Quotes:

Kunming:

“Kunming is a laid back place away from the larger, hustle bustle markets in the south of China.”

“Flowers are everywhere, a real delight to the eyes and senses…Folk culture is real here.”

Dali:

“Great food, relaxed streets and souvenirs galore.  What more can you ask for?”

“The cultural experience of Dali is great.  The colorful dress of the minorities, the hectic village markets and imposing mountains makes this place a blitz of colors and flavor.”

Lijiang:

It’s amazing that the locals have adapted so well to time, yet preserved so much of their culture.”

“These are people who have long roots and love their history.”

Tiger Leaping Gorge:

“This is a great sightseeing stop with enormous photo opportunities.  Bring your camera, wear skidproof shoes, and be prepared to be astonished.”

Zhongdian:

“So far, there is no evidence that a certain area in this world is the Shangri-la mentioned in James Hilton’s novel entitled Lost Horizon.  But everyone who has been to Zhongdian agrees that it is a secluded place like a fairyland on earth – or the Shangri-la in people’s hearts.”

 

Itinerary:

 

Day 01   Kunming

We begin our journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming.  Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, our local guide will meet us.  And then we will be transferred to our hotel.  Though being the capital of Yunnan with a population of 4.55 million, Kunming remains an ideal, laid-back place for us to relax ourselves.  We will visit the landmark of Kunming — the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway, which is located at the corner of Sanshi Road and Jinbi Road. The archway is 12 meters in height, and 18 meters in width.  It is a typical architecture of traditional Kunming style.  To the north, there is an archway called Zhong’ai Archway. 

Overnight at: New Era Hotel (****)

Included Meals: dinner

 

Day 02   Kunming – Stone Forest

In this morning, we’ll take a leisurely stroll along Green Lake.  The charming lake lined with drooping willow trees and dappled in the bright spring tints of peach and plum trees.  Early in the morning Green Lake Park is alive with people doing exercises, playing badminton, jogging and bicycling to work.  One of the most beautiful scenes of the Green Lake during the winter season is red-beak seagulls.  During the winter months, the red-beak seagulls migrate to the Green Lake from Siberian to escape the arctic chill and entertain the crowds of visitors as they swoop and dive across the lake.  And then, we will drive 86 km to the World Natural Heritage and the World Geologic Park -- Stone Forest.  There is a local saying: "It is a waste of time not to visit the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming", which vividly expresses the deep love of the local people toward this world wonder.  The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.  There, we will visit a local village where Sani people inhabit.

Overnight at: New Era Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

Day 03   Kunming — Dali

We’ll take a morning flight to Dali.  Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan, an important gateway of cultural exchange and trading with southeastern Asian countries, and an important pass of the ancient "Silk Route of the South".  It has long enjoyed the reputation of "a land of literature".  We’ll travel in the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island.  After landing, we will head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture.  And then, we will visit the Three-pagoda Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan.  It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China.  At last, we will visit the Old Dali Town, which is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain.  The Old Dali Town was built in the reign of Emperor Hongwu of Ming Dynasty (1382 AD), and it is one of the National Historic and Cultural Cities.  On the east, it faces Erhai Lake, back on Cangshan Mountain.  The city tower is a grand historical architecture.  There is a road going through the town, on each side of which people are selling marble products, Dali blue dyed cloth, grass handicraft products etc, and some special Dali flavor food as well.

Overnight at: Landscape Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

Day 04   Dali — Lijiang

In the morning, we’ll embark on a scenic drive with Mt. Cangshan on one side and the Erhai Lake on the other, driving to Lijiang (“Beautiful River", a name given by Kublai Khan in 1254).  We’ll head to the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.  Once passing the Waterwheel at the entrance of the Old Lijiang Town, we will find ourselves transported into a world of narrow cobblestone streets bordering canals of crystal clear freshly melted snow.  It has kept unchanged since the Ming Dynasty (A.D.1368—1644) when the town was founded.   Lijiang, possibly the best-preserved old town in China, is one of the last places in this country where we can witness and experience a historical, traditional, ancient urban culture.  Remarkably, the old houses with stone foundations, plastered whitewashed brick walls, red wooden doors, shutters and balconies, and sloping tiled roofs, survived a recent earthquake without much damage, while the new concrete buildings were flattened.  The canals are lined with weeping willows and decorative arched bridges linking one alley to the next.  And then, we’ll visit the Wangu Pavilion where we can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Old Lijiang Town.  After dinner, we will attend the concert of the ancient Naxi music in the evening.

