12-Day Best of Yunnan Tour

Beautiful Erhai Lake
Lijiang Ancient Town
Dali Ancient Town
Songzanlin Lamasery
The Stone Forest
Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Tour Outline: Kunming - Jianshui - Yuanyang - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
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Trip Overview

A wonderful tour that provides you the experience to the best of Yunnan, exploring its must-see travel attractions and splendid minority culture in Kunming, Yuanyang, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La.

The best Yunnan tour starts from the fascinating Stone Forest and Western Hill in Kunming to the amazing man-made-landscape of Yuanyang Rice Terraces, from the cultural Dali famous attractions of Dali Ancient Town and Three Pagodas to the charming Lijiang that attracting thousands tourists to visit, from the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge to the drop-dead gorgeous Shangri-La.

[Stone Forest] Have a stroll in this unique natural forest of stone;
[Yuanyang Rice Terraces] Get close and touch the amazing man-made landscape;
[Dali Old Town] Walk along the ancient street to seek the tranquility you have ever felt;
[Jade Dragon Snow Mountain] Enjoy the happiness of height of 5,596m and encounter with some precious animals;
[Tiger Leaping Gorge] Walk through three marble tunnels to experience how deep it is when looking down;
[Sonzanlin Lamasery] Imagine you are in Tibet when you are standing at this “little Potala Palace”;

Best Time to Visit

all year round
Physical Demands

Very leisure tour; zero physical demand

Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1: Kunming Arrival

Upon your arrival at the Kunming Changshui International Airport, our tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel in Kunming. After settling down your luggage and a short rest, you will start your tour in Kunming. First, you will be transferred to the Flower Market to appreciate the colorful and fragrant flowers. And then head to Western Hill which is lying next to the Dian Lake, looked like a graceful young lady. On the way, stop by to see the Dragon Gate.

High Altitude: Kunming (1,895m)
Internet & Wifi
Hotel: Kunming Business Hotel

Day 2: Kunming

The Gate of Stone Forest

Sani Minority People Dancing and Singing

After breakfast, you will head to the famous Stone Forest, “The First Wonder of the World”. The Stone Forest in Yunnan is vast in area with lots of towering stones with peculiar shapes, creating a picture of stone world.

In the afternoon, you will visit a minority village of Sani People, which is inhabited in the area of Stone Forest for generations. You can dance and chat with the local people and learn the profound and colorful cultures of this minority.

Drive 80km to Stone Forest Scenic Area
High Altitude: Kunming (1,895m)
Internet & Wifi
Kunming business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Kunming - Jianshui

Jianshui Confucian Temple

Zhu Family Garden

After your breakfast in the morning, your private vehicle will take you to the Jianshui County from Kunming, which will take about s hours. After arriving at Jianshui, you will visit the well-preserved Jianshui Confucian Temple built in 1285. After that, you will discover the Zhu Family Garden.

Drive about 200km
High Altitude: Jianshui (2,278m)
Internet & Wifi
Jianshui Business Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Jianshui - Yuanyang

Jianshui Chaoyang Wall

Jinshui Double-Dragon Bridge

Today, you will first visit the Chaoyang Wall which was built in 1389 and qualified as the No.1 city wall in Yunnan every inch. Then, you will go to Double-Dragon Bridge with 40-year-old.

After lunch time, move to Tuanshan Village to experience a great showcase of folk dwellings. After that, drive to Yuanyang.

Drive about 20km
High Altitude: Jianshui (2,278m),Yuanyang (2,000m)
Internet & Wifi
Yuanyang Business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Yuanyang

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Hani Mushroom Houses

Get up in the morning and go out to catch the sunrise over Yuanyang Rice Terraces Scenic Area to view the fabulous rice terraces under the sunshine, cloud and mist in this region.

After the sightseeing of the rice terraces, move to the Hani Minority Village to have a close touch with the creator of thess legend. You’ll meet with the lovely mushroom houses Hani people build and colorful ethnic garment of Hani women.

Drive about 120km
High Altitude: Yuanyang (2,000m)
Internet & Wifi
Yuanyang Business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Yuanyang - Kunming - Dali

Sunrise over Yuanyang Rice Terrace

Kunming Dianchi

After your breakfast in Yuanyang Hotel, then drive back to Kunming. You may pass Kunming Ethnic Village and Dianchi Lake by. Just keep in good mood and feast on all these beautiful sceneries. The get prepared for your overnight train to Dali from Kunming.

Drive about 320km
High Altitude: Kunming (1,895m)
Internet & Wifi
Dali Ancient Town hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Dali

Three Pagodas

Erhai Lake

Today is all for Dali, this popular tourist destination in Yunnan with traditional atmosphere, colorful minorities’ cultures and beautiful landscapes. There are three famous attractions you will pay a visit in Dali: Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake and Dali Old Town.

