Kunming - Stone Forest - Yuanyang Bada Rice Terrace. O/N Yuanyang

Kunming - Meet your English-speaking guide at 8:00 am at your hotel. Embark on a long drive to Yuanyang. En route, explore the Stone Forest site. Enjoy a free walk of about 2 hours within the site, navigating between rocky peaks and occasionally through narrow paths, away from the heavily trafficked trails. Continue the journey to the Yuanyang area.

Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park - Known as Shilin in Chinese, the Kunming Stone Forest is a stunning collection of limestone formations and a prime example of South China’s karst landscape. Referred to as the ‘First Wonder of the World’ since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it is one of Yunnan’s top attractions. A local saying goes that visiting Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest is a wasted trip.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - Next, drive to Yuanyang and the Bada Rice Terraces (5 hours drive, 300 km). Part of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, the Bada Rice Terraces were designated a World Heritage Site in 2013. Spanning 950 hectares, these terraces resemble ladders to the heavens with over 3700 levels, rising from 800 meters to 2000 meters. Words like “Vast,” “Magnificent,” “Beautiful Curved Lines,” and “Stereoscopic” aptly describe the Bada Rice Terraces. Several villages, including Quanfuzhuang, Malizhai, Bada, and Shangmadian, are nestled among the terraces, offering travelers panoramic views of these picturesque villages when photographing the rice paddies.

Sunrise in Duoyishu Rice Terrace - Local Market-Minority Village. O/N Yuanyang

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - At 5:00 am, your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to the Duoyishu Rice Terraces, the best spot to watch the sunrise over the rice fields. In the early morning, the sunglow appears splendidly over the mountains, and shortly after, the gentle sun begins to rise slowly over the mountain tops. As the sun ascends over the 6000-mu Duoyishu Rice Terraces, the entire village brightens, and the vast terraces reflect the golden light like a mirror. The beauty of the Duoyishu sunrise is enhanced by the mysterious sea of clouds and the Hani people’s mushroom-like houses. Whether you are a photographer or not, capture the stunning Duoyishu Rice Terrace sunrise with your camera.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces - After lunch, you will transfer to the Yuanyang hotel to pack your luggage, as you will be heading to Jianshui for an overnight stay the next day.

Jianshui. O/N Jianshui.

Jianshui Ancient City - At 8:30 am, your tour guide will meet you at the Yuanyang hotel and transfer you to Jianshui Ancient City, a 3-hour drive covering 120 km. Upon arrival in Jianshui, check into your hotel before heading to Tuanshan village.

Double Dragons Bridge - After lunch, visit the Shuanglong (Double Dragon) Bridge, located 5 km from Jianshui city. Initially built during the Qing dynasty over the Lujiang and Tachonghe Rivers, the bridge is named for the two rivers that resemble dragons. The bridge spans 148 meters in length and 3-5 meters in width, making it one of China’s largest old bridges.

Jianshui - Kunming - Dali by train. O/N Dali.

Jianshui Ancient City - Meet your English-speaking guide at 9:00 am at your hotel and check out. Then, visit the Zhu Family Garden.

Zhu’s Family Garden (Zhu Jia Huayuan) - Located in the middle of Jianxin Street in Jianshui, the Zhu Family Garden is a grand complex built by Zhuchaoying and his brother in the late Qing Dynasty. Covering 20,000 square meters, the garden features well-arranged yards and well-furnished rooms and halls, earning it the nickname ‘the Daguan Garden at a Border Town.’ Such large and magnificent private gardens are now rare in China.

Jianshui Confucius Temple - Next, take a private car to the Jianshui Confucius Temple, originally constructed in 1285 and renovated and expanded over 40 times. Covering an area of 114 mu, it is one of the best-preserved Confucius Temples, offering valuable insights into the history of Confucianism and traditional architectural art. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

Kunming - After lunch in Jianshui, transfer to the Kunming train station to catch a train to Dali.

Dali - Your local driver will meet you at the Dali train station and take you to your hotel.

Dali - Shaxi. O/N Shaxi.

Dali Ancient Town - After breakfast at your hotel, your driver and tour guide will meet you at 9:00 am and transfer you to Dali Old City. Dali Ancient Town is one of China’s most famous ancient towns, a significant stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road or Southwest Silk Road. It is rich in historic sites and traditional culture. Compared to Lijiang’s Old Town, Dali Ancient Town is smaller, less crowded, and more elegant. Spend a few hours leisurely wandering the paved streets, admiring the traditional Bai ethnic minority architecture, sampling local food and snacks, and buying souvenirs.

Xizhou Town - Next, visit Xizhou, another excellent place to observe Bai Minority folk culture and architecture. A typical Bai courtyard residence features rooms on three sides and a decorative screen wall on the south side. These residences often have carved beams, turned-up eaves, and are painted in green, gold, blue, and white.

Xizhou is a quiet, uncrowded town that has preserved itself from mass tourism. You can observe local life, especially around the main square where families gather and children play until after dark. Sit in a restaurant or cafe around the square, enjoy some fresh local beer, and watch the life around you.

Chongsheng Three Pagodas - Afterwards, take a private car to the Three Pagodas, which face Erhai Lake. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in Dali form a tripartite arrangement with one large pagoda and two smaller ones. As one of South China’s oldest and most magnificent structures, it symbolizes Yunnan Province’s ancient history and culture. Built during the Nanzhao Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the pagodas were named after the Chongsheng Temple. Although the temple was damaged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the pagodas have survived numerous natural disasters and man-made incidents. The Three Pagodas were designated a national heritage site in 1961 and an AAAAA grade scenic area in 2011.

Erhai Lake - After lunch, transfer to Erhai Lake to enjoy the sunset or cycle around the lake. Known as the

• Entrance tickets included
• Lunch provided
• Train ticket from Kunming to Dali (second class)
• Private car and guide service

• The hotels & breakfast & Dinner

Discover the Yunnan region’s standout attractions like Kunming, Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Dali, and the ancient town of Lijiang on this exclusive seven-day tour starting in Kunming. You’ll receive convenient pickup and drop-off services at your Kunming accommodations or airport, and at the conclusion of your journey, we’ll ensure you safely reach your Lijiang hotel, airport, or railway station.

• The Sunset or Sunrise at Yuanyang terraces area, it dpendes of the season, normally, the Dec to May, will have a more chance to catch the sunrise and sunset.
• Can add more days if you want

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.