Eternal Ancient Towns

Accommodation: Kunming 3-diamond hotel
Meals: ×

Guests from across China fly to Kunming. Upon arrival, our professional team provides airport pickup and transfers guests to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, guests may explore Kunming at their own pace, sampling local street food and discovering the city’s unique charm. Kunming, a city full of culture and flavor, warmly welcomes your visit.

Accommodation: Chuxiong 3-diamond hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: Yi ethnic-style meal \ Dinner: Long Street Banquet

After breakfast at the hotel, depart at 09:00 for the Shilin Scenic Area (5A National Scenic Area, including electric shuttle). Formed 270 million years ago, Shilin is the essence of global karst landscapes, known for its majestic, strange, perilous, elegant, secluded, mysterious, and vast scenery. Towering stone pillars, caves, and underground rivers create formations shaped like swords, towers, and mushrooms, making it a panoramic display of karst geology, hailed as the “Number One Wonder under Heaven.”

Next, visit Dianchi Lake to see the “Highland Pearl” and enjoy views of West Hill (Sleeping Beauty Mountain) while interacting with the local seagulls (note: the Dianchi Haigeng Dam is open for seagull viewing only from November 1 to March 15; outside these dates the activity is not arranged, no substitution or refund).

Lunch features a Yi ethnic-style meal, a classic Yunnan specialty with tender, flavorful, and aromatic meat, showcasing authentic local flavors.

After lunch, transfer to Chuxiong for the Yi Long Street Banquet. The celebration begins with the Fire Worship Ceremony and Welcome Ritual, telling legendary stories of the Yi people. Guests can join the traditional dances, learn the “Left Foot Dance,” and enjoy hearty local cuisine with music and performances. End the evening with a bonfire ceremony, then check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Dali 3-diamond hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: Standard group meal \ Dinner: Standard group meal

After breakfast at 09:00, depart Chuxiong and drive to Dali. Board the Erhai Lake Cruise to enjoy the stunning lake scenery, with sunlight sparkling on the water and views of Cangshan Mountain, immersing yourself in the natural beauty and poetic charm of the region.

After lunch, visit Xizhou Ancient Town, famous for its picturesque countryside and traditional architecture. Explore stone-paved streets, visit the Zhuanjiao Building and Xilin Yuan Yellow Walls, and enjoy local delicacies such as Dali-style rice shrimp and Xizhou pancakes.

Experience S-Bend Cycling along the lake’s scenic coastline, passing landmarks like the Couple Tree and S-Bend Bridge, while enjoying the stunning views of Cangshan and Erhai.

Guests will also receive a traditional costume photography session (per family: 4 digital photos), capturing memorable moments along the ecological corridor.

End the afternoon with a 24K Seaview Afternoon Tea, featuring exquisite pastries, fruits, and tea in a beautiful lakeside setting. Afterward, transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Lijiang 3-diamond hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: “Crossing-the-Bridge” Rice Noodles / Meal Pack \ Dinner: ×

After breakfast at 08:00, visit Dali Old Town, a historic city with a chessboard-style layout, featuring well-preserved Ming, Qing, and Republican-era architecture. Explore landmarks such as South City Gate, Wuhua Tower, and Honglong Well, and sample local delicacies including yogurt, roasted cheese, rice noodles, and papaya juice.

Transfer to Lijiang and visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5A National Scenic Area). Take the Glacier Cable Car (includes complimentary winter clothing and small oxygen bottles) to enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, alpine forests, and seasonal landscapes. Note: cable car operation is subject to weather, maintenance, ticket availability, and force majeure; refunds for unavailable rides will follow actual ticket prices. Children over 1.4m may need to prepay additional fees to secure tickets.

Next, visit Blue Moon Valley (electric shuttle included), where glacial melt forms clear, blue, crescent-shaped lakes at the foot of the snow mountain.

Afterwards, watch Impression Lijiang or Lishuijinsa (optional, no refund if skipped), a large-scale outdoor performance featuring local ethnic dance and music with the snow mountains as a natural backdrop.

Finally, explore Lijiang Old Town independently, wandering through its canals, stone streets, and traditional Naxi architecture, and enjoy local street food such as fried jelly, Naxi rice cakes, and preserves, before returning to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Lijiang 3-diamond hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: Standard group meal \ Dinner: ×

After breakfast at 09:00, visit Shuhe Ancient Town, an authentic Naxi village northwest of Lijiang Old Town. The town, once an important post on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, features traditional architecture, flowing streams, and scenic lanes, offering a glimpse into Naxi culture and history.

After lunch, enjoy the spectacular Lijiang Impression Show, a large-scale song-and-dance performance using IMAX-3D visuals to bring to life stories such as Naxi Genesis, Lugu Daughter Kingdom, Caravan Legends, Mu Family Glory, and Jade Dragon Third Kingdom. The show combines high-tech effects, mechanical models, and live performances to create a breathtaking cultural experience.

After the performance, guests have free time to explore Lijiang independently before checking in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Shangri-La hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: Standard group meal \ Dinner: Tusi Banquet

After breakfast, depart for Shangri-La, passing the First Bend of the Yangtze River, a dramatic curve of China’s longest river. Continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge (optional escalator: one-way RMB 50 / round-trip RMB 70), renowned as one of the world’s deepest gorges, with roaring rapids, towering cliffs, and jagged rocks.

After lunch, visit Pudacuo National Park, a pristine, pollution-free highland paradise with clear lakes, alpine meadows, dense forests, and diverse wildlife. Explore Shudu Lake and stroll through flower-filled grasslands, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the plateau.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Tibetan Tusi Banquet, featuring yak hot pot, barley cakes, butter tea, and local specialties, accompanied by a vibrant Tibetan song-and-dance performance. After the show, check in at the hotel for rest (Zaxi Dele Hotel, Yicheng Hotel (Xianglaihua), Salong Hotel, Yunding Jinxi Hotel, or similar; hotels may be adjusted to the same standard).

Accommodation: Kunming hotel
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: Standard group meal \ Dinner: ×

After breakfast, visit Shangri-La Shambhala Time Wheel Stupa (built 2005–2015), a grand structure blending modern and Tibetan architecture, showcasing Tibetan culture and Buddhism across 22 acres and 25,131 m², with a gilded white pagoda atop. Alternatively, guests may visit the Tibetan Culture Center, which presents the eight main schools of Tibetan Buddhism and preserves Tibetan cultural heritage.

Next, tour Dukezong Ancient Town, where guests can rotate the world’s largest prayer wheel to pray for family and loved ones. After lunch, drive back to Lijiang and take a high-speed train to Kunming. Check in at the hotel upon arrival. (During peak season or due to operational adjustments, high-speed train tickets may be unavailable; in such cases, bus transfer will be arranged, with train fares offset against transportation costs.)

Accommodation: ×
Meals: Breakfast at hotel \ Lunch: × \ Dinner: ×

After breakfast, visit the Distribution Center (not arranged for flights departing before 12:00 noon). According to your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for departure.

Tips: Please carefully check and organize your belongings and travel documents before leaving, and confirm your flight time to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.