8 Days Yunnan Highlights Tour with Muslim Culture Exploration

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kunming Arrival

   Welcome to our 8-day classic Yunnan tour with Muslim culture exploration. Upon your arrival at Kunming International Airport, your local private driver will pick you up and escort you to your well-selected hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you to stroll around.

   You're recommended to take a walk in the Cuihu Lake, where the wind is playing with the willows and the water is sparkling like a mirror. If you happen to be there in winter, you might see the red-billed gulls flying just above the water. This place is perfect for getting a taste of Kunming's slow-paced life. Then, have a slow and nice go along Haigeng Park at Dianchi Lake. The Western Hills' Sleeping Beauty is covered with the golden light of the sun that is setting and birds migrating are flying around.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming Stone Forest & Islamic Heritage
   Explore Karst Landscapes and Kunming’s Most Important Islamic Landmark

   The guide of your tour will be at the morning meeting point and a drive for 1.5 hours takes you to the Stone Forest Scenic Area. After getting to the Stone Forest, visit the Greater Stone Forest and Lesser Stone Forest where the nature has been shaping limestones that reached the height of the present day over about 200 million years. Go amidst the solid rocks and let your mind show the figures like burnt wood trees, animals, and gods from the stories. The tour entails a lot of foot travel hence it is really advisable that one puts on comfy shoes in order to enjoy this spectacular natural miracle to the hilt.

   

   After the visit, return to Kunming city to explore Shuncheng Street Mosque, the largest mosque in Kunming. Originally built in 1425 during the Ming Dynasty, the mosque now covers an area of around 10,000 square meters. It features a traditional Chinese courtyard-style layout, reflecting the harmonious integration of Islamic faith with local architectural traditions. Within the complex are classrooms, bathing facilities, and funeral parlours, highlighting the mosque's important role in community life. The atmosphere is enhanced by ancient pine trees, cypresses, and palms scattered throughout the courtyard.

   After the visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
3. Day 3: Kunming to Dali by High-speed Train
   Enjoy Lakeside Scenery & Mediterranean-style Town

   After having breakfast, the first thing to do is to go to the train station and catch a high-speed train that will take you from Kunming to Dali. Once you get to Dali, your local guide will be waiting for you and you will start the day with a trip to Lixiangbang Ideal Town Resort, which is situated by the eastern shore of Erhai Lake. With its white-washed buildings, blue-dome churches, and terraced viewpoints that look upon the Cangshan Mountains, this town is often referred to as “China's Santorini” since it is inspired by Santorini in Greece. The area of the resort is vast, covering 15 hectares, and photography is one of the major activities that attract visitors to the place besides the relaxation.

   The walking tour on the well-designed lakeside path of the Erhai Ecological Corridor is next on the itinerary, which is a nicely made lakeside path to see the natural beauty of Erhai Lake. Egrets gliding slowly over the lake will be one of the sights you spot as the local life around you flows at a peaceful pace.

   

   The late afternoon will be your time for easy and slow walking around Dali Ancient Town; thus, you will not feel rushed. See the bustling Foreigner Street, what is left of the old city wall, and the walking paths made of stones where cafes and shops are found. After the day's adventures, you will be accommodated in a hotel located in the ancient town, where you will be able to rest.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
4. Day 4: Dali to Lijiang
   Experience Dali Islamic Culture and Bai Tie-Dye Art

   Start your day with a visit to the Donglianhua Mosque, a particularly significant mosque in the morning. The mosque's entire precinct encompassing 5867 square meters and its holy prayer hall which is able to hold 1000 people are still existing features of the mosque that show the mainly refined fusion of traditional Chinese wooden construction techniques with Islamic architectural ones. The 14 meters high four-storey minaret is the most recognizable part of the mosque, representing the faith and cultural continuity.

   

   After that, head over to Zhoucheng Village. It's a Bai ethnic village that's super popular for its amazing tie-dye work. Stop by a local workshop and see how they turn plain white cloth into cool indigo fabrics using old-school dyeing methods. If you feel like it, you can try your hand at tie-dyeing with the help of a pro (but it'll cost you a bit extra).

