6 Days Southwest of China Group Tour

8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai Map
  • Tour Code: GT-KDL-06
  • Travel Route: Kunming - Dali - Lijiang
  • Tour Type: Small Group Tour
  • Guide & Driver: English Tour Guide
  • Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel
From USD729 per person List Price: $1079
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This 6-day tour offers a deep dive into the diverse landscapes and cultures of Yunnan province. Start in Kunming with visits to Dian Lake and the stunning Stone Forest. Then explore the lakeside beauty of Dali and its ancient architecture before heading to Lijiang to experience traditional Naxi villages, the historic old towns, and the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. With a mix of scenic views and cultural immersion, this itinerary is perfect for those seeking both adventure and authenticity.

Why Choose lnto Explore China Group Tour
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Worry-Free Travel
With years of experience in group travel across China, we provide professional tour guides, comfortable coaches, and well-paced itineraries for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
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Itineraries with Great Value
Our tours cover China's most iconic sights and cultural highlights. All packages are clearly priced with no hidden costs, offering a high-quality experience at a competitive rate.
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No Shopping Stops
We guarantee a truly immersive journey with no shopping stop. Spend more time exploring scenic spots, enjoying authentic food, and discovering local culture
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Travel with Flexibility
Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or as a family, you can easily join us. Enjoy better value than private tours with small groups of 6-12 people and year-round departures.
Itinerary
8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand 8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand
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Day 1: Kunming
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Kunming Arrival - Free Activities

4+stars Hotel

None

 

When you arrive at Kunming Airport or Railway Station, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall on time and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. 

Free activities recommended:

It is recommended to visit Kunming Old Street and taste the food

Day 1: Kunming Day 1: Kunming
Day 2: Kunming - Dali
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Dianchi Haigeng Park - Stone Forest - Dali

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast & Lunch

 

In the morning, we will come to the Dianchi Haigeng Park. As the name suggests, "Haigeng" means a ridge across the sea. It was originally a wedge-shaped embankment that ran from east to west across Dianchi Lake. Starting from Haigeng Village in the east and ending at the foot of the West Mountain in the west, it is 5 kilometers long and 60 to 300 meters wide. It divides the more than 300 square kilometers of Dianchi Lake into two parts: the vast Dianchi Lake is to the south, and the "Caohai" is to the north.

Next, we will continue by bus to the Stone Forest. Here you will have a chance to see the iconic stone “Asima”, a realistic boulder that resembles a graceful young lady.

While you are visiting the Stone Forest, you can also experience the unique charm of Yi ethnic minority culture, enjoy the traditional songs and dances of the Yi people, and taste the authentic Yi cuisine.

Next, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Dali.

Day 2: Kunming - Dali Day 2: Kunming - Dali
Day 3: Dali
8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand 8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand

Three Pagodas Temple of Dali - Lake Erhai - Dali Ancient Town

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast & Lunch

 

Early in the morning you will visit the Three Pagodas Temple of Dali, a royal monastery during the Dali Kingdom. Historically, it has been a representative of Buddhist culture and art, attracting many monks and devotees to practice.

Afterwards, we will go to the famous Erhai Lake . The water of Erhai is so clear and transparent that it has been called the "Flawless Jade among the Mountains" since ancient times. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus, a boat tour, or try to ride a bicycle around the lake to explore the Erhai Lake.

Optional:

1. The Erhai Sightseeing Bus Tour costs RMB 50 per person for about an hour and follows the shoreline of the Erhai Lake.
2. If you want to get closer to the Erhai Lake, you can opt for a boat trip, which lasts about 2 to 3 hours and costs from RMB 145 per person.
3. Of course, if you love sports as well as want to explore the Erhai Sea freely, then cycling along the Erhai Sea will be a good choice. The approximately two-hour bike tour costs from about RMB 50 per person.

Afterwards, we will step into Dali Ancient Town, the former ancient capital of the Dali Kingdom. Here, you can enjoy the unique Bai culture. Stroll along the stone streets, admire the ancient buildings and traditional houses, taste the local cuisine, and visit the beautiful sites around Dali Old Town, such as Drum Tower and Wuhua Pagoda.

Next, we will explore Honglongjing, Renmin Road and Yangren Street. These are places where ancient dwellings meet modern bars and cafes. The bustling stores are filled with Yunnan's specialties and handicrafts.

