear-shaped Sea) with crystal clear water and charming landscape, which is reputed as the “Immaculate Jade between Mountains”. On Erhai Lake cruise, you’ll enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and Three Pagodas from afar as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake. Enjoy an excursion to one of the famous islands for an in-depth look at the peaceful Bai fishing village and other sites on island.
Later, be followed a trip to explore Dali Old Town. Used to be the ancient capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Dali Old Town is formed in the square-shaped structure, laid out on a typical north-south, east-west axis with five north-south and eight east-west streets. Wander leisurely through the historic streets with weeping willows dancing and colorful flowers blooming in the sunshine. You will visit the symbolic Wuhua Tower in a drum tower outlook. Continue to find Honglongjing (Red Dragon Well) with lovely view of clear water flow on layers of stone stages between the ancient dwelling houses and modern bars. Walk along Renmin Road to visit those bustling shops selling Yunnan specialties and some interesting items and then encounter the only Christianity church in this Chinese old town to feel the mixture culture there. As you feel the ancient flavor of the old site, stroll to the famous must-visit Foreigner Street to soak in the busy atmosphere along the old path and in those boutique shops and old coffee shops. Enjoy your time roam in this famous old town and feel like going back to the old times.
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery
Dali Old Town Wuhua Tower
Day 4 Dali - Lijiang (B, L)
Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng Tie-dye - Transfer to Lijiang - Lijiang Old Town
After breakfast, you’ll start your exploration of Xizhou Ancient Town, an authentic old town where local Bai people really live and work. Set eyes on the local morning market - a place for local people in traditional costumes trading daily supplies, including fresh vegetable, fruits, meats, and many kinds of food and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity for getting close to local living conditions. Walk into the “the Museum of Bai Architecture” and appreciate the exquisite residential complexes decorated fabulous sculptures, paintings, pointed eaves and wall screens. Taste Bai’s Three-Course Tea in bitter, sweet and mixed flavors and experience the tea ceremony to enjoy deeper of the artistic culture of Bai ethnic people. Then, visit Yan Family Compound where to appreciate the delicate courtyard houses, screen walls, colorful paintings, and more decorations to learn more about the fine Bai ethnic architecture.
Then, transfer to “Hometown of Bai People’s Tie-dye Art” - Zhoucheng Old Town for an appreciation of Tie-dye. Tie-dye is a typical feature to present the Bai’s excellent handcraft with various colors and elegant designs. You’ll visit local indigo workshop in Zhoucheng and know the way of making.
Later, transfer to Lijiang with 2 hours’ driving. Upon arrival, enjoy a memorable tour to wander in Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial center, Lijiang Old Town is a well-preserved 800-year-old town for Naxi ethnic group, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Walk to the central area of the old town and visit Mufu Palace. A saying goes “there is Forbidden City in the North, Mu’s Residence in the South”. Mu’s Residence was called the miniature Forbidden City. Looked from a far distance, it likes a grand imperial palace and it is famous for the grandness and architectural buildings. Getting into the palace, you can know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. Then, wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round. (Optional Activity: Take a leisure walk up to the Lion Hill and climb up the 33-meter-tall Wanggu Tower - the landmark building of Lijiang to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town and overlook the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.)
Xizhou Old Town View
Lijiang Old Town Waterwheel
Day 5 Lijiang (B, L)
Yuhu Village - Baisha Murals - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum - Black Dragon Pool Park
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll 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’ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a 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.
Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Houses here are arranged on a north-south axis around a central, terraced square. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which depict subjects relating to Buddhism, Taoism and the life of the Naxi people, incorporating cultural elements of the Bai people. (Optional experience: You can have in-depth cultural experience to learn how to make Baisha embroidery instructed by the local masters in Baisha Village.)
Then, it is followed by a relaxing 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. This ancient town is less crowded than Lijiang Dayan Old Town. Take a nice stroll here to explore local cultures, folk customs and traditions over several centuries.
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.
Black Dragon Pool Park
Baisha Mural Paintings
Day 6 Lijiang & Lijiang Departure (B, L)
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. Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or railway station to catch your flight / train (after 17:00) to next destination. (Note: If the departure time will not match your trip schedule, our travel consultant will help you adjust the itinerary to well suit your time. Please feel free to contact us.)
Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge
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, 2022.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.65. 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.
Hi Zeva,
Has been great day in Guilin. Reed Flute Cave very cool and Shirely very knowledgable! And gave me a sweet birthday surprise - John
We are having a wonderful time in Guilin and Yangshuo! Thank you for your hard work on this, thanks again for a great trip in Guangxi! - Nancy
Hi Lily,
Everything is very good! Hilary is marvelous. The driver is also great! Thanks for putting a very good tour for me and my husband.
We want to express our formal thanksgiving to the fantastic vacation in Harbin with Hilary and the driver. Thanks also to you and all planning. We appreciate very much the great job you all did to make our special vacation unforgettable!
Hi Echo!
We’re back at the hotel. Everything was very good. The car great and the driver very polite and nice, he helped us with everything! ️Thanks for your help as well! We keep in touch for future trips! Have a nice evening!
Hello Tracy,
Everything is awesome. Both driver and Hilary are great.
Hello Wonder,
Our trip were very well.
Harbin:
The driver who picked us in aeroport, the train and in our visited to city was fantastic. He drove very well and my family felt safe.
We liked all places we visited and the time we had in these place. The city is very clean and so different of Nanjing. We lliked the experience of food and the restaurant.
The guide was amazing and he have a good english.He explained a lot of facts of city very interesting and the place we visited. He gave space for we had good moments in family. It is very good.
Yabuli:
The hotel Club Med for us was wonderful.
I m going to talk the hotel by steps:
1- Bedroom:
The bedroon was very big with 2 individual beds for our children and a room for us with a big and confortable bed. The bathrooms were ok. It was very clean and with a lot of space to put our clothes. In the bedroom they have a smale space with a fridge, a cups to drink coffee, tea and bottles of water. we didn´t pay anything that we consumed in bedroom and everday they putted what was miss. All nigths they opened the bedroom and cleaned the garbage bins and offered some gifts(orange, cherries)
2- Food
They have 2 restaurants one workes like buffet and another workes in the evening with hotpot dinner that we need to booking. We didnt try this restaurant because the buffet restaurant was so good and all time they have western food.
The buffet restaurant the food like I said was good and different everday. The problem of this restaurant was noise because were a lot of pleople there. In the evening of New Year they had a different menu with a lot of seafood and gourmet.
For adults they have a good wine and beer.
They have food all the time for the guest in the bar or in the restaurant that workes in the evening.
This is the hotel with all inclusive very good.
3- Animation and activities
The animation for the children were wonderfuly. They started at 8:30am and finished at 5:00pm. The children can lunch with staff or with parents.
The ski class for children start at 9am and they have like 2 hours in the morning and 2h in afternoon. If they don´t want making ski they play in the club med with staff and they can do climbing too.
For a 1st January the kids staff prepared a show with the kids very nice.
For adults they have ioga class in the morning and afternoon, dance class, ski class and another activities.
The ski class some teachers speak a little bit of english and if they don´t speak someone translate for us or we saw the teacher to do ski and we can understand. I think it is easy for a foreign do ski in this class.
They have class for all pleople, they have a rent material good and if we prefer buy it is possible.
The hotel has been prepare for pleople don´t want to do ski and enjoy a relax moment in the mountain.
They have a club for families doing activities together they call amazing family.
All evenings they have a show or some activities for guests.
In the evening new year they had fire works, a party and a show. In the first day of year like I said they did the children show and then they had a candyland to offer the guests.
4- Space
All space of hotel was clean, big, with a beautifull decoration and moderm style.
The swimming pool is big and it is nice have a good moments in jacuuzzi outside with snow and cold.
The gym is ok and they have a spa too.
5- Language
It is easy to find someone that speak english. I think the hotel is for foreign pleople or chinese pleople who like the western style.
We liked a lot our holidays, we were able to relax and have a good moments in family.
I hope this description of hotel help you. If you need more informationa please contact me.
Best regards
Ana Oliveira
"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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
Western Hill & Dragon Gate
Yunnan Nationalities Museum
Major Stone Forest
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery
Dali Old Town Wuhua Tower
Xizhou Old Town View
Lijiang Old Town Waterwheel
Black Dragon Pool Park
Baisha Mural Paintings
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming
Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La
Kunming / Stone Forest / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La
[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening now! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
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