Magnificent Yunnan – The Best of Southwest China

In the morning you drive to the “Twin Dragon Bridge” from the Qing Dynasty, which spans a former riverbed with 18 arches. You visit the traditional Zhuang village Tuanshan, which inspires with its unique, well preserved wooden architecture.

In the afternoon drive through beautiful landscape to Yuanyang, the starting point to the spectacular Yuanyang rice terraces. The Yuanyang rice terraces have been hacked out over centuries by the Hani ethnic group of farmers living here on the slopes of the Ailao Mountains. You will visit on of the viewpoints, where you can admire the terraced rice fields in the late afternoon sun. Stay overnight in Duoyishu, near the fantastic rice terraces of Yuanyang.

Overnight in YUANYANG (B)

The rice terraces of Yuanyang are located in the southeast of the Yunnan Province and where painstakingly hacked out of the Ailao mountains by the resident Hani and Yi ethnic minorities. In September 2013 the rice terraces of Yuanyang where added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Early risers witness an unforgettable sunrise over the rice terraces. (Depending on weather condition; In winter the Rice terraces are often engulfed in fog). If possible, visit one of the bustling weekly local markets in the area and observe the local people from various ethnic groups (Hani, Yi, Zhuang, some Miao) doing their weekly shopping. Many of them still wear their traditional costumes. In the afternoon, scenic hike (about 2.5 hours or shorter) through the magnificent rice terraces of Yuanyang to a nearby Hani village.

Overnight in YUANYANG (B)

After breakfast you leave Xinjie and the Yuanyang Rice Terraces and drive north towards Mile. The fertile land and the mild climate make this part of the Yunnan province ideal for cultivating tobacco. Apart from the cigarette production, Mile is also well known for its many hot springs. Continue via the newly constructed highway through an everchanging landscape towards Lunan and the nearby Stone Forest. If you feel like you can visit the Stone Forest during the afternoon. (Entrance USD 32). Years of rain and erosion left behind a bizarre and impressive landscape of limestone pillars which, with a little imagination, indeed resemble a Forrest. You take a stroll through the maze of paths and walkways leading through this natural wonderland. Continue to Kunming (ca. 1.5 hrs.).

Evening visit the Cultural Dance Show “Dynamic Yunnan”, a song and dance medley organized by renowned dancer, Ms. Yang Liping. It shows the different dances of the minority tribes in Yunnan province. It is both vibrant and colorful as the dancers energetically perform in their traditional costumes. (Price ca. USD 35 per Person)

Overnight in Kunming (B)

In the morning transfer by taxi or Subway to Kunming station. Take the express train to Dali (2 hours). Arrival at Dali station (Xiaguan) and transfer to the old town by local taxi. (If you don’t see the guide at the exit in the first second, just stand somewhere and wait until the crowds have distorted a bit. Your guide will find you. If there is still no guide after 10 minutes – call the phone number listed below). Breakfast at your own expense.

Dali is located on the western shore of the idyllic Erhai Lake at the foot of the 4000m high Cang mountain range. In the 9th century Dali was the capital of the vast Nanzhao and later the Dali Kingdom, before the historic city was overrun by the Mongols 400 years later. The area around Dali is mainly inhabited by the ethnic group of the “Bai”, who are still known for their craftsmanship. Free time in Dali.

In the afternoon you have the choice of the following optional tours:
Option 1:
Take the cable car to the Zhonghe Monastery that is located halfway up Cangshan Mountain. From there a well-maintained walkway called the “Jade-Belt-Path” follows along the Eastern slope of the mountain for 11km and offers spectacular views over the Dali valley and the Erhai Lake below. Head back down to Dali by another cable car. (Walking time: ca. 2.5 hrs. / flat / easy and safe walking) (Costs: around USD 35 per Person for entrance fees and cable cars, payable on spot).

Option 2:
Visit the recently renovated 3 Pagodas of the San Ta Si Monastery (Chongsheng Temple) from the 9th century. The Chongsheng Temple with its characteristic three Pagodas (San Ta Si) is located about 3km north-east of Dali old town. The Monastery was built in the 9th Century, when Dali was the capital of the once powerful and influential Nanzhao Kingdom. During the Nanzhao Kingdom the Chongsheng Temple was a significant religious center for the fast-expanding Buddhism in the region. (cost: about USD 28 for taxi and entrance fees, payable on spot).

In the morning drive by private vehicle through an ever-changing landscape towards Shaxi. Along the way you make a stop at Xizhou. The village of Xizhou if famous for its well-preserved Bai-style architecture. Walking tour around Xizhou. Visit the local market. If you like you can visit (payable extra ca. USD 5) the magnificent former residence of the Yan family.

Continue to the village of Shaxi. Shaxi was formerly an important pivotal stop on the Tea and Horse trail from Yunnan to Tibet. The village has been renovated with the help of the Swiss government during the 1990s. Visit Shibao Mountain with the Shizhong Temple. The impressive rock carvings of Shibaoshan are over 1300 years old and are testimony of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism in the region. If you like you can make a beautiful walk (1.5 hrs.) along the ancient Tea and Horse Trail back to Shaxi with magnificent views over the Shaxi Valley below*. There is time at leisure so you can explore the cobble-stone alleys of Shaxi on your own.

