Beijing - Kunming: Stone Forest and City Highlights (L)

Capital Airport Residential District - Your driver will meet you in the lobby of your Beijing hotel, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to the airport for a 4-hour flight to Kunming.

Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park - Upon arrival, your tour guide will be waiting at the exit of the arrival hall with a sign bearing your name. You’ll board your private vehicle and head directly to Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park, a journey of about 1.5 hours. During the drive, your tour guide will share related stories, and you are welcome to ask any questions.

Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park is a stunning collection of limestone formations and a prime example of South China’s karst landscape. Known as the ‘First Wonder of the World’ since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this area was once a vast sea around 270 million years ago during the Carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era. Over time, the lithosphere’s movements caused the sea to recede, giving rise to the limestone landscape we see today. Continuous erosion by natural elements has shaped the area into its current form. The park is a vast natural treasure trove. Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to explore the park, who will share legendary stories and show you the best photo spots. You will spend 2-3 hours visiting the Big Stone Forest Area and the Small Stone Forest Area.

Flowers and Birds Market of Kunming - After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you can choose to visit the Flowers and Birds Market. As you stroll through the market, you’ll encounter hundreds of flowers and hear birds singing continuously. The market also features tropical fish, mainly small and brightly colored for home aquariums. Additionally, it is a popular place for trading antiques, including curios, coins, jade articles, jewelry, ink stones, porcelains, potteries, stone carvings, and marble products. If you wish to buy souvenirs, your tour guide can offer tips on negotiating prices.

China - Alternatively, you can explore Cuihu Park.

Green Lake Park offers a captivating array of lotus flowers and a beautiful lake. Wander through the roads and pavilions, enjoy local people in traditional costumes dancing, playing musical instruments, singing, tasting tea, and chatting with friends and family. In spring, admire the lovely tulips; in summer, enjoy the diverse lotus flowers; and in winter, watch black-headed gulls playing together.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kunming.

Kunming- Dali- Lijiang (B, L)

Kunming Nanyao Railway Station - Your driver will pick you up from your Kunming hotel’s lobby and transfer you to Kunming train station. Enjoy a fantastic 2-hour bullet train ride to Dali. Upon arrival at Dali Railway Station, your tour guide will meet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall with a sign bearing your name.

Chongsheng Three Pagodas - Head directly to Dali Chongsheng Three Pagodas. These 1,800-year-old pagodas are a national treasure and a record of Buddhism’s development in the area. They stand at the east foot of the tenth peak of the massive Mt. Cangshan, facing the west shore of Erhai Lake.

Upon arrival, stroll around the temple and courtyards with your tour guide, admire the over 1,000-year-old pagoda, and learn about its history, culture, religion, and art.

Dali Town - Continue to Dali Ancient Town. Spend some leisure time strolling around the ancient town, enjoying its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses, and marvelous scenery. You will have lunch at a local restaurant.

Dali ancient town was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China and also served as a government seat and major military barracks for Yunnan Province in ancient times.

Erhai Lake - Then, continue to Erhai Lake, the largest highland lake and one of China’s seven biggest freshwater lakes. Its name means ‘sea shaped like an ear’ in Chinese.

Old Town of Lijiang - China - At the end of the day, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lijiang Old Town, a relaxing 2-hour ride.

Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Impressions Lijiang Show, Baisha Village

Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain - Meet your private guide in your hotel’s lobby in Lijiang and head directly to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, about an hour’s drive. Enjoy the scenery along the way.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain consists of 13 peaks and is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. From Lijiang Old Town, the snow-covered and fog-enveloped mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name.

Learn about the mountain’s legendary stories from your tour guide. Upon arrival, take a convenient cable car to the scenic viewing point (4,506 meters) and marvel at the spectacular glacier and mountain views. You can also hike up to 4,680 meters via wooden stairs. When ready to leave, descend by cable car.

Lijiang Impressions Show - After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the amazing Lijiang Impressions Show. Performed during the day with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the backdrop, the show features over 100 horses and 500 non-professional peasant actors from 16 local villages and over 10 ethnic minorities. They use unique movements and original songs to showcase their culture, history, and customs. When booking, you can choose your preferred tickets for the show.

Baisha Ancient Town - Next, travel to Baisha Ancient Town at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This is the best place to witness the authentic life of the Naxi people and appreciate their culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, set off to explore.

