9 Days Escape to Paradise Tour

Arrive in Kunming, the start of this tour. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good rest.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: In Kunming
 

Depart from your hotel in the morning, you will take a visit to the Stone Forest, created by ancient winds and water erosion over millions of years. After the tour, you will be driven back to Kunming.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Kunming
 

In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Lijiang, where you can walk down the cobblestone streets over 700 years and see the Naxi way of life which chaned little over time. Upon arrival, visit Lijiang Ancient Town and Black Dragon Pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang
 

In the morning, take a driving for about 0.5hour to visit Jade Dragon Sown Mountain (cable car and green vans available in the scenic area). After lunch, visit Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural in the ancient capital of Naxi Kingdom in Baisha village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Lijiang
 

Today, you will take a long driving to Lugu Lake, the remote Paradise on earth, and will then take a good rest after check-in your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lugu Lake area
 

small tribe that is considered a sub clan of Naxi people. The Mosuo culture is most frequently described as a matriarchal one.
 

Enjoy your whole day exploration around this fairy land - Lugu Lake. Today's sightseeing will include the lake itself, the isles in the lake and Mosuo family. Stay overnight at Lugu Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lugu Lake area
 

In the morning drive back to Lijiang after breakfast. Upon arrival, take a visit of Shuhe Ancient Town, another important place in the history of Naxi people's development.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang
 

In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to Kunming. Upon arrival, take a visit of Western Hill & Dragon Gate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Kunming
 

Bid a fond farewell to Yunnan and be transferred to the airport for the flight to your next stop.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Arrive in Kunming, the start of this tour. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good rest.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: In Kunming

 

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan in southwest China. Located in the middle of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau just north of the Tropic of Cancer, at an altitude of 1,900 meters above the sea level, Kunming enjoys a year-round temperate climate and is often called the 'Spring City'.
 

Depart from your hotel in the morning, you will take a visit to the Stone Forest, created by ancient winds and water erosion over millions of years. After the tour, you will be driven back to Kunming.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Kunming

 

Stone Forest is a notable set of karst formations in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, approximately 85km from Kunming. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest of stone. It has been known since the Ming Dynasty as the first wonder of the World. Approximately 270 million years ago this region was a vast ocean. Over time, the waters retreated and the limestone landscape was left. Due to a process of weathering and erosion, nature has created an art gallery of stone sculpture- present-day Stone Forest. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates labyrinthine vistas around each corner. Each formation has a story about animals or people associated with it.
 

In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Lijiang, where you can walk down the cobblestone streets over 700 years and see the Naxi way of life which chaned little over time. Upon arrival, visit Lijiang Ancient Town and Black Dragon Pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang

 

Lijiang Ancient Town is well-preserved and known as a centre for the Naxi people's brilliant culture. With a history of more than 800 years, the town was built in the interval as the Song Dynasty changed to the Yuan Dynasty, and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built along the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers with the ancient water-supply system which is still in use today, providing a precious example for research on ancient architecture. As a result of selective adoption of ideas from other cultures by the Naxi group, the buildings in town incorporate the best of the architectural styles of Han, Bai and Tibetan, developed into the unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free and flexible, the houses are close and diverse and the lanes are narrow and meandering. Along both sides of the lanes, there are shops selling superb handicrafts. Here you also have the chance to trace the ancient Tea-Horse Road.

 

Black Dragon Pool is the landmark of Lijiang. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty. Its surroundings are all green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. In its waters, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected. At the far side of the pool, there are renovated buildings used for art exhibition such as the Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
 

In the morning, take a driving for about 0.5hour to visit Jade Dragon Sown Mountain (cable car and green vans available in the scenic area). After lunch, visit Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural in the ancient capital of Naxi Kingdom in Baisha village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Lijiang

 

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain nestles near Lijiang. It is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, consisting of 13 peaks with the highest one, Shanzidou, at an altitude of 5,600 meters. Looking from the town, the mountain resembles a jade dragon laying in the clouds, hence the name. The view of the massif from the gardens at the Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang is noted as one of China's finest views.