Overnight accommodation at Shaxi in a rustic guesthouse near the old town.
(*You can also skip the walk and head to Shaxi by our car)

Drive to the village of Shuhe, located 9km north of Lijiang. For those who find Lijiang too much of a tourist place, Shuhe might be just the right place to visit. Located 10 minutes’ drive north of Lijiang, this laid back, sleepy Naxi village is a good place to hang out for an afternoon. Shuhe is located 9km north of Lijiang and attracts much less tourists than it’s “big brother” Lijiang. Still, Lijiang can easily be reached by public bus or taxi in no time. Shuhe was once an important trading post on the “Tea & Horse Road” for tea on the way from Southern Yunnan to Tibet. An idyllic river runs through the middle of the cobble stoned village, and many of the old buildings where carefully renovated and turned into tastefully decorated restaurants, bars or guesthouses. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. You take a walking tour around Shuhe Old Town. Overnight accommodation in Shuhe.

Optional tour for the afternoon: (entrance fees and bicycle rental to be paid extra).
By your rental bicycles, you ride to Baisha (5km). The Baisha village used to be the birthplace of the first king of the once powerful Naxi Kingdom. Visit the Liuli temple with beautiful wall paintings from the late Ming Dynasty, which, miraculously, survived the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution.

Continue riding to the Yufeng Monastery. The Yufeng Monastery was built in 1756 and is famous for the over 800 years old Camellia Tree. You continue pedaling through the magnificent countryside of the Lijiang valley past Jade Water village to Yuhu, a romantic village where the Austrian-American Botanist Joseph Rock used to live from 1922 to 1949. His house has been transformed to a small museum about the live and work of Joseph Rock. Cycle head back to Shuhe. (Today’s entrance fees and bike rental are ca. USD 30.-, to be paid extra on spot). (Total cycling distance about 30km, mostly flat with a short incline, rather easy)

Today you head by public bus to Lijiang. The pleasant old town of Lijang lies in the shadow of the Jade Dragon Mountain in a fertile valley at about 2’400 meters above sea level. Like Shuhe, Lijiang used to be a pivotal stop for the horse caravans traveling along the “Tea and Horse Route”. We take a stroll through the apparently countless and, on first sight, confusing narrow lanes and canals crisscrossing the picturesque old town. We climb Lion Hill to get a bird’s eye view over the roof tops of the old town. Visit the local fruit and vegetable market and relax at one of the many tea and coffee shops. You can head back to Shuhe together with your tour guide or explore the old town of Lijiang a bit more on your own and head back to Shuhe on your own.

Overnight accommodation is at Shuhe.

We first head by local taxi to the Lijiang bus station. From there we drive by public bus to Qiaotou, the starting point of your 2 days walk through the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Wedged between the Jade Dragon Mountain and the Haba Mountain range the Tiger Leaping Gorge is reputedly the world’s deepest canyon. It got its name from a story describing how a tiger escaped its hunters by leaping across the Yangtze River in one go.

By local taxi you proceed into the gorge. The driver will drop you on the road that leads up to the Tea Horse Guesthouse. You walk uphill along the gravel road for about 1 hour. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular view of the Tiger Leaping Gorge and the “5 Fingers” of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Lunch takes place at the Tea Horse Guesthouse (own cost). In the afternoon walk along a high trail along the Eastern slopes of the Haba Mountain range for about 2 hours to Bendiwan village where you spend the night in a simple guesthouse. The views of the Jade Dragon Mountain and the gorge are fantastic! You spend the night in Bendiwan high above the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Overnight in TIGER LEAPING GORGE

Breakfast at your own cost. You leave Bendiwan village and walk for approximately 2 hours down into the gorge where your driver is waiting. The trail is mostly flat and downhill. We recommend having lunch at Tina’s Guesthouse before continuing your trip.

You drive in the shadow of the Haba Mountain Range through stunning scenery towards Zhongdian. Zhongdian is situated amongst a stunning landscape on the eastern Tibetan plateau at about 3300 meters above sea level. It recently changed its name and is now called “Shangri- La”, after the Shangri-La that the British writer James Hilton described in his Novel “The Lost Horizon”. Check-in at your hotel.

Overnight in Zhongdian.

You take a walking tour around the old town. You climb Turtle Hill and spin the giant prayer wheel three times for a good karma. (From October to April temperatures in Zhongdian can get quite cold and warm clothing is required. A windbreaker or a sweater is also recommended during the summer months).

Create your program for the afternoon: (options can be combined)
Option 1:
You visit Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, (by public bus 10 Min. & mandatory park bus) a 300 years old impressive Tibetan Monastery which was inaugurated personally in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. Destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa is now again one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the area. (Price for entrance fee ton Songtsam Monastery and bus: ca. USD 20 per person)

Option 2:
Make a cycling tour around the beautiful Napa Lake. Napa Lake is a natural lake located on the outskirts of Zhongdian. During the winter month (September to March) many black-necked Cranes can be found around the lake. These rare birds come to Napa Lake in-order-to escape the cold winter months of the northern parts of China. You will come across several Tibetan villages with their traditional Tibetan houses build out of compressed earth and wood.
Cycle back to Zhongdian. (Cycling tour: 34km mostly flat / easy / two minor climbs at the beginning and the end of the tour. Cost for bicycle rental ca. USD 12 per person)

Option 3:
We finish the day with a delicious Tibetan Dinner (not included) in an authentic 200-years-old Tibetan House. (own cost: ca. USD 18 per person)

Transfer (driver only, no guide) to Airport for individual departure.

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