Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Tour
6-Day Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang Tour
Yunnan is the province with the most ethnic minorities in China. It is the homeland of 25 minority groups, who have created a colorful patchwork of cultures. They coexist harmoniously with the natural environment and eke out a traditional living with their hard work. They give this land an ethnic soul.
This 6-day Yunnan tour includes the essential attractions in the three most famous cities of Yunnan — Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang. Enjoy awesome scenery and the cultures that Chinese minority people have created. Understand their love of life, nature, and their homeland.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Admire a Darker Stone Forest and Discover Its Ethnic Depths
Explore the less-visited dark Stone Forest, and be amazed by its unique landscape. The black stones will tell you stories of the Yi People (with the help of your local guide).
Dance in a Stone Village Built by the Yi Minority
Yi people still live and work there in their traditional clothes. Your guide will tell you how the Yi people use local limestone to build their village.
China Highlights' special minority discovery experiences: Learn to play the Yi "guitar" with an Yi teacher, and join in a happy ethnic dance.
Discover the Secrets of Bai Tie-Dye, and Create Your Own!
Journey into the peaceful life of the Bai people in a village at the foot of the Cangshan mountains. Appreciate their pursuit of beauty in their old stages, house doors, headwear…
China Highlights' special minority discovery experience: Dye your own handkerchief in the traditional Bai way at a family tie-dyeing workshop.
Taste Home-Cooked Cuisine in a Bai Lady's Home
Sit in the traditional courtyard of a Bai lady's home. The hostess will warm your stomach and your heart with her home cooking. Sour and spicy fish, deep-fried pea cake, Bai-style roast cheese, and stir-fried organic vegetables will make you eat unstoppably.
China Highlights' special minority discovery experience: Experience the special welcome tea that Bai people treat important guests to.
Listen to a Naxi Shaman's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Stories
Pilgrimage to holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and stop at a quiet Naxi village. Be impressed by the Naxi people's passion for their lifestyle, homeland, and love.
China Highlights' special minority discovery experiences:
Visit a Shaman's home to learn some mysterious Naxi characters, and enjoy a piece of Naxi music.
A Naxi lady will teach you how to make a local pancake in their family-run restaurant.
Why Choose Us
Your Wellbeing is Our Priority.
- 1-to-1 travel expert
- Vaccinated guides
- Private Rides
Your Trip is Perfectly Planned.
- No crowds
- Exclusive Exciting Experiences
Your Booking is Risk-Free.
- No cancellation fee
- Free changes
Finish Your Booking in as Quick as 1 Day
1. Tell us your dream travel idea
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What Our Customers Said
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We have been travelling around Yunnan…
We have been travelling around Yunnan Province for 8 days and it’s been amazing. The culture, the food, the people’s kindness, all these things made our trip unforgettable. Especially our guide Nancy! The most helpful and friendly guide we could have. We really appreciate her knowledge about the local history and the culture. She’s really amazing and we strongly recommend her services. moreMar 2022, Danielle Toledo
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Awesome Yunnan trip with Nancy
We had a 6-day tour with guide Nancy around Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La in Yunnan. She’s very professional and experienced guide that made our tour far exceed expectations. It was a pleasure to have her as our tour guide. We strongly recommend her. Thank you! moreMar 2022, Rodrigo
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One of the best things I’ve done in China
One of the best things I’ve done in China. Being that I am pretty well traveled in China this Experience was so different from the others. Each city provided a different aspect of the culture, local traditions and beauty that China has to offer. Our Tour guide Nancy was amazing as she made our itinerary very well constructed and organized. She was there to make sure we were comfortable and happy. Her hyper energy and cheerfulness made us feel enthusiastic for the day. We are very satisfied with this trip and Nancy’s services that we will be sure to book again. moreFeb 2022, RoshR
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One of the best things I’ve done in China
One of the best things I’ve done in China. Being that I am pretty well traveled in China this Experience was so different from the others. Each city provided a different aspect of the culture, local traditions and beauty that China has to offer. Our Tour guide Nancy was amazing as she made our itinerary very well constructed and organized. She was there to make sure we were comfortable and happy. Her hyper energy and cheerfulness made us feel enthusiastic for the day. We are very satisfied with this trip and Nancy’s services that we will be sure to book again. moreFeb 2022, RoshR
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Lijiang Trip July 2021
