Colourful Yúnnán
Located on China's south-west frontier, the mountainous province of Yúnnán has been designated as the official Shangri-La by the Chinese government. The region combines divergent landscapes, from tropical rainforests to icy Tibetan highlands, with the nation's widest array of flora and fauna and a cultural and historical heritage that remains deeply rooted in the traditions of Greater Tibet.
Days 1–2 Kunming
On arrival you’ll be met and tranferred to your hotel. Enjoy a full-day excursion from Kunming, which is known as the ‘Spring City’, to the Stone Forest, a 270-million-year-old collection of rare limestone pillars.
Day 3 Dali
Board an early morning flight to Dali, the home of the Bai minority, and take a cruise on the Erhai Lake before visiting the 1,000-year-old Three Pagodas at Chongsheng Temple and the old city of Dali.
Days 4–5 Lijiang
Drive to the historic town of Lijiang, a unesco World Heritage Site whose old town in an attractive maze of cobbled streets, rickety old wooden buildings and pleasing waterways. Visit the Black Dragon Pool Park and take a trip to the Yak Meadow, a plateau of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. See the Baisha Fresco, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, and Yuhu village before finishing your day with a Naxi Classical Music Show.
Days 6–7 Shangri-La
After a five-hour drive through the forests alongside the Yangtze River, stopping at the First Bend of the River and Tiger Leaping Gorge along the way, you’ll arrive in Shangri-La. Take a full day tour to the Songzanlin Monastery. Founded in the 17th century, it’s now the residence of 700 monks and one living buddha. Continue on to the Napa Lake Reserve with its lush grasslands and fields of blossoming flowers before visiting a local Tibetan family and a village market.
Day 8 Depart
China Take a morning flight back to Kunming for your onward flight.
To book, call 0845 643 6561
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX101872.
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