9 Days Yunnan Ancient Town Tour with Shaxi and Nuodeng

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kuming Arrival
   Free Exploration

   Hello, welcome to the “Spring City” of Kunming! Upon your arrival at Changshui International Airport, be greet by your private driver who holds a sign board “China Xian Tour”. Then he will escort you directly to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you to stroll at your own pace.

   Cuihu Park is especially recommended for visitors seeking their first impression of Kunming. Located in the city center, it centers around Cuihu Lake, with five scenic areas divided by Ruan and Tang embankments. The park features Qing Dynasty structures like the Lake Heart Pavilion and Fish-Viewing Tower. In spring and summer, willow branches brush against visitors' faces while the fragrance of lotus flowers fills the air. Autumn brings layers of crimson maple leaves. Witness the spectacle of flocks of red-billed gulls in winter. The streets encircling the lake are dotted with small shops and cafes catering to tourists.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming’s Essence
   Be Amazed at the Karst Landform and Caves

   Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby at 8 a.m. Then, drive for one hour to reach the first stop of your trip in Kunming - the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Here is the typical karst landform, with stone peaks, stone buds, sinkholes and underground rivers scattered all over. The peak forest transformed into various forms, like swords, towers and mushrooms. The Stone Forest is centered around the Great and Lesser Stone Forests. The stone peaks of the Lesser Stone Forest are slightly gentle. The most famous one here is the Ashima Stone, a graceful Yi girl is waving at you. Test your imagination in the Great Stone Forest. There are stones like Tang Seng Stone, Stone Prison, and Ganoderma Stone, all of which are vividly lifelike. This scenic area is presenting to you in various postures the wonders of nature's creation. After the visit, have lunch at a restaurant near the scenic area.

   There is a saying in Yunnan: "For the beauty on the ground, see Stone Forest; for the landscape underground, see Jiuxiang." In the afternoon, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Jiuxiang Cave, developed 600 million years ago. There are over a hundred caves, which are known as the "Museum of Karst Caves". Its main attractions include the Lion Hall, the Goddess Palace, and Shentian (world’s rare group of edge stone dams). Under the illumination of the colorful lights, they are all very fantastical. In addition to the karst caves, you can also enjoy the spectacular canyon scenery here. The famous ones are Yincui Gorge and Jinghun Gorge.

   After the visit, we return to the hotel in Kunming downtown area. We recommend that you watch Dynamic Yunnan in the evening. (At your own expense, your tour guide can help you with the ticket.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
3. Day 3: Kunming to Dali by High-speed Train
   Visit the Landmarks of Dali - Three Pagodas & Ancient Town

   After breakfast, the driver will take you to the high-speed railway station for a 2.5-hour ride to Dali, one of the top 3 most romantic cities in China. Upon arrival, a Dali tour guide will pick you up and take you to have lunch.

   Our visit begins in the afternoon and first go to the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. During the Dali Kingdom period (937-1254), it was used for royal family. Located east of Erhai Lake, the Three Pagodas have a history of over a thousand years. The perfect spot to photograph is the "Pool" diagonally behind them, where you can capture the Three Pagodas and their amazing reflections. Walk along the central axis and you can see the cultural relics of the Nanzhao Kingdom and the Dali Kingdom unearthed during the maintenance process. Today's Chongsheng Temple, rebuilt in 2005, grand in scale, is the one with the most dragons in China, over 10,000 dragon-shaped structures.

   

   After the visit, we go for a stroll in the Dali Ancient Town. This place is very suitable for a slow-paced life. During the day, take a stroll along Fuxing Road. There are countless shops on both sides selling marble carvings, ethnic costumes and local specialties. At night, gather in the area around Foreigner Street and People's Road just like the locals. There are characteristic bars and small coffee shops. Some of them even have impromptu performances by resident singers or tourists, very lively. Tonight, stay in a comfortable hotel within the old town.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
4. Day 4: Dali Ancient Town Exploration
   Experience Bai Culture through Tie-Dye and Cycle around Erhai

   Today we will explore Xizhou Ancient Town, which is located 18 kilometers north of Dali Ancient Town. It is backed by Cangshan Mountain to the west and faces Erhai Lake to the east. A large number of Bai ethnic residences are preserved here, which is a major feature of this area. You will be led to a local Bai ethnic courtyard, which features the typical "three courtyards and one screen wall". If you are interested in tea culture, you can opionally experience "Three-Course Tea". Sifang Street is a must-see. It is a small square surrounded by lovely shops. This is the birthplace of the famous snack Xizhou Baba (喜洲粑粑), which tastes very authentic.

   After that, we ride bikes along Erhai Lake, leisurely and relaxed. It got the name because of its shape resembling a human ear (Er). Although it is called a hai (sea) in Chinese, it is actually a lake. Legend has it that because the Bai people have never seen the sea, they called it Erhai to express their yearning for it. Feel the gentle breeze and the beautiful scenery formed by the distant Cangshan Mountain and the blue water.

