Beautiful Shangri-la

Discover the colourful minority cultures on this 11 nights, 12 days tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Suzhou and Shanghai, from $2,990 (Tour Code: EM)

Day 01 Australia/Shanghai

Fly from Australia to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 Shanghai/Kunming (B/D)

Free at leisure till fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, is called ‘City of Perpetual Spring’ with beautiful sceneries and historical sites. Check to your hotel.

Day 03 Kunming (B/L/D)

Visit the Stone Forest, known as ‘No.1 wonder under heaven’, is the highest karst terrain in the world. Here the scenery is dominated by natural limestone formations which forms a large forest. Visit Western Hills and Dragon Gate in the afternoon.

Day 04 Kunming/Dali (B/L/D)

Morning flight from Kunming to Dali. Standing against the Cangshan Mountains in the west and adjoining the Erhai Lake in the east, embraced by undulating hills around, Dali was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom as early as 1,300 years ago. It is home to Bai minority. Upon arrival in Dali, proceed to visit the Bai village Xizhou or Zhoucheng, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and visit the old town of Dali, known as ‘state of literature’, which has a long history and splendid culture.

Day 05 Dali-Lijiang (B/L/D)

Coach journey to Lijiang. On the way, you will see the natural countryside scenery. Upon arrival, visit Black Dragon Pool Park. Then you will visit Dongba Cultural Museum, where you will learn about the well-preserved Naxi minority’s people’s culture, which is one of very few ancient photographic scripts in the world still in use. River zigzags surrounding the town, take a walk along the street of the old town of Dayan, you will see a combination of human being, nature and culture. Dayan Town has been on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 1997. Afterwards, we will wander through the cobbled streets.

Day 06 Lijiang (B/L)

In the morning, you will visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park, which is situated 3000m above sea level. You will catch a chairlift to explore the Yak Meadow Section, where you will see some yaks grazing in the lush surroundings. Afterwards, you will take a short tour of the Baisha Village to see the ancient Frescos. Return back to your hotel, here you will have some free time to explore the old town. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 07 Lijiang-Shangri-la (Zhongdian) (B/L/D)

Morning drive to Zhongdian, 250km away. On the way will pass Shigu (Stone Drum) County, see the First Bend of Yangtze River, and Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the most dangerous and deepest Canyons in the world. Overnight at a hotel in Zhongdian.

Day 08 Shangri-la (Zhongdian) (B/L/D)

Morning visit to Songzanlin Monastery one of the 13 famous Yellow Hat Tibetan Monastery in Tibet areas constructed following an edict by the fifth Dalai and Emperor Kangxi in 1679. After lunch, tour to the Huge Napahai or Shudu Lake, the water spreads away far below while yaks graze at the shore, also a place where black-necked cranes come to spend winter. This prefecture is inhabited by 13 ethnic groups of Tibetan, Lisu, Han, Naxi, Yi, Bai, Hui nationalities.

Day 09 Shangri-la/Kunming/Shanghai (B/D)

Morning fly back to Kunming, and then take a connecting flight to metropolitan Shanghai. Upon arrival, transferred to your hotel.

Day 10 Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai (B/L/D)

In the morning, take a side trip to Suzhou, a small town famous for its classic gardens and often so-called ‘Oriental Venice’. You will visit the Master of the Nets Garden, Silk Spinning Mill. Afterwards, you will take a boat cruise on the Canal constructed over 1300 year ago in Sui Dynasty. If time permits, we take a short visit to newly renovated Shan Tang Street. Late in the afternoon, we will travel back by coach to metropolitan Shanghai.

Day 11 Shanghai (B/L)

In the morning tour we will visit the Bund, a popular promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai. You may see the local people performing Tai Chi during your stroll along the bund. Afterwards, we will visit the Old Town with its winding alleyways, lined with shops, teahouses and restaurants, and then to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Afternoon tour the Shanghai Xintiandi, which is a new tourist attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys, which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art retail shops. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 12 Shanghai/Australia (B)

Today you are free for some last minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Day 13 Australia

Arrival in Australia.