10 Days Beautiful Yunnan Tour with Dongchuan Red Land

Day 1 Kunming Arrival

Arrive in Kunming & Transfer to Your Hotel in Kunming Downtown Area

Welcome to Kunming, the Spring City of China! Upon arrival at the Kunming airport/train station, the local tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel and help you check in. If you want to explore nearly, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Arrival Ideas: You can take a direct flight from more than 110 domestic cities and some international destinations including Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, San Francisco, Tokyo, London, and Los Angeles. Also, you can take a bullet train from Chengdu (5.5 hours), Chongqing (4 hours), Guilin (8 hours), Guiyang (2 hours), Guangzhou (7 hours), Beijing (11 hours), Shanghai (11 hours), Hong Kong (7.5 hours), etc. with convenience!

Free Time Ideas: If time permits, enjoy a cultural trip to Yunnan Nationalities Museum for a wonderful understanding of the 25 ethnic minority groups in vast Yunnan. This largest minority museum in whole Asia boasts a collection of over 20 thousand pieces (units) of precious cultural relics to show you the beautiful costumes, diverse ethnic festivals, daily life scenes, exquisite musical instruments, brilliant cultural texts, and so on to know the essence of Yunnan culture!

• Adrian from Philippines visited Yunnan Nationalities Museum.

Day 2 Kunming - Dongchuan Red Land (B, L)

3 Hours' Driving to Dongchuan Red Land - Shuipingzi - Thousand-year-old Ancient Tree - Luoxiagou

Today you will depart from Kunming in the early morning to take a 3-hour, 160-kilometer journey to Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Area. You will arrive there around noon time, then enter the core area of the red land from the south route (Luo Si Wan - Wa Fang Liang Zi - Le Pu Ao) to capture the beautiful scenery along the way, then reach the famous Hua Shi Tou Village (Flower Stone Village 花石头村) and the intersection of Road 107. Check into the pre-booked hotel, find a restaurant for lunch and rest.

Around the middle of afternoon when the afternoon light is better, come out for photography. First, capture the landscape of Hong Tu Di Da Guan (Red Land Grand View 红土大观) which is majestic and grand. The interplay of light and shadow makes it more three-dimensional. Then photograph the Lao Long Shu (Thousand-Year Ancient Dragon Tree 千年老龙树) which is also known as the Sacred Tree, an old fir tree standing alone on the red land, simple and ancient. Later, shoot the myriad scenes of Luo Xia Gou (Sunset Valley 落霞沟) at sunset. It is the most iconic spot! The scenery under the lingering sunlight is the most beautiful, and due to the deep valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, the sun sets relatively early, making the best time for photography around 4:30 p.m.

Since there is still time, return to the 107 intersection and head left to the south route. Focus on capturing the evening glow of Le Pu Ao, Luo Si Wan, and Wa Fang Liang Zi. All three spots are ideal for sunset photography. Along the way, conveniently photograph Le Pu Ao (乐谱奥), the unique landscape of the music-score-like hollow is most charming in the sunset), and Luo Si Wan (Screw Bay 螺蛳湾) to capture the winding road and the large spiral-colored land in the red soil, and finally, Wa Fang Liang Zi (瓦房梁子) to capture the most beautiful evening glow and sunset. The elevated terrain here provides a panoramic view of the scenery around Le Pu Ao.

Evening is to accommodation in the local village of Hua Shi Tou.

Photography Tips:

1). April to May is best to see fields irrigated with water, when blue sky and white clouds are well mirrored in the water; Autumn is the best season to enjoy the sea of golden crops. 2). Sunset is best to shoot during 16:30-17:30 with best light.

• Dongchuan Ancient Tree View
• Luoxiagou Valley, Best Site for Sunset
• View from hotel in the scenic area (for reference only)

Day 3 Dongchuan Red Land - Shilin County (B, L)

Sunrise at Damakan - Jinxiu Garden - Qicai Slope - Yuepuao - Drive to Shilin County

Around 6:00 in the morning, go to the northernmost part of the northwest route which is ideal for sunrise photography. From the high slope by the roadside, overlooking Da Ma Kan Village (打马坎村), smoke curls up from the village surrounded by red soil. The poplar trees around the village shimmer in the morning sun, creating a tranquil and charming pastoral scenery.

