Yunnan Exploration Tour With Authentic Experience

Itinerary

• Day 1: Dali, Arrival

  Welcome to Dali, a charming and lively city in Yunnan Province! After arriving at the airport or train station, your guide and driver will be there to greet you and accompany you to your hotel.

  • Dali

• Day 2: Erhai Lake Bike Tour & Xizhou Town

  Today, you will ride along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, starting from Caicun and stopping at the S-curve next to the lake, covering approximately 12 kilometers.

  Your next stop will be Xizhou Town, where many Bai-style buildings are preserved. Enter the Yan Family Courtyard and taste three types of tea, the highest courtesy of the hospitable Bai people. Further exploration will lead you to the Xi Embroidery Workshop, a nearly century-old establishment in the ancient town known for its exquisite embroidery works and intricate crafts.

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  • Dali

• Day 3: Millenarian Nuodeng Village & Its Salt History

  From Dali, it takes about a four-hour drive to reach the ancient Nuodeng Village, famed for its natural gas salt well that has been flowing for a millennium and well-preserved folk dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties dating up to the 14^th century.

  Explore the village, witnessing residents boiling salt, visiting temples, ancestral halls, and buildings with distinctive architectural features of the Bai people, and listening to stories of caravans, salt stoves, cured ham, etc, where all the tales and legends find their place in history.

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  • Nuodeng Village

• Day 4: Nuodeng Village - Dali & Free Afternoon

  Today, you will leave Nodeng Village and return to Dali, which is approximately a 4-hour journey. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon by strolling in the nearby parks, or perhaps treat yourself to some desserts or coffee at a lakeside café by Erhai Lake.

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  • Dali

• Day 5: Dali - Lijiang

  The drive from Dali to Lijiang will take approximately four hours.

  Along the way, have a detour to Shaxi Old Town, an important station on the ancient Tea Horse Road in China. Explore the tranquil Nangu Zongxiang Alley, surrounded by traditional Bai ethnic dwellings, and occasionally spot residents dressed in traditional Bai attire passing by.

  After a brief rest, continue to the bustling Old Town of Lijiang, where charming streets and an abundance of shops showcasing diverse products invite you to strolls around. A highlight not to be missed in Lijiang is the majestic Mufu Mansion – the palace of the Naxi government of Lijiang in feudal times.

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  • Lijiang

• Day 6: Delve into the Naxi Culture with a Family Visit

  Start the tour today by strolling Shuhe Town, which offers a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Lijiang Old Town. Then, nestled beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village rests in quiet serenity. Discover its precious Buddhist murals, whose colors may have faded over time but still exhibit a vibrant palette, precise layout, and meticulous brushwork.

  Following that, be welcomed into a local Naxi family's home in Yuhu Village. The hosts dressed in traditional Naxi attire will greet you, introduce you to Naxi script and culture, display ancient artifacts, engage you in making soy milk and tofu pudding, and treat you with Naxi snacks.

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  • Lijiang

• Day 7: Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking

  After a 2-hour drive from Lijiang, you will embark on a trek from Qiaotou to Tea Horse Inn (4.5-5 hours), where you will stay for the night.

  During the trek, you will traverse along the profound corridor of the canyon, with majestic cliffs on both sides. In the deep recesses of the gorge, the river rushes vigorously, creating spectacular waterfalls and turbulent rapids, outlining a masterpiece crafted by the extraordinary hand of nature.

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  • Shangri-La

• Day 8: Travel From Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La

  Today, you will continue your in-depth exploration of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Embark on a 4-hour picturesque hike from the Tea Horse Inn to Tina's House, where you can enjoy the refreshing air and lush vegetation, all while gazing down at the roaring Jinsha River below.

  Afterward, travel by car to Shangri-La.

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  • Shangri-La

• Day 9: Songzanlin Monastery & Dukezong Old Town

  Today, explore the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, where you will engage with the lama, gaining insights into Tibetan Buddhism and its practices. Listen to the lama recite scripture and savor some snacks and butter tea in the temple.

  Following this enlightening experience, immerse yourself in the ancient charm of Dukezong Old Town, participating in a prayer session to embrace the spiritual ambiance. Conclude your day with leisure time to unwind and reflect on the cultural richness encountered during your journey.

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  • Shangri-La

• Day 10: Nampahai Gumbi Village Circuit Trekking

  Take a car from the hotel and travel 8 kilometers to the village of Nampahai, where today's hiking starts. The scenic route features streams, seasonal high-altitude flowers, pastures, and oak forests. During the appropriate seasons, you may even pick up wild mushrooms. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach the mouth of Cibulakaya, rewarding with the panoramic view of the Napahai Natural Reserve.

  Afterward, continue with a visit to a hospitable Tibetan family, where you can indulge in genuine local snacks. On the return trip to Shangri La County, revel in the stunning vistas of Tibetan villages, verdant pastures, and pristine wilderness.

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  • Shangri-La

• Day 11: Shangri-La, Farewell

  Today, you will enjoy a leisurely morning and then bid farewell to Shangri-La. According to your itinerary, we will transport you to either the train station or the airport.

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