9-Day Yunnan Family Tour: Minority Culture & Scenic Wonders

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kunming

   Kunming, also known as “Spring City”, is the capital of Yunnan Province. Upon arrival, the local guide will take you to check in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore the city on your own.

   Free Time Ideas:

   Take a stroll with your family in Green Lake Park and enjoy the enchanting city views.

   

   If you happen to visit here during the winter season, head to Haigeng Dam Park to see thousands upon thousands of red-billed gulls that have flown in from Siberia to spend the winter there. You can feed them with breadcrumbs. (November to March of the following year)

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming to Dali by Bullet Train
   Explore unspoilt black stone peaks

   Begin your guided tour at Naigu Stone Forest. Compared to the famous Large and Small Stone Forests, the Naigu Stone Forest is more unspoilt and tranquil. The black stone peaks and vast fields of wildflowers here make it the perfect spot for a leisurely exploration with children.

   

   Baiyun Lake, situated at the entrance to the scenic area, features two small islands in the lake. It offers a striking contrast to the black stone forest and makes for a superb photo opportunity.

   Be sure to climb up to ‘Fengshang Wang’, the highest point in the scenic area, where you can take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire stone forest.

   After the tour, take the high-speed rail to Dali. After 1.5 hours, the local guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in Dali Old Town.

   Spend the rest of your time exploring Dali Old Town on your own. Take a stroll along the main street, Fuxing Road, to see the iconic Wuhua Tower; browse the silverware shops, craft workshops, and cafés on Renmin Road.

   

   Warm Tip: As the Stone Forest covers a large area and involves walking on uneven stone paths and steps, we strongly recommend wearing comfortable sneakers to avoid foot fatigue or accidental slips.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
3. Day 3: The Essence of Dali
   Cycle around Erhai Lake and make flower cakes

   Today, embark on your Dali cycling tour. Bike around Erhai Lake with your family and admire the beautiful scenery. Along the lake, enjoy the sparkling waters with Cangshan Mountain reflected in them, creating a picturesque landscape. And your guide will find a beautiful place for you to take family photos, with Three Pagodas of the Chongshan Temple in the background.

   

   After that, your guide will lead you to a local flower farm. Capture colorful flowers and taste fresh flower cakes, a classic Yunnan dessert. And learn the craft of making flower cakes with your children.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
4. Day 4: Dali to Lijiang by Private Vehicle
   Experience Bai tie-dye and stroll Lijiang Old Town

   In the morning, visit the largest Bai village in China, Zhoucheng Village. The dwellings are enclosed, reflecting the distinctive culture of the Bai people. Walk along the village road to immerse yourself in the wonderful scenery. Tie-dye products are a traditional local craft, and your children will participate in a tie-dye workshop.

   

   After the tour, drive to Lijiang. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, take a tour of Lijiang Old Town.

   The large waterwheel at the entrance to the Old Town is an iconic landmark; at Sifang Street, you may come across a Naxi folk dance performance; in the evenings, people often gather round a bonfire to dance (weather permitting), and you are welcome to join them.

   Climb the stone steps up Lion Hill and, from Wangu Tower, get a bird’s-eye view of the whole ancient city with its sea of blue-tiled roofs; on a clear day, you can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.

   Optional Activity: If you are interested in Naxi culture, ask your guide to take your family to visit Mu Fu, a palace modelled on the Forbidden City, where you can listen to fascinating historical stories and explore the back gardens. From the Sanqing Hall (the highest point of Mu Mansion), you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lijiang Old Town.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
5. Day 5: Lijiang Snow Mountain Adventure
   Marvel at the magnificent Snow Mountain and learn about the Naxi culture

   Today, your guide will lead you on an exciting adventure to the snow covered mountains. With its thirteen peaks resembling a silver dragon soaring through the sky, the mountain is hence named "Jade Dragon Snow Mountain."

   

   Upon entering the scenic area, your first stop will be Ganhaizi, a high-altitude pasture where low-lying pine trees and leisurely yaks are scattered across the vast meadows, set against the backdrop of the snow peaks in the distance.

   Next, take the cable car up to Yunshanping, at an altitude of 3,240 metres. This alpine meadow offers views of primeval forests and a closer-up vista of the snowy mountains.

