Yunnan Panorama | 12-Day Tour of Kunming, Yuanyang, Jianshui, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La

How to get there:

1. By Air: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) has numerous international direct flights to destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Nepal, as well as many domestic direct flights to destinations such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Hong Kong.

2. Train: Kunming has two train stations, Kunming Railway Station and Kunming South Station. You can take a train or high-speed rail from various cities in China to Kunming, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, Guiyang, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

Tip: A half-day tour of Xishan usually includes a round-trip sightseeing bus, one one-way cable car ride, and one one-way electric vehicle ride within the scenic area.

After visiting Xishan, you will travel 78 kilometers (approximately 1.5 hours by car) to visit the [Stone Forest Scenic Area], known as "God's Bonsai" . Also known as Yunnan Stone Forest, it is famous for its stunning karst landforms and is highly praised as the essence of world karst landforms. You can take a sightseeing bus to visit the Greater Stone Forest and the Lesser Stone Forest, enjoying close-up views of various unique karst landscapes and listening to captivating legends about the Stone Forest.

Today's highlight is enjoying the sunset at Bada Rice Terraces . Bada Rice Terraces are renowned as a paradise for photography enthusiasts due to their gentle slopes and superb light and shadow effects. The light and shadow effects are at their best and the colors are most vibrant at sunset. You can stand on the viewing platform and overlook the magnificent panoramic view of the rice terraces.

Photography tips for Yuanyang Rice Terraces:

1. Reflections in the water (December to April): During winter and early spring, the terraced fields are filled with water in preparation for the subsequent rice planting. This is the best time to photograph the reflections of the sky and mountains in the terraced fields.

2. Golden Terraces (September to November): Autumn is the harvest season, and the rice in the terraces is ripe at this time, presenting a beautiful golden landscape from top to bottom.

3. Lush Rice Waves (June to August): In summer, the rice seedlings in Yuanyang Terraces are lush and green, presenting a vibrant and lively scene.

4. Photography props: Using a wide-angle lens and a tripod can help you take better photos.

Suggested itinerary for today: Duoyishu Terraces (to enjoy the sunrise and sea of ​​clouds) - Aichun Blue Terraces (the only blue terraces in the Duoyishu Scenic Area) - Qingkou Folk Village (to learn about Hani culture and lifestyle) - Tiger Mouth Terraces (the steepest and most spectacular terraces).

Afterwards, you will travel 116 kilometers (approximately 3.5 hours by car) to visit the ancient town of Jianshui , which boasts a history of over 1200 years. First, you will visit Chaoyang Tower , known as "Little Tiananmen, " one of Jianshui's landmark buildings. From the third floor, you can overlook the entire ancient town. Next, you will visit the exquisitely built and historically significant Zhu Family Garden , admiring its traditional carved beams and painted rafters and its beautifully laid-out landscape, and learning about the rise and fall of the Zhu family. Afterwards, you will visit the Jianshui Confucian Temple to pay homage to Confucius and learn about Confucian culture.

After visiting the Shuanglong Bridge, you will visit Tuanshan Village , which is known as a gem of Chinese folk architecture and the most beautiful village in Yunnan , to learn about the architectural style of 19th-century China and the local traditional lifestyle and customs.

PS: You can take the Jianshui sightseeing train (at your own expense) to visit the two attractions mentioned above and enjoy a leisurely train journey. The Jianshui train is about 13 kilometers long with 4 stations, and the round trip takes about 4 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the pastoral scenery, including Chinese and French architecture, rapeseed flowers in spring, and lush green seedlings in summer. After the tour, return to Kunming for a good rest.

First, you will visit the iconic Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas , a landmark of Dali. The Three Pagodas consist of one large pagoda, two smaller pagodas, and the grand Chongsheng Temple behind them. The pagodas were originally built during the Nanzhao Kingdom period, over a thousand years ago, and are typical of Tang Dynasty architecture. They are believed to have both protective and aesthetic value. Chongsheng Temple was once the royal temple during the Nanzhao and Dali periods, enjoying the reputation of being a Buddhist capital, where you can learn about and experience Buddhist culture. Also, don't forget to take some beautiful travel photos at the reflecting pool in front of the pagodas.

After lunch, we will visit Erhai Lake, known as the "Pearl of the Plateau." Located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake boasts azure waters and is world-renowned for its scenic beauty. You can cycle along the western shore of Erhai Lake, immersing yourself in the stunning scenery and the rustic Bai ethnic minority dwellings.

