10 Days Yunnan Tour with Shaxi Ancien Town (Kunming-Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang-ShangriLa)

Arrive at Kunming International Airport, the capital city of Yunnan, known as the “Spring City” for its mild climate year-round. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the hotel vicinity or rest to recover from your journey.

Drive 86 km to the Stone Forest, a UNESCO Geopark famous for its towering limestone formations shaped over millions of years. Local legend says that “visiting Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest is a wasted trip.” Walk among these surreal karst formations and admire the natural sculptures.

Afterward, transfer to Nuohei Stone Village for an ethnic lunch. Explore the village to learn about the Yi ethnic group culture, including the Former Border Headquarters, Yi Ethnic Culture Museum, Tiger Totem Gate (site of the Mizhi Festival), embroidery exhibitions, traditional stone houses, and tobacco kilns. This immersive experience offers insight into Yi daily life and traditions. Return to Shilin for overnight stay.

Visit Chengzi Ancient Village in Honghe, where Yi and Han architectural styles merge. Explore ancient folk houses reflecting the unique history of the Baishao Tribe. Walk through courtyards and streets to see the blending of ethnic influences.

Return to Kunming and enjoy a stroll around Green Lake, a picturesque area lined with teahouses, gardens, and local art shops. It’s a perfect spot to relax and observe local life before dinner.

Take the high-speed train to Dali. Upon arrival, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongshen Monastery, over 1,800 years old, forming a symmetrical triangle at the foot of Cangshan Mountain facing Erhai Lake.

Explore Xizhou Old Town, a historic Bai ethnic town with traditional courtyards. Taste the fragrant Three-Course Tea and enjoy Bai cuisine. Visit Zhoucheng Village and its tie-dye workshop, where you can create or purchase Bai-style souvenirs. Transfer to Dali Old Town for overnight stay.

Drive to Jianchuan County to visit Shibaoshan Mountain, home to the Stone Bell Temple and over 139 well-preserved stone carvings dating back 1,300 years. Explore other temple complexes including Baoxiang, Haiyun, Shizhong Temples, and ancient grottoes. Wild monkeys may appear around Baoxiang Temple.

Continue to Shaxi Old Town, a preserved market town along the historic Tea & Horse Caravan Trail. Listed by WMF as one of the 100 most endangered sites globally, Shaxi offers a glimpse of ancient trade routes connecting Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Southeast Asia.

Drive 180 km to Lijiang, passing scenic farmlands and ethnic villages. Visit Black Dragon Pool, a serene park offering views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and traditional Naxi architecture.

Explore the Dongba Museum, showcasing Naxi culture, ancient scripts, and religious artifacts. In the late afternoon, wander through Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for cobbled streets, canals, and preserved Naxi wooden architecture.

Witness the sunrise over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Drive to Ganhaizi Meadow (3100m) and explore Baishui River with its glacier-fed streams. Take a cableway or hike through Spruce Meadow for panoramic mountain views.

After lunch, enjoy the Impression Lijiang Show, directed by Zhang Yimou, featuring over 500 performers and horses, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a backdrop. Visit Baisha Old Town and the 600-year-old Baisha Murals, reflecting Naxi culture and UNESCO heritage.

Drive 60 km to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, a spectacular gorge with the Iron Chain Bridge and the Red Army Long March Memorial. Continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river canyons, known for rapids and golden sands along the Jinsha River.

Arrive in Shangri-La (Zhongdian), a Tibetan cultural area with barley fields and yaks. Explore Dukezong Ancient Town, an important stop along the ancient Tea-Horse Road, and experience Tibetan architecture and local culture.

Visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan, often called the “Little Potala Palace.” Explore its grand halls, statues, and colorful murals.

Visit Xiaojiezi Tibetan Village, interact with a local family, and learn about Tibetan daily life. End the day at Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park, a biodiversity hotspot with rare plants, birds, and mammals, offering serene alpine scenery.

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Shangri-La Airport for your onward flight. The journey concludes, leaving you with lasting memories of Yunnan’s landscapes, culture, and ethnic diversity.