Southwest China: Yunnan's mountains & minorities

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Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.9 . Excellent
98%
Travel Style: Array Full on
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping. Comfort (4*)
14 days
From: $ 5,741 $ 410 / day
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Overview

Short Description

A land of contrasts, China is home to modern metropolises, soaring mountain ranges and some of the world’s most recognisable tourist sites.

There are countless activities and experiences available across the country, but for many a walk along the Great Wall is an undisputed highlight. Although justifiably popular, we can show you how to experience this and China’s other premier attractions away from the crowds. See the Terracotta Army at a quiet time, marvel at the verdant rice terraces and minority villages of Longji, or take a boat trip through the striking karst scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo.

Style Private guided tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Kunming
End City Jianshui

Itinerary

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Kunming.

Day 2 : Kunming

Upon arrival into Kunming you're met at the airport by your private guide and driver, and driven to your city hotel by private transfer. You have the evening at leisure to explore the city, if you wish, or simply relax in your hotel after your journey. You may like to take a stroll to Green Park Lake, ringed with teahouses and criss-crossed by traditional bridges.

Day 3 : Dali

This morning you're driven by private transfer, with your private guide accompanying you, to Dali. The drive takes around five hours. The town of Dali is the starting point for exploring the mountains of the northwest of the province. After checking into your hotel, you have the rest of the day at leisure. If you're staying in Dali's nearby village of Xizhou, you can spend the rest of the day exploring its vibrant Bai culture, excellent markets and Bai architecture.

Day 4 : Dali

Today spend the day exploring Dali's old town with your private guide and driver. Walk around its willow-lined waterways and visit the markets that cluster round the gate towers on the old city walls. You could also visit the Buddhist site of the Three Pagodas. Your guide will explain about their architecture and their place in the region's history. These elegant structures have stood in the same spot for over one thousand years and have miraculously survived earthquakes.

Day 5 : Dali

You have today at leisure to further explore Dali's cobbled streets. You may wish to take the 20 minute walk from Dali's central hub to Erhai Lake. This crescent of alpine lake is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in China.

Day 6 : Shaxi

Today you leave Dali. Your private driver takes you to the village of Shaxi, a two hour journey. Drive through deep countryside, weaving through villages and rice paddies en route. Once there, you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore this sleepy rural village. Stroll around its market square and along the river, admiring its 14th-century Ming Dynasty buildings. You'll see vignettes of daily life, such as villagers taking their oxen into the surrounding fields.

Day 7 : Lijiang

After another morning spent exploring Shaxi independently, your private driver and guide take you further north today to Lijiang, a town in the shadow of a huge mountain. The drive takes several hours, as you stop off en route at the holy Buddhist mountain of Shibaoshan. Your private guide will show you the intriguing carvings of the Stone Bell Temple and the site's other highlights, before continuing on your journey. You usually arrive in Lijiang in the late afternoon.

Day 8 : Lijiang

Lijiang has a very well-preserved old town where many Naxi minority people live. Today potter around under your own steam, exploring streets tightly packed with slate-tiled houses and latticed with mountain streams and waterways. You're likely to see Naxi minority culture, with local people wearing their distinctive traditional dress and women buying embroidery and striped fabrics from the town's markets.

Day 9 : Lijiang

Another day at leisure in Lijiang. You may wish to stroll around Black Dragon Pond Park for some of the best views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the peak that dominates the skyline of the town.

Day 10 : Zhongdian

Today take a private transfer to Zhongdian, two hours' drive away from Lijiang. Accompanied by your private guide, en route you stop at the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest gorges. You'll admire the gorge from a viewing platform. If you wish, you can take a steep walk down steps to the Jinsha River at the bottom. You then continue on to Zhongdian, driving through more gorges and valleys before reaching the relatively flat Tibetan plain.

Day 11 : Zhongdian

Today your guide accompanies you to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in China. It's a 15 minute private transfer from the town of Zhongdian, unless you choose to stay at a hotel nearer the monastery. Your guide leads you around this functioning 300-year-old monastery which has great views over a valley, and give you an insight into the day-to-day life of its monks.

