8 Days Yunnan Shangri-la Deep Searching Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Chongqing-Dongchuan (370km+450km highway)

Stop At: Chongqing, Chongqing
We pick up our travelers in their Chongqing hotel then get started this excited highway road trip crosses amazing western China.

We'll through Chongqing, Scihuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, cross over mountains, woods and riveres, the deepper we're going the more splendid the landscape would be.

We'll pull over in highway rest area couple of times for rests and lunch till we get to our destination-Dongchuan, an incredible land covered with vast red soil.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Dongchuan Red Land, Xintian Town,Dongchuan District, Kunming 654109 China
Dongchuan is a district of Kunming-the capital city of Yunnan Province. We are here for the outstanding Red Land view.

Yunnan located in south-western China, neighbors with Tibet and Sichuan, shares border with Burma and Vietnam, a highland province with beautiful view, ethnic culture,bio-diversity and amazing exoticism. We'll mostly spend our days on this impressive hingh land region.

Upon arrival at Dongchuan, we'll check in our hostel and settle down for next day.

A local family hostel inside the Dongchuan Red Land attraction will be our accommodation for more effective timing. Those hostels are mostly clean, cute and with friendly staff.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: A local family hostel in Dongchuan Red Land.

Day 2: Dongchuan Red Land-Dali City (120km+288km highway)

Stop At: Dongchuan Red Land, Xintian Town,Dongchuan District, Kunming 654109 China
We'll spend the entire morning in Red Land attraction. Different minerals in soil creats that amazing massive red color land, it also appears various color style under highland sunlight.

We'll explore around enjoy the view and take some great photoes. Afterwards we'll be driving to our bext stop-Dali city, another lovely highland small city located by an immense fresh water lake.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Chuxiong, Chuxiong, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
We'll be passing by Chuxiong city and getting our lunch there on our way to Dali.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dali, Dali, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
After another amazing highland highway trip we'll be in Dali city, a major tourism attraction of Yunnan Province. The altitude here stays around 1900m (6000 feet), that makes Dali a comfortable attraction with moderate climate, blue sky, fresh air, uncontaminated water source and amazing scenary.

We'll stay Dali over 2 nights.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Rezen Retreat Gantong (Dali Old Town, 4-star) or equivalence.

Day 3: Day tour in Dali city and Erhai lake (60km's driving total, low intensity hiking required)

Stop At: Shuanglang Ancient Town, East Huaihai Road, Dali China
Dali is a small town located between Cangshan Snow Mountain and Erhai lake with beautiful view and amazing ethnic coulture, one of the most popular attractions in China.

In the morning we'll be driving on an orbital scenic road around Erhai lake and get to our first stop-Shuanglang Ancient Town. It's a little cute fishing village with fantastic lake view, we'll explore around, experience those pretty old style architectures, possibly pick up a cafe' enjoy the sunlight and locally produced coffee.

We might also randomly pull over amid our driving for nice view or interesting sites. Lunch will be in Shuanglang or nearby, low intensity hiking required here.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Xizhou Town, North Dali Old Town, Dali China
Our next stop will be Xizhou Town, an ethnic old town nearby Erhai lake, the highlight here would be unique folk custom. We'll walk through those small alleys and old style residences, have fun around.

A rickshaw ride in Xizhou town will be optional, that'll cost our travelers 15-30 yuan per adult. If travelers pick up one this ride the rickshaw driver will take us to some souvenir shops where the driver might get commission from travelers possible purchases as well as they show us around this old town, that's why we set this rickshaw ride as optional. Most travelers would choose stay with me.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Chongsheng Three Pagodas, Under Yingle Peak, Dali 671000 China
Then we move on to our next stop-Chongsheng Three Pogodas Temple, a pretty Buddhism temple over thousand year old in Dali. There are three ancient pogodas in this temple, now become an iconic landmark of this famous historical tourism attraction.

Admission goes to 120 yuan per adult.

Travelers might also do Dali old town in stead, we can roam around and explore an interesting bar street, also called "foreigner street", try some local beer, join the natives, not just being an onlooker.

