8 Days Best Yunnan Speed Train Tour-Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La

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For this 8 Days Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La High Speed Train Tour, you will visit the highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. This is also a minority discovery tour, because you will find minority diversity during your trip, the minorities such as Yis, Bais, Naxis and Tibetan. Moreover, the Tiger Leaping Gorge will be the most impressive part of your trip, you could be shocked by the ruggedness and magnificence of Tiger Leaping Gorge and the mountains around when you are there. This part can not be missed.

Highlights:

  • Visit the highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La.
  • Step into ethnic villages to meet colorful and mysterious ethnic cultures.
  • Hiking along the Tiger Leaping Gorge to feel the grotesque and raging rapids of the magnificent gorge.
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Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Kunming Arrival
  • Day 2: Kunming
  • Day 3: Kunming-Dali
  • Day 4: Dali-Lijiang
  • Day 5: Lijiang
  • Day 6: Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Shangri-La
  • Day 7: Shangri-La- Kunming
  • Day 8: Kunming

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Kunming
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:None

You’ll begin your journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:the Stone Forest, the Green Lake Park, Kunming City Center
Accommodation:Kunming

Stone Forest (Shilin) scenic spot in southwest China's Yunnan Province
Stone Forest (Shilin) scenic spot in southwest China’s Yunnan Province

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

You will drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. An old local saying says that ‘If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.’ Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.

After lunch, drive back to Kunming to visit the Green Lake Park and then enjoy a 20-minute walk to visit the Kunming City Center in downtown area.

Day 3 Kunming-Dali High Speed Train

Sightseeing and Activities:Three Pagodas, Erhai Ecological Corridor, Dali Old Town, Foreigner’s Street, Ancient City Wall
Accommodation:Dali
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Reflection Park of Three Pagodas in Dali City

Get up in the early morning. Transfer to train station. Take a high speed train from Kunming to Dali.

Arrive at Dali train station. Meet your local guide in Dali. Then visit Three Pagodas in Chongsheng Monastery which has a history of over 1,800 years located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain facing to the Erhai Lake. Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle.

Then,  strolling along the Erhai Ecological Corridor is like stepping into a beautiful painting. The azure sky and the clear Erhai Lake reflect each other, and as the breeze blows, ripples spread across the lake. The banks are shaded by green trees and adorned with blooming flowers, with the air filled with the fresh fragrance of flowers. Occasionally, egrets skim across the water, and in the distance the, Cangshan Mountains stand like a dark blue screen. The scenery is poetic and picturesque, making one feel refreshed and reluctant to leave.

In the late afternoon, take a walk in Dali Old Town. Visit Foreigner’s Street and ancient city wall.

Day 4 Dali-Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities:Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village, Lijiang Old Town
Accommodation:Lijiang
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Xizhou Ancient Town in Dali

In the morning, head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea and explore their distinctive culture.

Transfer to visit Zhoucheng Village and the Bai people’s Tie-dying cloth workshop where you can take some special souvenir with the Bai ethnic style.

After lunch, drive to Lijiang. You will be relaxed around Lijiang Old Town, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. Located on the plateau which is 2,400 meters above the sea level and embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west, Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast and crystal clear water running through, the old town looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab (Dayanzhen).

Day 5 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities:Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishuihe River,Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Spruce Meadow, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show, Baisha Old Town, Baisha Murals
Accommodation:Lijiang
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Drive about 30KM to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. You will firstly reach Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). Then you will take the sightseeig bus for a short visiting through the Baishuihe River. Take cable car to Spruce Meadow and hike around 30 minutes in the forest. Then take a battery cart to Blue Moon Valley.

After lunch, you will enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show directed by Zhang Yimou. It is held in Ganhaizi Meadow about 3100M above the sea level.

And then, you can stroll through Baisha Old Town, which is an enchanting traditional Naxi style old town.  Visit the Baisha Murals about 600 years old, which is one part of the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997.

Day 6 Lijiang-100KM-Tiger Leaping Gorge-100KM-Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities:the First Bend of Yangtze River, Iron Chain Bridge, Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Ancient Town, Guishan Hill
Accommodation:Shangri-La
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

The-First-Bend-of-Yangtze-River-Lijiang-01

Setting off from Lijiang, we travel along the winding mountain roads, with picturesque scenery all the way. Upon arriving at the first view platform of the Yangtze River, we are greeted by the magnificent river meandering through the mountains, forming a unique “Ω”-shaped bend. The sunlight shimmers on the water, creating a sparkling effect, while the towering mountains on both sides are awe-inspiring. Here, we press the shutter to capture this breathtaking natural wonder, feeling the marvel of nature’s craftsmanship and as if time has slowed down.

Visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river.

Then you will enter the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys. Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, an important town of the Ancient Tea-horse Trade Caravan from Yunnan to Tibet and India. Walk up to the top of Guishan Hill or Tortoise Hill, you will see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and have a panoramic view of shangrila county and Dukezong Ancient Town.

Day 7 Shangri-La- Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Songzanlin Monastery, Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park
Accommodation:Shangri-La
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Songzanlin Monastery in Shangrila

Today’s itinerary is packed with natural beauty and cultural richness.

In the morning, we will visit Pudacuo National Park. As we enter the park, we are greeted by the fresh, crisp air and the vibrant colors of the natural landscape. The park is a haven for biodiversity, with lush forests, pristine lakes, and meadows filled with wildflowers. We will walk along the well-maintained trails, enjoying the serene environment and the gentle sounds of nature. Highlights include the picturesque Shudu Lake, where the clear waters reflect the surrounding mountains, and the Bita Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and the unique wooden plank road that takes us across the lake. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, and we might catch a glimpse of some rare species.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Songzanlin Monastery. This impressive monastery is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside of Tibet. Its grand architecture, with golden roofs and intricate murals, is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Inside, we will explore the various halls, each filled with religious artifacts and statues. The monks’ chanting and the sound of prayer wheels add to the spiritual atmosphere. This visit will provide a deep insight into Tibetan Buddhism and the local culture.

After the visit, we returned to Kunming.

Day 8 Departure from Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Departure from Kunming
Accommodation:None
Meals:Breakfast

After breakfast, we will head to the Western Hills Scenic Area. The Western Hills, also known as the “Sleeping Beauty Hills” due to their unique shape, are a famous scenic spot near Kunming. As we climb up, we will be surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air. The views from the top are breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and the city of Kunming. It’s a perfect place to enjoy nature and take some amazing photos.

Finishing the visit,  our tour guide and driver will take you to Kunming International airport and then departure.

Recommended Hotels

Destination 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star
Kunming Softel Hotel Kyriad Wanda Branch Echarm Economic Management College Branch
Dali Red Dragon Well (Honglong Jing) Manxin Mansion Chuyun Hotel
Lijiang Jinmao Impression Wangfu Hotel Weijia Hotel
Shangri-La Shangri-La Hotel Ziwei Hotel InterContinental Boutique Hotel

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • High speed train tickets from Kunming to Dali (2nd class seats).

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.
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