5-Day Private Yunnan Discovery from Shanghai: Kunming, Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang

Stone Forest On this Yunnan Discovery Cultural Trip, you will experience the historical cities of Kunming, Dali, Shaxi Ancient Town and Lijiang from Shanghai by plane. This personalized tour is tailored to your needs and allows you to tick off famous attractions, such as Stone Forest, Guihu Park, Flower and Birds Market, Chongsheng Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake,Shaxi Ancient Village, Mu Palace, Lijiang Old Town, Baisha Village. In addition, explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and enjoy amazing open-air Impression Lijiang Impression Show which performances by non-professional peasant actors who are from local villages. Tour including plane/train tickets, entrance fee, lunch, show tickets, cable car round trip, English speaking tour guide and travel by air-air-conditoned private vehicle, you can choose to end your tour in Lijiang or return Shanghai. Tour includes the option to book 4 star accommodation with daily breakfast.

• Make sure everyone brings their passport
• Full name and passport number are required to book attraction tickets

Quick itinerary view

Day 1

Shanghai – Kunming: Stone Forest and City Highlights

1 Shanghai Tourist Service Center (Pudong Airport T2) Your driver will pick you up from the lobby of your Shanghai hotel’s lobby by holding your name sign, you will be transferred to airport for a 3 hour flight to Kunming.

2 Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park

Your tour guide will hold your name sign waiting at the exit of the arrival hall. Hop on your private vehicle, heading directly to Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park which takes about 1.5 hours. On the way, your tour guide will explain the related stories, feel free to ask questions if you have. Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park Kunming Stone Forest is a spectacular set of limestone groups and the representative of south China’s karst landscape. Since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), It is considered as the ‘First Wonder of the World’. Approximately 270 million years ago – during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era – the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day appearance. The whole park is a huge natural treasure gallery, upon arrival, follow your tour guide to use your imagination to discover the park, your tour guide will tell many legendary stories along the way, and show you the best location for photos. You will spend 2-3 hours to visit the Big Stone Forest Area and the Small Stone Forest Area.

3 Flowers and Birds Market of Kunming

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then you can choose to visit the Flowers and Birds Market. Strolling around the street, you will find hundreds of flowers. You’ll hear continuous bird singing. The fishes are mainly tropical — small and brightly colored for home aquariums. The Flowers and Birds Market is also a popular trading place for antiques. You can find many curios, coins, jade articles, jewelry, ink stones, porcelains, potteries, stone carvings, and marble products are among the arts and crafts. Feel free to let your tour guide know if you want to buy some souvenirs, your guide will offer tips on how to negotiate price.

4 Guihu Park

You also can choose to explore the Guihu Park. Green Lake Park offers fascinating scenery of a wide range of lotus flowers in various kinds and beautiful lake. Wander around the roads and pavilions, enjoy local people in costumes of minority nationalities dance, play musical instruments, singing, taste tea, chat with friends and family. Appreciate the lovely Tulips if you come during spring time. Enjoy beautiful diverse lotus flowers in Summer. Watch black-headed gulls playing together in Winter. After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kunming.

Accommodation: If you choose the option to including the hotel : Overnight 4 Star Hotel in Kunming

Meals: Lunch

Day 2

Kunming- Dali

1 Kunming Nanyao Railway Station

Your driver will pick you up in your Kunming Hotel’s lobby and you will be transferred to Kunming train station. Experience a fantastic 2 hour bullet train ride to Dali. Upon arrival at Dali Railway Station, your tour guide will pick you up at the exit of the Arrival Hall with your name sign.

2 Chongsheng Three Pagodas

Then heading directly to Dali Chongsheng Three Pagodas. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is a 1,800 years old national treasure under preservation. It is also a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. They are standing at the east foot of the tenth peak of the massive Mt. Cangshan and facing the west shore of the Erhai Lake. Upon arrival, stroll around the temple and courtyards with your tour guide, admire over 1000 years old pagoda, get to know its history, culture, religion and art.

3 Dali Ancient Town

Continue to Dali Ancient Town. Spend some leisure time to stroll around the ancient town, enjoy its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery. You will enjoy lunch in one of the restaurant here. Dali Ancient Town was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China, and also served as a seat of government and a major military barracks for Yunnan Province in ancient times.

4 Erhai Lake

Then, continue to Erhai Lake. Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, ‘sea shaped like an ear’, in Chinese.

5 Jinsuo Island

Take the boat cruise Erhai Lake, then visit Golden Shuttle Island (Jinsuo Island), and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority, get to know Bai Minority’s culture and lifestyle.

6 Xizhou Town

Depending on your time, you can visit Xizhou Town. Xizhou Town is a main residential district for Bai Nationality, as a birthplace of Dali culture; it is also a famous historic cultural town of Bai Nationality. You will spend some leisure time to explore the town, your tour guide will explain the detailed stories about Bai Nationality. Feel free to ask questions if you have. After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Dali.

Accommodation: If you choose the option to including hotel, overnight 4 star hotel in Dali.

Meals: Breakfast     Lunch

Day 3

Dali-Shaxi Ancient Town– Lijiang

1 Dali Town

Meet your private guide in hotel’s lobby in Dali, heading directly to Shaxi Ancient Town which takes about 2 hours. Sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way.

