DAY 1
Kunming-Dali- the Three Pagodas-Dali Old Town
A Chinese Learning Trip Led by a Keats Teacher
A Keats teacher will accompany you throughout the whole trip. You will set out from Kunming by taking a private car ride with a Keats driver. Upon arrival, you will visit the [three-pagodas] in Chongsheng Temple. Being one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist architectures in south China, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is always related to the ancient culture of Yunnan. It is a cultural relic under national protection for its historical and cultural value.
Later, you will look around [Dali Old Town]. Dali Old Town is an ancient city for the Bai ethnic. Bai people inhabit in compact communities in Dali, known as “a land of letters” with a long history and rich cultures. Ancestors of the Bai people lived around Erhai Lake 4,000 years ago.
Distance: Around 380 Kilometers
Driving time: Around 5 hrs
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Not included, but will recommend local snacks
DAY 2
Dali – Shaxi
Xi Zhou Old Town, Erhai Lake Cycling
Professional, trustworthy and reliable
After breakfast, the driver will take you to visit the houses of the Bai village: [Xizhou Village]. You can visit typical Bai traditional architecture [Yan’s House] and taste the local refreshments named Xizhou Baba (traditional Bai people’s pancake).
Then you can take a bike sightseeing around [Erhai Lake].
Distance: 20 Kilometers
Driving Time: Around 30 minutes
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 3
Shaxi – Lijiang
Shaxi Old Town
Experience the history and culture of Dali
When we are in [Shaxi], you can take enough time to explore this important ancient station on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. Unlike other ancient towns, Shaxi does not have many tourists. The old architecture and cultures still remained due to the protection from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH) and the People’s Government of Jianchuan County. In 2001, the World Monuments Fund listed Shaxi as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world. Walking in this old town, you still can think of the old times in this ancient market.
Then your teacher and the driver will take you to [Lijiang]. When arriving in Lijiang, you can take time to explore the largest Naxi Ancient town: [Dayan]. This ancient town has no city walls; thus, it is the only ancient city of this kind. Surrounded by green hills, the city looks like a jade ink slab, so it is also called Dayan (Big Ink Slab). In 1997, the city was declared a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site.
Distance: Around 150 Kilometers
Driving Time: Around 2.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 4
Yulong Snow Mountain
Relaxed and pure
Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan, is a breathtaking natural wonder, featuring 13 peaks with the highest at 5,596 meters. Known for its year-round snow, it’s sacred to the Naxi people, embodying deep cultural significance. The mountain offers activities like cable car rides to stunning viewpoints and diverse hiking trails. Its ecological richness includes lush forests and alpine flora, alongside attractions like Blue Moon Valley. It’s a fusion of natural beauty and cultural heritage, appealing to adventurers, nature lovers, and those interested in the local culture.
Distance: Around 60 Kilometers
Driving Time: Around 1.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
DAY 5
Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking, Shangri-La old town
Hiking, and embracing the nature
Today, you will take a morning drive to Shangri-La. On the way, we will visit one of the deepest gorges in the world – [Tiger Leaping Gorge]. The name of this gorge comes from its unique valley shape. The gorge is so narrow that a tiger can jump from one side to another side of the river. During the rainy season, the dashing water will flow into this narrow valley at an amazing speed from the Jinsha River due to the huge drop. Walking along the path, you can see the view is changing, and the air is turning humid. Tiger Leaping Gorge must leave you with an incredible impression.
After the gorge, we will continue to drive to Shangri-La. Take some time to walk in the Dukezong Old Town. Then, we will have a rest today to adapt to the high altitude of 3200 meters.
Driving Distance: Around 200 Kilometers
Driving Time: Around 4 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
DAY 6
Shangrila-Lijiang
Songzanlin Lamasery, Pudacuo National Park
Calm, pure, and mysterious
Shangri-La in the Tibetan language means “the sun and the moon in the heart” and “Paradise” in English. It also means “a place of idyllic beauty” and represents a state of mind and a dream of people – the yearning for simplicity, honesty, and harmony. Shangr-La has magnificent scenic attractions such as snow-covered mountains, deep valleys, great rivers, highland lakes, meadows, unique buildings, and virgin forests. In the morning, we will go to [Pudacuo National Park]. As the first national park in mainland of China, Pudacuo is located in the central part of the Three Parallel River World Heritage Zone, with a total area of 1,000 square kilometers. The park abounds in both natural and ethnic cultural resources. As an important wetland park, the park is characterized by biological diversity, complex biological structure, and splendid scenery.
Later, we will go to [Songzanlin Lamasery]. This is really worth visiting as one of the unique buildings. The Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan and one of the 13 famous Lamaist monasteries in Tibetan regions.
Distance: Around 30 Kilometers
Driving Time: Around 30 minutes
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
DAY 7
Shangrila - Kunming
Return to Kunming
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During the 1-week tour to Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la, you will experience the colorful minority culture in Dali, the amazing snow mountains in Lijiang, and the mysterious temples in Shangri-la. You will be amazed by the stunning landscape and culture you have never seen.
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