China is a vast and diverse country known for its rich history, ancient wonders, and vibrant traditions that span thousands of years. From the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors, it offers a unique blend of imperial heritage and natural beauty.
This 7-day journey from Kunming to Lijiang offers a rich cultural experience through Yunnan’s historic towns, ethnic villages, and stunning mountain landscapes. Travelers will explore traditional lifestyles, ancient architecture, and vibrant local markets while enjoying the region’s natural beauty and authentic charm.
7 Days
Activity Level: Moderate
Chinese, English
In the morning, arrive at Kunming Changshui Airport and begin your Yunnan journey with a visit to the iconic Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Here you will see trees and natural monoliths side by side. We will then enjoy a local specialty lunch: Yiliang Roast Duck. After we will drop you off at your hotel to check-in and get adjusted.
Accommodations: Delta Hotel Kunming 5★ or equivalent
In the morning we will visit the Kunming City Museum, known for their contemporary art. We will also visit the Yunnan Military Academy, established as one of the three major military academies in the late Qing Dynasty. After lunch, we will go to some intangible cultural heritage workshops, learning the process of Tang Grass paper art and traditional rubbing. We will finish off the day by watching the acclaimed Dynamic Yunnan show.
Accommodations: Delta Hotel Kunming 5★ or equivalent
We will spend the morning driving up to Dali. When we arrive we will see the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (incl. electric shuttle), Dali Ancient Town, Foreigner’s Street, and the Beijing Road Catholic Church in Kunming. Later in the day we will walk in the Old Town and enjoy Bai Culture and cuisine.
Accommodations: Lanlingge Hotel Dali (Ancient Town Branch) 5★ or equivalent
We will spend the morning visiting Xizhou Ancient Town, exploring Turning Corner Building, Ancient Banyan Tree, and witnessing a three-course tea ceremony. We will take lunch in Xizhou, featuring Bai ethnic cuisine. In the afternoon we will have a Bai tie-dyeing experience in Zhoucheng Village. Finish off the day traveling to Shaxi with some free time to explore the ancient town.
Accommodations: Lanlingge Garden Hotel Shaxi 5★ or equivalent
In the morning we will go sightseeing in Shaxi, exploring: Xingjiao Temple, Four-Square Street, Ancient Theater Stage, Yujin Bridge, South Gate. After lunch we will drive to Lijiang, where we will spend the rest of the day witnessing Dongba script writing, Naxi embroidery, and traditional Naxi wedding customs in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Accommodations: Floral Zangyuan View Hotel Lijiang 5★ or equivalent
We will spend the day taking an excursion to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park. To reach the sights we will take the Glacier Cable Car (or Spruce Meadow cable car during peak season) and explore the alpine meadows and pastures. We will then take the afternoon to visit Blue Moon Valley part of the park, known for its beautiful landscape.
Accommodations: Floral Zangyuan View Hotel Lijiang 5★ or equivalent
In the morning we will visit Lashihai Wetland Park, with optional horseback riding or boating at your expense. We will then walk along the ancient Tea-Horse Road and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. Finally we will transfer you to Lijiang Airport based on your flight time.
Although some hotels on this itinerary may appear to have a lower star rating on international booking websites, they are officially classified by the China National Tourism Administration. This government-regulated system evaluates hotels based on a strict set of standards for quality, facilities, and service. Some differences in rating systems and cultural expectations may account for the variation in online ratings. In order to ensure quality, we rate hotels by this system.
For travellers with Horizon Global Travel, trip insurance is optional and comes at an additional cost. However, we strongly recommend that you purchase a travel insurance policy that includes trip interruption/cancellation coverage. Travel insurance may offer financial protection for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as assistance should you encounter covered travel delays, baggage loss, or required emergency medical treatment while traveling.
The activity levels of our trips are denoted in the tour overview as Light, Moderate, or Heavy. Light-activity tours will contain walking, but fewer opportunities for off-road, higher-altitude hikes. Conversely, heavy-activity tours will be more hiking-intensive and are best suited for athletic, adventurous travelers. If you still have questions about the activity levels of your trip, please contact our travel advisors at +1 801-809-6879.
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