Kunming - Stone Forest - Yuanyang Bada Rice Terrace. O/N Yuanyang

Kunming - Meet the English-speaking guide at 8:00 am at the hotel. Embark on a long drive to Yuanyang. Along the way, explore the Stone Forest site. Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour walk through rocky peaks and narrow paths, away from the main tourist trails. Continue the journey to the Yuanyang area.

Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park - Known as Shilin in Chinese, the Kunming Stone Forest is a stunning collection of limestone formations and a prime example of South China’s karst landscape. Recognized since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as the ‘First Wonder of the World’, it is a key attraction in Yunnan. A local saying suggests that visiting Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest is a missed opportunity.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - Proceed to Yuanyang, Bada Rice Terraces (5 hours drive, 300km). Part of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, the Bada Rice Terraces were designated a World Heritage Site in 2013. Spanning 950 hectares, these terraces resemble ladders to the heavens with over 3700 levels, ascending from 800 meters to 2000 meters. Words like “Vast”, “Magnificent”, “Beautiful Curved Lines”, and “Stereoscopic” aptly describe the Bada Rice Terraces. Villages such as Quanfuzhuang, Malizhai, Bada, and Shangmadian are nestled among the terraces, offering travelers panoramic views of the picturesque villages when photographing the rice paddies.

Sunrise in Duoyishu Rice Terrace - Local Market-Minority Village. O/N Yuanyang

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - At 5:00 am, the guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the Duoyishu Rice Terraces, the best spot to witness the sunrise over the rice fields. In the early morning, the sunglow appears magnificently over the mountains, and shortly after, the gentle sun rises slowly over the mountain tops. As the sun ascends over the 6000-mu Duoyishu Rice Terraces, the entire village brightens, and the expansive rice terraces reflect golden light like a mirror. The beauty of the Duoyishu sunrise is enhanced by the golden terraces, the mysterious sea of clouds, and the Hani people’s mushroom-like houses. Whether a photographer or not, capture the breathtaking Duoyishu Rice Terrace sunrise with your camera.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - After lunch, transfer to the Yuanyang hotel to pack luggage, as the next day will be spent overnight in Jianshui.

Jianshui. O/N Jianshui.

Jianshui Ancient City - At 8:30 am, the tour guide will meet you at the Yuanyang hotel and transfer you to Jianshui Ancient City, a 3-hour drive covering 120KM. Upon arrival in Jianshui City, check into the hotel before heading to Tuanshan Village.

Double Dragons Bridge - After lunch, visit the Shuanglong (Double Dragon) Bridge, located 5 km from Jianshui City. Originally built during the Qing Dynasty, it spans the Lujiang and Tachonghe Rivers, resembling two dragons, hence the name Double Dragon Bridge. It measures 148 meters in length and 3-5 meters in width, making it one of China’s largest old bridges.

Jianshui - Kunming - Dali by train. O/N Dali.

Jianshui Ancient City - Meet the English-speaking guide at 9:00 am at the hotel and check out of the Jianshui hotel. Then, visit the Mr. Zhu Family Garden.

Zhu’s Family Garden (Zhu Jia Huayuan) - Located in the middle of Jianxin Street in Jianshui, the grand complex of the Zhu Family Garden was built by Zhuchaoying and his brother in the late Qing Dynasty. Covering 20,000 square meters, the complex features well-arranged yards and well-furnished rooms and halls, earning it the nickname “the Daguan Garden at a Border Town”. Such large and magnificent private gardens are now rare in China.

Jianshui Confucius Temple - Next, take a private car to Jianshui Confucius Temple, originally constructed in 1285 and renovated over 40 times, covering an area of 114 mu. It is one of the best-preserved Confucius Temples, offering valuable insights into the history of Confucianism and traditional architectural art. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

Kunming - After lunch in Jianshui, transfer to Kunming train station to catch the train to Dali.

Dali - Upon arrival at Dali train station, a local driver will meet you and take you to the Dali hotel.

Dali - Shaxi. O/N Shaxi.

Dali Ancient - After breakfast at the hotel, the driver and tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at 09:00 am and transfer you to Dali Old City. Dali Ancient Town is one of China’s most famous ancient towns. As a major stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, or Southwest Silk Road, it is rich in historic sites and traditional culture. Compared to Lijiang’s Old Town, Dali Ancient Town is smaller, less crowded, and more elegant. Spend a few hours leisurely exploring the paved streets, admiring the traditional architecture of the Bai ethnic minority, sampling local food and snacks, and purchasing souvenirs.