   In the afternoon, we'll drive to Lijiang and check into a hotel in Lijiang Ancient City. Then, go explore Lijiang Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for its old Naxi buildings and the canals all over the place. Go up Lion Hill to Wangu Tower for a great view of the town and the mountains around it.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
5. Day 5: Lijiang Snow Mountain Adventure
   Admire Snow-capped Peaks Up Close, Alpine Valleys, Ancient Murals

   Most of today is intended for an exploration of the captivating Jade Dragon Snow Mountain also referred to as the "Heavenly Mountain" in the Naxi tongue. The mountain range made up of 13 peaks covered with snow gives the impression of a massive dragon lying in the sky. The first place that you will visit in the area is Ganhaizi Meadow (2900m), a highland pasture that is open to the public and gives excellent views of the snow mountain as a backdrop. You continue the sightseeing by bus to Baishui River, where the valley floor is covered with milky-white glacial streams that flow.

   Next up, hop on the cable car to Spruce Meadow at 3205 meters—think thick woods and crazy-tall mountain peaks all around. Then, catch a ride on an electric shuttle to Blue Moon Valley (2800 meters). Trust me; you've got to see its turquoise pools made by melting glaciers. After lunch, catch the Impression Lijiang show. Zhang Yimou, a famous filmmaker, directs it. It's got local culture set against those snow-capped mountains, so it's quite the sight.

   

   Travel Tips: High-altitude reactions are common—prepare medication in advance. If you wish to take the cable car to the highest point, Glacier Park, please inform your travel consultant early, as tickets are limited during peak seasons.

   In the afternoon, visit Baisha Ancient Town to admire the renowned Baisha Murals, a rare blend of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi artistic traditions. After the visit, return to your hotel and relax.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
6. Day 6: Lijiang to Shangri-La
   Experience Nature and Culture from Gorge to Tibetan Town

   Take a morning departure from Lijiang and head to Shangri-La by car. Along the way, make a halt at a scenic spot to enjoy the view of the renowned First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the powerful watercourse turns abruptly into an uncommon “Ω-shaped“ curve.

   Move on to the Tiger Leaping Gorge which is one of the world's deepest gorges. Do the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge hike where you will be walking along the river on established trails. The hike offers both great views and the clashing of the river’s huge force as the mountains rise up and the whitewater goes down.

   

   Having completed the gorge, you will advance to the very center of the Tibetan cultural area and reach Shangri-La. After checking into a hotel within the old town, you are free to take a stroll through Dukezong Ancient Town, which specializes in preserving the old-style Tibetan houses. Subsequently, you will ascend Guishan Hill to participate in the turning of the world’s largest prayer wheel along with other tourists. The vista from here is breathtaking, enabling you to see the whole town sprawled below you.

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   3-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
7. Day 7: Highlights of Shangri-La
   Discover Tibetan Buddhism and Alpine Nature

   In the morning, visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, the Songzanlin Monastery, located in the Yunnan Province of China. It is known as the "Little Potala Palace" because its architecture resembles that of the Potala Palace, and it is situated on a hill. The Songzanlin Monastery has golden domes, white walls, beautifully decorated prayer halls, and beautiful gardens. Visitors can walk around the various court yards and prayer halls, viewing the monks chanting worshippably with open arms. There are murals on the walls that tell the story of Buddhism, and sculptures and statues of Bodhisattvas and other deities depicting centuries of Tibet's spiritual belief system.

   

   In the afternoon, head to the Pudacuo National Park, one of the first national parks in China. You should definitely see the Shudu Lake, which is surrounded by forests and grasslands. Do not forget to see the Bita Lake, which is famous for its very clear water, wildflowers that appear in different seasons, and wide variety of animals and plants. You can very closely experience the nature while wandering through the wetlands and forests on the wooden boardwalks. The colors of autumn make the park very pretty.

   Travel Tips: Pudacuo is at high altitude (from 3500 meters to 4159 meters), and altitude sickness may occur. Please walk slowly, avoid running or jumping, and listen to your body.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
8. Day 8: Shangri-La Departure

   After breakfast, the driver will pick you up and take you to the airport. The 8-day Yunnan Muslim tour service ends here. If you want to leave from Kunming, you can book the morning high-speed train from Shangri La to Kunming by yourself, which takes about 5.5 hours. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour. Wish you a happy voyage.

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