Yunnan Panorama Tour

This eight-day Yunnan tour takes you from the colorful culture of Kunming to the natural scenery of Dali to the ethnic customs of Lijiang and Shangri-La.
You'll enjoy the stunning beauty of the Stone Forest, the serenity of the Lake Erhai, and the grandeur of the First Bay of the Yangtze River and the thrill of the Tiger Leaping Gorge......
This trip is not only a visual and spiritual feast, but also a deep exploration and realization of this magical land of Yunnan.

Day 1: Kunming

  • Kunming Arrival - Free activities

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • None

 

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

 

Recommended Acitivites:

Cuihu Park: From November to March, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate here, where they spend the warm winter months and become a unique sight in the park.

Kunming Old Street: Explore the historical streets and experience the local culture and lifestyle.

Guandu Ancient Town: Discover the ancient charm and traditional architecture of this historic town.

Day 1: Kunming Day 1: Kunming Day 1: Kunming

Day 2: Kunming-Dali

  • Dianchi Lake - Stone Forest - Dali

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

In the morning, we will visit Dianchi Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province. It offers beautiful views and is a great place to enjoy the natural scenery.

Next, we will come to the Stone Forest, which is regarded as “the essence of the world's karst landscape” and listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Taking a sightseeing bus, we will go deep into the Boulder Forest Scenic Area, as if entering a labyrinth of giant boulders. Along the way, you'll see towering concentrations of rocky peaks and unique panoramas of rocky forests.

We will continue by bus to the Little 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.

After today's tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Dali.

Day 2: Kunming-Dali Day 2: Kunming-Dali Day 2: Kunming-Dali

Day 3: Dali

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

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


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 3: Dali

Day 4: Dali-Lijiang

  • Xizhou Ancient Town - Zhoucheng - the Old Town of Lijiang

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


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 4: Dali-Lijiang

Day 5: Lijiang

  • Yuhu Village - Baisha Village - Shuhe Ancient Town - Dongba Culture Museum

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

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.

Next you will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, a museum focusing on the display and preservation of the Naxi Dongba culture, an important place to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi people and the Dongba culture.

Day 5: Lijiang Day 5: Lijiang Day 5: Lijiang

Day 6: Jinsha River -- Shangri-La

  • The First Bay of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La Dukezong Old Town - Guishan Mountain Park

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


The first destination of today's trip is: the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It crosses the towering Hengduan Mountains, forming a unique canyon landscape.

Next you will see the stunning view of the Yangtze River rushing down from the Tibetan Plateau and making a sudden turn to form a spectacular U-shaped bend near the town of Shigu, which is known as the "First Bay of the Ten Thousand Mile Yangtze River". This scene is rare in the world and is a paradise for photographers.

Afterwards, we will visit the Red Army Long March Monument and other attractions.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a section of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and one of the deepest gorges in China. The width of the river at its narrowest point is only a few dozen meters, and it is said that a tiger can leap over it, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

Today, we will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the most famous attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along the trestle for about 1,000 steps and feel the shock of the tumbling river.

(Tips: Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for most travelers with good physical strength. To ensure the comfort of your journey, it is recommended that you wear comfortable hiking shoes.)

After the hike, we will depart for Shangri-La, which is known as the Garden of Eden on earth. Shangri-La has magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast meadows, and clear seas will bring you endless surprises.

You will continue to explore the old town of Dokuzong, one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complexes in China. Located in the heart of the old town is Guishan Mountain Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will overlook the snow-capped mountains.

Day 6: Jinsha River -- Shangri-La Day 6: Jinsha River -- Shangri-La Day 6: Jinsha River -- Shangri-La

Day 7: Shangri-La

  • Songzanlin Temple - Potatso National Park - Visit to a Tibetan Family

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery. This magnificent temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace" because it is modeled after the architectural style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Visitors can experience the strong religious and cultural atmosphere here and observe the real scenes of monks' daily life - praying and chanting. You will feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture

If you have enough time, you can also take a walk along the shores of Lake Lamyangtso, where the clear waters of the lake reflect the panoramic view of the Songzanlin Monastery.

Next, you will go to Pudacuo National Park. It has a comprehensive natural landscape of highland lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, meadows and pastures.
There are also many hiking routes to choose from in the park, allowing you to explore this natural wonderland more deeply.

Tips: Pudacuo Park is at an altitude of 3500m-4150m, please avoid strenuous exercise to avoid plateau reaction. In addition, some areas may be temporarily closed due to environmental protection needs

After a pleasant day in Pudacuo, we will visit a local Tibetan family. You will experience the life of the Tibetan people, taste the authentic Tibetan snacks and buttered tea, and learn the process of making buttered tea with the locals.

Day 7: Shangri-La Day 7: Shangri-La Day 7: Shangri-La

Day 8: Shangri-La Departure

  • Shangri-La Departure

  • Breakfast


This is the end of our journey. We will transfer you to the airport or train station to your next destination.

As you leave, we hope you will take away with you your deep affection and fond memories of this land, and we look forward to seeing you again.

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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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Charnay Tung
March 11,2025
This agency offers good services and always help me with any errors during booking. Thanks for taking good care of my team during our trip at Shanghai.
Lucía Fernández
Nov. 20,2024
Special thanks to my guide, Sofia. It's really hard for me to find a Spanish tour guide. She is professional and I have a good understanding about the China culture under her guide. During the Xi'an trip, I was shocked by the strong atmosphere of culture. I hope I can go next time, really love it.
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John J
Mar 2025 Family
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An amazing experience with Into Explore, their services are absolutely brilliant
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Into Explore for providing the Johnston Family with an amazing experience in China, it really was a brilliant service with a very personal touch by Vicky/Tiana and their team of guides and drivers.
Our whole journey through China exceeded our expectations due to the fact that Into Explore made everything so easy and if issues arose, they were rectified in an extremely timely manner.
Their services is highly recommended and they are very flexible with their clients trip design. Design your vacation and they will work with you to ensure your personal needs are fully taken care off and supported by their office staff at all times.
Once again, our experience with Into Explore was a brilliant one and a very special thanks to Vicky.
Swandi T
Mar 2025 Family
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Amaging Exploring Shenzen
Shenzen is wonderful city since arrive all imigration was very helpful and smiling,entering city has lot of park with so many tree. I got good travel agent who serve me well (IntoExplore),I like to explore food, city view hang out in seaworld area. People are welcome and helpful.
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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 .
Seaid
February 06,2025
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Excellent experience in Great Wall
as a first-time traveler in beijing, I`m so many thanks to Norman for arranging a well-planned trip to great wall and also the kind driver and guide. My first experience to China was perfect. thanks a lot!!!

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