Day 1:Arrival at Kunming
Today, be greeted by the guide at the airport, transfer to the hotel and have a short rest. Enjoy Dianchi Lake Scenic Area.
The Dianchi Lake Scenic Area is located in the southwest part of Kunming City. DianchiLake is, beyond question, the center of the resort. There are numerous attractions alongthe lake captivating tourists. Among these are the Yunnan Nationalities Village, Grand View Park (Daguan Park), White Fish Park (Baiyukou Park), Haigeng Bank, Kwan-yin Hill, Western Hills Forest Park, temples and pagodas. Towns, big or small near the lake provide visitors with an opportunity to experience customs of the local people.
Dianchi Lake
Measuring about 300 square kilometers (74,132 acres), it is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and the sixth largest one in China. With picturesque scenery and its location on the Yungui Plateau, the lake has a reputation as \'A Pearl on the Plateau\'. Unfortunately, the lake has been badly polluted. Although efforts have been made to save the lake, they have been largely unsuccessful.
The lake is crescent-shaped, about 39 kilometers (24 miles) in length and 13 kilometers (8 miles) in width at its widest. Its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four sides. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake which has a shoreline of 163.2 kilometers (101 miles). Four surrounding hills contribute to the picturesque landscape, making visitors intoxicated and linger around. You may appreciate the beauty of the lake and hills from a boat, and explore this cradle of Yunnan culture.
Overnight: Kunming New Era Hotel
Meals: N/A
Day 2:Fly to Dali, Three Pagodas, Ancient Town
In the morning, fly to Dali with MU5941 (09:25-10:15), visit Three Pagodas and Dali Ancient Town.
As UNESCO describes, “The Old Town of Lijiang, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today.”
Lijiang is located in northern Yunnan province and started to be known after it has been listed as World Heritage. And the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain nearby is another attraction to it.
Overnight: Dali Landscape Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day 3:Local activities
In the morning, check out and you can leave your luggage there and bring casual clothes. Then drive to Bandhnu Village, Zhoucheng County. Children can learn how to make bandhnu or embroidery. Adults can buy food material, prepare family reunion dinner. Remember to give red packets to kids.
Overnight: Local House
Meals: B, D
Day 4:Local activities
After breakfast, take part in local activities of Bai people. Offer sacrifice in Patron God Monastery and pay a visit to Bai architectures.
People of the Bai Ethnic Minority mainly live in Dali, Lijiang, Bijiang, Baoshan, Nanhua, Yuanjiang, Kunming, and Anning of Yunnan Province, Bijie of Guizhou Province, Liangshan of Sichuan Province, and Sanzhi of Hunan Province. The population of the Bai nationality is 185,800.
Today’s Bai are descendants of the ancient Ji. During the pre-Qin period (about 2,200 years ago), the Ji inhabited the drainage area of the Huangshui River. However, during the Han and Jin Dynasties, they scattered along the eastern side of the Lanchangjiang River in Yunnan Province and the northern Honghe River area. During this time, they lived with the Qiang people (another nationality in China). Gradually, the Ji concentrated in fewer areas. Since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Ji have been known as the Bai.
Overnight: Local House
Meals: B, L
Day 5:Shibao Mountain, Shaxi Town
This day, visit the Shibao Mountain in Jianchuan and hike for a while. In the afternoon, go 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). Pompeii in Italy and the Great Wall in China are also on the list.
Shaxi is an ancient town 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.
Overnight: Lijiang Wangfu Hotel
Meals: B, D
Day 6: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.
Overnight: Lijiang Wangfu Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day 7:Yuhu Village, Lock House, Basha Village
Today, visit some famous villages and learn local cultures.
Firstly, Baisha Frescos and Baisha Village.
After lunch, visit Yuhu Village, Rock Former Residence, Shuhe.
Compared with the more famous Dayan town, Shuhe has kept its originality intact. Families open their gates here, and you can walk into the courtyards where dozens of colourful batik cloth in red or blue are hanging. Such b colours billowing in the sunshine reminded me of a movie directed by Zhang Yimou.
The town looked more like a place of normal daily life instead of a scenic tourist spot. Soft water grass danced in the water channel which passes through the town like a blood vessel carrying the snow water from the high mountain.
Overnight: Lijiang Wangfu Hotel
Meals: B, D
Day 8:Departure Lijiang
This morning, transfer to the airport ant fly back home.
Meals: B