In the evening, you are free to explore Dali Ancient City , stroll along its cobblestone streets, and experience the still bustling ancient city gate towers , Wuhua Tower, and Foreigners' Street , which have stood the test of time for thousands of years. Alternatively, you can head to Renmin Road in the ancient city to experience the lively and vibrant daily life of the local Bai people and fully enjoy this comfortable and relaxing time.

Afterwards, you will visit Zhoucheng Village, a Bai ethnic village known as the "Hometown of Tie-dyeing" . Here you can admire various exquisite handicrafts and learn to make tie-dye works under the guidance of craftsmen.

Afterwards, travel by car to Lijiang (approximately 140 kilometers, about a 2-hour drive), arriving at [Lijiang Old Town] . Nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang Old Town is a World Heritage Site with over 800 years of history, once a vital town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. You can explore the Old Town at your own pace today and experience the relaxed local lifestyle.

Recommended free time activities:

Black Dragon Pool Park: Located north of Lijiang Old Town, it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and clear waters, as well as the magnificent reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the water.

After the visit, take the cable car down the mountain and then transfer to a sightseeing bus to Blue Moon Valley . Blue Moon Valley has 4 lakes and 1 river. Among them, Jade Liquid Lake and White Water River are the most worth seeing. When the sun shines, the water of Jade Liquid Lake is clear and blue, like a precious mirror. White Water River is named for the white color of the water flowing over white stones.

Optional activity (at your own expense): If you are interested in the culture of Lijiang, you can go to Ganhaizi in the afternoon to watch the large-scale open-air performance - "Impression Lijiang" . The entire performance is mainly composed of songs and dances, lasts for about 1 hour, and vividly shows the traditional lifestyle of the local Naxi people.

After leaving Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, we will head to Baisha Ancient Town , the former capital of the Naxi people , to admire the historic Baisha Murals . Most of the Baisha Murals were created during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Their most distinctive feature is that you can see images of Han Buddhism, Taoism, and Lamaism on a single mural, which is quite rare.

Finally, upon returning to Lijiang, you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Lijiang Old Town again . We recommend walking to Sifang Street , where you'll find many shops selling Naxi handicrafts and local specialties, as well as lively bars. If the weather is nice, you can also enjoy the lively evening activities of local residents dancing around a bonfire.

Afterwards, continue onward to the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge , one of the deepest gorges in the world. Here you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the roaring Jinsha River rushing down, or descend along the boardwalk/elevator (additional fee applies) to experience the surging river and the powerful force of nature up close.

After the visit, continue to Shangri-La (approximately 108 kilometers, a drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel for check-in. You are free to explore at your leisure afterward.

In the afternoon, you will travel by bus to Pudacuo National Park, China's first national park . Pudacuo National Park boasts diverse natural landscapes including forests, grasslands, lakes, and historical sites. Upon entering the park, you will transfer to an eco-friendly bus to first visit Shudu Lake, the largest lake in the park, renowned for its beautiful scenery. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the surrounding views. Afterward, you will take an eco-friendly bus to Bita Lake, famous for its tower-shaped hills and clear, tranquil waters. The lake is surrounded by numerous tall trees, whose reflections in the water create stunningly beautiful scenes.

After your tour, on your way back to Shangri-La, you can visit a local Tibetan family , taste butter tea, and chat with the Tibetan people. Upon arrival in Shangri-La, you can visit Dukezong Ancient Town , a place with over 1300 years of history. Dukezong Ancient Town is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential area in China, and a key town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Here you can admire various Tibetan-style houses, temples, pagodas, and learn about Tibetan culture. You can also climb Turtle Mountain, spin the world's largest prayer wheel with the locals, pray for yourself or your loved ones, or find a good spot to overlook the entire ancient town.

Evening activities: Around 7 pm, you can go to Sifang Square to watch locals perform traditional Tibetan dances; around 9 pm, the entire ancient city will be lit up, which is a good time to enjoy the night view of the ancient city.

Travel advice: Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG) is a relatively small airport with domestic flights to Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Guangzhou and Shanghai. If you want to take an international flight back to China, it is recommended to take the high-speed rail (about 5.5 hours) or a plane (about 1 hour) to Kunming International Airport, where there are more flight options.