Kunming Dali and Lijiang 4-day Private Tour from SHANGHAI

SHANGHAI- Kunming: Stone Forest and City Highlights (L)

Your driver will pick you up from the lobby of your SHANGHAI hotel's lobby by holding your name sign, you will be transferred to airport for a 2 hour flight to Kunming.

Your tour guide will pick you up.Hop on your private vehicle, heading directly to Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park which takes about 1.5 hours. Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park Kunming Stone Forest is a spectacular set of limestone groups and the representative of south China’s karst landscape. Since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), It is considered as the 'First Wonder of the World'. Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day appearance. The whole park is a huge natural treasure gallery, upon arrival, your tour guide will tell many legendary stories along the way, and show you the best location for photos. You will spend 2-3 hours to visit the Big Stone Forest Area and the Small one.

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then you can choose to visit the Flowers and Birds Market. Strolling around the street, you will find hundreds of flowers. You'll hear continuous bird singing. The fishes are mainly tropical -- small and brightly colored for home aquariums. The Flowers and Birds Market is also a popular trading place for antiques. You can find many curios, coins, jade articles, jewelry, ink stones, porcelains, potteries, stone carvings, and marble products are among the arts and crafts. Feel free to let your tour guide know if you want to buy some souvenirs, your guide will offer tips on how to negotiate price.

You also can choose to explore the Cuihu Park. Green Lake Park offers fascinating scenery of a wide range of lotus flowers in various kinds and beautiful lake. Wander around the roads and pavilions, enjoy local people in costumes of minority nationalities dance, play musical instruments, singing, taste tea, chat with friends and family. Appreciate the lovely Tulips if you come during spring time. Enjoy beautiful diverse lotus flowers in Summer. Watch black-headed gulls playing together in Winter. After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kunming.

Kunming- Dali- Lijiang (B, L)

Your driver will pick you up in your Kunming Hotel's lobby and you will be transferred to Kunming train station. Experience a fantastic 2 hour bullet train ride to Dali. Upon arrival at Dali Railway Station, your tour guide will pick you up at the exit of the Arrival Hall with your name sign. Read more about - 4-Day Private Yunnan Discovery from Chongqing: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang - https://www.viator.com/tours/Chongqing/4-Day-Private-Yunnan-Discovery-from-Chongqing-Kunming-Dali-and-Lijiang/d P831?mcid=56757

Then heading directly to Dali Chongsheng Three Pagodas. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is a 1,800 years old national treasure under preservation. It is also a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. They are standing at the east foot of the tenth peak of the massive Mt. Cangshan and facing the west shore of the Erhai Lake. Upon arrival, stroll around the temple and courtyards with your tour guide, admire over 1000 years old pagoda, get to know its history, culture, religion and art.

Continue to Dali Ancient Town. Spend some leisure time to stroll around the ancient town, enjoy its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery. You will enjoy lunch in one of the restaurant here. Dali ancient town was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China, and also served as a seat of government and a major military barracks for Yunnan Province in ancient times.

Then, continue to Erhai Lake. Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Take the boat cruise Erhai Lake, then visit Golden Shuttle Island (Jinsuo Dao), and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority, get to know Bai Minority's culture and lifestyle.

At the end of the day, you will be transferred to your hotel in Lijiang Old Town, relax on the 2 hour ride.

Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Impressions Lijiang Show, Baisha Village

Meet your private guide in hotel's lobby in Lijiang, heading directly to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which takes about 1 hour. Sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way. Consisting of 13 peaks, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking from Lijiang Old Town, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Get the information and learn its legendary stories from your tour guide. Upon arrival, take the convenient cable car to the scenic viewing point (4506 meters), marvel at the spectacular glacier and mountain views. You can choose to hike up to 4680 meters by wooden stairs. When you are ready to leave, descend by cable car.

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then enjoy amazing Lijiang Impressions Show. The show is performed in daytime, using the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its stage background. More than 100 horses and 500 non-professional peasant actors with dark skin who are from 16 local villages and over 10 ethnic minorities give their best performance. They use unique movements and original songs to exemplify their culture, history and customs. When make booking you can choose you preferred tickets for the show

Travel to Baisha ancient town at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Here is the best place to witness the authentic life of the Naxi People and appreciate their culture. Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then set off to explore. Baisha Village used to be a Naxi settlement and the birthplace of local Mu Family Governors. Its construction started during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), It was the political, economic and cultural center of Lijiang prior to the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644).Stroll around the village with your guide, learn the history about the village and a distinctive culture, language and traditions of Naxi people. Admire the Baisha Murals-a series of religious paintings were finished by Han, Tibetan and Naxi painters as well as painters from other nationalities, it is the symbol of Naxi Culture, and also a fusion of art from different nationalities. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Fuguo Temple. After the tour finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Lijiang.

Old Town of Lijiang(B, L)

Meet your private guide in hotel's lobby in Lijiang, then start to explore the Old Town of Lijiang. The Old Town of Lijiang is a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, the town was first built in the late Song Dynasty ( ), it has a history of more than 800 years. As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings here incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style. Read more about - 4-Day Private Yunnan Discovery from Chongqing: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang - https://www.viator.com/tours/Chongqing/4-Day-Private-Yunnan-Discovery-from-Chongqing-Kunming-Dali-and-Lijiang/d P831?mcid=56757

Stroll around the old town with your tour guide, you will stop at Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture, the museum dedicated to the history of the Naxi people and their pictographic language and animist Dongba religion. Explore the museum and learn about the Naxi culture and art.

Next, you will visit the Mufu Palace. The top ruler of Naxi minority Mu Family had been in Lijiang since Yuan Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, totally 470 years with 22 generation rulers. The present Mufu Palace is a representative of ancient central China architectural style in Ming Dynasty. While it also keeps the characters of Tang and Song Dynasties. And inside it, the details show the minority features of Bai and Naxi groups. Besides architecture value, it also can be an outstanding plants museum with ancient trees and extraordinary plants. The garden in a style mixed with imperial one and Suzhou’s style. Explore the palace and get to now its history and stories from your tour guide.

Then, explore the Black Dragon Pond Park. Follow your tour guide to explore the ancient monuments such as the Longshen Temple, the Deyue Pavilion, the Suocui Bridge and the Hanyue Stage. Enjoy amazing view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the park.

If you choose to end your tour in Lijiang, then you will enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then move on to Lion Hill Park. The Lion Mountain looks like a sleeping lion from afar, providing a wonderful picture.

Reach the mountaintop, go up to the Wangu Pavilion which is a five-storied all-wooden edifice with five elegant eaves. The tower is regarded as the No.1 Domed-shaped Structure in China. Get ready your camera and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding areas(Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Old Town and the Naxi minority villages).

Move on to Wenchang Palace. The palace was originally built in 1725 and was once the location for holding exams and folk lectures during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Stroll around the area, and then move to Twin-Stone Garden where you can find a large waterwheel and bas-relief to commemorate the civilization of the Naxi nationality. After the tour, you can choose to end your tour in Lijiang or return Chongqing.