8-Day Yunnan: Cloudscape & Culture

Upon arrival in Kunming, known as the “Spring City” for its mild climate, your local guide will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation and to soak in the early evening atmosphere of the city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Kunming
Meals: None

After breakfast, explore Kunming with a choice of experiences. Option A includes a visit to the Yunnan Provincial Museum, focusing on Ancient Dian bronze culture and local ethnic heritage, followed by a stroll through Guandu Ancient Town with its historic architecture and charming streets. Option B features a walk along Nanping Pedestrian Street, the Flower & Bird Market, and Kunming Old Street, concluding with tea tasting at a traditional courtyard teahouse. In the afternoon, transfer by high-speed train to Dali, crossing Yunnan’s scenic highlands, and enjoy a leisurely evening exploring Dali Ancient City with its stone-paved streets, Bai-style courtyards, artisan workshops, and cafés.

Accommodation: Overnight in Dali
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, visit the Dali Ancient City Fair Trade Market, sampling local snacks and browsing seasonal fruits and flowers. Take the Cangshan Grand Cableway up the mountain and hike approximately 5 km along the Cangshan Jade Belt Trail, enjoying sweeping views of Erhai Lake and Dali Old Town. Descend via the Gantong Temple Cableway. In the afternoon, explore Xizhou Town, including a traditional Bai-style courtyard home in Zhoucheng Village to participate in a Three-Course Tea Ceremony, followed by a Bai Family Banquet dinner.

Accommodation: Overnight in Dali
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

After breakfast, depart for Shaxi Ancient Town in Jianchuan County, wandering its historic streets and visiting the Yujin Bridge. Explore the Tea Horse Caravan Culture Exhibition Hall to learn about historic trade routes. Enjoy a traditional Caravan-style lunch before transferring to Lijiang. Upon arrival, visit the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore Black Dragon Pool Park with its scenic vistas and cultural significance.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast, begin at a traditional Naxi market with a local guide to purchase fresh ingredients, then enjoy a hands-on cooking session of Yunnan specialties, including Small Pot Rice Noodles and Dai-style Spicy Chicken. In the afternoon, explore Baisha Old Town to see historic murals and courtyards, followed by a visit to Yuhu Village for an immersive cultural experience, including interaction with local families and optional traditional Naxi costume dress-up.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast, drive from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La City, taking a high-trail hike along the canyon. Pause at the Halfway Cliffside Platform for panoramic views and a coffee break, then continue to Longdong Water Waterfall before transferring to Shangri-La for the evening.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shangri-La
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, visit Pudacuo National Park to enjoy alpine meadows, lakes, and wildlife. Explore Songzanlin Monastery, followed by a visit to Yila Grassland of Napa Lake to enjoy a traditional Tibetan Butter Tea experience with local families. In the afternoon, explore Dukezong Ancient Town and participate in the Guozhuang Dance. From November onward, activities in Pudacuo may be replaced with horseback riding across alpine meadows or visiting Shika Snow Mountain.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shangri-La
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy leisure time in Shangri-La before transferring to the airport or high-speed train station for your onward journey, marking the conclusion of your Yunnan exploration.

Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast