Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Tour

When you walk out of the luggage claim area, you will find your private guide waiting for you outside the gate, holding a welcome sign on which your name is clearly written. A professionally-chauffeured vehicle will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you check-in and make sure everything at the hotel is satisfactory. Relax for the rest of the day.

Good to know:
If you arrive early in the morning and have some time to kill, you may consider enriching your day by visiting Yunnan Minority Village, which gives a very quick view of the various minorities in Yunnan and their cultures, costumes, and customs. If you are interested in the history of the American Flying Tigers during World War II, Kunming Museum is recommended.

Accommodation
Kunming New Era Hotel (4-star)/Green Lake Hotel (5-star).

After a 1½-hour drive, visit a fantastic natural phenomenon located 90 kilometers southeast of Kunming — the Stone Forest. The various shapes of limestone were formed due to millions of years' movement of the Earth. The Stone Forest area is the home of the Naxi people, and their folk customs have become a spectacular scene. The colorful embroidery and minority dances combined with the natural scenery will surely leave you with a lasting impression. Enjoy a local lunch in a quaint courtyard with the Stone Forest Park in the background.

In the afternoon, transfer back to Kunming and visit the Yuantong Temple, the largest and most ancient Buddhist temple in Kunming, to learn about the differences between the halls of the three denominations of Buddhism.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel for a good rest.

Good to know:
For Chinese tourists, the Stone Forest Park is a must-see attraction; therefore, the countless tourist groups there during the peak season rank among travelers’ pet peeves. Due to the gigantic size of the park, your guide will help you find quieter, more remote areas to avoid the crowds, especially in the winter months.

You will be transferred to your morning flight to arrive in Dali within one hour. Upon arrival, your Dali guide will be waiting to start a colorful day with you. First, visit the houses of the Bai minority people> in Xizhou Village. You will see typical Bai traditions and dresses. Some buildings are old and have typical ancient architectures, and are the ‘real local’ houses. Then hop in a horse-drawn carriage to enjoy a relaxing tour along the lakeshore of Erhai, which is blessed with a mild climate and stunning scenery. Have lunch at a popular local restaurant.

Located at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains is Dali Ancient Town, where clear springs flow and local minority people live. In a quiet corner of the town, you will also find a Chinese-style Catholic church that was built in 1927. Stay overnight in the ancient town and relax.

Good to know:
The Three Pagodas between the Cangshan Mountain and Er'hai Lake are considered the landmark of Dali. Towering aloft in a triangle shape, the Three Pagodas were built more than 1,000 years ago. It's recommended if you have extra time or interested in landmark photography.

Accommodation
Dali Landscape Hotel (4-star)/Gurong Hotel (5-star).

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. Most of the people living there belong to the Naxi minority, some of whom still make a living by making handicrafts of silver, leather, textiles, and some local snacks. Enjoy the quaint city scenery and see plenty of handicrafts in a distinctive style only found in this area of China. You can 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 the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China. Stay overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town.

Good to know:
Lijiang Ancient Town attracts more tourists than the Forbidden City in Beijing during peak season. Here are some tips to escape the hordes of tourists:
1. Stay overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town and start early: 80% of the tourists will be in 20% of the places. Get up early and find the best spots with the help of your guide.
2. Stay overnight in Shuhe Ancient Town: 20-minutes away from Lijiang by car, Shuhe ancient town is less touristic and quieter.

Accommodation
Lijiang Wangfu Hotel (4-star)/InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort (5-star).

The Baisha Murals in Baisha Village were painted hundreds of years ago, and the paintings took about 300 years to complete. By appreciating these unique murals, you will learn about the cultures of central China, the Naxi Minority, and Tibet, as well as the stories of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. A visit to Dr. Ho’s Clinic (a professional doctor who practices traditional Chinese medicine) is included. Enjoy lunch and have a short rest.

The Spruce Meadow is a vast meadow at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with an altitude of 3,240 meters. Besides appreciating the elegant natural landscapes and view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you will unlock the romantic legends with the help of your guide. If you are interested in photography, you will find it a perfect destination. After the tour, transfer back to Lijiang for another peaceful night.

In the morning, enjoy 1½-hour private transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest and most marvelous gorges consisting of precipitous cliffs and rapids. The dashing water from the magnificent Jinsha River flows into the narrow valley with a stone in the center. There is an ancient saying that the gorge is so narrow that a tiger was able to leap over to the other side of the river, hence the name.

After lunch, your guide and driver will escort you back to Lijiang to catch the flight to Kunming and end this colorful tour.

Good to know:
Apart from Kunming, you can fly from Lijiang to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lhasa. If you prefer to end your tour in other cities, please inform your trip advisor and we will check the best price for you.