8 Days Yunnan Winter Tour to Dongchuan Red Land, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve

Sightseeing and Activities: Kunming City, The Green Lake by your own
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: None

• Arrival in the Stunning Springtime City of Kunming
  • Upon your arrival in the picturesque city of Kunming, a true gem of spring, you'll check in to your hotel and then be free to explore at your leisure. As the capital of Yunnan, Kunming is renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture, making it one of China's premier tourist destinations, showcasing an exquisite blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
  • During your free time, we suggest heading to Dianchi Dam to photograph the lively black-headed gulls dancing in the skies.
  • You can also stroll around the Yunnan Military Academy, which is located close to Green Lake, or explore Nanping Street. Don't miss the opportunity to savor authentic Yunnan Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, especially at “Qiaoxiangyuan.” Make sure to grab some fruit snacks to keep you energized throughout your day of exploration.
  • Tips: The optimal times for capturing photos of the black-headed gulls are between 8:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-5:00 PM. Both Green Lake and Dianchi Dam are hotspots for these birds, where you'll be able to take multiple shots using medium to large apertures. Additionally, keep your phone handy for easy communication throughout your adventures.

Sightseeing and Activities: Sunset Photograph: Dongchuan Red Land— Qicaipo—Jinxiuyuan—Luoxiagou—Waliangfangzi
Accommodation: Dongchuan
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning Departure to Dongchuan Red Land
  • Embark on your journey in the morning as you make your way to the captivating Dongchuan Red Land. You are likely to arrive around noon, allowing time to check into your hotel and enjoy a delicious lunch.
  • After a brief period of relaxation, set out to capture stunning photographs at Luoxiagou, Qicaipo, and Jinxiuyuan. As the day draws to a close, head over to Waliangfangzi to witness and photograph the breathtaking sunset.

Sightseeing and Activities:Red Land-Damakan sunrise-Lepuao-Huize
Accommodation: Huize
Meals: Breakfast

• Setting Off at Sunrise
  • Begin your adventure at 6:00 AM, setting your sights on Damakan, which is just a 25-minute drive away from your photography destination. Arriving as the first rays of sunlight touch the village, you’ll discover that this moment, characterized by striking light and shadow, offers the ideal opportunity for capturing stunning photographs. You should be able to wrap up your shooting by around 8:00 AM.
• Capturing the Beauty of Lepuao
  • After concluding your shoot at Damakan, make your way to Lepuao. Once you finish capturing the enchanting scenes there, continue your journey to Huize.
• Enchanting Dusk by the Lake
  • As the sun begins to set, find a spot along the shore and immerse yourself in the breathtaking view. The round red sun paints the sky with vibrant shades of red, creating a magical atmosphere as golden-red light dances on the lake's surface. The mysterious ambiance of dusk unfolds before you.
  • You’ll be captivated by the intoxicating sunset, the deep blue sky, and the serene lake, evoking feelings of longing as distant silhouettes emerge against the horizon. Additionally, watch for the graceful movements of black-necked cranes, symbols of good fortune, happiness, and loyalty.
  • As the sun sinks below the horizon on the left bank, the figures of people, cattle, and birds gradually dissolve into fuzzy outlines, resembling a beautiful ink painting. This ethereal scene is completed by the reeds that expand into the water, elegantly dividing the lake and adding to the enchanting landscape.

Sightseeing and Activities:Nianhu Lake Birding, Daqiao Black-necked Crane Nature Reserve
Accommodation: Huize
Meals: Breakfast

