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!
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Beeindruckende Tage in Lijiang
Wir waren 3 N?chte in Lijiang, organisiert durch China Highlights. Wir haben den Jadedrachenschneeberg besucht, wurden in Baisha durch einen Naxi-Schamanen in die Bilderschrift der Naxi eingeführt, waren in der Tigersprungschlucht und sind durch die Altstadt von Lijiang gebummelt. Unser Guide Alice hat uns super geführt (englisch), ist auf unsere Wünsche eingegangen und wir hatten viel Spass und tolle Gespr?che miteinander. Ein tolles Erlebnis. more
Oct 2025, Ulrich
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A Very Memorable Visit to Shanghai.
We arrived in Shanghai on 30 Oct 2024 to the announcement that Shanghai would be hit by a severe typhoon on 1 Nov. But that did not faze our wonderful guide, Winnie! She reorganised our itinerary to max the time we had before the typhoon arrive which would have stopped all activities. Meeting us at 8.30am, she whisked us to Shanghai Tower - so that we could beat the morning crowd to get up to the observation deck on the 118th floor and take in the breath-taking view before the rolling fog reduced all visibility! Lunch was a v delicious meal of local treats at a famous local bistro after a tour of the Shanghai Museum. Winnie was so thoughtful, she even bought us a green bean soup each for us old folks to hydrate ourselves through the afternoon. Plus - a very pretty pumpkin pastry to celebrate Halloween! We spent the afternoon walking along the Bund with Winnie explaining the history and significance of the different buildings and a tour of the French Quarter after that. All these could not have been done the next day when the typhoon brought gusty wind and heavy rain. Because of Winnie's initiative and hard work on 31 Oct, we got to see the Shanghai we came to visit! Kudos to you, Winnie! more
Nov 2024, Navigate14411878263
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Great day in Suchzou and Tongli
Thanks to our guide Kenny! She was very welcoming and nice! Showed us Suchzhou in a very nice way. We visited the park, had a nice dinner in a restaurant that she chose for us (the food was great and atmosphere very warm) and visited Tongli water village. Her English is great, we understood her very well, and she was also very knowledgeable. Would totally recommend more
Nov 2024, Nidia
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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 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