Kudos to Alisa Liu from the agency who I must say was on hand almost 24/7 for requests and queries. Even though our trip was marred with the onset of the Typhoon In Fa with various flight and train cancellations but Alisa was quick to arrange for alternative solutions under the circumstances and made the most effort to make our journey as comfortable as possible whilst we made our way back to Shanghai. As for the itinerary, Alisa understands her clientele’s different needs very well and for the most part my expectations were met. I love private tours with a very relaxed itinerary and comfortable accommodation and some of us prefer more exclusive accommodation vs a packed itinerary trying to go to a hundred location type of tour. moreAug 2021, Ida Suriani
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Summer holiday in Yunnan
After spending 5 nights in Dali visiting sights in our own time, Alice who was very friendly and helpful, accompanied us on our drive from Dali to Lijiang. She shared interesting facts about the local area and the things we had done. In Lijiang, we met our guide Peter. Peter did an amazing job taking care of us and showing us the beautiful sights for our 3 days. He was so kind, providing us with snacks each morning and always ensuring the food met my dietary requirements. He even picked up our last minute NAT results that we did before our departure late at night! His passion and dedication to his job was very impressive, and we would highly recommend him to our friends. moreAug 2021, O6866ZGlaurag
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Amazing experience in Yunnan
Please bear in mind that booking tickets and actually getting to the sightseeing point is very challenging, especially during peak season. But with the help of our guides everything went smooth and silky. Thank you, China Highlights, for making our first trip to Yunnan an unforgettable and carefree adventure. It was a true relaxation without any headache or stress. We had nothing to worry about, except enjoying breathtaking beauty of Yunnan. moreJul 2021, olya84
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I visited Lijiang during the Spring Festival and I thought it was gonna be packed with people but my guide always knew were to take me to avoid crowds. I had a great time, my guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions with gusto. I’m very happy with my trip. --lunarcicles，Buenos Aires, Argentina moreFeb 2019,
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Tour Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Meet your private local guide in the arrival hall after walking out of the luggage claim area. Our guide will help you check-in and make sure everything at the hotel is satisfactory.
If you arrive during daytime, you can walk to Green Lake Park near the hotel, where you are likely to find local people in traditional dress dancing together. You are welcome to enjoy them.
Skipping the touristy part of the Stone Forest, you will visit the Naigu Stone Forest — the 'Ancient Black' Stone Forest. Climb to a high platform for a magnificent panoramic view and also take a little path threading the narrow space between the stones to witness the fantastic formations up close.
The Stone Forest area is the home of the Yi ethnic minority. Visit a unique Yi village built from the local limestone in the afternoon. Appreciate their usage of stones and their beautiful village. Try playing the Yi “guitar” and dance with them.
In the evening, transfer back to Kunming to catch a bullet train to Dali.
It is nicer to explore Dali Ancient Town in the early morning when there are not so many tourists. You will not only be impressed by the beautiful city gate and elegant buildings on the streets, but also feel the spirit of local life when you see people doing shopping in the food market and children walking to school.
Stroll out of the ancient town to discover an authentic Bai village at the foot of Cangshan — the 'Dark-Green Mountains'. Learn and experience the unique tie-dyeing of the Bai people and find the wind, the flowers, the snow, and the moon depicted on their Bai traditional dress. Enjoy the privilege of tasting home-cooked cuisine in a private Bai house.
Have a bike ride along Erhai Lake in the afternoon. Feel the wind, enjoy the flowery meadows and rice fields, and see the clouds floating above the majestic Cangshan mountians.
Pay a visit to Black Dragon Pool Park, where the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China.
Then discover the best-preserved minority ancient town, Lijiang Ancient Town, which is a valued heritage site bequeathed by the governor of the Naxi. The exquisite architecture shows you the splendid culture of the Naxi ethnic minority. Climb up to Lion Hill to have a bird's-eye view of the whole town at sunset.
Pilgrimage to holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the morning. The mountain massif is believed to guard and bless the Naxi, and so they in turn protect it.
Take a cable car to Spruce Meadow at an altitude of 3,240 meters (10,630 feet). Besides appreciating the awesome natural landscape and views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you will unlock its romantic legends with the help of your guide.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant run by a local Naxi family. You will also have a chance to learn to make Naxi pancakes (Naxi baba) as a dish of your lunch.
Understand more about the mysterious Naxi culture by visiting a shaman's house in the village. Learn some Naxi characters and enjoy a piece of old Naxi music. You will be impressed by the local people's passion for their culture and homeland.
Your guide and driver will escort you to Lijiang Airport to catch your flight and end this colorful tour.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