No admission for Dali Old Town. Sometimes our travelers like to skip the three pogoda temple for the admission is not quite reasonable.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Rezen Retreat Gantong (Dali Old Town 4-star) or equivalence.

Day 4: Dali-Shaxi Village or Jianhu Lake-Lijiang (120km+88km highway)

Stop At: Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town, Southwest of Jianchuan County, Dali China
We farewell Dali and drive to our next attraction-Shaxi (Sand Stream) Old Village.

It's the sole original ethnic ancient village still well preserved in Tea-horse trade route-also called Sounthern Silk Road. This ancient trade route starts from Sichuan ( panda's homeland) throughs Yunnan and Tibet, eventually gets to ancient India.The history of this route is more than thousand years, it was a critical trade and culture route connects ancient China and India.

We nowadays could barely found any relics along this route but Shaxi, this whole village was somehow miraculously maintained til today.

On arrival in Shaxi we'll explore the whole village which is small and cute, the highlght will be an ancient theater and a stone bridge connects Shaxi and outside world.

We might also find a cute cafe' spend some time in this peacful gorgeous place, taste both coffee and history.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Jianchuan County, Jianchuan County, Yunnan
This session is an option instead of Shaxi Ancient Town in case of possible traffic control caused by bad weather or travelers' preference.

We'll take a relaxed tour in Jianhu ( Sword Lake) in Jianchuan County on our way to Lijiang.

It's a medium size fresh water lake with pretty view and divers plants and lake birds, a state-run natural preserve and wet land national park. The highlight will be a local sour-spicy fish pot, not a big meal but quite interesting.

This activity is free, and no admission here.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lijiang, Lijiang, Yunnan
Then we drive to our hotel in Lijiang City.

Lijiang supose to be the most popular tour destination in China, an absolute must-go attraction in Yunnan Province, known for Yulong (Jade Dragon )Snow Mountain , lovely highland view and divers folk custom. It's also on the ancient Tea-horse Trade Route, the famous World War II U.S.force Flying Tiger volunteer team used to stationed some aircrafts here.

Joseph Rock, an American explorer, also a resercher of National Geographic, spent more than 23 years in Lijiang. He studied local biology, culture and art, published few books about this amazing mysterious land in western China. He was considered the very first man who discovered this area both humanisticaly and naturally.

And it's also called Shangri-La, a legendary lost paradise on earth, just one step bihind Tibet.

We'll stay Lijiang over 3 nights.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Qidian (Guanfang Liajing Flagship Mansion 5-star) or equivalence.

Day 5: Lijiang day tour

Stop At: Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Yulong County 674100 China
In the morning we'll get to our first stop-a gorgeous valley nearby Jade Gragon Snow Mountain called blue moon valley. A small charming river throughs this valley, the blue river water looks like a crescent moon and reflects the giant snow mountain behind.

The we'll get to a viewing yard take a closer look at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The summit of Yulong (Jade Dragon) mountain is 5598m above sea level, still an unconquered virgin.

Admission
Jade Dragon Mountain 105 yuan per adult
Interior shuttle bus 75 yuan per adult
Lijiang Old Town maintenance tax 80 yuan per adult.(Mandatory, covers all other attractions in Lijiang)
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village, Baisha Yulong County, Lijiang 674101 China
Our next stop will be an ancient mural in Baisha (white sand) village.

This mural was painted in a temple, 500 year old. It's a mixture of Tibentan Buddhism and Han Taoism, a symbolic cultural icon of Lijiang, basically represents a multiethnic society of the ancient Tea-horse trade route.

We'll stroll around this village enjoy some peaceful relaxed time.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shuhe Ancient Town, 2 Miles North West of Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang 674100 China
Our next stop will be Shuhe Ancient Town.

Shuhe is an old town on the Tea-horse trade route, used to be the last transfer center on this trade route. Inland traders mostly won't go any further since here, meantime those Tibetan traders brought in their horses and other Tibetan goods, trade with inland ones, then take tea, porcelain and other inland products back to Tibet.