• Capturing the Sunrise at Nianhu Lake
  • Start your day by photographing the breathtaking sunrise at Nianhu Lake. As the sun rises from the water, it casts a stunning palette of red and golden hues, illuminating the scene. Witness a flock of black-necked cranes take flight against this vibrant backdrop. In this picturesque moment, you'll also see someone rowing a small boat, creating gentle ripples across the tranquil water, enhancing the beauty of the landscape.
• Lijiawan Panorama After Breakfast
  • Following a hearty breakfast, make your way to a vantage point to capture a panoramic view of Lijiawan. As you walk along the long, winding mountain road, the striking blue of the lake comes into view. The winding shoreline merges beautifully with the red earth below the mountains, where you’ll find the charming village of Lijiawan. From this perspective, you can see water on your left and mountains on your right, creating a stunning contrast. The lake stretches to the horizon, its surface shimmering in the sunlight, sometimes cloaked in the shadows of the hills, revealing its enchanting beauty.
• Sunset and Black-necked Cranes in the Afternoon
  • After enjoying a leisurely lunch, take some time to relax before heading out in the afternoon to capture the sunset over the lake. As the day transitions into evening, you'll witness the return of the black-necked cranes, filling the air with a sense of serenity and beauty. In this tranquil setting, you can experience a profound sense of longing as you take in the vast, boundless scenery that surrounds you.

Sightseeing and Activities:Nianhu Lake sunrise-Jigong Mountain-Dashanbao Mountain
Accommodation: Zhaotong
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning Photography at the Lake
  • Start your day by capturing the enchanting sunrise over the lake, where the soft light illuminates the majestic black-necked cranes as they take flight.
• Journey to Zhaotong Dashanbao Nature Reserve
  • After enjoying a delicious breakfast, embark on a drive to the Zhaotong Dashanbao Black-necked Cranes National Nature Reserve. You’ll likely arrive in the township by the afternoon.
• Exploring Tiaodunhe and Surrounding Meadows
  • From the township, set your sights on Tiaodunhe, which is located about five kilometers away.
  • As you travel, you'll pass through the beautiful Dahaizi and the fairy field plateau meadows. If you feel adventurous, take a detour into the pasture to experience the charming sights of flocks of cattle and sheep, evoking the serene "Mongolian amorous feelings."
• Sunset Photography in the Mountains
  • As the day comes to a close, conclude your journey by photographing the stunning sunset over the mountains, a perfect way to end your day immersed in nature’s beauty.

Sightseeing and Activities:Dashanbao Nature Reserve, Dahaizi sunrise, Black-necked Cranes
Accommodation: Zhaotong
Meals: Breakfast

• Capturing the Sunrise at Dahaizi
  • Start your day early by heading to Dahaizi to photograph the black-necked cranes alongside the sunrise. In the soft morning light, you’ll spot a large group of cranes arranged in a long line along the water's edge, their calls echoing with a melodic "goo - goo." As the sun rises, it casts a golden glow over the sea, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
• Wildlife Observation at the Monitoring Room
  • Following the magical sunrise, make your way to the birds monitoring room located 200 meters up the hillside, as arranged by the Dashanbao reserve administration. It's essential to maintain silence here to avoid disturbing the black-necked cranes while you observe and capture their beauty.
• Afternoon Rest and Evening Photography
  • After enjoying a lunch break, take some time to relax before resuming photography in the afternoon. As daylight begins to fade, watch as the cranes gather from various directions, preparing to return to their nests as darkness approaches, providing you with a captivating opportunity to document their movements.

Sightseeing and Activities:Dahaizi sunrise
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast

• Morning Photography at Dahaizi
  • In the morning, go to Dahaizi to shoot black-necked cranes and sunrise. Once completion, forward to Kunming, probably arrive in the evening. We will send you to Kunming railway station, where is the starting point of airport terminal line 2 and convenient to go anywhere.
  • Tips: Probably arrive in Kunming at 16:00 and suggest to book the return trip after 21:30, but still recommend you to stay in kunming for one night.

Sightseeing and Activities:Hiageng Park, Haigeng Dam, Daguan Park and The Green Lake birding by your own.
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

• Explore Birdwatching Around Dianchi Lake
  • Take some time to explore at your leisure, and choose from various birdwatching spots around Dianchi Lake to observe the seagulls.
• Recommended Locations for Seagull Watching in Kunming
  • You can visit several excellent locations in Kunming to see seagulls, including Haigeng Park, Daguan Park.
• Departure from Kunming
  • Plan your departure from Kunming based on your flight schedule.