Baisha Village was a Naxi settlement and the birthplace of local Mu Family Governors. Its construction began during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and it was the political, economic, and cultural center of Lijiang before the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Stroll around the village with your tour guide, learn about its history and the distinctive culture, language, and traditions of the Naxi people. Admire the Baisha Murals, a series of religious paintings created by Han, Tibetan, and Naxi painters, as well as artists from other nationalities. These murals symbolize Naxi culture and are a fusion of art from different nationalities.

Then, visit Dabaoji Palace and Fuguo Temple to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and Naxi cultures.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Lijiang.

Old Town of Lijiang (B, L)

Old Town of Lijiang - China - Meet your private guide in your hotel’s lobby in Lijiang and start exploring the Old Town of Lijiang.

The Old Town of Lijiang is a well-preserved ancient city of ethnic minorities with a rich culture. Built in the late Song Dynasty (960-1279), it has a history of over 800 years. The town’s buildings combine the architectural traits of the Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style, reflecting the multicultural influences and progress of the Naxi ethnic minority.

Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture - Stroll around the old town with your tour guide and stop at the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Naxi people, their pictographic language, and the animist Dongba religion. Explore the museum to learn about Naxi culture and art.

Mufu Palace - Next, visit Mufu Palace. The Mu Family, the top rulers of the Naxi minority, governed Lijiang from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, spanning 470 years and 22 generations. The current Mufu Palace represents ancient central Chinese architectural style from the Ming Dynasty, while also incorporating elements from the Tang and Song Dynasties. Inside, the details reflect the characteristics of the Bai and Naxi groups. Besides its architectural value, the palace also serves as an outstanding plant museum with ancient trees and extraordinary plants. The garden combines imperial and Suzhou styles. Explore the palace and learn its history and stories from your tour guide.

Black Dragon Pond Park - Then, visit Black Dragon Pond Park. Follow your tour guide to explore ancient monuments such as Longshen Temple, Deyue Pavilion, Suocui Bridge, and Hanyue Stage. Enjoy the amazing view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the park.

If you choose to return to Beijing, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kunming, then Beijing. (No time for lunch)

Lijiang Lion Rock - If you choose to end your tour in Lijiang, you will have lunch at a local restaurant, then move on to Lion Hill Park. The Lion Mountain resembles a sleeping lion from afar, providing a wonderful view.

Wangu Pavilion - Reach the mountaintop and visit Wangu Pavilion, a five-storied all-wooden structure with five elegant eaves. The tower is considered the No.1 domed structure in China. Get your camera ready to capture the panoramic view of the surrounding areas, including Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Old Town, and Naxi minority villages.

Wenchang Palace - Continue to Wenchang Palace, originally built in 1725. It was once a venue for exams and folk lectures during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Stroll around the area and then visit Twin-Stone Garden, where you can see a large waterwheel and bas-relief commemorating Naxi civilization.

If you have other places in mind to visit, just let your tour guide know.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off for easy travel
• Round-trip economy plane tickets included
• Comfortable second class train ticket from Kunming to Dali
• Middle seats to enjoy the Lijiang Show
• Explore with a knowledgeable private guide
• Battery bus access at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Stone Forest
• Lunch provided to keep you energized
• Travel in comfort with a private air-conditioned car
• Daily breakfast to start your day
• Cable car round trip to Glacier Park for stunning views
• All entrance fees taken care of
• Enjoy a restful night with twin-room accommodation

• Single supplement charge of accommodation
• Accommodation if you choose the option to have tour only
• Gratuities

On this Yunnan Discovery cultural trip, you will experience the historical cities of Kunming, Dali and Lijiang from Beijing by plane. This personalized tour is tailored to your needs and allows you to tick off famous attractions, such as Stone Forest, Guihu Park, Flower and Birds Market, Chongsheng Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Mu Palace, Lijiang Old Town, Baisha Village. In addition, explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and enjoy amazing open-air Impression Lijiang Impression Show which performances by non-professional peasant actors who are from local villages. Tour including plane/train tickets, entrance fee, lunch, show tickets, cable car round trip, English speaking tour guide and travel by air-air-conditoned private vehicle, you can choose to end your tour in Lijiang or return Beijing. Tour includes the option to book 4 star accommodation with daily breakfast.

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.