Recommended Activities:
You can learn to make Dali's specialty flower cake. This traditional pastry is made with fresh rose flowers as the main ingredient, which is very delicious. After you finish making it, you can take the flower cake home as a wonderful reminder of Dali culture.

Day 3: Dali Day 3: Dali
Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
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Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng - the Old Town of Lijiang

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast & Lunch

 

After breakfast, you will come to the morning market in Xizhou Ancient Town, where people dressed in traditional costumes trade fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and daily necessities, giving you a close-up experience of the Bai people's living atmosphere.

Next, we head to Zhoucheng, the town of tie-dye. You can experience the production process of tie-dye craft and feel the charm of traditional culture.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Lijiang for about 2 hours. This is a World Heritage Site and a magical place where time seems to slow down. You can stroll through the old alleys around Sifangjie Square, browse the specialty stores and bars, and experience the hustle and bustle of Lijiang's Old Town.

If you are interested in the history of Lijiang, you can visit the Mufu Palace, which is the landmark of Lijiang Ancient City and was originally the office and private residence of the Lijiang Tusi. Now it has become an important place to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Recommended Activities:
Climbing up to the Shizishan Observation Deck, you will have a magnificent panoramic view of the whole Lijiang Old Town. You can also see the Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance.

Day 4: Dali - Lijiang Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
Day 5: Lijiang
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Yuhu Village - Baisha Village - Shuhe Ancient Town 

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast & Lunch

 

In the morning, you will depart for an ancient village. At the southern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there is a village called “Wuluken”, which means village at the foot of the snow mountain, and this is the Yuhu Village.

Facing a crystal clear lake, the village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with magnificent views. With blue skies, white clouds and fresh air, it is a paradise away from the city.

Afterwards, you will proceed to Baisha Ancient Village to admire the Baisha murals at Dabao and Liuli Monastery, which were painted 500 years ago, showing the fusion of Dongba culture and Tibetan Buddhist style.

Then you will go to Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe Ancient Town is an ancient Naxi town full of historical heritage. With rich historical and cultural heritage and unique folk customs, it is an important window to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.

Day 5: Lijiang Day 5: Lijiang
Day 6: Lijiang
8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand 8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai expand

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Blue Moon Valley - Lijiang Departure

None

Breakfast

 

The first destination of today's trip is: the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is called "Oulu" in Naxi language, which means "Heavenly Mountain". Its thirteen snow peaks are continuous, just like a "dragon" flying and dancing, so it is called "Yulong". Because its rock type is mainly limestone and basalt, with distinct black and white, it is also called "Black and White Snow Mountain". It is the sacred mountain of the Naxi people. Legend has it that it is the incarnation of the Naxi people's patron saint "Sanduo".

After visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you will come to the Blue Moon Valley Scenic Area to visit the Blue Moon Valley. The Blue Moon Valley is where the eternal ice and snow of the glacier of Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain melted and flowed down the cliffs, constantly gathering into mountain streams and creeks, and finally formed a crystal clear and sweet river in the deep valley upstream.

After visiting these two attractions, the driver and tour guide will send you to the airport in advance according to your flight information. If the flight time is late, you can also tour the city or rest in the hotel.

Day 6: Lijiang Day 6: Lijiang
Travel Date and Price (Us$ per person)
Month Available Date Price Book The Tour
Dec Dec.15,2025 USD979 USD729
Included & Excluded
From USD729 per person
  • The price is based on two people sharing one twin room. If you prefer a single room, please contact us for a quote.
  • Price may vary depending on exchange rates, travel dates, and hotel class.
Price Includes:
  • Comfortable hotel with daily breakfast (twin room)
  • Professional English-speaking local tour guide
  • Air-conditioned private coach throughout the tour
  • Entrance tickets to all listed attractions and activities
  • Lunches as specified in the itinerary
  • Domestic flights and high-speed train tickets
  • One travel accident insurance per person
Price Excludes:
  • International flights to and from China
  • Airport transfer to hotel on arrival day (Day 1)
  • Optional or recommended activities
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses (e.g. shopping, laundry, hotel minibar)
More Information for China Group Tour

1. How do I book a group tour?

Once you've confirmed your preferred travel dates and itinerary, click "Book Now" and leave your travel details such as number of travelers. Our travel specialist will reply within 24 hours to finalize the details. Once confirmed, you can proceed with payment.

