10 Days Classic Yunnan Tour Package from Beijing

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Welcome to Beijing

   Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. Upon arrival, the local guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Beijing downtown.

   The rest of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel or explore the city on your own. You can wander though Wangfujing Street and Qianmen Street to buy fancy goods and enjoy authentic Beijing snacks. Or explore the variety of bars and experience the lively nightlife at Houhai Street.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing Highlights
   Majestic Royal Architecture and Charming Royal Garden Landscapes

   After breakfast, start today’s Beijing exploration tour. First visit Tiananmen Square, the largest town city square in the world. Stroll along the square and witness several Beijing landmarks, including Monument to the People’s Heroes, Zhengyang Gate, and Great Hall of the People.

   From Tiananmen Square, we can walk straightly to the Forbidden City. This site is the most iconic symbol of imperial China. Forbidden City was once the royal residence for emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. After a long passage of time, now every corner of this site offers a deep insight into ancient imperial power and court life.

   Admire the grand wooden halls and take a stop before the red palace walls, and you may get to here all those traditional Chinese architecture telling you some old-time stories. Visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, along the route, and you can also see a lot of valuable royal collections which still carry the deep and profound culture and traditions.

   Also, climb Jingshan Park and overlook the panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

   

   After lunch, move to Summer Palace, a representative of China’s imperial gardens. It is a great site to witness the perfect combination of nature and royal architecture. Climb the Longevity Hill to overlook the wonderful views of Summer Palace. Wander along the Long Corridor to observe the classical Chinese paintings. Stand on the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and capture the picturesque scenery of Kunming Lake and the mountains in the distance.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Adventure
   Enjoy the Magnificent Great Wall and Explore the Modern Landscape

   In the morning, we’ll go visit Mutianyu Great Wall (5,400 meters long). We take you to this section because it’s among one of the best-preserved and least crowded parts. With just a glance, you can clearly see the rolling mountains and dense forests nearby. So that while immersing yourself in Mutianyu’s profound historical charm, the natural scenery can make it even more rewarding.

   After ascending the wall, you’ll see its watchtowers and defensive structures, and take a walk along the ancient stone pathways. From the top, there are also moments for you to enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and ridgelines. However, if such long hiking is too excessive for you, don’t worry, you can also take cable cars and toboggans.

   Tips:

   • The toboggan ride is not recommended for travelers over 60 years old.
   • Children under 10 must be accompanied by at least one adult when taking the toboggan.

   

   On the return drive to Beijing, we’ll stop at the Sacred Way of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs. This grand historic path is impressively lined with solemn stone statues of animals and officials. And the whole path was actually made to show imperial authority and also, the statues were served as protection for the emperors’ afterlife.

   Later, we’ll also pass by the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). If you still remember the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, then you may likely to keep some impressions of them. After almost two decades, their striking modern designs are still shocking.

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Kunming by Flight
   Royal Ceremonial Buildings and Traditional Local Life

   Day 4's exploration begins at the Temple of Heaven. It is the largest (273 hectares) and best-preserved complex of ancient ceremonial architecture in China. This sacred site has witnessed so many emperors (basically in the Ming and Qing dynasties) come to pray for good harvests and divine blessings for the nation.

   Don’t miss the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which is famous for its elegant triple-gabled roof and symbolic design. While walking through the park, observe local residents practicing Tai Chi or exercising, this allows you a vivid glimpse into everyday life in Beijing.

   

   Later, stroll through Beijing’s Hutongs and admire traditional houses. Explore these historic alleys on a rickshaw, and this might be one of the best ways to experience the lively life of Beijing people.

   After lunch, take a flight to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Upon arrival, the local guide will transfer you to the hotel in downtown Kunming for check-in.

   

   Flight, Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
5. Day 5: Kunming to Dali by High-speed Train
   Experience the Urban Vitality of Kunming

   In the morning, start your Kunming tour from Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring karst formations. Wander along paths and bridges at the Big Stone Forests to observe rocks in various shapes and sizes. At Small Stone Forests, witness the stone peaks reflected in the lake, creating a wonderful picture with the surrounding trees. Observe the Ashima Stone and learn about the local legends of the Yi people in Yunnan.

   Tips:

   • The Stone Forest involves a significant amount of walking, often on uneven stone paths.
   • Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended to ensure a pleasant visit.

   

   After lunch, visit Green Lake Park. This is one of Kunming’s most beloved parks. In the heart of this site, there’s a clear freshwater lake. And the whole scene is surrounded by shaded walkways, traditional pavilions, and historic buildings. During your time here, just let yourself fully relax in the peaceful atmosphere. If you’re traveling in the winter months, you may be lucky to see large flocks of Siberian seagulls migrating here. And their arrival greatly explains why Kunming is called “the City of Spring.”

   Finally, take the high-speed train to Dali and stay overnight at a hotel in Dali Ancient City.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Dali
6. Day 6: Dali Exploration
   Exquisite Buddhist Architecture and Rich Ethnic Culture

   After breakfast, our first destination today is Three Pagodas and the Chongsheng Temple. This complex has one main pagoda with two smaller ones on both sides. This is actually the architectural styles of the Tang and Song dynasties. As you explore the temple grounds, you can learn about the development of Chinese Buddhism. And if you are also interested in the architectural heritage and surrounded scenery, then focus on its elegant symmetry and the distant Cangshan Mountain.

   

   Next we’ll travel to Erhai Lake. It’s a vast freshwater lake and people widely love it for its changing scenery throughout the year. Along the lakeshore, basically all visitors will find themselves can’t help lost in the breathtaking views of shimmering water, while the Cangshan Mountain is also there setting a backdrop. There are many ways of exploring this place: you may take a scenic bus tour, boat ride, or cycle along the lakeside road (optional).

