11-day China yunnan heritage tour
Trip Introduction
🗓️ duraTION: 11 days / 10 NIGHTS all year round
🌎 China: kunming - Shangri-la - lijiang - dali
Discover the cultural heart of Yunnan on this 11-day heritage journey through Kunming, Shangri-La, Lijiang, and Dali. From ancient towns and snow-capped mountains to Tibetan monasteries and Bai traditions, this immersive tour blends stunning landscapes with centuries of history, architecture, and living culture.
Trip code: CBT251101
Itinerary
🥢 Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Kunming
Arrive at Kunming International Airport (KMG) or Kunming Railway Station in the morning.Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
The tour program begins in the afternoon.Please be ready for hotel pick-up at the scheduled time. Afternoon visit to Green Lake Park, a scenic urban oasis famous for its lotus ponds and winter seagulls, and Yuantong Temple - a historic Buddhist site blending Han, Tibetan and Southeast Asian architectural styles. Overnight in Kunming.Accommodation: Kunming Jinjiang Hotel (4-star) or similar
The tour program begins in the afternoon.Please be ready for hotel pick-up at the scheduled time. Afternoon visit to Green Lake Park, a scenic urban oasis famous for its lotus ponds and winter seagulls, and Yuantong Temple - a historic Buddhist site blending Han, Tibetan and Southeast Asian architectural styles. Overnight in Kunming.Accommodation: Kunming Jinjiang Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 2: Stone Forest & Guandu Ancient Town (B, L)
Hotel breakfast.Full-day tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Stone Forest, featuring spectacular karst formations.En route, visit Guandu Ancient Town, a well-preserved historic town showcasing traditional architecture and local snacks.Lunch included. Overnight in Kunming.Accommodation: Kunming Jinjiang Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 3: Kunming City Tour (B, L)
Hotel breakfast.Visit Western Hills & Dragon Gate for panoramic views of Dianchi Lake.Explore Golden Temple Park, a bronze Taoist temple nestled in lush hills.Discover Qiongzhu Temple (Bamboo Temple), renowned for its 500 vivid clay arhat sculptures.Lunch included. Overnight in Kunming.
Accommodation: Kunming Jinjiang Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 4: Kunming to Shangri-La (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.Take 4-hour train to Shangri-La in the morning.Meet upon arrival and transfer to hotel for altitude acclimatization.Afternoon guided tour of Dukezong Ancient Town, including Guishan Hill and the Great Prayer Wheel.
Overnight in Shangri-la.Accommodation: Shangri-La Qinsang Hotel (4-star).
Day 5: Shangri-La Exploration (B, L)
Hotel breakfast.Visit Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery known as "Little Potala Palace".Explore Pudacuo National Park, walking the 3.3km wooden trail around scenic Shudu Lake.Lunch included. Overnight in Shangri-la.Accommodation: Shangri-La Qinsang Hotel (4-star).
Day 6: Shangri-La to Lijiang (B, L)
Hotel breakfast and check out.Scenic drive to Lijiang (approx. 4.5 hours). Stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of world's deepest gorges, and First Bend of Yangtze River.Afternoon explore UNESCO-listed Lijiang Old Town, climb Lion Hill for panoramic views.Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Lijiang.Accommodation: Lijiang Dovr Resort Hotel (4-star) or similar.
Day 7: Lijiang Exploration (B, L)
Hotel breakfast. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park with its crystal-clear pond and majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain views.Take cable car to Glacier Park (4,506m) on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.Explore Blue Moon Valley by electric cart. Visit Baisha Village to see ancient Naxi murals.Lunch included. Overnight in Lijiang.Accommodation: Lijiang Dovr Resort Hotel (4-star) or similar.
Day 8: Shuhe Ancient Town (B, L)
Hotel breakfast. Morning visit to Zhongyi Market for local snacks and goods.Explore Shuhe Ancient Town's traditional architecture and relaxed atmosphere.Free afternoon for personal activities.Lunch included. Overnight in Lijiang.Accommodation: Lijiang Dovr Resort Hotel (4-star) or similar.
Day 9: Lijiang to Dali (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.Take speed train to Dali (approx. 2 hours).Afternoon visit to Xizhou Village, featuring Bai ethnic culture, Yan Family Courtyard, and traditional tie-dye workshop.Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Dali.Accommodation: Ancient City Lanling Pavilion Courtyard Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 10: Dali Exploration (B, L)
Hotel breakfast.
Visit North Gate Market and iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.Enjoy 45-minute Erhai Lake boat ride to Tianjing Pavilion.Stroll through Dali Old Town, seeing Catholic Church and Foreigners' Street.Lunch included. Accommodation: Ancient City Lanling Pavilion Courtyard Hotel (4-star) or similar
Day 11: Dali to Kunming to Departure (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Take the high-speed train to Kunming (approx. 2 hours).Private departure transfer to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) for your flight home.
Tour details
tour duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
size of group
Daily departure, min. 2 (guaranteed)
accommodation
- 10 nights including daily hotel breakfast.
- Well-located, comfortable accommodations with local cultural touches. Ideal for value-conscious travelers seeking quality and convenience.
Meals
- 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches
- Dinners are not included to allow for flexibility; our guides will recommend local options en route.
- Happy to arrange more culinary experiences upon request.
Internal transport
- High-Speed Train (Standard seat): Kunming → Shangri-la, Lijiang → Dali, Dali → Kunming
- Transfers: All airport and train station to hotel round-trip transfers by private vehicle.
sightseeing
- All mentioned tours and excursions
- Includes: All first-entry admission tickets to sights.
- Guide Service: Professional local English-speaking guide service in each city.
- Spanish, Italian, and German-speaking guides available upon request (may require an additional fee).
Travel moments
what people say
- "An Unforgettable, Dreamlike Journey"
"Christy Chen Moeller did everything she could to enhance our trip. Her knowledge of the area, monuments, and people seemed endless, and she perfectly planned our time at each site. Despite my wife's recent accident, Christy's thoughtful planning made it possible for her to fully enjoy the experience. We not only had a great trip but almost achieved the impossible.
The itinerary was superb—great, well-spaced locations, wonderful dinners, and the best possible hotels exactly where we needed them. These eleven wonderful days will remain forever etched in our memory."George Alvanos, Greece
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