A Scenic & Cultural Journey through China’s Yunnan Province – Beijing, Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La, Lijiang, Shanghai

Day 1 Arrive Beijing (Welcome to China!) 

Arrive in Beijing, where your personal guide will meet you for a private transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure—perhaps strolling through nearby Wangfujing Street or simply relaxing after your journey.

Day 2 Beijing (Hike the Great Wall) 

Head northwest to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall—a less-crowded, beautifully preserved stretch lined with 22 watchtowers. Ride the cable car up, walk along the ramparts, and take in sweeping mountain views before returning to the city for a stroll through Beijing’s historic hutongs, where families have lived for generations. Dinner is Beijing’s celebrated Peking Duck at one of the city’s finest restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Beijing (Imperial Palaces & Temples) 

Explore Beijing’s most revered landmarks: Tiananmen Square, the monumental gateway to the nation’s history; the Forbidden City, a vast imperial complex once reserved for emperors; and either the Temple of Heaven or the Summer Palace, both masterpieces of imperial-era design. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a leisurely stroll along Qianmen’s vibrant pedestrian street before returning to your hotel for time to relax—perhaps with a cocktail or afternoon tea. (B,L)

Day 4 Beijing / Kunming (Journey to Yunnan)

This morning, fly southwest to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, often called the “Land of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate and relaxed pace. Upon arrival, enjoy a city orientation, including stops at Green Lake Park and Yuantong Temple, offering a glimpse into the city’s local life and spiritual heritage. Check in to your hotel in the city center. The remainder of the evening is yours to explore the city and sample some of Yunnan’s specialties. (B)

Day 5 Kunming (The Remarkable Stone Forest)

Today, visit the remarkable Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting dramatic natural landscapes spanning over 200 acres and known for its towering limestone formations shaped over millions of years. Walk through stone corridors and open clearings as your guide explains the area’s geological history and its cultural significance to the local Yi people. Return to Kunming in the afternoon. (B,L)

Day 6 Kunming / Dali (Exprience Old Yunnan)

This morning, travel by high-speed train to Dali, arriving in a landscape defined by open skies, mountain backdrops, and a gentler pace of life. After lunch, explore the atmospheric lanes of Dali Old Town on foot, where stone streets, tiled rooftops, and centuries-old structures reflect the city’s long history as a regional crossroads. Visit the iconic Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple, pass through the South Gate, and pause at landmarks including the Catholic Church, Foreigner’s Street, and Wuhua Tower, offering views across the old town toward Erhai Lake. Check-in to your hotel for your two-night stay. (B,L)

Day 7 Dali (Bai Villages and Lakeside Serenity)

After breakfast, set out along the shores of Erhai Lake to Xizhou Village, a beautifully preserved Bai community known for its elegant courtyard homes, carved woodwork, and painted façades. Stroll through the local market and surrounding farm villages, gaining insight into everyday rural life shaped by the lake and fertile plains. Continue to Zhoucheng Village, the largest Bai village in the area, where you’ll join a hands-on tie-dye workshop led by local Bai women, learning techniques passed down through generations. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride along Erhai Lake before returning to your hotel. Lunch is included. (B,L)

Day 8 Dali / Shangri-la (Journey to the Lost Paradise)

Our overland journey continues northward on a scenic drive toward Shangri-La. En route, stop in Shaxi Village, a remarkably preserved Bai trading town once located along the Tea Horse Road. Explore its historic Market Square, traditional wooden courtyard homes, Xingjiao Temple, Caravan Courtyard, and Yujin Bridge, offering insight into Shaxi’s role as a former caravan hub. Continue onward to Shangri-La and check in to your mountainside retreat. This evening, enjoy dinner followed by a relaxed stroll through the atmospheric Old Town. (B,D)

Day 9 Shangri-la (Alpine Lakes & Pristine Nature at Pudacuo National Park)

Spend the day exploring Pudocuo National Park, one of China’s first national parks and a showcase of Shangri-La’s untouched landscapes. Walk along the peaceful shores of Shudu Lake, framed by alpine meadows and forested hills, before continuing to the reflective waters of Bita Lake, surrounded by dense pine woods. A light hike provides access to diverse flora and wildlife, including the rare black-necked crane. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before returning to your resort in the afternoon. (B,L)

Day 10 Shangri-la / Lijiang (From Tibetan Monastery to River Gorges to Old Town Charm)

This morning, visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often called the “Little Potala Palace.” Golden roofs, vivid murals, and ornate carvings rise above open grasslands, creating a striking highland setting. Continue by road toward Lijiang, stopping en route at Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest and most dramatic gorges, where sheer cliffs and rushing rapids cut through the mountain landscape. Upon arriving in Lijiang’s charming Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to wander the cobbled alleyways illuminated by hanging lanterns, where canal-lined walkways, historic timbered shophouses, and lively courtyards come alive with music, cafés, and intimate teahouses, offering a vibrant yet atmospheric introduction to Lijiang after dark. (B,L)

Day 11 Lijiang (A Living Museum)

Enjoy a morning visit to Black Dragon Pond, where arched bridges, clear spring-fed pools, and mountain views frame one of Lijiang’s most scenic settings. Continue to a nearby Naxi minority village, offering insight into the traditions and daily life of the region’s indigenous Naxi people. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, shop, or further explore Lijiang’s Old Town at your own pace. (B,L)

Day 12 Lijiang / Shanghai (From Ancient Town to Big City Vibes)

Fly to Shanghai and check in at your hotel located in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to explore—savor local delicacies, shop along bustling Nanjing Road, or stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic riverfront promenade with sweeping views of the glittering skyline. (B)

Day 13 Shanghai (The City Highlights) 

Discover Old Town’s winding lanes and Yu Garden, a Ming-era masterpiece. Continue to the Shanghai Museum, home to treasures spanning China’s dynasties. Enjoy a lunch featuring Shanghai’s famed soup dumplings before heading to Tianzifang, a charming maze of art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Cap off the evening with the ERA Acrobatics show, a breathtaking spectacle where athleticism, music, and light converge into one dazzling finale. (B,L)

Day 14 Farewell Shanghai 

Transfer to Pudong Airport by private car, or try the Maglev, one of China’s greatest technological marvels and the world’s fastest commercial train—gliding without wheels at speeds of up to 430 km/h—for your departure flight home. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotel taxes & service charges
• Price excludes personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to guides and drivers
• China visa required for entry. Not included in package. Passport must NOT expire within 6 months from end of trip
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation