10 or 14 Days Kunming, Dali,
Lijiang, Zhongdian, Kunming, Shanghai
Day 1 Sat: North America / Chengdu
Depart North America this evening for Kunming
Day 2 Sun: Arrive Kunming
Arrive in this evening in Kunming in colorful
Yunnan Province. Endowed with an idyllic climate,
Kunming is also known as the “City of Eternal
Spring.” Verdant throughout the year, it is renowned
for its abundance of camellias, azaleas, orchids and
a profusion of flowering plants. HARBOR PLAZA HOTEL
Day 3 Mon: Shilin, The Stone Forest
No visit to Yunnan is complete without a tour of
the incredible Stone Forest. According to historical
records dating back to the Ming dynasty, it has been
one of the most famous scenic spots in China for
centuries. As soon as you enter the forest, you are
confronted by one miraculous view after another. The
Stone Forest, which is made up of stands of
limestone that jut from the earth in fascinating
formations, covers an area of about 96,000 acres and
includes both large and small stone forests, as well
as many other scenic spots. Visit the Botanical
Garden, which features over 4,000 varieties of
tropical and sub-tropical plants. (BLD)
Day 4 Tue: Kunming / Dali
Fly to Dali in southwestern Yunnan. Dali
impresses the visitor with landscapes that are both
magnificent and graceful. Enjoy a full day of
sightseeing in the town of Xizhou. Visit the homes
of the Bai people as well as the three pagodas. Take
a cruise on Lake Erhai followed by a leisurely
stroll through the traditional local market of the
old town of Dali. DALI ASIA STAR HOTEL (BLD)
Day 5 Wed: Dali / Lijiang
Today you will drive through the scenic
countryside to Lijiang, which is rich in cultural
history. Well-preserved stone bridges, colorful
costumes and old men who can still read the ancient
pictographic language of the Naxi people, one of
China’s numerous minority groups, allow you a
glimpse into that history. HARBOR TREASURE HOTEL. (BLD)
Day 6 Thu: Lijiang
Visit the Black Dragon Pond Park and the old
town of Lijiang Your tour includes a visit to the
Yunshan Meadow and then on to the Jade Dragon Snow
Mountain, Jade Peak Lama temple, White Water River
and the Baisha Mural Paintings. This evening enjoy a
concert featuring ancient Dogba music. (BLD)
Day 7 Fri: Lijiang / Zhongdian
Today you will drive to Zhongdian, the land
known as “Shangri-La,” with its snowcapped
mountains, wide meadows and swift rivers. Stop at
Tiger Jump Valley, the location of the narrowest
valley along the Yangtze. ZHONGDIAN PARADISE HOTEL (BLD)
Day 8 Sat: Bita Lake Excursion
Visit Bita Lake, which lies in the heart of a
nature preserve and is surrounded by mountains
covered with ancient pines, oaks and rhododendrons.
A small wooded island in the center of the lake is
home to many rare species of birds. Visit the
once-prosperous Tibetan Buddhist Guihua Monastery,
also known as Songzhanglin Lamaism Monastery. Later
pay a visit to local Tibetan family to learn about
the traditional Tibetan lifestyle. (BLD)
Day 9 Sun: Zhongdian / Kunming / Shanghai
This morning, fly to Kunming and connect with
your flight to Shanghai, “the Paris of the East” and
China’s most westernized and largest city. Your tour
of Shanghai includes a visit to Yu Yuan Garden, the
Temple of the Jade Buddha and a drive along the
famous Bund, the wide, tree-lined avenue along the
Huangpo River and the former “Wall Street” of
foreign powers. Later, enjoy a performance by famous
Chinese acrobats. JINJIANG HOTEL (South Tower) (BLD)
Day 10 Mon: Shanghai / North America
Leave the Orient behind today and board your
flight home, filled with memories of your exciting
journey into the many marvelous treasures of ancient
China. (B)
EXTEND YOUR STAY: TIBET
Day 1: Arrive Lhasa
Arrive this evening in Lhasa, the former capital
of the mountain kingdom of Tibet. Religion is a deep
force in this mystical land. Perched high atop the
passes between India and China, Tibet absorbed
Tantric Buddhism from the south, Shamanism from the
north and developed it into its own hybrid of
Lamaism, which dominated all aspects of Tibetan life
for over 1,000 years. TIBET HOTEL GUEST HOUSE (BD)
Day 2: Potala Palace & Sera Monastery
This morning, visit the vast Potala Palace,
former seat of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and
political head of Tibet. Built in the 7th century,
the palace is a magnificent work of architecture.
Constructed of wood and stone, with numerous gilded
pinnacles, this treasure house of Tibetan art has
1,000 rooms and halls, is 1,300 feet in length and
covers 1.4 million square feet! Tour the Sera
Monastery this afternoon, the most active monastery
in Tibet and the preferred site of the Tibetan “sky
burial.” (BLD)
Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit the striking Jokhang Temple this morning.
Situated in the heart of Lhasa, it was built over
1,300 years ago to house the Golden Buddha and is
one of Tibet’s holiest shrines. Also visit the
Barkhor Bazaar. For a glimpse of everyday life,
visit a typical Tibetan home to meet a local family.
Also visit the massive Drepung Monastery, the
largest of all lamaseries in Tibet. (BLD)
Day 4 Sat: Lhasa/Home
This morning, transfer to the airport for your
flight back home. (B)