2 Xingjiao Temple, Shaxi

Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to explore. Stroll around the Sifang street, if you come on Friday, you will experience the local trading fair: mountain villagers come down from the hills with their horses to trade their goods. Next, you will pay a visit to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) Xingjiao Temple. It is the largest and most representative Buddhist Tantra temple in China. The well-preserved murals of Ming Dynasty in the temple are deeply influenced by the painting style of the Central Plains in China and have rich local ethnic characteristics. They are the treasures of the Bai People in the southwestern China. Your tour guide will offer more information and facts about the Buddhism in China. Continue to explore the Ancient Opera Stage and Yuxi Bridge.

3 Baisha Ancient Town

Next, travel to Baisha ancient town at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Here is the best place to witness the authentic life of the Naxi People and appreciate their culture. Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then set off to explore. Baisha Village used to be a Naxi settlement and the birthplace of local Mu Family Governors. Its construction started during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), It was the political, economic and cultural center of Lijiang prior to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Stroll around the village with your tour guide, learn the history about the village and a distinctive culture, language and traditions of Naxi people. Admire the Baisha Murals-a series of religious paintings were finished by Han, Tibetan and Naxi painters as well as painters from other nationalities, it is the symbol of Naxi Culture, and also a fusion of art from different nationalities. Then, visit Dabaoji Palace and Fuguo Temple. Learn more about the Tibetan Buddhism and Naxi cultures. After the tour finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Lijiang.

4 Lijiang Old Town – China

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then you will heading directly to Lijiang Old Town which takes about 2 hours, sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way.

Accommodation: If you choose the option to including hotel: Overnight 4 Star hotel in Lijiang.

Meals: Breakfast    Lunch

Day 4

Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village

1 Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain

Meet your private guide in hotel’s lobby in Lijiang, heading directly to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which takes about 1 hour. Sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way. Consisting of 13 peaks, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking from Lijiang Old Town, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the nameJade Dragon Snow Mountain. Get the information and learn its legendary stories from your tour guide. Upon arrival, take the convenient cable car to the scenic viewing point (4506 meters), marvel at the spectacular glacier and mountain views. You can choose to hike up to 4680 meters by wooden stairs. When you are ready to leave, descend by cable car.

2 Lijiang Impressions Show

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then enjoy amazing Lijiang Impressions Show. The show is performed in daytime, using the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its stage background. More than 100 horses and 500 non-professional peasant actors with dark skin who are from 16 local villages and over 10 ethnic minorities give their best performance. They use unique movements and original songs to exemplify their culture, history and customs. When make booking you can choose you preferred tickets for the show.

3 Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village

Next, travel to Baisha ancient town at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Here is the best place to witness the authentic life of the Naxi People and appreciate their culture. Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then set off to explore. Baisha Village used to be a Naxi settlement and the birthplace of local Mu Family Governors. Its construction started during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), It was the political, economic and cultural center of Lijiang prior to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Stroll around the village with your tour guide, learn the history about the village and a distinctive culture, language and traditions of Naxi people. Admire the Baisha Murals-a series of religious paintings were finished by Han, Tibetan and Naxi painters as well as painters from other nationalities, it is the symbol of Naxi Culture, and also a fusion of art from different nationalities. Then, visit Dabaoji Palace and Fuguo Temple. Learn more about the Tibetan Buddhism and Naxi cultures. After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lijiang.

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast    Lunch

Day 5

Lijiang City Highlights

1 Old Town of Lijiang – China

Meet your private guide in hotel’s lobby in Lijiang, then start to explore the Old Town of Lijiang. The Old Town of Lijiang is a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, the town was first built in the late Song Dynasty (960 – 1279), it has a history of more than 800 years. As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings here incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style.

2 Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture

Stroll around the old town with your tour guide, you will stop at Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture, the museum dedicated to the history of the Naxi people and their pictographic language and animist Dongba religion. Explore the museum and learn about the Naxi culture and art.

3 Mufu Palace

Next, you will visit the Mufu Palace. The top ruler of Naxi minority Mu Family had been in Lijiang since Yuan Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, totally 470 years with 22 generation rulers. The present Mufu Palace is a representative of ancient central China architectural style in Ming Dynasty. While it also keeps the characters of Tang and Song Dynasties. And inside it, the details show the minority features of Bai and Naxi groups. Besides architecture value, it also can be an outstanding plants museum with ancient trees and extraordinary plants. The garden in a style mixed with imperial one and Suzhou’s style. Explore the palace and get to now its history and stories from your tour guide.

4 Black Dragon Pond Park

Then, explore the Black Dragon Pond Park. Follow your tour guide to explore the ancient monuments such as the Longshen Temple, the Deyue Pavilion, the Suocui Bridge and the Hanyue Stage. Enjoy amazing view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the park. If you choose to return Shanghai, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (No time for lunch).

5 Lijiang Lion Rock

If you choose to end your tour in Lijiang, then you will enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then move on to Lion Hill Park. The Lion Mountain looks like a sleeping lion from afar, providing a wonderful picture.

6 Wangu Pavilion

Reach the mountaintop, go up to the Wangu Pavilion which is a five-storied all-wooden edifice with five elegant eaves. The tower is regarded as the No.1 Domed-shaped Structure in China. Get ready your camera and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding areas(Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Old Town and the Naxi minority villages). 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

7 Wenchang Palace

Move on to Wenchang Palace. The palace was originally built in 1725 and was once the location for holding exams and folk lectures during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Stroll around the area, and then move to Twin-Stone Garden where you can find a large waterwheel and bas-relief to commemorate the civilization of the Naxi nationality. If you have other places in mind to go just let your tour guide know. After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lijiang( please book your own hotel in advance).

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast     Lunch