Arrive in Kunming, known as the “Spring City” for its mild climate year-round. Your local guide will warmly greet you at the airport or train station and take you to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Kunming 

Meals: No

Option A: Yunnan Provincial Museum & Guandu Ancient Town

• After breakfast, meet your guide for a visit to the Yunnan Provincial Museum (approx. 2 hours, English commentary), focusing on Ancient Dian bronze culture and Yunnan’s ethnic heritage. Continue to Guandu Ancient Town, a well-preserved historic quarter of Kunming, for an approx. 2-hour visit (meals and snacks on a pay-as-you-go basis) 

Option B: City Walk, Markets & Teahouse Experience 

• Start at Nanping Pedestrian Street, then visit the Kunming Flower & Bird Market and Kunming Old Street, known for restored shopfronts and historic charm. Stop at a traditional courtyard teahouse for local tea, then explore regional snacks (pay-as-you-go). Duration: approx. 2.5 hours; walking distance about 1.5 km. 

Transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train from Kunming to Dali. Relax in reserved seats as you cross Yunnan’s scenic highlands. Enjoy a guided walk through Dali Ancient Town (approx. 2.5 hours). Explore stone-paved streets framed by Bai-style courtyard houses, artisan workshops, cafés, and boutique inns. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Dali 

Meals: No

After hotel breakfast, set out for the Dali North Gate Morning Market (approx. 1 hour). This lively local bazaar offers seasonal produce, fresh-cut flowers, tropical fruits, and everyday snacks favored by Dali residents. Guests may sample street foods or purchase fruit and flowers on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

Continue along the Erhai Ecological Corridor, a lakeside greenway showcasing rural wetlands, rice fields, and traditional Bai farming villages. Enjoy a small horse-drawn cart ride through the paddies (weather permitting) en route to Xizhou Ancient Town, noted for well-preserved Bai courtyard mansions and slow-paced village life. 

Visit the Jiangzhi Craft Collective, a Bai cultural studio presenting regional folk traditions, textiles, and ritual arts. Participate in a Jia Ma Woodblock Printing experience—a hands-on activity inspired by historic Bai talisman prints. Create your own stamped artwork to take home as a cultural keepsake. Conclude the afternoon with a relaxed break at a rice-field café overlooking terraced paddies and village scenery. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Dali 

Meals: No

Start your day with a hotel breakfast before setting off to Shaaxi Ancient Town for a relaxing walk through its historic streets and charming alleys. Visit the iconic Yujin Bridge, an important cultural landmark. Explore the Tea Horse Caravan Culture Exhibition Hall to gain insights into the region’s historic trade routes and traditions. Enjoy a traditional Caravan-style Meal featuring authentic local dishes. 

After lunch, transfer by private vehicle to Lijiang. Upon arrival, visit Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant Naxi culture. Conclude the day with a visit to Black Dragon Pool Park (Heilongtan Park), renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Lijiang 

Meals: Enjoy a traditional Caravan-style lunch

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, one of Yunnan’s most iconic natural landmarks. Ascend via the Yunshanping Cableway, offering panoramic views of snow-clad peaks and alpine meadows. Continue to Blue Moon Valley, famed for its turquoise waters and dramatic mountain backdrop (shuttle bus not included). 

In the afternoon, visit Yuhu Village, a traditional Naxi settlement. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience, including interaction with local families, insights into Naxi traditions, and optional ethnic costume dress-up. This 2-hour cultural engagement provides a deeper understanding of the region’s heritage and hospitality. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Lijiang 

Meals: No

Option A: Guided Market Tour and Local Culinary Workshop

• Begin your morning with a guided visit to a traditional Naxi market led by a local resident. Explore and purchase fresh regional ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking session featuring authentic Yunnan specialties such as Yunnan Small Pot Rice Noodles, Dai-style Spicy Chicken, and the refreshing Puluda beverage. This immersive experience lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Option B: Forest Foraging and Wild Mushroom Hotpot (Jul-Sept)

• Join an experienced local guide for a treasure hunt in the nearby pine forests, collecting wild mushrooms and discovering the unique biodiversity of the region. Conclude the activity by savoring a wild mushroom hotpot prepared with your foraged ingredients. Duration is around 3 hours.

Embark on a light hike along the High Trail at Tiger Leaping Gorge, covering approximately 3 kilometers round-trip to the Dragon Pool Waterfall. En route, enjoy a break at the Halfway Coffee, renowned for its scenic views. Later, visit Dukezong Ancient Town, including the Old Town Square where you can experience a traditional Tibetan Guozhuang dance performance. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Shangri-La 

Meals: Enjoy authentic Yunnan specialties or a wild mushroom hotpot

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before visiting Pudacuo National Park, a pristine natural reserve known for its diverse alpine ecosystems. Continue to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, offering rich cultural and architectural insights. Proceed to Yila Grassland for scenic views and outdoor activities. Conclude with a 30-40 minute visit to a traditional Tibetan family to experience local customs and lifestyle. In the evening, depart Shangri-La by high-speed train to Kunming. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest. 

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Kunming 

Meals:No

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning at leisure for personal activities or relaxation. Take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area or simply unwind before your departure. Savor an authentic Yunnan Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles for lunch, a signature local specialty renowned for its rich flavors and unique preparation. After a flavorful farewell, transfer to the airport or train station for your journey home. We hope you had a memorable journey and look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure. 

Accommodation: No 

Meals: Enjoy a Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles for lunch