Continue down the road to capture Qi Cai Po (Seven-color Slope 七彩坡), a hillside that, when viewed from a distance, resembles a rainbow fallen on the earth, hence called the Colorful Slope. Proceed one kilometer down to Jin Xiu Yuan(锦绣园) for more photography. Jinxiu Yuan is a masterpiece of the red land, offering a panoramic view of the colorful terraced fields in the foreground and the distance. The expansive and magnificent scene, with colors like red, yellow, blue, and green, unfolds before your eyes, resembling a colorful world. Both Qi Cai Po and Jinxiu Yuan showcase the same piece of land, but viewing it from different angles provides distinct visual impacts. The area is also spectacular during the flowering season with extensive crops of potatoes and wheat.

Later, reach the intersection of Road 107 and capture the Hua Shi Tour (花石头) attraction which is adorned with dwellings, winding roads, and a row of gracefully shaped trees, creating a beautiful and picturesque scene. If time and weather permit, consider visiting the nearby Hong Tu Di Da Guan (红土地大观) for additional photography, as the lighting may be even better than the previous day.

After the tour, drive about 2.5~3 hours to Shilin County for accommodation, passing through Le Pu Ao and Luo Si Wan attractions on the way back which provides opportunities to stop and capture some memorable moments if you want and time permits.

Photography Tips:

1). Da Ma Kan: 06:00-07:00 is best to shoot sunrise with rural kitchen smoke, morning glow and fog. 2). Jin Xiu Yuan and Qicai Po are cultivated with colorful crops, and April to May is best to shoot red land pictures with beautiful flowers including potato flowers, buckwheat flowers, etc. 3). Le Pu Ao: The short time after sunrise is best to shoot the fluent line of the field ridges with front light, and sunset hour is also great with backlight.

• Dongchuan Red Land Amazing Color in May
• Red farming lands in November
• Our guest Alexander from Netherland visited Dongchuan Red Land in 2020
• An old man and his goat at Dongchuan Red Land in 2020

Day 4 Stone Forest - Kunming & High Speed Train to Dali (B, L)

Stone Forest - Green Lake - 2 Hours' High Speed Train to Dali

After breakfast, you are going to visit Stone Forest. As the “Essence of World Karst Landform”, Kunming Stone Forest has been listed as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage with the incomparable coverage of 12 square kilometers’ stone pinnacle groups. Take the sightseeing bus to visit the Greater Stone Forest Scenic Area to admire the typical concentrating cinerous stone pinnacles by walking through the maze of stone peaks and jumping high for the panorama of the forest of protruding stone peaks. Also, you will see the famous peak on many photos and even stones towering over 40 meters. Then, continue to ride the bus to explore the Lesser Stone Forest to closely look at the iconic stone “Ashima” like a young lady, listen to the touching love story of Ashima, and fill your eyes with the emerald garden-like park of wilder stone peaks surrounded by lush green plants and blossoms. Take the sightseeing bus to exit the scenic park. 

After the discovering, drive back to Kunming downtown and enjoy a leisure visit to Kunming Green Lake. This pretty park with a lovely lake, old-styled pavilions, corridors, flowers, etc. is the most popular place for an authentic feeling of local Kunming people’s leisure life with citizens singing, dancing, talking, exercising, etc.  During November to the next March, Black-headed Gulls from Siberian will never be late to fly there for their expecting comfortable warm winter holiday. Do not miss playing with those adorable and vigorous elfin during your relaxing roam!

After the tour, you’ll be escorted to Kunming Railway Station to take a high speed train from Kunming to Dali (about 2 hrs). After your arrival at Dali Railway Station, your local guide and drive will meet you there and escort you to your hotel in Dali Old Town. Have a nice sleep!

• Major Stone Forest
• Kunming Green Lake Winter Scenery photoed by our customer Marcin

Day 5 Dali (B, L)

Three Pagodas - Erhai Lake - Dali Old Town

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, pay a visit the symbol of Dali - Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple. Built in 10^th century in Nanzhao Kingdom, Three Pagodas is made of one big pagoda and two small pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. If you look at it from a distance, the pagodas are like three giant ballpoint pens breaking up the landscape of the never-ending mountains. Here, you’ll get close to look at the pagodas to know more history and stories, visit the royal temple in Dali - Chongsheng Temple, take awesome photos of Three Pagodas and the reflections…

Then, head to the famous Erhai Lake (Ear-shaped Sea), which is reputed as the "Immaculate Jade between Mountains". Normally, there are three ways to explore the lake. You can ride a sightseeing bus(default), enjoy a boat trip or try cycling. Please tell your best pick to your travel consultant before booking the tour, as the final prices will differ by activities you choose.