Overnight at: Lijiang Yinxiang Gucheng Wenyuan Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

Day 05   Lijiang

We’ll visit Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishui River; visit the Maoniu Meadow (Yak Meadow) in the Yulong Snow Mountain by chairlift. The much famed mountain is situated some 15km north of Lijiang County, located in the southern section of the Hengduan (transversely faulted) Mountain ranges.  With thirteen peaks resembling jade pillars holding the sky, it stands majestically on the east side of the Jinshajiang River.  The main peak, Mount Fan (Shanzidou), is 5,596 m. above sea level, and is annually snowcapped.  The summit's semblance to a crystalline jade dragon gives the mountain its name.  In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village, and we’ll drive to visit Yufeng Lamasery.  And then, we’ll visit the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, famous Austrian-born American botanist and expert on Naxi culture.  At last, we’ll head for Huangshan Village where traditional Naxi people inhabit and we’ll take our dinner of local flavor at a Naxi home there.

Overnight at: Lijiang Yinxiang Gucheng Wenyuan Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 06   Lijiang — Tiger Leaping Gorge —Zhongdian

From Lijiang, we’ll travel north by road into the mountains stopping at the First Bend of the Yangtze River.  The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.  We will visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world.  With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area.  And the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge looks like that the mighty Yangtze has carved the world’s deepest chasm.  Upon arrival in Zhongdian, we will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.  Towards evening we’ll take yak butter tea and take dinner at a home of a local Tibetan family at Trinye Village.

Overnight at: Gyaltang Dzong Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

Day 07   Zhongdian

This morning we’ll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan.  The snow-covering peak combined with the chanting and incense from the Tibetan monasteries, we may be brought to the life of "Shangri-La" described in Hilton's Lost Horizon, and afterwards we’ll go and visit the tranquil Pudacuo National Park (Bita Lake and Shudu Lake.  These two high mountain lakes are surrounded by alpine meadows and wildflowers on one side with a temperate rain forest on the other.)  After having finished touring the park, we’ll visit the Old Town of Zhongdian and the Public Hall of Zhongxin Town, which is located at the east foot of the Dagui Mountain, southeast of Zhongxin Town, and is one of the national key historical relics, where local Tibetans meet, discuss and chant scriptures.

Overnight at: Gyaltang Dzong Hotel (****)

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

Day 08   Zhongdian – Kunming

We'll take a morning flight to return to Kunming.  After arrival, we'll spend some time exploring the bustling Flower and Bird Market before our farewell. Our journey will conclude with our airport transfer.

Overnight at: n/a

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

 

 

Full-Package Rate:

	2 persons	3-5 persons	6-9 persons	10 persons or above
Full-package Rates	CNY7680/person	CNY6860/person	CNY5960/person	CNY5340/person
Single Supplement	CNY1750	CNY1750	CNY1640	CNY1640

 

2. Exclusion
 Visa Fees; 
 Excess Baggage Charges;
 Personal expenses, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry;
 Any meal which is not specified ;
 Single room supplement;
 Gratuities, tips to guides or drivers.

 

3. Hotel Brief
New Era Hotel, Kunming (4-star): http://www.erahotel.com/x-html/xjy.asp
Modern, centrally located, high comfort 4-star hotel with good facilities and breakfast. Comfortable rooms and convenient to shops and restaurants.

Landscape Hotel, Dali (4-star): http://www.landscapehotel.com
Welcoming Bai people’s style hotel, centrally located at the center of the Old Dali Town. 4-star hotel with comfortable rooms and friendly staff.

Lijiang Yinxiang Gucheng Wenyuan Hotel (4-star): http://www.oldtown-hotel.cn/Web/Welcome.aspx

One of the best in this remote town. Naxi people style hotel.  Great location in the old town with pleasant rooms.

Gyaltang Dzong Hotel , Zhongdian (4-star): http://www.angsana.com/en/gyalthang_dzong/index.html

Boutique Tibetan style hotel surrounded by beautiful wild rugged countryside.  Lovely colorful local décor and furnishings make this a cozy and unique place to stay.

 

4. Arrival/Departure
Your trip begins and ends in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.  Arrivals may be at anytime on Day 1 and departures may be after the noon on Day 8. Transfers will be provided both upon arrival on Day 1 from Kunming International Airport (KMG) and on Day 8 for your return flight.

 

5. About Your Other Domestic Flights
Contact DreamlandGo for the information about your other domestic flights.  Maybe we can obtain a better discount from airlines than you can.

 

6. Recommended Reading
Lost Horizon – James Hilton
From Rice to Riches: A Personal Journey through a Changing China – Jane Hutcheon
Red China Blues: My Long March from Mao to Now – Jan Wong
China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power – Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl Wudunn

 

7. Payment and Cancellation Policy
A deposit of 70% of the trip total is due 30 days prior to departure.  Final payment is due upon your arrival on Day 1.  Please see DreamlandGo Terms and Conditions.

 

8. A Responsible DreamlandGo
DreamlandGo practices a thorough, realistic Responsible Travel Policy, full details of which can be found in our website. Our policy includes a “Guide to Responsible Travel”, full of useful pointers which will make you a more “responsible” traveler in Yunnan.

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