5 DAYS, YUNNAN HIGHLIGHTS

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: KUNMING ARRIVAL (D)
Arrive in Kunming. After airport formalities, meet your guide at the airport. If time permits, visit of the lively flower and bird market and the old Kunming. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 2 KUNMING - LIJIANG (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, drive to the Stone Forest located around 1 hour from Kunming. The stone forest is a remarkable ensemble of bizarre-shaped limestone rocks formed by erosion of water and rain some 200 million years ago. Then continue to drive to the Golden temple and visit its charming park. After dinner, transfer to airport and fly to Lijiang. Welcome transfer to your hotel in Lijiang old town. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.

DAY 3 LIJIANG (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel. The city is the center of the Naxi people, a relatively small minority group with a rich culture. The Old Town is an intimate mountain town made of stone and tiles, laced with swift canals. In 1997, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the morning, take a walk to the Black Dragon Pond to have a look at the renowned Moon Embracing Pavilion and the Dongba Museum, sanctuary of the culture of Naxi ancient culture. Then, excursion to the Yak Meadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with a chair lift ride to have a closer look. On the way, visit Baisha village, once the capital of the Naxi Kingdom, famous for its Buddhist frescoes. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4 LIJIANG (B,L.D)
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion the north of Lijiang on the Tibetan Highway to discover the real nature in the area. Road to Shigu (The Stone Drum) overlooking the First bent of the Yangtze River. The river performs there a 180-degree round about and runs parallel to itself in the midst of a breathtaking landscape. Then proceed to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, so narrow here, legend tells us, that a hunted tiger escaped in one jump over the gorge. You will enter the gorge before taking a path down to the Golden Sands River, name of the upper course of the Yangtze River. Drive back to Lijiang at the end of the afternoon. Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurant followed by a Naxi music concert. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 5 LIJIANG - KUNMING - DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, transfer to airport for flight back to Kunming. Upon arrival, drive to the Minority museum where you will get a nice synthesis on the rich minority culture to be found in Yunnan and walk in Haigeng Park near by the Dian lake. Nice farewell dinner at Dianchi Hotel before transfer to airport for departure flight.