It's now becoming a pretty big attraction, we'll be hanging around this old town, exploring those alleys, learn some history, try local tea or coffee, some cafe' even make great waffle, muffin and piazza.

That's called "tender time in Lijiang".
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Old Town of Lijiang - China, No.57, Xuetang Rd, Dayan Township, Gucheng Dist, Lijiang 674100 China
After dinner in downtown Lijiang, we'll get to the Lijiang Old Town. This old town is much bigger than Dali and Shaxi, now becomes a super hot spot for all travelers from all over the world.

But we'll save the old town for tomorrow, tonight's highlight is a real old original traditional music show-Naxi Ancient Music Show. Naxi are the indigenous residents of Lijiang with a long long history over 3000 years. This music show mostly represents their original religious activities and art style.

The show lasts 1 hour, it's very impressive, all players are Naxi elders from villages nearby, it now becomes a cultural icon of Lijiang. We'll offer our travelers class A seats and admission is included.

We'll buy our travelers a locally produced special snack-baked fresh rose cake as gift represents our hospitality.

Then move back to our hotel and get ready for next day.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Qidian (5-star) or equivalence.

Day 6: Lijiang day tour

Stop At: Qingxi Reservoir, Yuquan Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100 China
In the morning we'll get to an "exclusive secret place"-Qingxi (clear stream) reservoir to have a real nice view of Lijiang and the snow montain's reflection.

This is a site where the local residents jog and exercise, not patronized by tourists, a holy site for photographers, exclusively presented only by Legend Tour.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Xuesong Village, Yuhu Village, Baisha Country, Yulong County 674101 China
Our next stop will be the former residence of Dr.Joseph Rock in Xuesong-a small village nearby Jada Dragon snow mountain.

Dr. Rock was a resercher, investgator and scientist worked for National Geographic in 1930's. He explored around Lijiang and Sichuan, did deep reserch on nature, biology, social enviroment, humanity, religion and art in this multiethinc area, became the very first one to introduce this lost paradise Shagri-La to outside world.

He mostly spent his studies and living in Xuesong village in Lijiang, his former residence still preserved, which was also his headquarter office in China.

We'll visit this original Naxi native village, learn Dr. Rock's story and the villagers' daily life, meanwhile it's also a nice spot to view the snow mountain closely.

We might also pull over several times on our way for splendid view, our travelers may take a stroll and shoot some great pictures.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Old Town of Lijiang - China, No.57, Xuetang Rd, Dayan Township, Gucheng Dist, Lijiang 674100 China
After lunch we'll be in Lijiang old town.

This old town is pretty big, also the major attraction of Lijiang. It's built up in a flat land directly faces the snow mountain, over 1000 year old. Now it's a symbol of tourism industry of Lijiang, Yunnan and even entire wasetern China.

We'll explore in it, learn all these bustling streets full of restaurants, cafe', souvenir shops and hostels, also quiet valleys with amazing old architectures surrounded with flowers, the entire afternoon will be yours, please enjoy several pleasent hours with the warm sunlight cos we are leaving next day.

There's an option in this old town, our travelers might choose to get to a hill top in old town where people may view the whole town and the snow mountain, admission goes to 50 yuan per adult.

The hiking to this hill top might be challenging for senior travelers, that's why we set it as an option.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Qidian (5-star) or equivalence.

Day 7: Lijiang-Liupanshui Guizhou (378km+440km highway)

Stop At: Liupanshui, Liupanshui, Guizhou
Today we farewell Lijiang, drive all the way home. We'll be drive along a brand new highway, and stay overnight in Liupanshui City.

Today our travelers may also choose to end this tour in Lijiang and transfer to other destination, we'll set a optional price "dissolve in Lijiang" for this circumstances.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Four Points Sheraton Liupanshui ( 5-star)

Day 8: Liupanshui-Chongqing (489km highway)

Stop At: Chongqing, Chongqing
We start from our hotel in the morning then drive all the way to Chongqing.

Upon arrival we'll deliver our trevelers to their hotel or any other specified location in Chongqing.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.