Yunnan Minorities Folk Tour

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Kunming, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Kunming), A Free CH cell phone package

- A Free CH cell phone package:

A Free CH cell phone package includes free rental for the cell phone and SIM card (Includes prepaid value of CNY 50), delivery and collection in China. Return the phone to your guide when you depart. For more about the cell phone rental service, please click cell phone rental information.

Day 2

Place & Transport: Kunming
Today's Activities: The Stone Forest, Jiuxiang Caves
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Chinese Restaurant of Stone Forest Ashima Hotel

- The Stone Forest (2 hours): A fantastic natural phenomena located 90 km southeast of Kunming. The various shapes of karst landscape was formed due to millions of years' movement of Earth. The Stone Forest area is the home of the Sani people, their folk customs has become one spectacular scene, the colorful embroidery and minority dances combine with the natural sceneries, which will surely leave you a deep impression.
- Jiuxiang Caves (2 hours): Jiuxiang Caves are situated in Jiuxiang Township, about 70 kilometers from Kunming. There are more than one hundred karst caves in Jiuxiang scenic area. The caves at Jiuxiang are the largest cave group system in China. Inside the cave are many well-developed and wonderful stalactites and stalagmites, which look like pretty fairies welcoming their guests. Names have been given to them such as "Fairies Welcoming Guests", "Woman Weaver", and "The Fairy is coming out of bathing".
Note: The final stage is to climb up Bat Cave. This is the most challenging part as there are about 336 steps. Sometimes there are laborers who offering sedan chair service.
- Chinese Restaurant of Stone Forest Ashima Hotel : Situated by the entrance to Stone Forest landscaped area, the restaurant is famous for its roast duck.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Kunming to Dali , Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kunming), Airport Transfer (Dali), Houses of Bai People in Xizhou, Ancient City of Dali, Cruise on the Erhai Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Kaiyi's Kitchen

- Houses of Bai People in Xizhou (30 minutes): The Houses of Bai people in Xizhou are located in the Xizhou Town which is 16 kilometers away from the Ancient City of Dali. Xizhou is not only a famous historic city, but also a typical commercial town of Bai people. It is one of the cradles of National capitalism of Bai people, and a famous hometown to overseas Chinese in Yunnan. You will see typical Bai traditions and dresses there. Some buildings are old and typical ancient architectures, which are the real local house. On the outside walls of each house, there are numerous exquisite paintings showing the art atmosphere.
- Ancient City of Dali (1 hour): The ancient city of Dali is 13 kilometers away from Xiaguan, Dali city, and is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. It was built in the year Hongwu 15 of Ming Dynasty (1382 AD). It ranks in the first list of Famous Historic and Cultural Cities of China. There runs clear springs, and lives simple and unsophisticated local Bai people. The local people have a habit of growing flowers in their gardens, with the clear streams of water, finely decorated the traditional houses, a city well worth visiting.
- Cruise on the Erhai Lake (2 hours): The area around Lake Erhai is blessed with a mild climate and fertile land with forests containing valuable stocks of timber, medicinal herbs and rare animals. A cruise around the lake and its islands is an excellent way to explore the area and visit a working fishing village. Fifteen minutes' wait is sometimes required if there are less than five people to take the boat.
- Kaiyi's Kitchen: Kaiyi’s Kitchen is one of the most popular coffee shops on the foreigner’s street. There are more than 200 options on the menu which include the western- style and the Asian food.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Dali to Lijiang
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Dali to Lijiang, Lijiang Ancient Town, Wangu Tower
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at No.8 Lv Xue Zhai Restaurant

- Lijiang Ancient Town (2 hours): It is situated in the middle area of the county, which is more than 2400 meters high above sea level. It enjoys beautiful scenes, an indeed famous city with long history and splendid culture, it is very rare in China that such well-preserved minority ancient city still exists. The old town is quite busy in the afternoon and evening with an active atmosphere of the lights and crowd. An early morning visit will be less crowded.
- Wangu Tower (1 hour): Located on the top of Lion Hill, Wangu is the landmark building of Lijiang ancient town. This pure wood building is 33 meters (108 ft) tall, overlooking the scenery of Lijiang at its foot, and looking out to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.
- No.8 Lv Xue Zhai Restaurant: The restaurant is decorated in courtyard style of Naxi region and mainly provides Naxi cuisine as well some Chinese dishes.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Lijiang
Today's Activities: Baisha Murals at Baisha Village, The Black Dragon Pool, Spruce Meadow on Jade Snow Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Baisha Shiguang Restaurant

- Baisha Murals at Baisha Village (30 minutes): Painted over a thousand years ago, the murals combine the cultures of Han, Tibetan and Naxi people displaying the life stories of the Tibet Buddhism, Confucian and Taoism.
- The Black Dragon Pool (1.5 hours): The park holds the Black Dragon Pool and gets name because of it. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its beauty.
- Spruce Meadow on Jade Snow Mountain (2.5 hours): Half way up Shanzidou, in the spruce jungle, is hidden a vast meadow called Spruce Meadow. Its altitude is 3,240m. Every spring and summer, the Spruce Meadow stands out on the mountain ridge like a carpet of greenery. The legend of a couple of lovers who died for love certainly dyes the area with a romantic hint. It is also a popular spot for photography and local ethnic dancing performances.
- Baisha Shiguang Restaurant: The restaurant is located in Baisha Village and provides mainly Naxi cuisine along with some Chinese dishes.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Lijiang
Today's Activities: Tiger Leaping Gorge, View the first bent of Yangtze River at The Stone Drum Town(Shigu Town)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Tiger Leaping Gorge (1.5 hours): As one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges, Tiger Leaping Gorges are located in Hutiaoxia Town, 105 kilometers away from Zhongdian/Shangri-La County. Spring is the best time to visit, as melting snow flowing down from mountains makes the river turbulence at its peak.
- View the first bent of Yangtze River at The Stone Drum Town(Shigu Town) (30 minutes): Stone Drum Town stands the base of the mountain flanking First Bay on the Yangtze River. This town derives its name from a white marble carved monument in the shape of a drum. It has a diameter of 15 m and is 0.7 m tall. This historically relevant stone monument was erected during one of the earliest periods of history of the Lijiang area.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Lijiang to Kunming, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Lijiang)
Meals: Breakfast