   After descending from Yunshanping, a 10-minute walk takes you to Blue Moon Valley; on a clear day, the lake’s waters take on the most beautiful shade of Tiffany blue.

   

   At the end of the tour, leave the scenic area to visit a Naxi family home, where you and your children can join the hosts in making Naxi pancakes, learn the Naxi script and listen to ancient Naxi music.

   Travel Tips:

   If you’d like to visit the Glacier Park (the highest point, at 4,680 metres), please let your travel advisor know in advance. Ticket prices vary by cable car route. Glacier Park cable car tickets are very difficult to book, and queuing times can be as long as 1–2 hours.

   Many people experience altitude sickness within the scenic area; if you feel unwell, please inform your guide immediately. We will provide you with one portable oxygen cylinder; if this is insufficient, please purchase additional ones in advance in the city center, as they are cheaper there than at the scenic spot.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
6. Day 6: Lijiang to Shangri-La by Private Vehicle
   Hike the gorge and turn the giant prayer wheel

   Drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La after breakfast. En route, stop at the ‘First Bend of the Yangtze’ viewing platform to look down upon the vast V-shaped bend formed by the Jinsha River.

   Continue for an hour to reach one of the world’s deepest gorges, Tiger Leaping Gorge. Your guide will lead you on a hike along the ‘Upper Tiger Leaping’ section. Your children will see the 13-metre-high Tiger Leaping Rock and learn about its fascinating legend.

   

   After the hike, travel to Shangri-La and check in at your accommodation.

   After a short rest, visit the Dukezong Ancient Town, known as the ‘City of Moonlight’. Moonlight Square is particularly lively in the evening, with locals and tourists gathering in a circle to dance.

   Walk up to Guishan Park and join the crowd in turning the world’s largest prayer wheel to offer blessings.

   

   Useful Tips:

   The Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area offers a lift service; you may choose to use this if you would like to conserve your energy or have mobility issues.

   Shangri-La has an average altitude of 3,300 metres; some people may experience altitude sickness, so you may take medication to prevent altitude sickness in advance, depending on your individual circumstances.

   Hotels in Shangri-La offer oxygen-supplied rooms; we can arrange this for you if required.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
7. Day 7: Shangri-La Temple & History
   Visit Songzanlin Monastery and paint a thangka

   Begin today’s tour at Yunnan’s largest Gelugpa monastery. Built against the mountainside, Songzanlin Monastery is known as the ‘Little Potala Palace’.

   

   Upon arrival at the scenic area, head first to the small hill opposite to take a panoramic photograph of the monastery. Once inside, head up the 147 steps to view the exquisite mineral-pigment murals in the main hall and observe the butter lamp offering ceremony.

   After that, capture the monastery’s reflection on the water from the Lake Lhamo Yangco.

   Once the tour is over, return to the ancient town of Dukezong for an in-depth visit. This is China’s largest Tibetan settlement. You will be able to see traces left by ancient caravans, such as horse hoof prints and saddles.

   Your guide will lead you and your children through a thangka painting experience, where you can work together to create your very own artistic masterpiece.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
8. Day 8: Shangri-La Tibetan Family Visit
   Join a local Tibetan family and enjoy a fun family time

   Today, you will have a Shangri-La family visit to a traditional Tibetan home. Interact with the Tibetan people to learn about their customs and taste the authentic Tibetan cuisine.

   Depending on the season, you and your children will have the opportunity to participate in picking matsutake mushrooms or collecting firewood to learn about the daily life of the locals.

   In the afternoon, change into traditional Tibetan clothes and take photos at a Tibetan manor to record the cozy family time. As night falls, join the bonfire party, enjoy Tibetan performances, and get lost yourself in the lively atmosphere.

   Travel Tip: We recommend wearing sturdy shoes to cope with the uneven terrain when foraging for matsutake mushrooms.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
9. Day 9: Shangri-La Departure

   Your family holiday in Yunnan draws to a close after breakfast. A private vehicle will take you to Shangri-La Airport for your departure.

   Recommendations for Extending Your Trip: If you’d like to experience a tropical atmosphere, Xishuangbanna in Yunnan is a great destination; family-friendly attractions include Wild Elephant Valley and the Water Splashing Festival. If you’re interested, we can extend your family trip and tailor an itinerary for you.

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