9 Days Guilin and Yunnan Tour with Nature & Minority Culture

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Guilin

   Welcome to Guilin for our carefully designed 9 days Guilin and Yunnan tour! Upon arrival, a local private driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Guilin downtown. The rest of the day is for you to explore the city at your own pace.

   Optional activity in the evening (at your own expense): You are recommended to take the Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise to admire the landscapes of Guilin, adorned with colorful lights.

   You can also ask your guide for more evening activities.

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
2. Day 2: Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
   Enjoy a Leisurely Li River Cruise, Go Sightseeing the Ten-mile Gallery

   After breakfast at your hotel, begin today’s Guilin tour with a scenic Li River cruise from Mopanshan Pier to Yangshuo, widely regarded as one of China’s most beautiful river journeys.

   While the boat goes down the stream, there will be many famous scenic spots such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horse Fresco Hill passing by and also the Yellow Cloth Shoal. Among all of them, the scenery of Yellow Cloth Shoal is so iconic that it even got printed on the back of 20 yuan. Many people will use a 20 RMB banknote to take photos here. Along the way, maybe you can also see fishermen fishing with cormorants, this is a quite traditional and local activity.

   A Chinese-style lunch is served onboard. You can dine and enjoy the scenery simultaneously.

   Tips: Our arrangement includes a three-star Li River cruise. Of course, if you want a more comfortable experience, you can also upgrade to a four-star cruise ( but this needs additional fee).

   

   After checking in hotel in Yangshuo, we’ll go to the Ten-mile Gallery. This scenic route is famous for its a lot of things like karst peaks, rivers, farmland, and rural villages. There are several ways to explore the area: sightseeing bus, bicycle or electric scooter. Each one can give you a unique experience. One of the highlights here is Moon Hill. There’s a giant natural stone arch near its summit, one of the most iconic sites. After climbing up the hill, you can embrace a full view of the Yangshuo countryside.

   In the late afternoon, we can return to Yangshuo. Then enjoy your free time on West Street. This is the town’s most lively pedestrian street is filled with cafés, restaurants, shops.

   Optional Activity in the evening: You can pay extra to appreciate the Impression Liu Sanjie, an outdoor show directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, against the backdrop of Li River and the karst mountains.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Yangshuo
3. Day 3: Yangshuo Yulong River, Back to Guilin
   Explore the Yulong River by Bamboo Rafting or Cycling

   After breakfast, follow your guide to the Yulong River. About 43.5 kilometers long, Yulong River is a tributary of the Li River featuring clear waters, idyllic landscapes on both riverbanks, picturesque karst mountains, and many outdoor activity opportunities.

   Bamboo rafting is one of the most preferred ways for most visitors to experience the beautiful sceneries along the Yulong River. Based on your preference, you can also explore the surrounding areas by cycling. You are flexible to visit local villages along the way.

   After the time at Yulong River, be escorted back to Guilin.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
4. Day 4: Guilin to Lijiang by Flight
   Experience Naxi Dongba Culture in Lijiang Ancient Town

   After breakfast, your Guilin tour ends here. We will then go take a flight to Lijiang. Your tour guide will then take you to check in at the hotel and take a short rest. After that, we can start exploring this beautiful city.

   There are many well-preserved ancient buildings in the Lijiang Ancient Town. And with the winding flagstone roads and rivers, the whole town is in a very strong Dongba cultural atmosphere. Strolling around the ancient city, you can also walk through its long history.

   Then we will visit Mufu Palace, which was once the residence of the Mu family that ruled Lijiang. This magnificent building complex is very charming, you can actually see all of Naxi, Han, Bai, and Tibetan architectural styles here. This also shows the diverse nature of Lijiang.

   Then continue to Sifang Street Square. It used to be the political and commercial center of the ancient city, and now it is still the most lively gathering place. Here, you may meet a lot of local musicians or handicraft stalls.

   After the visit, we will return to the hotel. And you can freely arrange your time in the evening. If you want to explore the place a little bit but don’t know where to go, you can ask the tour guide about recommendations of local snacks or optional night activities.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
5. Day 5: Lijiang Exploration
   Appreciate the Baisha Mural Paintings, Stroll around Shuhe Ancient Town

   After breakfast, let’s head to Yuhu Village. It’s embraced by the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and it will entertain you with the opportunity to see some traditional stone houses or pristine natural landscapes. And all of them are taking you into a unique Naxi culture.

   

   Baisha Village is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people. And compared with the Lijiang ancient town, Baisha is more peaceful and less commercial. While traveling here, Baisha Murals is somewhere you must visit. It is a group of religious paintings which can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. You can see how Naxi, Tibetan, Han, and Buddhist artistic traditions harmoniously coexist on these paintings. And they are a precious cultural treasure of the region.

