Others

Dali’s ancient town walking tour; Day trip to Xizhou; Lijiang walking tour; 2 days’ Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking; Shangri-La walking tour; Shangri-La Sumtseling Monastery; Travel agency liability insurance.

Guide

English speaking tour guides in each destination, except on the trains; All Truly China group trips are accompanied by one of our tour guides. The aim of the tour guide is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your guide will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Truly China Travel we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your guide can recommend a scenic spot guide service in most of the main scenic spot of your trip.

Transport

Transfers mentioned in the itinerary.

Meals

8 breakfasts are included, and normally they are Chinese and Western buffet. VEGETARIANS & VEGANS: Vegetarians in China certainly won’t go hungry as there are always plenty of meat free options on menus including vegetable, tofu and egg dishes. Your tour guide can advise on some local favourites. Dairy is uncommon in Chinese cooking, although in some regions like Tibet, Xinjiang and Yunnan you will find milk products as part of the local cuisine. Vegans should also have few problems finding tasty meals in most locations. Nearly all cities will have vegetarian restaurants, often near to temples or monasteries that specialise in Buddhist cuisine. DIETARY NEEDS: Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may wish to supplement inclusions with their own supplies from markets or supermarkets. Please note that some dietary requirements, such as Gluten Free, will be uncommon in China and you may need to explain to your tour guide what you can and can’t eat as well as research common dishes before you travel. ALLERGIES: For those suffering from particular food allergies, your tour guide will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic and research suitable local foods before travelling.

Accommodation

6 nights at 3-Star hotels and 2 nights at 3-Star standard Guesthouses. All rooms are air conditioned and offer a private bathroom. Hotel breakfast is included. We will send you full hotel information after your booking is completed.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Others

Transportation to and from Kunming Yunnan; Lunches and dinners; Other optional excursions and entrance tickets; Tips to drivers and tour guides; Other personal expenses.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrive In Kunming
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrive In Kunming

Whether you fly in or take the high-speed rail to Kunming. Your guide and driver will give you a warm greeting and welcome you to Kunming. You will be driven to your hotel to rest and prepare for your upcoming adventures.

After you make a booking, please kindly provide us with your detailed flight or train information so that we can arrange a pick-up and drop off transfer in advance.

Nimen Hao! Welcome to Kunming. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place.

We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these ready to provide to your leader. If you arrive early, go for a stroll and get acquainted with this pleasant ’eternal spring city’, so called for its temperate nature. Perhaps head to Green Lake Park where you can see locals spending their leisure time on all kinds of activities and games. Check out The Loft, a disused factory area west of the city centre, home to many small galleries and cafes. Or perhaps visit Yuantong Temple, the grandest Buddhist temple in Yunnan province.
Day 2 Kunming To Dali
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kunming To Dali

Travel by high-speed train to your next destination, Dali (approximately 2 hours). For many years this spot has been a favourite destination for foreign travellers and backpackers, thanks to its laidback atmosphere and spectacular surroundings. There are snow-capped mountains on one side and the vast Erhai Lake on the other, making for an impressive sight. This afternoon you will take a guided walk around Dali’s ancient town with your leader. Present-day Dali is a city that combines history with modern convenience. It is divided into two areas: the Ancient City and the New District (widely known as Xiaguan). After your tour, enjoy a free evening in this picturesque town. Perhaps circle back to Foreigner Street in the Ancient City, where handicrafts and local culinary delights rightly attract many visitors.
Day 3 Dali
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Dali

Take a private bus to Xizhou, around 23 kilometres north of Dali on a day trip today. Xizhou is famous for its Butterfly Spring and Bai architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of the town and the local markets – a great chance to learn more about Bai architecture. Interact with some local families living in the traditional courtyards to get a feel for local life. Be sure to try some tasty local snacks such as baba (fried rice cake) or the local cheese. Enjoy some more free time upon your return to Dali - perhaps take the cable car up Cangshan Mountain or stop in at the Three Pagodas.
Day 4 Dali To Lijiang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Dali To Lijiang

Travel by travel by High-Speed train to Lijiang(approximately 2 hours ). This World Heritage-listed town is home to the Naxi people, a matrilineal society descended from Tibetan nomads. After arrival, enjoy some free time. Maybe visit the Wangu Pagoda, situated at Lion Hill in a small park and has amazing views over Lijiang. Or visit he picturesque Heilongtan Park and wander the cobbled streets in the old town and take the chance to do some shopping. In recent years, Lijiang has become very popular with domestic tourists, so don’t be surprised if you see the streets full of tourists from home and abroad.
Day 5 Lijiang To Tiger Leaping Gorge
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lijiang To Tiger Leaping Gorge

