6 Days Yunnan Muslim Tour of Kunming Dali Lijiang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kunming Arrival
   Free Time

   Hello! Welcome to our 6-day Yunnan muslim tour. Upon your arrival in Kunming, a local driver will pick you up at the airport or train station and transfer you to your downtown hotel. The rest of the time is for you to tour Kunming on your own (no guide today).

   Cuihu Lake, hailed as the “jewel within the city,” is an ideal spot for leisurely strolls. Wander along its shores to admire the picturesque scenery throughout the seasons: red-billed gulls arrive for winter, while lotus blossoms flourish in summer. If you're inclined, you can take a boat ride across the lake. You might even spot locals practicing Tai Chi or dancing, offering a glimpse into their relaxed pace of life.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming to Dali by High-speed Train
   Karst Landforms, Kunming Mosque, and Local Bird & Flower Market

   After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to Shilin County, home to the nationally famous Stone Forest. Spanning more than 1,100 square kilometers, this spectacular karst landscape has been shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Today’s visit focuses on two main sections: the Greater Stone Forest and the Lesser one.

   The Greater Stone Forest stands out due to its closely packed, serrated limestones, while most of them radiate the cold light of greenish-gray hues. Your guide will take you to the classic highlights including the Stone Forest Scenic Area (石林胜景), Lotus Peak (莲花峰), and Sword Peak Pool (剑峰池). Northeastern to it, lies the Lesser Stone Forest. The Ashima Stone is the most prominent feature of this place. It is a slender stone standing alone near a pool with a quiet water and looking like an elegant young maiden.

   

   In the afternoon, return to downtown Kunming and visit the Nancheng Mosque, an important worship place for the Muslims of the city. The mosque has a beautiful collection of inscriptions and finely carved Islamic scriptures. The mosque presents a beautiful combination of the Chinese traditional architecture and the Islamic characteristics. After the visit, you can stroll around the neighboring Muslim area and if you like, try some local halal food (paying the cost yourself).

   Before leaving for Dali, go and visit the lively Flower and Bird Market. The flower stalls dazzle with vivid blooms. In the aquarium section, you can see and hear the happy birds while among the fish that are kept as pets in the same area. Besides those you will witness the delicate skill involved in the creation of bonsai and get immersed in the slow-paced daily life of Kunming.

   

   Take a high-speed train for 2.5 hours to Dali from Kunming. Upon arrival, your local driver will pick you up and send you to your hotel. Have a good rest.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

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   3-Star Hotel in Dali
3. Day 3: Dali Old Town & Erhai Lake
   Experience Bai Culture in Xizhou, Tie-dye Traditions, Erhai Lake Cruise

   Good morning. Your Dali tour guide will welcome you in the hotel lobby. The first stop today is Xizhou Town, 18 kilometers north of Dali Ancient Town! Stroll around this thousand year old Bai town, visit the typical Bai houses, adopt the pattern of "three courtyards and one screen wall". Along the cobblestone streets of Sifang Street, you'll discover interesting Instagram-worthy spots with gray tiles and yellow walls. Here, time seems to slow down, inviting you to savor this tranquility and beauty.

   Next, make your way to Zhoucheng Village—the birthplace of Bai tie-dye! This place is the biggest Bai ethnic group area in Dali, where old-fashioned Bai living places are all around and the area is full of ethnic beauty and culture. Go to a traditional tie-dye factory. There, you will see Bai old ladies perform in a very professional way: they fold and tie up white cloth, dip it in dyestuff made from natural plants and then come up with beautiful blue-and-white fabrics.

   What’s more, you can join the fun in making your own tie-dye (optional, pay on site)! With the help of a master, learn how to bundle the fabrics, pick the colors and patterns, and see how a plain white cloth turns into a masterpiece.

   

   After lunch, explore Erhai Lake! Though named a “hai” (sea) in Chinese, it is actually a highland freshwater lake. Its name comes from its resemblance to a human ear “Er”, and it is revered as the mother lake of the Bai people. You will take a small cruise to Jinsuo Island, which lies at the center of Erhai Lake. During the ride, gaze upon the snow-capped peaks of Cangshan Mountain in the distance. The island boasts lush vegetation and is a habitat for many bird species, where you may encounter waterfowl such as egrets and wild ducks.

