15 Days Yunnan Travel

Today you will take the flight to Kunming. When you arrive, we will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel check-in. The rest of the day you can have a rest at the hotel or enjoy your leisure time in Kunming on your own.

Buffet breakfast at the hotel, then drive along the new expressway to Stone Forest. Stone Forest is 75 kilometers from Kunming and is accessible by a bus ride of 70 minutes. The Stone forest belongs to the typical Karst geomorphology, it consists of innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks created by wind and water erosion some 200 million years ago, and this area is praised as the “First Wonder Under Heaven”. Next, we are going to Jiuxiang, which is a national geopark. Due to the erosion of the surface water system, the area formed more than 500 million years ago, multi-layer karst caves, rift canyons, cave waterfalls, and other karst geological wonders.

After breakfast, we will visit the Dragon Gate in West Hill, also known as Biji Mountain and Kunming West Mountain. This spot is one of the most scenic places to visit in Kunming. It is located between Luohan Mountain and Hang Bang Mountain and offers the beautiful scenery of nine floors and eleven pavilions of Longmen, West Mountain. After that, we'll head to Jinma Biji Square, which was built during the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty. This square is a symbol of Kunming and the most representative historical and cultural district of the Qing Dynasty. It is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide and was rebuilt in 1998. Next, we will visit Nanping Street and Nanqiang Street, which are showcases of the city displaying Kunming's history, culture, and customs. They have become a center of communication and business.

Today we will take a cable car up to Cangshan Mountain, trekking on Yudai Road for two hours, and then have a vegetarian lunch in Jizhaoan Monastery. It is very famous for its gardening and vegetarian food. Next, take a small boat to visit Erhai Lake, after one hour on the boat, visit Tianjin Island. You can walk through Bai minority houses and taste local food. You can find many caverns on the island, like Jade Dragon Palace. You also could have a cycling tour along the lakeside for 2-3 hours.

Then drive back to visit the old town of Dali, 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. The format of the old town is like a chessboard with four gates guarding in the directions of east, south, west, and north, a design that was adopted by most towns in ancient China.

Today first pay a visit to the Monastery Santasi (Three Pagodas)， a symbol of the history of Dali City and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. It occupies a scenic location at the foot of Mt. Cangshan and faces Erhai Lake with a history of over 1,800 years. Then move to Shuanglang Town, located on the northeast shore of Erhai Lake, close to the blue waves of Erhai Lake, which can overlook the nineteen peaks of Cangshan Mountain, and set the essence of Canger scenery in one place. The main attractions of the town, Yuji Island and Nanzhao Style Island, are good places to watch the sunset. The architecture of different styles is also a great attraction, including dancer Yang Liping's Sun Palace and Moon Palace and painter Zhao Qing's Green Cottage.

Early in the morning, we will first go to Shaxi Town, a town with a long history dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period 2,400 years ago. It is an ethnic minority residence dominated by Bai, Han, Yi, and Lisu. In the old town, we can also visit the ancient opera stage and Sideng Street. Just outside Shaxi town is Yujin Bridge, which played an important role in the traffic position of the ancient Tea Horse Road at that time. Next, we go to the Xingjiao Temple, the only remaining Bai "Azhali" Buddhist temple in the Ming Dynasty. It was built in the 13th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1415). There are 12 Buddhist murals in the Ming Dynasty in the main hall. Following is the Pioneer Bookstore, tucked away in an ordinary residential complex. Entering the courtyard of Bai Nationality Book House, the main building is the granary of the village in the past. The architect's design concept of "repairing the old as old" makes it still maintain the old appearance when it was used as a granary.

After breakfast, we will visit Shibao Mountain. The Stone Bell Mountain grottoes are particularly unique, named for a large stone that resembles a big bell on the hillside. The Shizhong Mountain grottoes are located in Shizhong Temple, Shiziguan, and Shadeng Village. These grottoes are artistic treasures created by the Bai nationality during the Nanzhao period and are the largest and best-preserved grotto group in Yunnan, possessing high historical and artistic value. Next to the Napa Nature Reserve is the largest grassland in Zhongdian County, a scenic spot with plateau characteristics. Due to the diligent care of Tibetans, many birds, such as black-necked cranes, yellow ducks, and bar-headed geese, visit the grasslands during autumn, flying high and low in the area.

