14 Days Yunnan Beauty Discovery

Today, first visit Golden Temple, the largest copper temple in China. Shining brightly in the sun, all cast with brass: the beams, columns, arches, tiles, eaves, god statues, curtains, tables, desks, vases, tablets, couplets, banners and flags, reflecting the valleys and forests. 

Next, enjoy the fragrance in Dounan Flower Market, one of the biggest flowers’ trade markets in Asia. As the "heart" of Chinese flowers’ markets, it boasts more than 50 species and 200 varieties like Perfume Lily, Rose, Forget-me-not, Carnation, Butterfly Orchid, Gerbera etc.

At last, experience wonders from the Stone Forest, where the tall rocks seem to shoot from the ground like stalagmites, which look like many petrified trees. 

Drive to Kunming city. The marvelous cliff grotto project of Dragon Gate in Western Hills will surprise you first. Then, visit the Huating Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Yunnan Province, located in the hillside of Western Hills.

Next, wander around the East and West Temple Towers, the ancient high twin towers of the city, which are located in very old streets that have a history around 1100 years. When visiting the towers of histories of 840 and 859 years respectively, which stand far apart facing each other against modernized building, you can also have a look at local people's life.

At last, enjoy the serene beauty in Green Lake Park, which is one of the most beautiful parks in Kunming and also known for thousands of black-headed gulls in warm winter.

Drive to Dali. Today you will tour the Dali Ancient Town, one of the top-listed historical cities of China since 1982. With Erhai Lake to the east, and Cangshan Mountain to the west, its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and the cobble-paved streets form an unforgettably unique view for visitors, primitive but elegant!

Then, visit the Three Pagodas, comprised of three independent pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. It has a history of over 1000 years and is the landmark of the Dali Ancient City. Next, the folk houses of Bai ethnic will bring you a lyrical and carefree life with Bai minority culture immersion. Surrounded by the green mountains, winding creeks and fertile land, Walking along the slate road, sauntering though the winding alleys, a good view of the delicate and intricate designs on the walls will make you feel awesome! 

Drive to Shaxi Old Town, the thousands of year’s old ancient Bai minority village between Lijiang and Dali Scenic Areas. Nestled deep in the Himalayan foothills of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Shaxi is a culturally diverse town for you to experience the Shaxi Old Town, Shaxi River, Xinjiao Temple, and immerse in this once bustling trade station (of the Silk Road) in the square and some ancient courtyards with local people.

Then trek from Shaxi Old Town up to Shibaoshan Mountain, which has the famous Grotto Group of South China and is particularly known for MoYan statues in the cave temple. Also, visit ancient temples like Shizhong Temple and Baoxiang Temple there.

Today you will drive to explore the Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the best preserved ancient town in China, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity and its architectures are noteworthy for the blending of elements from different cultures.

Then visit the Black Dragon Pool Park, known as “the Summer Palace in South China”, enclosing a spring-fed pool etc. beautiful natural scene and temples inside.

Today first enjoy the Baisha Murals formed in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Most Baisha murals depict religious stories and combine several legends into one picture with Naxi, Tibetan, Bai and Han styles.

Then have rest or wandering around by yourself for several hours. At last, the Naxi Ancient Music can’t be missed. Famous as a “living fossil of Chinese music”, this traditional Naxi classical music uses many musical instruments including flute, shawm, Chinese flute, plectrum, and zither while playing.

Drive to Weixi (Weixi Lisu Autonomous County), a lively county town where some of the Lisu and Yi women still wear their traditional dress. And you can meet new shops and hotels alongside old wooden buildings, tradition and modernity mixed there.

Visit the Shigu Town (Stone Drum Town, named after a drum-shaped marble plaque) en route, where you can experience the wonder of the First Bend of Yangtze River, the U-turn of Jinsha River (the upper reach of Yangtze River). And sauntering around this town in the market day you can really experience the natural and simple life in this once important town on Tea-horse Road.

Today, first drive to visit Shouguo Temple in Kangpu, 73 kilometers away from Weixi. This temple’s architecture combines perfectly the Chinese pavilion pattern of Qing dynasty, the ceiling feature of Shangri-la Tibetan monastery and woodcarving skill of Jianchuan.

Then, explore Cizhong Village, the “Little Shangri-La”, where the seven ethnic minorities like Zang, Han, Lihsu, Bai, Nu etc. live together and three religions like Buddhism, Catholic and Christianity co-exist with harmony. The Cizhong Christian Church was built by French missionaries last century there. Weather permitting, you can enjoy a clear vista of the Mt. Kawagebo Peak. Drive to Deqin.

First visit Feilai Temple, built in Ming Dynasty and only 10km away from Deqin. An amazing view of Meili Snow Mountain en route will refresh you with wonder. At the foot of Kagebo Peak lies the Mingyong Glacier, which is rarely seen at such low altitude and latitude. It is formed by a rare monsoon maritime glacier which stops only 800 meters from the surface of the Lantsang River. Then hike to the Taizi Temple (Prince Temple), a small temple full of Tibetans who come here to worship the holy mountain. Drive back to visit Feilai Temple at last.

Drive from Deqin to Shangri-La, visit Benzi Lan (means “golden sand bank” in Tibetan) and Dongzhu Lin Temple (East Bamboo Forest Temple) en route. Known as the “Southern Beauty” in Khampa area with unique Tibetan culture and ethnic handicrafts, Benzi Lan once was the key town of the Yunnan-Tibet Ancient Tea-horse Road. Located at an altitude of 3,000 meters but having favorable monsoon climate, Dongzhu Lin Temple has collected many precious culture relics.

Today visit the Songzanlin Monastery, located at the hillside of Foping Mountain near Shangri-La County.  With the typical traditional Tibetan architectural style, it is also known as the little Potala Palace; and having the largest prayer wheel in the world and magnificent frescoes of Buddhist stories, this monastery makes itself a must-see for visits to Yunnan Province.

Then experience the thousands of years’ vicissitudes of Dukezong Old Town located in Shangri-La. As the largest and best-reserved Tibetan town among China’s Tibetan counties with a history of 1,300 years, Dukezong Old Town was a key station on the Ancient Tea-horse Road and has been also known as the “footstep of Shangri-La”. The traditional Tibetan dwellings, palatial prayer halls and pagodas, ancient winding lanes make this old town the best sanctuary to all those seeking an unforgettable memory swaying in soft and still!

Today, drive to visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest gorges and located where the Yangtze River passes between 5,596-metre Jade Dragon and 5,396-meter Haba Snow Mountain. Then drive to Lijiang for rest!

Fly to Kunming or your next destination.