 

Built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13km from Lijiang. The temple is surrounded by a verdant forest and river with the snow mountain at its back. It displays a harmonious mix of architectural styles of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba Religion. It is witness to the peaceful coexistence of multinational cultures and religions. It still plays an important role in local residents' religious life.

 

Baisha Mural is located at Baisha Villages, 10km north of Lijiang. Although the traditional houses do not look impressive, this was the cradle of the Naxi culture and ancient capital of the Naxi Kingdom. The valuable murals are protected inside Dabaoji Palace and the colored glaze temples. The originality and figures within the murals reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba religion's development into Naxi School. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits, which are not only Buddha, but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, farmers, citizens and even criminals. Many of the scenes and subjects are drawn from people's daily life showing fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron.
 

Today, you will take a long driving to Lugu Lake, the remote Paradise on earth, and will then take a good rest after check-in your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lugu Lake area

 

The distance between Lijiang and Lugu Lake is about 280km, and the bunmy road will take six hours or so.

 

Lugu Lake is a high mountain plateau lake, 2685 meters above sea level, located 202km northeast of Lijiang on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan. The lake is 48.5 square kilometers and is quite deep, being about 93.5m at its deepest point. It is surrounded by mountains and has eight islands and many bays and beaches. The inhabitants around the lake are the Mosuo people, a small tribe that is considered a sub clan of Naxi people. The Mosuo culture is most frequently described as a matriarchal one.
 

Enjoy your whole day exploration around this fairy land - Lugu Lake. Today's sightseeing will include the lake itself, the isles in the lake and Mosuo family. Stay overnight at Lugu Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lugu Lake area

 

Among the five isles in the lake, three are in the territory of Yunnan and two in that of Sichuan. Heiwawudao, Ligedao are metaphorically called 'Three Islands of Ponglai' (Islands of the Immortalsin Chinese mythology). Sitting in the middle of the lake, Heiwawudao Isle is also named 'the Chieftain Island' because Ashaoyun, the chieftain of Yongning, built his villa on the island in the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. Rock, an American scientist, also used to reside on this island. On the south side of the lake, stand Liwubidao Island lies at the foot of the Lion Mountain. It is actually a small peninsular formed by the extension of the Lion Mountain into the Lake. A dozen of Mosuo families live on this island so it is possible for the visitors to experience the life on the island and, at the same time, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake. The Mosuo wooden houses are built with square - deged timber in the style of 'jinganshi building', also called Mulengfang (Timber House) which is very graceful.
 

In the morning drive back to Lijiang after breakfast. Upon arrival, take a visit of Shuhe Ancient Town, another important place in the history of Naxi people's development.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang

 

Only 4km away from Lijiang, at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, lies a compact village hidden in the forest, the Old Town of Shuhe. UNESCO has listed it as an important component of Lijiang as it is a well-preserved example of a town along the ancient tea route and one of the earliest settlements of the ancestors of Naxi people. It is called 'the hometown of springs'. Shuhe was once famous for its developed leatherworking and education. Now it lives on with a lingering feeling of primitive simplicity.  
 

In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to Kunming. Upon arrival, take a visit of Western Hill & Dragon Gate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Kunming

 

Western Hills lies in the Biji Mountain chain to the west of Kunming. It is visible from the eastern or northern banks of Dianchi Lake. Clouds and mist often hide the mountain sides, with their giant firs and pines and many ancient temples. The Dragon Gate in the Western Hills is close to the west shore of the Dianchi Lake. The elevation of the Dragon Gate is over 2,300 meters, 300 meters higher than the water surface of the Dianchi Lake. It consists of the Sanqing Temple and the Dragon Gate Grotto which was accomplished through 72 years of hard work (1781-1853). The 3 March is a festive time in the Western Hills, when it is considered the best time for Kunming residents to climb the mountains and look into the distance, to admire the spring flowers and appreciate the feeling of new life.

 

 

Bid a fond farewell to Yunnan and be transferred to the airport for the flight to your next stop.

Meals: Breakfast