Arrival - Kunming

Meet our guide on arrival at Kunming International airport.
Dinner and accommodation at the Harbour Plaza Hotel ***** or similar


Overnight :   Harbour Plaza Hotel ***** or similar
Meal :   D

Kunming – Lijiang

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to LIJIANG.
Upon arrival, stroll through the famous BLACK DRAGON POND PARK with the Moon Embracing Pavillion. Enter through the main gate and exit north next to the museum. Visit the DONGBA CULTURAL MUSEUM which will give you an insight into the unique Naxi ethnic minority culture and their religious beliefs.
Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon stroll through LIJIANG’S OLD TOWN. The city was founded by the Ming Dynasty and up to today has remained a magical world of historical buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque canals and arched bridges. Unesco named Lijiang a World Heritage site in 1997.
Dinner at a local restaurant in the Old Town followed by a Naxi orchestra performance of classical Chinese music.
Overnight stay at Wang Fu Hotel (****, RoH) or Banyan Tree Lijiang (Garden Villa)

Overnight :   Wang Fu Hotel
Meal :   (B/L/D)

Lijiang

After breakfast, drive 30 minutes to YUHU NAXI VILLAGE a charming village at the foot of the Snow Mountains. See the former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock who had devoted a good part of his life studying the Naxi culture. Continue to YUFENG MONASTERY, a small Lamasery famous for its Camelia Tree of 10.000 blossoms.
Lunch at local restaruant
13.00 Attend the IMPRESSION LIJIANG open air show in front of the Yulong snow mountain
After show, travel to Shuhe; the historical town of Shuhe with its lovely atmosphere of tea houses, art galleries and traditional Chinese houses. A horse cart will take you around the old town followed by time at leisure for your own explorations. If you would like to visit a further Naxi village after Shuhe your guide will be happy to take you to the area of Lashi Lake.
Dinner and overnight stay at Wang Fu Hotel (****, RoH) or Banyan Tree Lijiang (Garden Villa)


Overnight :   Wang Fu Hotel
Meal :   (B/L/D)

Lijiang - Zhongdian

Breakfast at hotel
Overland drive via the Yunnan/Tibet road to Zhongdian. Drive to The TIGER LEAPING GORGE, which is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Wedged tightly between titanic cliffs the Yangtze River is so narrow here, that according to a legend a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side of the river with a single leap. Continue drive through Lisu county and the land of the Yi people where horses roam freely, young men herd goats and wildflowers line the roadsides.
Visit the White Water Terrace which is located atBaidi Village, Samba Township of Shangri-La country. The unique karst landscape is formed by calcium carbonate, which is formed up by water containing calcium bicarbonate through a decomposition reaction caused by exposure to the sun, after years of sedimentation on the ground. – White Water Terrace is called Baibuzhi in Naxi language, which means the growing-up flower. It is the largest sinter platform in China covering a total of area of 3 square kilometers. The White Water Terrace (or Platform) is not only a place with beautiful scenery; it is also one of the Dongba culture of Naxi people. - This place is to be believed the origin of the Dongba religion. Owing to this reason people say “Those who have not gone pilgrimage to Baishuitai cannot be deemed as true Dongba Buddhists”.
Lunch at local restaurant
Upon arrival Zhongdian, check in at the Songtsam Hotel*** or Banyan Tree Ringha (Tibetan Suite)



Overnight :   Songtsam Hotel
Meal :   (B/L/D)

Zhongdian

In the morning visit Ganden Sumsanling Monastery where over 700 Buddhist monks spend their time engrossed in Buddhist learning away from their families and homes. Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, the monastery with numerous chapels, woodcarving and paintings is like a living museum of Tibetan culture. Parts of the monastery are being reconstructed and there is a great regeneration of the religious spirit.
Visit the old town which is the old heart of the Gyalthang town (now called Shangri-la) and in ancient times a bustling center for caravans arriving from the South laden with brick tea, copper, brass wares and the famous arak from the south, on their way to Lhasa and northern regions. Take a leisurely walk in the old town of Gyalthang , see the interesting old homes and stop for tea at an old house.
Lunch in a Restaurant in old the town.
Around mid day , take a gentle walk to a farmer friends home. See the chalet like Adobe farm homes the Tibetan people of the region. Here cattle and sheep mingle with Yak in the grasslands. In springtime, the hills are covered with Azalea. Enjoy meeting with the family and learning about their way of life in this southern most and prosperous Tibetan region. Visit the temple of the 5 Wisdom Buddhas. Walk to the temple of Ringha .
At this most important and quiet pilgrimage site local Tibetan people go to pray and leave their problems behind. If you wish you may take a gentle circumambulatory walk following the pilgrims path around the hill for an hour.
Dinner and accommodation at Songtsam Hotel or Banyan Tree Ringha (Tibetan Suite)


Overnight :   Songtsam Hotel
Meal :   (B/L/D)

Zhongdian – Kunming – departure

Breakfast at hotel
Early morning departure flight of Kunming
Visit to Zhuang Tong Food Market and Yuan Tong Temple
Depart Kunming by flight...


Meal :   B