A Feast of Landscapes and Ethnic Minority Culture
This is a tour for people who would like to skip the big city (Kunming), and visit the most-recommended destinations in Yunnan at a comfortable pace. Not only enjoy awesome plateau scenery, but also discover the colorful cultures that Chinese minority people have created, and have some exclusive experiences that will help you get to know the real Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Dive into the Daily Life of Bai People
Walk into a traditional Bai village virtually untouched by tourism. See the villagers shopping in the market and chatting in front of the temple. Experience their traditional tie-dyeing and enjoy home cuisine in a Bai family's courtyard. Discover the beauty they create in their daily life.
Soar on the Wind of the Erhai Lake
Have a bike ride alongside Erhai Lake. Feel the wind, enjoy the flowery meadows and rice fields, and see the clouds floating above the majestic Cangshan mountians.
Listen to a Naxi Shaman's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Stories
Pilgrimage to the holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and stop at a quite Naxi village to visit a Shaman's home. Learn some mysterious Naxi characters, and enjoy a piece of Naxi music. Be impressed by the Naxi people's passion for their lifestyle, homeland, and love.
Visit a Nonpublic Dormitory of Songzanlin Monastery
Discover the beating heart of local Tibetan belief. Talk with a local Tibetan lama in his dormitory's study room, which is not normally open to tourists. If you are lucky, you might meet a living Buddha!
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Dali trip was amazing with guide Daisy!
Our guide, Daisy, was so kind with us and even just for one day trip, she showed us the lake, pagodas, the old town, and the beautiful tea house. She gave us recommendations of restaurants, local food and all the highlights in Dali. She is also really good with pictures. more
Aug 2024, Larissa R
|
The best experience in Dali, with Mocui tea house
Even with just one day, our guide Daisy showed us the highlights of the city, the lake, pagodas, the ancient town and the tea house. more
Aug 2024, Larissa and Cesar
|
Dali: Daisy
Daisy was my guide in Dali in Jul 2024. She is amazing! She kept me entertained the whole time with riveting stories of the Dali and its history. She also effortlessly weaved my special requests of visiting antique shops and tea tasting into the itinerary. She ensured that I was always well-fed and watered. I highly recommend this trip and please request to have Daisy as your guide! more
Jul 2024, Consumer
|
Tour Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Meet your private guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Explore Dali Old Town after checking in. Read the splendid history of Dali recorded on the ancient gates, the old temples, the stone-paved streets and the Chinese-style church.
Visit Zhoucheng village, at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains, in the morning when it is full of life. Enjoy the beautiful architectures of the Bai ethnic minority. Say hello to the ladies wearing their traditional dresses. Experience tie-dyeing, and make your own souvenir from Dali.
Be hosted by a local Bai family. Taste the hostess's cooking in her beautiful courtyard.
Have a bike ride along Erhai Lake in the afternoon. Enjoy the wind, the flowers, the blue lake, and the gorgeous Cangshan Mountain view.
Your personal guide and driver will transfer you directly from Dali to Lijiang. Enjoy lunch and start the tour in Lijiang. Lijiang Ancient Town is the best-preserved minority ancient city. Climb up to Lion Hill to have a bird's-eye view of the whole town.
Then pay a visit to the Black Dragon Pool Park, where the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China.
Welcome to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain of the Naxi people. Ascend by cable car and find yourself in a real paradise as you overlook stunning and varied natural beauty, including spruces, meadows, yaks, and brooks.
Enjoy lunch in a restaurant run by a local Naxi family in Baisha village. You can try to make your own Naxi pancake (Naxi baba) as the main dish for your lunch.
Visit a shaman (called dongba, which means 'wise man' in the Naxi language) of the Naxi ethnicity at his home. Learn some Dongba characters and enjoy a piece of Naxi music. You will be impressed by the Naxi people's passion for their lifestyle, homeland, and love.
Visit one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges — Tiger Leaping Gorge. The dashing water of the magnificent Jinsha River (Yangtze) roars through a narrow valley with a rock in the center.
Walk around Shangri-La Old Town in the afternoon. Don't miss the Tibetan dancing in Sifang Jie ('Square Street', the town's center square) in the evening.
Visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan Province — Songzanlin Lamasery. Be impressed by the splendid architecture as you ascend to the entrance. Then be embraced by the holy atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism as you enter the hall with huge Buddhas and colorful murals. Feel the piety of Tibetan people who are praying and listen to the chants of the lamas.
Visit the dormitory of a lama, which is not normally open to tourists. If you are curious about their lifestyle, religious beliefs, practices, and discipline, this is a great chance to get ask a lama face to face.
In the afternoon, visit Pudacuo National Park, which retains a well-preserved ecosystem in its virgin forests.
Transfer to Shangri-La Airport.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: dal-3