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YM-35 Yunnan Classic Tour ( Kunming Stone Forest – Dali – Lugu Lake – Lijiang – Shangri-la ( 10D9N

Day 01

After arriving in Kunming, visit the Bamboo Temple, which is a Mahayana Monastery . Set in the tranquil hills just outside Kunming, this complex dates back to the Tang Dynasty. It is famous for its 500 life sized carved Arhats or disciples of Buddha. A special local delicacy Mushroom Hot Pot will be served as your dinner.

Overnight in Kunming.

Day 02

Leave Kunming in the morning and drive to Stone Forest ( Shilin in Chinese, 89 km, 1.5 hours ), an 80 ha site of fantastic limestone formations created during the Permian Era when the sea covered this area. It is in the World Heritage List and managed by the traditional owners, the Yi people. It is famous in China and unique in the world. We will visit the Stone Forest for 2.5 hours. Today's lunch is Yunnan local flavour Yiliang Roast Duck.

Overnight in Kunming.

Day 03

Take the morning flight in the morning to Dali ( home to the Bai minority, 45 min's flight ). Beautifully sited between the Cangshan ( Azure Mountains ) Range and Erhai Lake. The Bai are the inheritors of the famed Nanzhou and Dali Kingdoms and are justly famous for their wood and stone carvings. In the afternoon visit the spectacular Three Pagodas complex situated on the ruins of Chongsheng Monastry. In the evening stroll through the vibrant Dali Old City.

Overnight in Dali.

Day 04

In the morning visit Xizhou ( the largest Bai village ) Morning Market. Also Zhoucheng Village, famous for tie-dye craftsmanship, where you can observe how Bai people make tie-dye products at home. Then drive from Dali to Lijiang ( home to the Naxi Minority, 153 km, 3.5 hours ). Visit Lijiang Old Town, a lovely traditional town with beautiful wooden houses and crisscrossed with streams of mountain water. Lijiang is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China and is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A traditional dinner will be served, followed by a presentation of Naxi music performed by very old musicians.

Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 05

After breakfast, drive about 5 hours to the beautiful and tranquil Lugu Lake which borders with Sichuan Province. This is the home of the Mosuo people, the most famous matrichal society in China. They have a unique living tradition, costume, architecture and living arrangement . At night, we attend a Mosuo party.

Overnight in a Mosuo house.

Day 06

Excursion in Liwubi and Tusi Islands. Return to Lijiang.

Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 07

rrrwww.Chinakindnesstour.com
Today’s journey takes you to the 3,400 meter high Yunshan Meadow and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains ( cable car round trip ) which is 5,596 meters above sea level. Visit Baisha Naxi Village and Baisha Ancient Murals. All of the 55 murals are masterpieces from the Ming Dynasty ( 1368-1644 ). The biggest one is stored in Dabaoji Palace. We also visit the Dongba Museum to gain an insight to traditional culture. We walk to the picture postcard Black Dragon Pool Park in the north of Lijiang. It derives its name from the waters which sparkle like jade and are as clear as spring water. rrrwww.Chinakindnesstour.com
rrrwww.Chinakindnesstour.com

Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 08

Drive to Shangri-la（home to Tibetan minority, 180 km, 4.5 hours ). Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Subject to conditions we may visit the beautiful Bai Shui Tai or white water terraces. After arriving in Zhongdian in the afternoon we visit Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism Monastery, designed as a smaller version of Lhasa's Potala Palace and home to 780 monks of the Yellow Hat Tibetan sect . In the evening enjoy a performance by Tibetan people and drink yak butter tea.

Overnight in Shangri-la.

Day 09

Visit Dongzhulin Monastery ( 110 km, 3 hours ) first built in 1667, the 6th year of the reign of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. It was where the Monlam Festival of Prayer for the Emperor's birthday was held and is one of the most important monasteries in Northwest Yunnan. Drive back 8 km and see the First Bend of Golden Sand River ( the upper reach of Yangtze ). It is here that the Yangtze's flow southern finishes and it takes an abrupt V turn, continuing on through central China to empty near Shanghai, several thousand kilometers to the East.

Overnight in Shangri-la.

Day 10

Take flight back to Kunming.