Yunnan Family Tour

8-Day Kunming - Dali - Shaxi - Lijiang - Kunming

This 8-day tour covers Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, and Lijiang. You'll explore ancient towns, experience diverse ethnic cultures, and discover natural wonders, all while enjoying comfortable accommodations and convenient transfers.

From US$
Per person based on 2 travelers in 4-star hotels

Highlights

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive in Kunming, Transfer to Kunming Railway Station to Dali, Dali Railway Station Transfer
  • Dali Landscape Hotel4-star hotel
  • None

Arrive at Kunming Airport, meet your driver, and transfer to Kunming Train Station to catch your onward train to Dali.

Good to Know

  • This tour does not include international flights. However, we would be more than happy to assist you in booking flights if you contact us.
Meet Your Guide at Chengdu Airport
Meet Your Guide at Chengdu Airport
DAY 2 Erhai Lake Tour by Private Vehicle: Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Bai Culture, Three Pagodas, Ancient City of Dali
  • Dali Landscape Hotel4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

Kick off your 6-hour Erhai Lake exploration from Xizhou, an 18-kilometer drive north of Dali Ancient City. This charming town is dotted with traditional Bai ethnic houses and is celebrated as the origin of Xizhou Baba, a local savory pastry.

Take a Drive around Erhai Lake
Take a Drive around Erhai Lake

After a short stopover, a 20-minute drive brings you to Zhoucheng Village—the largest Bai ethnic settlement. Here, you can engage in a hands-on tie-dyeing workshop to experience this time-honored Bai craft firsthand.

A 40-minute drive further leads to Shuanglang Town, a scenic fishing village on Erhai’s northeast coast. It’s the perfect spot to savor local snacks and take a leisurely break amid the lake’s tranquil views.

Bai People
Traditional Dance of the Bai People on the Lake Bank.

Next, travel 20 kilometers to Xiaoputuo Island, a tiny islet roughly 20 meters offshore. You don’t need to set foot on the island; its picturesque silhouette makes for stunning photos taken directly from the lakeshore.

Fishermen on Erhai Lake
Fishermen on Erhai Lake

A 10-minute drive takes you to the tour’s final stop - Ideal Kingdom. This renowned hotel is famous for its architecture inspired by Greece’s Santorini. For an extra treat, you can opt for afternoon tea here at an approximate cost of CNY 200 per person.

Finally, drive 40 minutes along the lakeshore to head back to Dali Ancient City.

Then, head to The Three Pagodas in Dali is a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a cultural icon of Yunnan. Situated 1.5 km northwest of Dali Ancient Town, they were built between the 9th and 12th centuries during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms.

The Three Pagodas
The Three Pagodas

Wrap up the day by visiting Dali Ancient Town, which is a historical gem with a history spanning over a thousand years. Its ancient city walls, traditional Bai-style houses with white walls and blue tiles, and bustling streets lined with shops selling local handicrafts and snacks, like tie-dye products and milk fan.

Dali Ancient Town
Dali Ancient Town
DAY 3 Houses of Bai People in Xizhou, Our Guide and Driver will escort you from Dali to Shaxi, Shaxi Ancient Town (including SiDeng Street and Xinjiao Temple), Walk from Shaxi to a Neighboring Village
  • landscape Hotel Shaxi4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

Visit the Houses of Bai People in Xizhou in the morning, which showcase the unique culture of the Bai people. You can admire their traditional architecture, take part in folk activities if they are on offer, and sample Bai cuisine, such as the delicious Erkuai dishes.

Bai ethnic villages
Bai ethnic villages

Take a trip from Dali to Shaxi by private transfer. Shaxi Ancient Town is a well-preserved Tea Horse Road town that has retained its original layout and ancient buildings. Sideng Square, with its ancient theatre and old banyan tree, is a focal point where you can picture the hustle and bustle of past merchant activity.

Shaxi Ancient Town
Shaxi Ancient Town

Walk from Shaxi to a neighboring village (1 hour, 2.5 miles). You will start the hike from Sideng Street. Cross the Yujin Bridge and walk along the Heihui River to the north, where you can enjoy the peaceful countryside. Local people might be working in the fields. A lady carrying a big basket full of plants might be on her way home. 

Walk from Shaxi to a neighboring village
Walk from Shaxi to a Neighboring Village
DAY 4 Our Guide and Driver will escort you from Shaxi to Lijiang, Lijiang Ancient Town, and the Black Dragon Pool
  • Sedona Sanhe Hall4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

Travel from Shaxi to Lijiang by private transfer. Visit Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is famous for its maze-like cobblestone streets, flowing canals, and Naxi-style architecture. The old town is divided into different areas, each with its own charm.

Lijiang Old Town
The Large Waterwheel at the Entrance of Lijiang Ancient Town

Black Dragon Pool Park is a traditional Chinese garden featuring serene ponds, ancient cypress trees, and the magnificent Deyue Pavilion. The clear water of the pool reflects the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, creating a picture-perfect scene.

Black Dragon Pool Park
Black Dragon Pool Park
DAY 5 Blue Moon Valley, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (with Large Cable Car), Yuhu Village
  • The 5th Meteorite Grace Hotel4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This majestic mountain, part of the Himalayan range, stands at over 5,500 meters. You can take a cable car to explore the glacier park, walk along the snow-covered paths, and marvel at the stunning alpine scenery.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The Blue Moon Valley, with its turquoise waters and cascading waterfalls, is another highlight not to be missed.

Blue Moon Valley
Blue Moon Valley at the Foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The last stop is Yuhu Village, a tranquil Naxi village at the foot of the mountain. Here, you can visit the former residence of Joseph Rock, an explorer who documented Naxi culture, and interact with local villagers to learn about their traditional way of life, including their unique Dongba culture and handicrafts.

Yuhu Village
Yuhu Village

Travel to Shangri-la from Lijiang by private car after the tour.

DAY 6 Tiger Leaping Gorge (including Escalators), Transfer to Shangri-La Train Station, Take a Train from Shangri-La to Kunming, Kunming Train Station Transfer
  • Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river gorges, cuts through the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain in Yunnan, carved by the turbulent Jinsha River (upper reaches of the Yangtze River).

The gorge is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower. We will visit The Lower Gorge (Tiger Leaping Stone) is where the river rushes through the narrowest section, offering close-up views of the rapids.

Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to Shangri-la railway station, and catch your train to Kunming.

DAY 7 Feed Siberian Seagulls at Dianchi Lake, The Stone Forest
  • Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime4-star hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch

Explore Stone Forest in Kunming. This karst landscape features thousands of peculiar stone formations, some resembling trees, animals, or human figures, hence the name “Stone Forest”. Legend has it that this is the home of the Ashima, a figure from Sani ethnic folklore. You can take a walk among the stones, visit the underground caves, and learn about the geological history of the area.

Stone Forest
Stone Forest

Also, if you visit in winter, Dianchi Lake is a must-see, where thousands of red-billed gulls migrate. During the lake's annual seagull season, thousands of migrating Siberian seagulls fly to Kunming and spend their winter there. You'll have a chance to feed them (prepare food for them).

Dianchi Lake
Feed Seagulls in Dianchi Lake
DAY 8 Transfer to Kunming Airport, Kunming Departure
  • Breakfast

Meet your driver at the appointment time, then transfer to Kunming Airport to catch your onward flight.

What's Included

Notes

Price is based on a 2-person tour with 4-star hotels in low season.

from US $ p/p

Code: CT-107

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