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Southwest China: Yunnan's mountains & minorities

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.
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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3,424 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
Southwest China: Yunnan's mountains & minorities
Company Reviews
California Road trip
Japan
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
Botswana and Zambia Safari
What stars Audley are
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.
Japan , our holiday of a lifetime
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.
Excellent all round
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Intimate Group - 12 max
Trip ID#:
audley-travel-39737
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