Xizhou Town - Next, visit Xizhou, another excellent place to observe Bai Minority folk culture and architecture. A typical Bai courtyard residence features rooms on three sides and a decorative screen wall facing south. These residences often have carved beams, turned-up eaves, and vibrant green, gold, blue, and white paint.

Xizhou is a tranquil and uncrowded town, preserving itself from mass tourism. Experience local life, especially around the main square where families gather and children play until after dark. Relax in a restaurant or cafe around the square, enjoy fresh local beer, and observe the lively surroundings.

Chongsheng Three Pagodas - Afterwards, take a private car to the Three Pagodas, facing Erhai Lake. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in Dali form a tripartite arrangement with a large pagoda and two smaller ones. As one of South China’s oldest and most magnificent structures, it symbolizes Yunnan Province’s ancient history and culture. Built during the Tang Dynasty’s Nanzhao Kingdom, the pagodas were named after the temple. Although the temple was damaged in the Qing Dynasty, the pagodas have survived numerous natural disasters and human incidents. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple were designated a state-protected heritage site in 1961 and inscribed as an AAAAA grade scenic area in 2011.

Erhai Lake - After lunch, transfer to Erhai Lake to enjoy the sunset or cycle around the lake. Known as the “Pearl of Plateau”, Erhai Lake is Yunnan’s second-largest highland lake.

Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town - After the Dali day tour, take a private car to Shaxi Ancient Town, a 2.5-hour drive covering 130km.

Shaxi - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang. O/N Lijiang.

Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town - Spend 2 hours exploring Shaxi Old Town. Stroll around Shaxi Old Town, Shaxi River, Xinjiao Temple, the square stage, and ancient courtyards with local residents.

Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia) - Next, head to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a 2.5-hour drive away. Embark on a hiking tour to the upper part of the gorge. Walk 15-20 minutes along the plank road to the viewing platform on the valley floor. The Jinsha River’s strong currents roar through the narrow valley, with waves crashing against the rocks. Capture this spectacular view with your camera. At the narrowest point, a 13-meter (43-foot) high rock divides the torrents into two branches, with surging waves crashing against it. A special viewing platform allows visitors to fully appreciate this impressive scenery and take photos.

Spend 1.5-2 hours enjoying the gorge’s breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, return to the parking lot with the guide.

Old Town of Lijiang - China - Afterwards, take a private car to Lijiang city center, check into the hotel, and enjoy free time.

Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The tour ends.

Old Town of Lijiang - China - The tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at 09:00 am and transfer you to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a 50-minute drive covering 25km.

Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain - Visit the Snow Mountain via cable car to Spruce Meadow or White Water River, depending on the Impression Lijiang Show schedule, which varies based on daily visitor numbers from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The show lasts 60 minutes. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is easily accessible via cable cars that transport visitors to different mountain areas. The 13 peaks, home to several glaciers, are snow-covered year-round. Different altitudes offer changing landscapes, with peaceful meadows giving way to snow-covered paths and glaciers. Spruce Meadow is chosen for its lower altitude (3300M) and fewer visitors compared to Glacier Park, offering a beautiful view.

Lijiang Impressions Show - Next, attend the Lijiang Impression Show. This outdoor performance, featuring traditional songs and dances by local ethnic people from villages around Lijiang, is held at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, just outside the main building, at scheduled times.

Blue Moon Valley - Afterwards, take a private car to White Water River (Blue Moon Valley). The Blue Moon Valley is an extremely blue river winding through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. From a distance, it resembles a blue crescent moon at the mountain’s base, giving it its beautiful name. However, the river’s color changes; if it rains, the white mud and limestone rubble at the riverbed swirl up, turning the water as white as milk. Thus, the local Naxi people call it White Water River (Baishui River).

Lijiang - After lunch, transfer to Lijiang hotel, airport, or train station. End of services.
P.S: Ensure the flight is scheduled for after 5:00 pm.

• Entrance tickets included
• Lunch provided
• Train ticket from Kunming to Dali (second class)
• Private car and guide service

• The hotels & breakfast & Dinner

Discover the Yunnan region’s standout attractions like Kunming, Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Dali, and the ancient town of Lijiang on this exclusive seven-day tour starting in Kunming. You’ll receive convenient pickup and drop-off services at your Kunming accommodations or airport, and at the conclusion of your journey, we’ll ensure you safely reach your Lijiang hotel, airport, or railway station.

• The Sunset or Sunrise at Yuanyang terraces area, it dpendes of the season, normally, the Dec to May, will have a more chance to catch the sunrise and sunset.
• Can add more days if you want

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.