The three pagodas are independent, forming a a symmetrical triangle which is rare in China. Erhai Lake is one of the seven largest fresh water lakes in China. And the Dali Ancient Town boasts ancient architectures with the original design, the grand city wall, the traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and the streams running through the city.

Drive 20km to Three Pagodas Park
High Altitude: Dali Ancient Town (2,052m)
Internet & Wifi
Dali Ancient Town Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Dali - Lijiang

Dali Ancient Town Street

Lijiang Ancient Town

Take a slow walk in Dali Ancient Town to enjoy the serenity and beauty of it. Dnd drive to Jianchuan to pay a visit to Shaxi Ancient Town. After the tour, drive to Lijiang Ancient Town.

High Altitude: Lijiang (2,400m)
Internet & Wifi
Hotel: Lijiang Ancient Town Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Lijiang

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Baisha Village

Today, you will pay a visit to the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is the largest snow mountain in the southernmost of the Northern Hemisphere with a height of 5,596m. You can take the cable car to the top of this mountain and enjoy the happiness of the height.

Then head to Baisha Village to observe closely at the murals combining the cultures of Han, Tibetan and Naxi people. After that, head for Black Dragon Pool Park and Naxi Dongba Culture Museum where you can learn Naxi pictograph character and explore the rich Naxi minority culture.

Drive about 30km
High Altitude: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596m)
Internet & Wifi
Lijiang Ancient Town Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Lijiang - Shangri-La

The First Bend of Yangtze River

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Today, you will be transferred to Shangri-La. While on the way, you will have a chance to view the First Bend of Yangtze River and Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.

Drive about 175 km
High Altitude: Shangri-La (3,280)
Internet & Wifi
Shangri-La Local Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Shangri-La

Songzanlin Lamasery

Bitahai Lake

After breakfast in Shangri-La County, head for the Songzanlin Lamasery. It is located in a area of an altitude of 3,380 meters and is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province. Then take a stroll along the bank of Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake.

After that, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to have a little chat with the local people to learn about the lifestyle and culture of them.

Drive about 10km
High Altitude: Shangri-La (3,280m), Songzanlin (3,380m)
Internet & Wifi
Shangri-La Local hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Shangri-La Departure

This day is free for you until you head to your next destination or take flight to get back home.

High Altitude: Shangri-La (3,280m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Hotel: No
Breakfast

Price Details & Guide

Price Inclusions

Private transportation to the destinations and sites listed in the itinerary; ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route; car gasoline, road toll and in-transport refreshments (free bottles of water, air pillow and headscarf) are included;
Lodging: two nights in Kunming business hotel; one night in Jianshui hote; two nights in Yuanyang hotel; two nights in Dali Ancient Town hotel; two nights in Lijiang Ancient Town hotel; two nights in Shangri-La local hotel;
Private experienced English-speaking trip leader;
Airport/railway station pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
Meals listed in the itinerary ( 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches );
First aid kit;
A coverage of 300,000RMB Chartis travel insurance;

Price Exclusions

International and domestic flight/train to Kunming (Note: we accept the domestic flight/train tickets booking to Kunming from other cities in advance, check the updated ticket availibility and cost with your travel consultant);
Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in the 3rdpole region cost 3~10USD per person);
Tips and gratuities for the trip leader and driver;
The expense of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc;
Optional activities and excursions not specified in the itinerary;
China Entry visa fees;

Itinerary Alteration

Once we receive your tour deposit, which is followed by signing the contract, your reservation is secured with legitimacy. Our staff will reserve the accommodation, vehicle, site tickets, meals and more, and pay the deposit for our suppliers. So if you want to alter to another itinerary, you need to cover the deposit we've paid, while no service charge is needed if you make some changes on the itinerary you booked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you cancel the tour beacuse of your personal issues, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges that are bounded by 3rdpoletour.com cancellation policy as follows:

1.) If you cancel the tour more than 30 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 10% of the total land cost per person;
2.) If you cancel the tour 15-30 days prior to your trip start date, 20% of your total land tour cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
3.) If you cancel the tour 7-15 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 30% of land cost.
4.) If you cancel the tour 7 days prior to your tour start date, you will forfeit 50% of land cost.
5.) If you fail to show up or cancel at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice or later than that, you will forfeit 100% of the land cost.

If the tour has to be cancelled because of the natural disaster or the government restrictions that is beyond both parties control, we will charge only USD50 per person, this is just the service fee and larbor fee during the preparation. This is a rare occurrence!