2. What kind of hotels are included?

We carefully select 4 star hotels in each city, with daily breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms, and central locations. Rooms are standard twin rooms. Single room occupancy is available for an extra charge.

3. What meals are included?

Lunches listed in the itinerary are included—either buffet or set menus in clean and reliable restaurants. Dinners are usually not included, giving you the freedom to try local specialties (The tour guide can offer suggestions). Dinner is included if you're joining a Yangtze River Cruise.

4. What about the tour guides?

Each city will have a local English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the day. There is no tour guide onboard the Yangtze River Cruise.

5. How are children charged?

Hotel: If a child occupies a bed, they will be charged the same as an adult. If sharing a bed with parents, the price is the total group cost minus the single room supplement. Children over 1.2 meters tall may be charged additional hotel meal fees. Attractions: All ticket discounts for children will be refunded accordingly.

6. What's the latest I can book?

Most tours can be booked up to 7 days before departure. Yangtze River Cruise tours should be booked at least 15 days in advance (late bookings may not be available). Tibet tours must be booked at least 25 days in advance to allow time for the Tibet Entry Permit.

7. How many people are in a group?

Our group tours require a minimum of 6 travelers to depart, with a maximum of 12 people per group. This small group size ensures a more personal experience and allows the guide to better attend to each guest. If your group has more than 6 people, we can also arrange a private tour instead—please contact us for details.

Cancellation Policy
We understand that travel plans may change. Please review our cancellation policy below:
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  • 5% of total tour cost if canceled 45-59 days before departure
  • 10% of total tour cost if canceled 30-44 days before departure
  • 25% of total tour cost if canceled 15-29 days before departure
  • 45% of total tour cost if canceled 7-14 days before departure
  • 100% of total tour cost if canceled less than 7 days before departure
Date of Arrivial
(>12 years old)
(2~11 years old)

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With experienced local guides, licensed vehicles, and carefully selected hotels, we ensure safety, quality, and comfort throughout your trip. Our on-the-ground team is always ready to support your journey at every step.

China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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IntoExplore
Excellent
Clara
July 07,2025
We had a very memorable experience in Xi’An thanks to the expertise and helpfulness from Norman, who helped us planned our trip, and Waldener, our local tour guide from Into Explore. Norman helped us with the itinerary and bookings of transport and accommodations so it was stress free for me. He asked us our preferences when making the rooms reservation to cater to what we like and recommended the best way and places to explore this city. Our tour guide was also flexible with our schedule so we were able to do what we wanted and working around the weather. We were supposed to go Mt Hua on the 2nd day of our tour but it was forecasted to rain. He switched our itinerary around so we could climb Mt Hua on the 3rd day instead when the rain had stopped. Thank you Into Explore for giving us peace of mind to sit back and enjoy our vacation.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 4
Destination(s): Beijing,Xian,Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 30,2025
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Fernando MARTINEZ
June 05,2025
Fue una buena decisión hacer el Circulo de Oro contratando a Into Explore. Una empresa confiable con una muy buena organización siempre pendientes de nuestros gustos y preferencias. La experiencia de la visita a la Gran Muralla los Soldados Terracota, el Jardín Yu y Shanghái fueron muy interesantes y aprendimos mucho sobre las distintas Dinastías y la historia de China.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an
Destination(s): Beijing,Chongqing,Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: June 12,2025
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Tripadvisor
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Nataša G
May 2025 • Couples
5 of 5 bubbles
For smooth travels, I recommend this agency
This agency made sure my trip was 10/10! And I loved the smooth and fast communication we got. We were able to explore China at its finest and had the best time of our lives. If I had any questions during our travel, Vicky was able to help me and solve it immediately. I recommend this agency very much. Thank you!!!
Giovanni D
Apr 2025 • Friends
5 of 5 bubbles
Super Agency
Super organized travel agency, it met the thousand requests made and created a tailor-made travel package. Constant support both in the organizational phase before departure and during the trip. Drivers and guides provided during our itinerary super competent and kind. I highly recommend their services and will turn to them for my next trip to China
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Anna
Jun 17, 2025
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Thank you so much for the help you gave…
Thank you so much for the help you gave during my travel process, I would highly recommend your company anytime from the smooth experience you gave. Looking forward for more trips with you.
Robert Gex
Apr 15, 2025
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Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .

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