Day 12 : Zhongdian

You have today at leisure to explore the town of Zhongdian and its surrounding landscape independently. We recommend meandering around the old town with its prayer flags and small hill with a revolving prayer wheel. Wandering around, you see that Tibetan culture is predominant here. If you're feeling more energetic, we suggest going for one of the many good low-level hikes through the surrounding valleys and forests.

Day 13 : International return flight

Today you're driven by private transfer to Zhongdian Airport, around 40 minutes away, to catch your flight to Kunming. From Kunming you can catch your onwards flight.

Day 14 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Availability

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Price From $ 5,741
Price Per Day: $ 410 per day

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3,424 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Southwest China: Yunnan's mountains & minorities

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California Road trip

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Excellent holiday, meeting our requirements for a road trip and visiting US relatives. All the organisation done by Ewan Petrie at Audley Travel was above and beyond to meet our requirements. All arrangements went without a hitch.
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Japan

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Adam was our Country Specialist for our recent Trip to Japan. I sent him this letter of thanks:
We wanted to let you know that the trip exceeded expectations. We appreciated, connected and enjoyed each of our guides as unique people who shared their cities and culture with us. The couple of snafus were handled competently- the missing bus passes, train schedules that still were not quite right all fixed with the help of our Orientation guide! Dana was a great last guide- giving us Insight into religious practices, culture and living in modern Japan.

The accommodations were fantastic, we felt spoiled by the attention.

Our experiences with the people of Japan were wonderful. The random people we met were friendly and helpful - the Japanese businessman who led us to our train to make sure we got on the right one when we were a bit confused by the Tokyo train system early on...comes to mind, our language barrier was forgiven. Occasionally the google translator was called into service, and google maps was a godsend! Each of our interactions with local folks turned into a story and adventure, such as the restaurant owner who wants to be a football player for Atlanta!

We took over 1200 pictures most are breathtaking. I am having trouble trimming things down for a slide show to share with family and friends that won't last an hour or more!

I will include just a few here with our thanks for putting together an experience that we both truly enjoyed and will remember!

Arigato, thank you!

Sharon & Rick
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From the first contact until the end of my holiday the Audley representative Kirsty listened to my requirements and planned an amazing holiday for me. The trip was efficiently planned and communicated to me. All the arrangements were seamless with no glitches. One change I requested when I was away was dealt wit without any fuss. The accommodations and staff were excellent taking great care to ensure I was safe and well looked after. All places were immaculately clean and with really tasty food. A real delight to book with Audley and I would certainly book with them again.
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Having just come back from our Africa trip organised by James Down, I can’t praise him enough. He knew what we wanted which was provided in bucket loads.
All locations and accommodation including the staff therein, were brilliant. The icing on the cake however, came when our long haul flight was cancelled with only hours to spare. An hour after emailing James, who was going on holiday that day, we had overnight accommodation organised, how to get there and what to do when there. When you’re a long way from home and something like happens, Audley will sort it. No problem. Thankyou.
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Japan , our holiday of a lifetime

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We used Audley travel to organise and arrange our holiday to Japan. I am usually confident in organising holidays but felt Japan was a bit too much to manage. I am so glad we used Audley, they took on board what we wanted to see and do as well as giving suggestions. It was meticulously planned, the itinerary was very comprehensive. Tips were given to help our holiday eg regarding train carriage information written on the floor etc.
Audley took into account our budget. They booked mid range hotels that were fabulous and close to train networks for ease of travel.
I cannot think of one criticism at all. The G7 summit threw up some last minute problems with our booking which Jo dealt with on our behalf , she fully consulted us throughout.
Audley ensured we had the most amazing holiday. I have no hesitation in recommending them based on my personal experience and would definitely use them again if I were to have another long distance holiday.
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Excellent all round

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Excellent all round! Great advice, clear knowledge of my chosen locations. Very approachable and friendly way of dealing with all of my requests and questions. Seamless booking process and all enabled digitally which makes it super easy to manage and complete everything. My contact has been truly outstanding! Thank you NF!!
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Intimate Group - 12 max

Trip ID#:

audley-travel-39737

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