China – Yunan: South of the Clouds

7 Colors Terrace © Crowne Plaza, Lijiang

As a province that borders Tibet, if there is only one area you can visit in China, it should be Yunnan. Snow-capped mountains, rivers, jungles, remote villages and breathtaking scenery make visiting Yunnan an experience like no other.

Itinerary

Day 1	Lijiang Arrive in Lijiang where you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel in Lijiang for 3 nights
Day 2	Lijiang (B, L) Private full-day tour, including the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village and old town of Lijiang Home to the Naxi people; cobbled streets, canals and a generally quaint town set against a stunning backdrop of the Jade Snow Dragon Mountain make Lijiang an extremely picturesque village. Visit nearby Yuhu Village; set at the foot of the Jade Snow Dragon Mountain and home to unique housing made from a unique stone called ‘monkey head’ – a combination of stone and mud.
Day 3	Lijiang (B, L) Private full-day excursion to the Tiger Leaping Gorge and the first bend of the Yangtze. The dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge is home to very scenic hiking routes through quiet villages and farmland with spectacular views of the surrounding areas. Visit the first bend of the Yangtze River – a place where Tibetans once came to trade with the local people and a historical crossing point for armies, now attracts many who visit for the beautiful scenery on their way to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. See the bustling small market town located nearby.
Day 4	Dali (B, L) Private transfer by car from Lijiang to Dali (3 hours one way). Set between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, Dali is famed for its traditional architecture and minority cultures. Stay 2 nights in Dali.
Day 5	Dali (B, L) Full-day excursion to Dali ancient town, including a boat ride on Erhai Lake. Erhai Lake (Ear-Shaped Lake) located between the Cangshan Mountains and Dali, is the seventh-largest lake in China. Surrounded by villages and temples with islands in the middle comprising of little temples, the crystal-clear waters of the lake against the backdrop of the Cangshan Mountains make Erhai Lake a beautiful sight to behold. Visit Xizhou village and the local market – this old town is unique for its well-preserved Bai architecture. Historically, it was a military fortress of Nanzhao Kingdom and a temporary palace of the King of Nanzhao. The houses here show the unique Bai national characteristics in their painted roofs and pillars, upturned eaves, and “dougong” systems (double bow-shaped brackets on columns supporting upturned eaves)
Day 6	Kunming (B) Fly from Dali to Kunming or ‘Spirit City’, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay for 1 night.
Day 7	Kunming (B, L) An old local saying states that ‘If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time!’ These natural stone formations form intricate shapes, almost lifelike sculptures. Before transferring to the airport for your onward flight