   After lunch, explore Dali Ancient Town. Here, the traditional Bai architecture lines the streets. Wander through all the ancient gates or temples and you’ll also encounter various local shops. Enjoy the way that time flows here and don’t forget to try the authentic Yunnan cuisine. You may also have the opportunity to learn how to make a traditional Bai specialty, such as Flower Cake, under the guidance of a local artisan.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Dali
7. Day 7: Dali to Lijiang by Car
   Unique Minority Architecture and Colorful Ethnic Culture

   The first stop of today’s Dali tour is Xizhou Ancient Town, a historical Bai settlement. Here admire the traditional and exquisite dwellings of the Bai people. Explore the vibrant local morning market and experience lively local life. Taste Bai’s Three-Course Tea, a special way of drinking tea for guests. Visit the Yan Family Compound, which blends traditional Bai architecture with modern Western-style villas.

   

   Afterwards, come to Zhoucheng Old Town, the largest ancient town of the Bai people. Observe the delicate Tie-dye art, an ancient textile dyeing technique in China. You can try to make your own tie-dye souvenirs (optional).

   After lunch, drive to Lijiang, a famous historical and cultural city in Yunnan. Upon arrival, the local guide and driver will take you to Lijiang Ancient Town. Admire the well-preserved ancient Naxi buildings on both sides of the street and learn about the diverse minority cultures. Visit Mufu Palace, the landmark building in the ancient town. Wander along the Sifang Street Square to explore the great ethnic crafts and watch wonderful performances.

   Optional Activity: Climb up Lion Hill for a panoramic view of the ancient town and visit the Wangu Tower.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
8. Day 8: Lijiang Culture
   Explore the Charm of Folk Art

   Today, continue your tour in Lijiang. Explore Yuhu Village at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The local dwellings are mostly built of stones, with Naxi architectural features. Stroll along the stone path to capture the clear lake and the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.

   

   Then visit Baisha Village and its famous Baisha Mural Paintings. These murals impress people with their way of presenting artistic fusion of Tibetan, Han, and Naxi cultural elements. You can tell how diverse their religious influences once existed from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The paintings vividly depict Buddhist figures, Taoist themes, and most importantly everyday life. All of these moments form a valuable record of regional cultural exchange. You may also choose to learn Baisha embroidery from a local craftsman (optional).

   After lunch, we’ll head to the next town, the Shuhe Ancient Town. Here your focus will be the town’s history related with the ancient Tea Horse Road. The town still preserves many traditional Naxi houses, along with some stone bridges, and narrow canals. You can learn about this culture here and enjoy watching local residents perform traditional folk music and dances in the central square.

   Later, visit the Dongba Culture Museum. Compared to other places, museum provides a more comprehensive and systematically arranged introduction to Naxi spiritual beliefs and daily life. And you can go really deep into them in a rather short time. Inside, you will see Dongba scriptures, ritual objects, paintings, and traditional tools used by the Naxi people.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
9. Day 9: Lijiang to Shangri-La
   Marvel at the Wonders of Nature

   After breakfast, drive to Shangri-La from Lijiang. On the way, marvel at the First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the Yangtze takes a sharp turn and forms a V-shaped bend. The view is incredibly stunning, definitely worth a picture.

   Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The thunderously rushing Jinsha River has cut it with an unstoppable force. As you hike the Upper Gorge section, the water will never stop roaring below. And plus the dramatic cliffs rising on both sides, your journey can be so adventurous and amazing. Here, you can directly face the raw beauty of Yunnan’s mountainous landscape.

   

   After lunch, let’s drive to Dukezong Ancient Town. It is over 1,300 years old, lying in the heart of Tibetan culture in Shangri-La. As you wander through its traditional Tibetan houses, history will just unfolding in front of you. Prayer flags and wooden carvings are all details showing their unique culture In the evening, the town becomes especially atmospheric as locals gather in the square to dance and socialize. Such experience can hardly be found in other places.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   3-Star in Shangri-La
10. Day 10: Shangri-La Discovery, Shangri-La Departure
    Learn about the Splendid Buddhist Culture

    In the morning, continue your Shangri-La tour from Songzanlin Monastery. The architectural complex is modeled on the design of the Potala Palace in Tibet. These magnificent Buddhist temples are home to many exquisite Buddhist statues. Also observe precious Buddhist artifacts such as Buddha statues, thangkas, and scriptures.

    Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province and you may hear people call it “Little Potala Palace.” It’s story begins in 17th century, and the monastery complex is modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa. So that if you have ever visited Potala Palace, you’ll immediately tell their similarities in designs or the match of colors. Inside the temples, there are many things to admire, such as Buddhist statues, colorful murals, sacred thangkas, and ancient scriptures. The monastery remains an active religious center, offering insight into Tibetan Buddhist practices and spiritual traditions.

    

    Drive to Pudacuo National Park, which boasts lakes, wetlands, forested meadows and various wildlife. Stroll along the Shudu Lake to immerse yourself in the vivid pictures of crystal lakes, stunning mountains and lush forests. At the vast Militang Pasture, admire the colorful flowers and herds of yaks.

    Later visit a local Tibetan family. You can talk with the local people and learn about their culture and customs. Experience the lively local life while tasting homemade butter tea and yak cheese.

    The 10-day China tour in Beijing and Yunnan ends here. The guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your departure.

    Tips:

    • The average altitude of the park is around 3,700 meters. Avoid running or jumping to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
    • Non-slip walking shoes, sunglasses, and high-energy snacks (such as chocolate or nuts) are recommended, as dining facilities inside the park are limited.

    

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    Breakfast, Lunch