6 Days Kunming-Dali Tea Culture Tour to Wuliangshan Mountain

Morning: Travel from Kunming to Dali: Start your journey with a scenic high-speed train ride from Kunming (昆明) to Dali (大理), offering stunning views of Yunnan’s countryside.

Afternoon: Dali Ancient Town (大理古城): Upon arrival in Dali, head straight to the Dali Ancient Town. Stroll through the cobbled streets, admire traditional Bai architecture, and explore the many shops, cafes, and galleries. Don't miss the iconic Foreigners' Street (洋人街), where you can get a taste of local culture mixed with international influences.

Visit the Ancient City Wall (古城墙): Walk along the ancient city walls and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Morning: Erhai Lake (洱海): After breakfast, enjoy a peaceful visit to Erhai Lake, where you can take a boat tour or simply enjoy the view from the shore. The lake is surrounded by picturesque villages, and you’ll have opportunities to observe local fishing boats and traditional life.

Visit the Three Pagodas of Dali (大理三塔): In the afternoon, explore the Three Pagodas, one of Yunnan’s most significant cultural and architectural landmarks. These ancient pagodas, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, stand as a symbol of Dali’s rich history and Buddhist heritage.

Xiguan Tuocha Factory (下关沱茶厂): No trip to Dali is complete without experiencing its tea culture. Visit the Xiguan Tuocha Factory, where you can observe the production of Tuocha, a traditional compressed tea.

Tuocha Museum (沱茶博物馆): Afterward, head to the Tuocha Museum, which houses exhibits about the history and significance of Tuocha tea in Chinese culture. This is a great place to learn about the art of tea-making.

Morning: Travel to Weishan (巍山): Begin your journey to Weishan with a scenic drive through the countryside. On the way, stop at Donglianhua Village (东莲花村) and Donglianhua Mosque (东莲花清真寺) to learn about the local Hui culture and architecture.

Weishan Ancient Town (巍山古城): Upon arrival in Weishan, explore this ancient town, which offers a glimpse into a more traditional, slower-paced life compared to the bustling towns of Dali and Lijiang. Wander the narrow alleys and enjoy a local lunch in the town.

Afternoon: Travel to Nanjian (南涧): In the afternoon, drive towards Nanjian, where you will visit the Nanjian Tulin Tea Factory (南涧土林茶厂) to see how traditional tea is cultivated and processed.

Evening: Wuliang Mountain Town (无量山镇): Arrive at Wuliang Mountain Town and check into your accommodation at Xuanyu Inn (轩雨客栈). In the evening, join a traditional Yi (彝族) bonfire party, enjoy a tea-roasting session, and participate in a Yi dance dinner, where you’ll be invited to dance around the fire with locals.

Morning: Tea Picking and Tea Making: After breakfast, hike through the lush Wuliang Mountain Tea Gardens (无量山茶园), where you can join locals in picking tea leaves. You’ll then visit the Wuliang Mountain Forest Park (无量山森林公园), known for its rich biodiversity. Learn the tea-making process from the local artisans who have been perfecting their craft for generations.

Afternoon: Tiger Street Tea Horse Road (虎街茶马古道): Hike along the Tiger Street Tea Horse Road, an ancient trade route that was used by merchants to transport tea and horses across the mountains. The road is an important part of the region's history, and you can explore the birthplace of the 12 Chinese Zodiac (母虎12生肖) along the way.

Evening: Return to your accommodation at Xuanyu Inn (轩雨客栈) and rest for the night.

Morning: Pu'er Tea Mountains (普洱茶山): After breakfast, head to the famous Pu'er Tea Mountains. Here, you’ll get a chance to explore one of the most important tea regions in China. Visit the Phoenix Tea Factory (凤凰茶厂), which produces some of the best Pu'er tea in the country.

Yi Ethnic Village (格止腊彝族): Explore the Gezhila Yi (格止腊彝族) village to learn about the authentic Yi ethnic culture. The village is known for its traditional customs, clothing, and architecture.

Afternoon Return: After lunch, drive back to Nanjian and take a high-speed train back to Kunming in the afternoon, where your journey concludes.

Morning: Visit Bangsheng Tea City (邦盛茶城) & Kangle Tea City (康乐茶城)

Start your day by visiting Bangsheng Tea City (邦盛茶城) and Kangle Tea City (康乐茶城). These tea cities offer a comprehensive selection of teas from all over Yunnan, including white tea (白茶), green tea (绿茶), Dianhong tea (滇红茶), raw Pu'er tea (普洱生茶), and ripe Pu'er tea (普洱熟茶). In the tea rooms, you will have the chance to sample a variety of teas, learning about the different types and their brewing techniques.

During your visit, you will also learn about Chinese tea culture (中国茶文化), participate in a tea ceremony training (茶艺培训), and gain knowledge of the traditional art of tea making. This is an excellent opportunity to understand the cultural significance of tea in China and the intricate details of brewing and tasting.

Afternoon: Visit Yunnan Tea Culture Museum (云南茶文化博物馆)

After lunch, head to the Yunnan Tea Culture Museum (云南茶文化博物馆). As a provincial-level tea culture museum, it serves as a public window for promoting Yunnan's tea culture to the outside world. The museum's main exhibits include collections of Pu'er tea (普洱茶), tea sets, and information about tea culture. Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, including tea ceremonies and tea knowledge exchanges.

The museum also showcases a variety of old Yunnan tea (云南老茶), traditional tea tools, and the history of tea in the region. As a public service, it offers free tea tastings, tea performances, and educational opportunities about Pu'er tea. This museum is a great place for visitors to experience authentic Yunnan tea culture, learn about its history, and purchase real Pu'er tea to take home as a souvenir.

End of the Tour and Departure

After your tea culture tour, you will be transferred to Kunming Airport (昆明机场) or Kunming High-Speed Rail Station (昆明高铁站) for your departure.

This one-day tour provides a deep dive into the rich tea culture of Yunnan, offering both educational and sensory experiences that will leave you with a greater appreciation of Chinese tea traditions.