1) Erhai Lake Sightseeing Bus Tour (about 1 hour CNY 50/pp): There are sightseeing roads built around the lake. On the west bank of the lake, there is also a 27.5-kilometer-long Ecological Corridor with mini sightseeing buses offered. Hop on the mini bus, you will get the placid lake view while moving, with fresh air and gentle wind kissing your face.

2) Erhai Lake Boat Tour (about 2~3 hours from CNY 145/pp): On Erhai Lake cruise, you’ll enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and Three Pagodas from afar as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake.

3) Erhai Lake Cycling Tour (about 2 hours from CNY 50/pp): If your energy permits, you can choose a cycling tour along this picturesque Erhai Lake, which may give you a more exciting experience there than the cruise and bus.

Later, be followed a trip to explore Dali Old Town. Used to be the ancient capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Dali Old Town is formed in the square-shaped structure, laid out on a typical north-south, east-west axis with five north-south and eight east-west streets. Wander leisurely through the historic streets with weeping willows dancing and colorful flowers blooming in the sunshine. You will visit the symbolic Wuhua Tower in a drum tower outlook. Continue to find Honglongjing (Red Dragon Well) with lovely view of clear water flow on layers of stone stages between the ancient dwelling houses and modern bars. Walk along Renmin Road to visit those bustling shops selling Yunnan specialties and some interesting items and then encounter the only Christianity church in this Chinese old town to feel the mixture culture there. As you feel the ancient flavor of the old site, stroll to the famous must-visit Foreigner Street to soak in the busy atmosphere along the old path and in those boutique shops and old coffee shops. Enjoy your time roam in this famous old town and feel like going back to the old times.

Optional activity: learning to make Flower Cake, the Dali's traditional pastry which is flat and round, with a pattern carved on the surface and a thin layer of puff pastry and filling of flower puree in the middle. You can bring home some flower cakes after the course.

• Our guest Louis J from Belg visited Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery in December 2021
• Dali Old Town, Photographed by Our Guest Marcin

Day 6 Dali - Xizhou Ancient Town - Lijiang (B, L)

Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng Tie-dye - Transfer to Lijiang - Lijiang Old Town

After breakfast, you’ll start your exploration of Xizhou Ancient Town, an authentic old town where local Bai people really live and work. Set eyes on the local morning market - a place for local people in traditional costumes trading daily supplies, including fresh vegetable, fruits, meats, and many kinds of food and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity for getting close to local living conditions. Walk into the “the Museum of Bai Architecture” and appreciate the exquisite residential complexes decorated fabulous sculptures, paintings, pointed eaves and wall screens. Taste Bai’s Three-Course Tea in bitter, sweet and mixed flavors and experience the tea ceremony to enjoy deeper of the artistic culture of Bai ethnic people. Then, visit Yan Family Compound where to appreciate the delicate courtyard houses, screen walls, colorful paintings, and more decorations to learn more about the fine Bai ethnic architecture.

Then, transfer to “Hometown of Bai People’s Tie-dye Art” - Zhoucheng Old Town for an appreciation of Tie-dye. Tie-dye is a typical feature to present the Bai’s excellent handcraft with various colors and elegant designs. You’ll visit local indigo workshop in Zhoucheng and know the way of making.

Later, transfer to Lijiang with 2 hours’ driving. Upon arrival, enjoy a memorable tour to wander in Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial center, Lijiang Old Town is a well-preserved 800-year-old town for Naxi ethnic group, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Walk to the central area of the old town and visit Mufu Palace. A saying goes “there is Forbidden City in the North, Mu’s Residence in the South”. Mu’s Residence was called the miniature Forbidden City. Looked from a far distance, it likes a grand imperial palace and it is famous for the grandness and architectural buildings. Getting into the palace, you can know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. Then, wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round. (Optional Activity: Take a leisure walk up to the Lion Hill and climb up the 33-meter-tall Wanggu Tower - the landmark building of Lijiang to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town and overlook the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.)

