Day 1: Arrive in Kunming & City Walk

Today, on your arrival, be greeted by the guide at the airport, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Then, we will take a city walk to visit Cuihu, the Green Lake and Yuantong Temple.

Cuihu (Green Lake) in located in downtown of Kunming. It is famous for winter red-billed gulls, Ruan/Tang causeways, Huxin Pavilion, and nearby Yunnan Military Academy.

Yuantong Temple is the largest Bhddhist temple in Kunming. It is about 1,200-year-old at the foot of Yuantong Hill, combines of Han, Tibetan and Theravada Buddhism. Founded in Nanzhao, rebuilt in Yuan, it houses Yunnan Buddhist Association—an urban sanctuary with lotus ponds and grand halls.

Welcome dinner with Rice Noodle.

Hotel: Atour Hotel Kunming Nanping Pedestrian Street

Meals: D

Day 2: Train ride to Dali, Chongsheng Pagodas, Ancient Town

After breakfast in the morning, transfer to Kunming railway station for train D8668(08:49-11:03) or similar train to Dali.

Upon arrival, be greeted by our local guide in Dali at the railway station, then transfer to visit the Three Pagodas and Dali Ancient Town.

Dali Ancient Town, nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in Yunnan, China, is a 600-year-old Ming-era gem once capital of Nanzhao/Dali kingdoms. It blends Han and Bai ethnic architecture, with cobblestone streets, Wuhua Tower, and vibrant Foreigner’s Street—free to visit and culturally rich. (49 words).

The Three Pagodas of Chonsheng Temple, built over 1,000 years ago, stand 1.5km northwest of Dali Old Town, backed by Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake. The central Qianxun Pagoda (69.13m) and two smaller ones form a triangle, an iconic Buddhist landmark and architectural marvel in Dali.

Hotel: Blosom Minor Dali Old Town

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Embroidery activity in Xizhou & Cycling around Erhai Lake.

After breakfast, drive to Xizhou Town, a large town of the Bai Ethnic Group. Backed by Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake, it’s hailed as the Hometown of Bai Tie-dyeing, an intangible cultural heritage practiced by every household for a thousand years. Your family can learn how to make embroidery.

Also here in Xizhou, we will enjoy the traditional Sandaocha. Sandaocha (Three-Course Tea) is the Bai ethnic group’s iconic hospitality ritual. Featuring bitter, sweet, and aftertaste-infused stages, it embodies life philosophy. Rooted in the Nanzhao period, this UNESCO-listed heritage blends tea art with warm cultural symbolism.

In the afternoon, we take a cycling on the greenway along Erhai Lake. The cycling can be adjusted between 15-30km depends on your energy. The greenway along Erhai is lovely to admire the beautiful landscape of Erhai Lake

Enjoy free time to explore Dali old town in the evening.

Hotel: Blosom Minor Dali Old Town

Meals: B, L

Day 4: Tour to Weishan & Weibaoshan

After breakfast in hotel, we drive about 1.5 hours to Weishan Ancient City, a national historical and cultural city in China and the birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom. First built in the Yuan Dynasty, it was rebuilt as a brick city in the Ming Dynasty and still retains its original charm today. Weishan is also one of the regions in Yunnan where the Tusi system (ancient local administration systym) was implemented for the longest time.

In the afternoon, visit Weibaoshan Mountain. In Weibaoshan Mountain, Taoist temples were first constructed here in the Tang Dynasty. Hence, Weibaoshan Mountain enjoys a great reputation as a famous Taoist mountain in Yunnan and ranks among one of China’s four renowned Taoist mountains. We will visit a Taoism temple there with a gentle hike.

Drive back Dali ancient town in late afternoon.

Hotel: Landscape Hotel in Dali

Meals: B, L

Day 5: Dali to Shaxi Town

This morning, drive bout 2 hours to Shaxi Village.

Shaxi Ancient Town is an important trading hub on the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road, which was included in the protection list of 101 endangered sites as early as 2001 by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). The lovely Shaxi ancient town is integrating business and Buddhist culture, where the old ancient stage, ancient temples, ancient shops, ancient alleyways, ancient houses, ancient village gates, ancient trees, ancient wells, ancient bridges and fairs all remain intact.

We will explore around the ancient town before lunch.

In the afternoon, take a countryside cycling near Shaxi to explore the villages and enjoy the beautiful landscape of nature.

Or if your family do not prefer cycling, then come to a wood carving studio to learn how to make wood carvings. People in this area has reputable wood carving skills.

Hotel: Landscape Hotel in Shaxi

Meals: B, L

Day 6: Shaxi to Lijiang via Shibaoshan

Wake up in the tranquil ancient town before we head to Shibaoshan for a gentle hike.

Shibaoshan in Jianchuan, Yunnan, boasts unique Danxia landforms and the renowned Shizhongshan Grottoes (Tang-Song dynasties), a national key cultural relic. Home to Baoxiang Temple ("Yunnan's Hanging Temple") and the intangible cultural heritage Shibaoshan Song Festival, it’s a treasure of history and ethnic culture.

Then, we drive about 1.5-2 hours to Lijiang ancient town.

Lijiang Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,has an 800-year history. Wall-less and water-woven, it blends Han-Tibetan-Bai architectural styles, with Sifang Street as the heart of Naxi culture and time-honored traditions.

Enjoy some free time after hotel check-in.

Hotel: Sedona Hotel

Meals: B, L

Day 7: Lijiang Ancient Town, Mu Palace

Today, explore around Lijiang Ancient Town and other sites including Mu Palace, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Museum.

Located in the north of the old town, about 1.5 km, which is a very beautiful and big park, where the source of the water flowing though the old town, with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the background, Black dragon pond is really a picturesque place in Lijiang. The Dongba Museum in the park is the best place for one who wants to have a deep understand of the local shaman religion—Dongba Religion.

Hotel: Sedona Hotel

Meals: B, L

Day 8: Yuhu Village with Hike to Wenhai, Basha Village,

This morning, we will visit Yuhu Village, or "Wuluken" in Naxi, meaning "Village at Snow Mountain Foot") lies 18km north of Lijiang Old Town. A millennium-old Naxi settlement with glacier-stone houses, it houses Rock’s former residence and reflects Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in its namesake lake.

Joseph Rock was an Austrian-American botanist who resided in Yuhu Village for 28 years, from 1922 to1949). His achievement includes botany, Naxi culture studies, geographical exploration and photography, and academic publishing, and was honored as the Father of Naxiology and a pioneer in the study of Southwest China.

We will enjoy a moderate hike about 3-4 hours around and near the village, if lucky enough, we may hike up to the alpine lake Wenhai to enjoy its beautiful landscape with snow mountain reflection.

In the afternoon, visit Baisha Village, which is a part of the UNESCO heritage because of its beautiful fresco.

Enjoy free time to explore the ancient town in the evening.

Hotel: Sedona Hotel

Meals: B, L

Day 9: Departure Lijiang

This morning, transfer to the airport ant fly back home.

Meals: B