   

   Continue to Shuhe Ancient Town, a well-preserved site, which was also an important stop along the historic Ancient Tea Horse Road. Compared with Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe also feels more tranquil. You can see the very traditional Naxi life, just take more look at the courtyards and stroll along the slate-paved streets.

   The Dongba Culture Museum is a place where you can learn about Naxi Dongba culture more systematically or to say, more comprehensively in just a short time. You can see things like Dongba pictographic scripts, ceremonial paintings, traditional costumes and ritual objects and other exhibits, and this is a good way to understand the charm of this culture in a more directly.

   End the day at Black Dragon Pool Park, one of the most scenic spots in Lijiang. On clear days, the reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can land on the still water. And this scene is quite breathtaking which definitely worth a photo.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
6. Day 6: Lijiang to Shangri-La
   Hike the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge for 2.5 Hours

   After breakfast, check out your hotel and let’s move to Shangri-La. The first stop today is the First Bend of the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River (called Jinsha River locally) makes a dramatic "V"-shaped turn in this region, forming such an awe-inspiring sight that attracts both photographers and nature enthusiasts. You can take some great photos from certain viewing platforms.

   

   After visiting the First Bend of the Yangtze River, continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world. Here, you’ll enjoy a 2.5-hour hike along the upper section of the gorge, which is known for its relatively accessible trails and spectacular viewpoints.

   The hiking route winds along the mountainside, offering close-up views of the roaring Jinsha River far below. And here, the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is on one side and Haba Snow Mountain is on the other. Along the way, there are small ethnic villages and terraced fields. It can be quite pleasant to feel the human touch in the rugged natural scenery.

   After the hike, continue your drive to Shangri-La and check into your hotel.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
7. Day 7: Shangri-La Full Day Tour
   Glimpse the Tibetan Culture Through A Local Tibetan Family and Monastery

   After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, start your Yunnan tour in Shangri-La with a visit to the Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastic complex in Yunnan. Emulating the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the layout of the main structures of the monastery also ascend the mountain in tiers, thus is widely called the "Little Potala Palace". Here you can admire the intricate golden roofs, visit the prayer halls, and marvel at the pagodas.

   

   Potatso National Park perfectly tells people that Shangri-La is treasured with pristine highland ecosystems. You might feel interested in its alpine forests or clear lakes. The boardwalks will lead you to visit highlights such as Bita Lake and Shudu Lake. Here, the crystal-clear waters are just like mirrors reflecting the surrounding mountains.

   Tips:

   1. The park’s altitude is rather high (3,500–4,159 meters), so you might very likely catch altitude sickness.
   2. Avoid running or jumping on the first day, this can help reduce the risk of illness.
   3. To prepare for it, remember to pack things like Non-slip shoes, sunglasses, and high-energy snacks.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
8. Day 8: Shangri-La to Kunming by Flight
   Catch a Stunning Panoramic View of Dianchi Lake from Western Hills

   After breakfast, we’ll take you to the airport for your flight to Kunming. Let your local guide pick you up and finish those must-do procedures (check in hotel).

   Head to Western Hills in the afternoon. Adjacent to the western shore of Dianchi Lake, the Western Hills offers a stunning panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and a wealth of ancient temples. You can reach the summit by cable car and visit Dragon Gate. A top highlight on the Western Hills, the Dragon Gate grottoes features cliffside pathways, stone chambers, and exquisite stone carvings and inscriptions.

   Get back to your hotel in Kunming city center after the visit.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
9. Day 9: Stone Forest, Kunming Departure
   Marvel at the Spectacular Karst Landscape at Stone Forest

   Discover the two best highlights of Kunming on the last day of this 9-day Guilin and Yunnan tour.

   After breakfast, the Kunming Green Lake Park is where we would go next. It’s the "emerald gem" in the heart of Kunming City. Kunming is known for its good weather, and such good weather also allows the park to have picturesque scenery throughout the year. And what makes it even more pretty is the traces of human’s daily life here. Local people love to come here for leisure and entertainment. A morning visit here and you can see locals’ various exercises like tai chi or dancing.

   

   After visiting Green Lake Park, we should travel to the Stone Forest, a world-famous site, which is now even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed over 270 million years ago, this remarkable karst landscape amazes people again and again with towering limestone pillars and jagged stone peaks, or natural corridors that resemble a vast stone labyrinth.

   You can see many iconic landforms in the Greater and Lesser Stone Forest areas. They are all masterpieces of time, which were shaped by the long process of geological erosion and uplift. By wandering through them, you can feel the magnificent power of nature. And you can also recognize the cultural significance of this area to the local Yi people after knowing the legends related to these stone forests.

   After the visit, we’ll finally move to Kunming Airport. Your next journey can start now, and your memorable Guilin and Yunnan journey comes to a perfect close here.

   

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