5 Days Kunming and Shangri-La Tour Package
Tour Overview
This 5-day Yunnan tour will take you on a journey to explore the natural and cultural wonders of Kunming and Shangri La – stunning karst stone forests, ancient Yuantong Buddhist Temple, beautiful Kunming Green Lake Park, and picturesque Xishan Mountain…
In Shangri La (meaning “sun and moon in the heart” in Tibetan), go to explore the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, the beautiful Pudacuo National Park, and the iconic Dukezong Old Town. In addition, you will also be led to experience the local culture of the Tibetan people by visiting a Tibetan family and a pottery village.
Travel destinations: Kunming, Shangri-La
Suitable for: Nature Lovers, Culture Explorers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Walk among the spectacular karst formations of the Stone Forest.
- Experience the diverse culture and customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan.
- Immerse yourself in the beautiful Pudacuo National Park.
- Visit a Tibetan family to learn about the local culture and lifestyle of the Tibetan people.
- Spend your leisure time in Dukezong Old Town.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in KunmingYunnan Ethnic Culture and Panoramic Views from Hills
Welcome to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, for this 5-day tour from Kunming to Shangri-La. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
After a short rest, you will start your Kunming trip with a visit to the Yunnan Nationalities Museum, the largest ethnic museum in China showing over ten thousand exhibits of various ethnic minorities. The tour guide will take you to appreciate porcelain, ethnic musical instruments, folk crafts, ethnic costumes, etc., and explain the stories of some important exhibits to you.
Then, we head to the Western Hills. Located on the western shore of Dianchi Lake, it boasts the perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and profound cultural heritage.
Dragon Gate is the top highlight of Western Hill and one of Kunming's most famous attractions. With its construction taking 72 years, Dragon Gate is especially known for its outstanding stone carving art, featuring the largest and most exquisite Taoist grotto in Yunnan. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and the city from the top of the hills.
Accommodation: in Kunming
Dragon Gate on the West Hill - Day 2: Kunming Exploration TourAdmire the Karst Wonders, Ancient Temple, and Local Scenic Park
One of the most famous attractions in Kunming, the Stone Forest, is the first stop on today's tour in Kunming. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a natural wonder of karst formations. The Greater and Lesser Stone Forests are the core areas. The Greater Stone Forest area is characterized by dense stone peak clusters and a grand and spectacular atmosphere, while the Lesser Stone Forest area is teemed with peaks with more intricate shapes.
Kunming Stone Forest After lunch, return to Kunming city center and visit the Yuantong Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Kunming, with a history of 1,200 years. The whole temple looks like a garden, with turquoise pools and exquisite old buildings in the courtyard. What is especially wonderful is that the architecture here incorporates features of Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Southern Buddhism from Southeast Asia.
Last, you will take a relaxing stroll around Kunming Green Lake, a beautiful park in the city center. It is a popular place for locals to do Tai Chi, dance, sing, and play chess. You can also feed the seagulls that flock to the lake in winter or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at one of the cafes around the lake.
Accommodation: in Kunming
- Day 3: Kunming to Shangri-La Tour by FlightExperience Pottery Art and Enjoy a Stroll in Tibetan Town
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kunming airport for your flight to Shangri-La, a paradise in the northwest of Yunnan. A private local guide and driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel in Shangri-La.
In the afternoon, your Yunnan tour in Shangri-La takes you to the Nixi Pottery Village, where you will feel unique black pottery art. The tour guide will take you to visit a small workshop owned by a Tibetan family. Understand how craftsmen shape clay into exquisite pottery. If interested, you can even try making your own pottery under the guidance of a local master (30-40 minutes, additional charge).
Afterward,Ā return to Dukezong Old Town. Walk up to the top of Guishan HillĀ to appreciate the typical Tibetan-style view - Prayer Wheel. From there, you will have a bird-view of Shangri-La County and Duzekong Ancient Town.
Accommodation: in Shangri-La
Dukezong Ancient Town - Day 4: Shangri-La Highlights TourExplore Monastery, Capture Nature, Enjoy Tibetan Hospitality
After breakfast, your Shangri-La tour starts at the grand Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Famed as the "Small Potala Palace", it was built along the hillside, looking like an old castle, showing the brilliant construction technology of Tibet. If time permits, take a walk in the nearby Lamuyangcuo Lake to photograph the reflection of the temple in the water.
Songzanlin Monastery After lunch, continue your trip to the Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in China. The park is definitely a priceless gift from nature: with an altitude between 3,500 meters and 4,159 meters, it collects rich natural resources including geology and landforms, lake wetlands, meadows, rivers and valleys, and rare plants and animals. The amazing scenery here will make you can't stop the camera in your hands and marvel at this wonderland. Spend more time at Shudu Lake and Bita Lake.
In the evening, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family and experience their hospitality and culture. Taste their homemade butter tea, barley wine, and yak meat, and learn about their traditions, beliefs, and lifestyle.
Accommodation: in Shangri-La
Pudacuo National Park in Autumn - Day 5: Shangri-La Departure
Your 5 days Kunming Shangri-La adventure tour ends after breakfast. Enjoy your free time until your private driver picks you up at your hotel and transfers you to the airport for your departure. We hope you have a wonderful time in Yunnan and look forward to seeing you again.