   

   After lunch, deeply experience the Bai minority culture by making tie-dye. Located to the north of Xizhou, Zhoucheng Village is also the home of Bai ethnic group. The tie-dyeing art here is quite famous and has a history of over 1,000 years. It is the primary reason why many tourists come here. The tour guide will lead you into a handicraft workshop. Under the guidance of the master, you can create your own indigo works. After that, we drive back to the hotel for rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
5. Day 5: Drive from Dali to Yunlong
   Discover the Hidden Nuodeng Village

   Pack your luggage after breakfast. We are leaving Dali for Yunlong County today. It takes 3 hours by car to reach Nuodeng Village, which is hidden in the mountains of Yunlong. It is one of the oldest Bai villages in Yunnan, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with stream in front and scattered salt wells. Few people know that this place was once an important stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Because of salt production, Nuodeng used to be a bustling trading location. "A Bite of China (舌尖上的中国)" has made Nuodeng ham popular all over the country. So don't miss this delicious treat.

   

   After arriving at the village, we check into a cozy gusethouse. Then, taste the local specialties in a small restaurant. The exploration of the village begin in the afternoon. The tour guide will take you to visit the ancient salt well site at the village entrance, the big banyan tree halfway up the mountain, the gatehouse behind the tree, the nearby Confucian Temple, and the Taoist building, the Jade Emperor Pavilion. You can visit freely at other times.

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Yunlong
6. Day 6: Yunlong to Jianchuan
   Stroll the Yunnan’s Quietest and Most Quaint Ancient Town

   After breakfast, drive for about 3 hours to reach Shaxi Ancient Town, located in Jianchuan County hidden in the northwest of Dali. This is not only a millennium old town on the Tea Horse Ancient Road, but also a livable place where Bai culture blends with natural scenery. Before arriving, we will stop and visit some interesting attractions along the way, such as the Wind and Rain Bridge and a wood carving workshop.

   After arriving, enjoy lunch first. In the afternoon, the guide will take you on a deep exploration of Shaxi Town. It is the quietest and most quaint among all the ancient towns in Yunnan, better preserving the style of Tea Horse Town in the past. Strolling along Dengsi Street, the only surviving market on the Tea Horse Road, you can see stages, shops and horse shops, and visit a Buddhist temple where the murals and carvings are worth savoring. Yulu Bridge is one of the best places to enjoy a sunset here.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Shaxi
7. Day 7: Jianchuan to Lijiang
   Admire Danxia Landform on Shibao Mountain, Enjoy Night View of Lijiang

   This morning, you will be taken to explore the White Dragon Pool, which is 5 kilometers away from Shaxi and is known as the “Back Garden” of Shaxi. Sitting by the pool, listen to the gurgling water and the birds singing and watch the fish in the water. It makes you feel relaxed. After that, we head towards Lijiang.

   We stop at Shibao (Stone Treasure) Mountain for a visit on the way. This mountain features Danxia landform, with its strangely shaped peaks formed by weathering resembling arrows, lions and elephants. Follow your guide to visit the grottoes and cliff carvings, the Taoist Baoxiang Temple, the Shizhong Reservoir and more. The area boasts lush forests and fascinating rock formations, very friendly for families.

   Drive for another one and a half hours to reach Lijiang. After checking in at the hotel, you can enjoy the night view of the Old Town of Lijiang by yourself. Tip: It is recommended that you visit the ancient city after 6 p.m. The cobblestone paths can be slippery, so watch your step at all times.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
8. Day 8: Lijiang Highlights
   Walk around Lijiang Ancient Town and Catch the Postcard-like Beauty

   The Lijiang Old Town is the last one on this Yunnan ancient town tour, but it is well worth a visit. After breakfast, we will first visit the Ancient Town of Lijiang, also known as Dayan Town, which is one of the famous towns along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Many Chinese TV dramas and films have shot scenes here. Wooden houses, blue tiles, stone alleys, small Bridges, flowing water... standing on Dongda Street, you can overlook Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance.

   Sifang Street represents the nucleus of the ancient town. There exist numerous tiny stores that offer gifts like ethnic decorations, silver articles, and wraps. Moreover, you can try the much-acclaimed Crossing-the-bridge Rice Noodles. The Mufu Palace is considered a crucial landmark within the area. You will hear some myths regarding this house when the guide takes you through it. Take the opportunity to go up Lion Mountain and get the best view of the whole town.

   The afternoon is spent at the Black Dragon Pool Park. Many of Lijiang's postcards feature the view that one can see from here. The 3-story pavilion, the marble arch bridge, the pool, and the far-off snowy mountains create an image that is not only beautiful but breathtaking especially during sunset. You must see this if you are a photographer! (Sunset time from June to August in summer: 7:30 p.m.; from December to February in winter: 6:30 p.m.) During the rest of the time, you can wander around the ancient city by yourself.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
9. Day 9: Departure from Lijiang

   After breakfast, enjoy your last time to enjoy Lijiang’s beauty. Your driver will pick you up at the agreed time and send you to the airport for your departure. This is the end of your 9-day Yunnan Ancient Town tour. So many thanks to you for traveling with China Xian Tour for you Yunnan trip. See you next time!

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