• Rosa's Group from Spain visited Mufu Palace in 2023
• Bai-style Architecture in Xizhou Old Town
• Zhoucheng Tie-dye

Day 7 Lijiang (B, L)

Yuhu Village - Baisha Murals - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum - Black Dragon Pool Park

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you’ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a tranquil Yuhu Lake…explore leisurely around the village and then go to explore the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Houses here are arranged on a north-south axis around a central, terraced square. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which depict subjects relating to Buddhism, Taoism and the life of the Naxi people, incorporating cultural elements of the Bai people. (Optional experience: You can have in-depth cultural experience to learn how to make Baisha embroidery instructed by the local masters in Baisha Village.)

Then, it is followed by a relaxing trip to Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route. This ancient town is less crowded than Lijiang Dayan Old Town. Take a nice stroll here to explore local cultures, folk customs and traditions over several centuries.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures.

• Carrie from China visited Black Dragon Pool Park in 2021
• Daisy from Thailand visited Former Residence of Joseph Rock in 2018
• Daisy from Thailand visited Baisha Village in 2018

Day 8 Lijiang - Shangri-La (B, L)

First Bend of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 52 kilometers from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn. Then it changes the direction and goes to the northeast. You’ll reach the observation deck to catch a panoramic view of the bend, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes. You’ll have a look at local market and Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in Shigu Town.

Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. This steep gorge is situated between the 5596 meters Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and 5396 meters Haba Snow Mountain to the north. Measuring 17 kilometers in length, the whole gorge is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower gorge and you’ll pay a visit to the maturest section - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk about 1,000 stairs along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves.

Travel tips: 1) This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended. 2) There are also optional elevators for you to go down from the entrance to the sightseeing platform by the river (CNY 40/pp), and vice versa (CNY 60/pp).

After the hiking tour, you’ll be driven to Shangri-La. With 2 hours' driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way. Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459meters), the Garden of Eden! Upon arrival, check in your hotel and explore this earthly paradise on your own. 

• Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico visited Tiger Leaping Gorge in 2020
• Daisy from Thailand visited First Bend of Yangtze River in 2018

Day 9 Shangri-La (B, L)

Songzanlin Monastery - Pudacuo National Park - Local Tibetan Family Visiting

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you'll be transferred with 7 kilometers' driving to Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Gompa), reputed as the "Little Potala Palace" for it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 700 monks and lamas. Walk 147 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the three main lamasery buildings where you can not only see the Buddhism treasures, but also enjoy large number of monks of all ages going about their daily routines, praying, chanting, cooking and resting. It should be a nice trip to get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and shoot panorama view of Songzanlin Monastery with reflection in the clear water.

Then, drive about 27 kilometers to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It is renowned for well-preserved primitive landscape, which is endowed with lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, brooks, rare plants and animals. Throw yourself into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery. There are also many hiking opportunities. (Notes: 1) the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m so you should avoid strong activities to avoid high altitude sickness; 2) part of the national park is currently closed for environment protection and recovery.)

After the merry time in the park, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea. (Optional Experience: If you are interested in the Tibetan people's daily drinks, you can follow the locals to involve in the process of making butter tea.)

• Mutia's Group from Indonesia Visiting Songzanlin Monastery with China Discovery in 2018
• Pudacuo National Park in August
• Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park
• Songzanlin Monastery Architecture, Picture Shared by Our Guest Yusuke

Day 10 Shangri-La & Shangri-La Departure (B)

Dukezong Old Town

In the morning, cherish your time in Shangri-La to explore Dukezong Old Town. With a history over 1300 years, Dukezong Old Town is the largest and the best preserved Tibetan community in China. Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill (or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of both the endless snow-capped mountains surrounded the pure land and the large scale of the old town with countless Tibetan dwellings. Join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world in clockwise direction. (Optional experience: If you show interest in making traditional Tibetan Thangka, you can learn at Shangri-la Thangka Institute. Programs here include Thangka painting, chanting, Tibetan language and calligraphy. You can choose your like.)

After the tour, be escorted to the Shangri-La Zhongdian Airport for your flight to next destination. Service ends!

Departure Ideas: Travelers can take flights from Shangri-La to Kunming, Lhasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and more cities.

• The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town