   After the cruise end, transfer to the Dali Ancient City for a visit. This place features a relaxed and unhurried lifestyle. Wander along Fuxing Road, where a wide variety of shops line the street and you can see marble handicrafts, traditional ethnic attire and regional specialties. As evening falls, head toward the lively areas around Foreigner Street and People’s Road to find distinctive bars and cozy cafés. Some will host spontaneous music by resident musicians or visiting travelers.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Dali
4. Day 4: Dali to Lijiang
   Explore Hui Heritage Villages, Ancient Mosque & Weishan Ancient Town

   Breakfast will be followed by a one-hour drive to Donglianhua Village! This old village of the Ming Dynasty, known for its Hui people and called “No. 1 Hui Village in Yunnan,” is a famous Hui ethnic enclave in Western Yunnan. The village has kept alive a large number of antique buildings from the Qing dynasty and the era of the Republic: traditional homes with blue roofs and white walls, interwoven with intricate passageways.

   The focus of your day is now on Donglianhua Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the area. It was the first mosque of Dali's Islamic architecture and a masterpiece. The mosque's complex has a mixture of Chinese and Islamic designs, with an enormous main prayer hall (for a thousand worshippers) and a 14-meter high minaret. The mosque's most beautiful feature is the rich woodwork characterized by Arabic writing and typical motifs, which can be found in the doors, windows, beams and columns. You will also find the beautifully kept remains of the caravan culture while walking through the village.

   

   The visit is over, and it is time to head to Weibaoshan Mountain, a famous and holy place of Taoism. This mountain range is quite enormous and extends for several dozen miles. One of the main features of this mountain range is the rolling ridges that are said to resemble a lion lying down and peeking at Weishan Ancient Town.

   Weishan Ancient Town is the last stop for today which was previously the first capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom (738–902). Later it prospered as an important caravan hub along the historic Tea Horse Road. Xinggong Tower is a two-story structure dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Originally constructed in 1390 and reconstructed in 1860, the tower stands at the crossroads of the ancient town’s four main streets. From the top, sweep views across the tiled rooftops of the old town. Finally, drive 3 hours to Lijiang for an overnight stay.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Lijiang
5. Day 5: Snow Mountain Adventure in Lijiang
   Admire Alpine Meadows, Blue Valley, Authentic Naxi Culture of Yulong Snow Mountain

   Get up early for an amazing sunrise over Yulong Snow Mountain, also known as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In the Naxi language, Yulong translates as Heavenly Mountain. The mountain is also called the “Black and White Snow Mountain,” inspired by its contrasting limestone and basalt formations.

   Rise and shine early for a breathtaking sunrise over Yulong Snow Mountain, or Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the locals call it. In the language of the Naxi folks, Yulong signifies Divine Mountain. The mountain deserves to be called the “Black and White Snow Mountain” because the two rocks found in its formation – limestone and basalt – could not be of more different colors.

   After catching the sunrise, move to the scenic area by car. Your guide will first lead you to Ganhaizi (3050 m). Once a lake and wetland, it gradually dried out and transformed into a vast alpine grassland. It now is an ideal viewpoint for capturing sweeping views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range.

   

   Later on, go to the station for the cable car and go up to Spruce Meadow (3250 m). This area also goes by the names Yunsanping or Holy Land of Love Sacrifice and the legends around it give it a very romantic aspect, as it is said to be the place where the lovers once chose to die rather than give up their love. The dense spruce forests, the snow-covered mountains all around, make the place a dreamland for photographers.

   Continue walking down to Blue Moon Valley. Fed by glacial meltwater from the mountain above, its pools shimmer in striking shades of blue under bright sunlight. The scenic area has four lakes, among which the water quality of Yuye Lake is very clear. The blue lake water reflects the snow capped mountains, just like a wonderful landscape painting. After that, watch the live performance of "Impression Lijiang", with the Yulong Snow Mountain as the natural backdrop, showing the Naxi ethnic culture and spirit.‌

   Before going back to your hotel, get immersed into Naxi culture in Baisha Village. This place has avoided heavy commercialization, preserving its authentic atmosphere. Take time to view the renowned Baisha Murals, which date back to the Ming Dynasty. These murals feature a rich variety of themes, from powerful horses to blooming lotus flowers, as well as scenes of forests, birds, flowers, and insects. Following the visit, return to your hotel for a good rest.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Lijiang
6. Day 6: Lijiang Departure

   Enjoy the last time in Lijiang. Your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport according to your flight schedule. This is the end f your 6-day Yunnan muslim tour. If your flight is in the evening, you can spend the morning going on a simple hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Drive about 50km from Lijiang to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, where China’s longest river curves into a 180-degree V-shaped turn.

   Continue driving north for about another hour to reach Tiger Leaping Gorge, recognized as one of the deepest gorges in China. Your visit focuses on the Upper Gorge. From the main viewing platform, enjoy an up-close view of the powerful Jinsha River surging through the narrow canyon below.

   Note: Visitors with limited mobility may choose to use the escalator to go up and down the gorge. An additional charge applies.

   

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