After having breakfast, we will drive to Shangri-La. Our first stop will be the Songzanlin Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Yunnan. Tranquility prevails here as its 700 monks and acolytes, who often begin their training at the age of five, go about their daily lives just as they have for more than three centuries. From there, we will drive to Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in mainland China. Pudacuo means "reaching the opposite side of the lake by boat with the help of a deity" in the Tibetan language. The park features forests, marshes, valleys, alpine meadows, and more. Our next destination will be the Dukezong Ancient Town, an ancient Tibetan town with a history of more than 1,300 years, located on the southeast corner of Shangri-La County in Yunnan province. Dukezong was built for the Tubo Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty. "Dukezong" is a Tibetan pronunciation, meaning "Moonlight City" and "castle built on stone”. Just behind Dukezong is Guishan Park, which features the world's biggest prayer wheel. You can climb up to the temple on the top and enjoy the panoramic view of the city. In the evening, you can join the locals dancing in the square.

Today, we will drive to Shangri-La and visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way. The Tiger Leaping Gorge, or Hutiaoxia in Chinese, is one of the Yangtze River's best-known gorges, second only to the Three Gorges in Sichuan and Hubei. Legend has it that a hunted tiger once leaped across the narrowest point of the river to escape to the other side in a single bound. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Lijiang has a history of more than 800 years. In addition to its unique architecture and local ethnic culture, it is famous for its orderly arrangement of bridges and waterways. By following the water, you can explore the winding cobbled paths without getting lost.

What a fantastic day today! In the morning, we will go out early to visit the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is the snow mountain closest to the equator of the Northern Hemisphere. Taking 25 minutes' cable car to Glacier Park, you will see the vegetations changes with ascending altitude. Walk along the plank road to reach 4680m and appreciate the fairyland with ice and snow. Take cable car down, and drive to visit Blue Moon Valley with turquoise-colored water. After that, drive you to Yushui Village, It retains the traditional style of Naxi nationality. From the building facilities to every detail of life, you can feel the traditional Naxi nationality culture.

Start the journey to Black Dragon Pool Park, Somewhat idiosyncratically known as Black Dragon Pool, the Jade Spring Park to the north of Lijiang derives its name from the waters which sparkle like jade and are as clear as spring water. The entire park is green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. Under the Shuocui Bridge, a waterfall creates a constant roar as it cascades downstream. Next is to Shuhe Old Town, a well-preserved market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road.

Today in the morning，we will transfer to the train station and take the high-speed train back to Kunming, our driver will meet you and take you to the hotel. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy your leisure time in Kunming and have a good rest.

Today you will take the train to Zhuhai. Our driver will meet you at the train station and take you to the hotel. After checking in, have a good rest and enjoy your leisure time in Zhuhai.

Today, our first stop is Couple Road in Zhuhai, which is known as the longest seaside sightseeing road in the world and is often referred to as the "Great Wall" of Zhuhai. Along this road, we will visit the Zhuhai Pearl Lady, an iconic landmark located in Xiangluwang Bay. We will then continue along the 10-km-long Qinglu (Lover's Road), offering stunning views of the sea. Next, we will have an opportunity to see the Zhuhai Opera House, also known as the “Moon Scallop”.

Afterward, we will visit Tangjiawan Ancient Town, which holds a rich historical and cultural heritage. This town has undergone many changes over the years, leaving behind a wealth of cultural resources and architectural treasures. Among the cultural heritage sites in Zhuhai, Tangjiawan Town is one of the most complete areas with abundant historical significance. Lastly, we will explore the New Yuanming Palace, a replica of the Winter Palace in Beijing. The original palace was destroyed by the eight allied forces of the West during the late Qing Dynasty. The New Yuan Ming Yuan Palace is a rare imitation of traditional Chinese architecture and serves as an important educational site for promoting Chinese patriotism.

Today in the morning, you will say farewell to Zhuhai and be driven to the hotel. It has been a great holiday and we look forward to seeing you again.