Travel by private bus to Qiaotou (approximately 1 hour 40 mins), the starting point for your trek through the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge. This is one of the deepest and most spectacular gorges in the world. The entire canyon is 16 km long and rises up to 3,900 metres above the waters of the famous Yangzi River. Though the gorge has become very popular in recent years, and the area has developed rapidly, it’s still an incredibly rewarding travel experience which many cite as a highlight of their time in China. Prepare a day pack (your larger luggage will be stored for two nights) and embark on your hike. There will be regular stops to rest as needed. The first part of the trek is quite arduous – this is not flat terrain by any means. After a slow and steady climb you will reach the 24 bends (the most challenging part of the trek), a steep and twisting path where you’ll really gain some altitude. After stopping for a break, continue along the flatter section of the gorge to your accommodation. This is a simple but comfortable guesthouse with shared facilities (upgrades to private facilities at your own cost may be possible, depending on availability).

The area is subject to dramatic changes in weather. We schedule departures for the more stable seasons, but it’s still possible that conditions may make travelling through the gorge dangerous. In this case an extra night each will be spent in Shaxi and Lijiang. Should the weather be deemed by your leader and guide as too rainy or foggy to safely complete the trek once in the gorge area, an alternative walking route will be taken or a minivan will be used for transport between destinations, using the recently built highway.

Special Information

Trekking in the gorge area can be hard going for some but for more experienced hikers it will pose no problem. You can expect to walk about 4–6 hours on the first day, tackling some long, steep sections, and about 4 hours the next. You’ll be in the hands of an experienced local guide. The route and duration of walks will vary depending on the weather and the fitness of the group. This part of the trip definitely requires a good level of fitness.
Day 6 Tiger Leaping Gorge
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Your second day of trekking starts with a nice, easy section that has spectacular views. There are only a few uphill battles (and one slippery downhill stretch) before you reach your destination for the night – Walnut Grove. Those with the energy can enjoy further hikes to some excellent lookout points from here. Otherwise, this a tranquil place to simply sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery and rest your weary legs. It’s important to note that Tiger Leaping Gorge is subject to dramatic and unpredictable weather conditions. We have scheduled departures in the more stable seasons, but the possibility still exists that conditions may make travelling through the gorge dangerous.
Day 7 Tiger Leaping Gorge To Shangri-La
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tiger Leaping Gorge To Shangri-La

Today you’ll travel to a place so beautiful it was officially renamed Shangri-La, a reference to the mythic utopia from James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon. Make the 5-hour drive to Shangri-La and feel the modern world fade away as you head higher into the mountains. This charming Tibetan town lies on an altitude around 3200 metres, so take it easy upon arrival and give yourself some time to acclimatise. Later take a stroll on winding streets past prayer halls and pagodas in Dukezong Ancient Town. A fire tore through the area in 2014, destroying most of the town, but painstaking restoration work continues and the town remains charming. It’s also home to a towering, gilded prayer wheel – the largest in the world.
Day 8 Shangri-La
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shangri-La

Learn more about Tibetan Buddhism with a visit the Sumtseling Monastery. Located just outside the city and modelled after the Potala Palace, Sumtseling is the predominant monastery in the region and a popular destination for pilgrims. Constructed in 1681 and subsequently destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the complex was rebuilt in 1981 and the red and gold buildings now house hundreds of monks. Enjoy a free afternoon in Shangri-la. You might want to hire a van and drive to Xiaozhongdian, where the beautiful landscape is dotted with Tibetan villages. If you’re lucky you may even get invited to a local’s home to enjoy some Yak butter tea!
Day 9 Shangri-La (Departure)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shangri-La (Departure)

Your Yunnan tour comes to an end this morning. There are no activities on the final day and you will be taken to the high-speed train station or airport.

If you wish to leave a few days later in Shangri-La, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

9 days tour

Explore Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge,

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Explore Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge,

Arrive In Kunming

Kunming To Dali

Dali

Dali To Lijiang

Lijiang To Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge To Shangri-La

Shangri-La

Shangri-La (Departure)

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