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7 Days Yunnan: Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La |
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Tucked away in the southwestern corner of China, Yunnan (literally south of the clouds) is one of the most colorful and beautiful in the country. Here it is the most biologically diverse area in the temperate world. The landscape is extremely varied - from the luxuriant fertile plains to rugged Tibetan highland. This is also where you find most of Chinese colorful ethnic minorities, from Naxi and Tibetan to Dai, Lisu, Yi, and Hani.
Major stops on this route:
Kunming: has been described as the Spring City as it enjoys pleasant climate all year round.
Dali: is an important trading town on the Southern Silk Road. It is known for its Bai minority ethnics, batik and nice scenery.
Shaxi: a market town is the only surviving example of a Southern Silk Road trade center. It has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world.
Lijiang: an UNESCO World heritage sites. Unfortunately it is already touristy,but some people still find it interesting to spend one day there.
It features cobble stone streets, unique well-preserved houses, and ancient canals of melted snow water criss-crossed the old town. Two famous scenic sites are Jade Dragon Snow Mountain behind the town and Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way to Zhongdian).
Shangri-La (Zhongdian): this is where Hilton described in his book “The Lost Horizon” Shangri-la to be. The rugged Tibetan landscape and local Tibetan cultures indeed make it one highlight of the trip. |
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Helpful Info
In Shangri-La, we will reach heights of up to 3,200 meters above sea level. While two days stay in Lijiang (at 2,400 meters above sea level) prior to Shangri-La will allow some time to acclimatize to the increase in altitude.
People respond to an increase in altitude differently. You may response general discomfort, breathlessness, poor sleeping patterns or limited capacity for physical exertion. Please consult with your local travel clinic or physician for specifics about altitude sickness and your personal health.
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Itinerary
Day 1 Fly in Kunming
Beijing departure: 3 hours morning flight Beijing - Kunming
Shanghai departure: 3 hours morning flight Shanghai Hongqiao - Kunming
Other locales: we welcome those to join us from other locales and meet us in Kunming.
Have lunch and drive to the suburb of Kunming, approximately 80 kilometre's away from the city to visit the lesser known Stone Forest (the Stone Forest site is always packed with local tourists, CCC selects another similar set of karst formations. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest made of stone.
Stay overnight in Kunming.
Golden Dragon Hotel (4 star)
Day 2 Kunming / Dali
Fly 1 hour in the morning to Dali. Situated between the Tsangshan Mountain on the West and the Erhai Lake to the East, the Old Town of Dali was once the ancient capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom as well as an important trading town on the Southern Silk Road.
Take a boat tour on Dali' s Erhai Lake to another side of the water to explore the local Bai villages and markets. After lunch, we will take a cable car up Mount. Tsangshan (Cangshan) to enjoy the spectacular view of the town and surrounding landscapes, including the Three Pagodas. In the evening it is your free time to stroll amongst the shops and old houses of Dali, and maybe savor a cup of tea in an old teahouse. Stay overnight in Dali.
Fenghua Xueye Hotel (4 star)
Day 3 Dali / Shaxi Market Town
Departing Dali by the old road to Lijiang, we will view Mount.Cangshan on one side and the Erhai Lake on the other, and then stop by Shaxi, a market town which was once a bustling trade station on the Southern Silk Road that linked central China and Tibet with Southeast Asia and on to Europe, and which was the only surviving example of a Southern Silk Road trade center. It has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world. Shaxi has old town gates and an intact ancient theater. We will visit guesthouses where merchants en route to the Tibet stayed.
We will visit the old town of Shaxi, learn the tea ceremony and have dinner with dishes made with tea. Stay overnight in Shaxi.
* Laomadian boutique guesthouse ( 5 star level) -- housed in a traditional courtyard complex.
Day 4 Shaxi / Shibaoshan Grottes / Lijiang
We drive to Jianchuan Shibaoshan Grottoes, which reflect the history of the ancient Dali Kingdom. Then we head for Lijiang, the beautiful ancient township with narrow cobblestone streets, delicate bridges, hundreds of black tile roof houses. Melted snow water canal runs through the town. Check into a traditional Naxi courtyard style hotel. This afternoon will be your free time to scroll around the town, including ascending the Lion Hill for a bird' s eye view of the town.
Note: Lijiang old town is already touristy now, but it is still interesting for many people to stay for one night. It is your free time in the evening to go shopping, hang out in the bar or enjoy a concert of Naxi music.
Lijiang Shishan House -- boutique hotel in traditional Naxi ethnic style.
Day 5 Lijiang /Tiger Leaping Gorge / Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
It is your option to continue to tour the town and visit Dragon Pool Park , or join CCC's organized tour to Lashi Lake.
For Lashi Lake, we take small wooden boat across the lake to a fruit garden and taste some fruits, then visit Zhiyunsi, an old Tibetan Monastery. Afterwards we walk into a nearby village and dine in the village.
Head north of Lijiang and pass the multiple peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Range. Drive north, we will see the Tiger Leaping Gorge, and pull over for photograph. The river with 34 rapids runs in the gorge is named Jinsha River, one section of Yangtze River. The journey ends at Zhongdian, Tibetan ethnic area with barley fields and yaks. Stay overnight.
Jiantang Hotel (4 star built in Tibetan style）
Day 6 Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
We first explore Pudacuo National Park, then visit a Tibetan village known for making black potteries, and Gonjo, an artisan town. Afterwards, we take a moderate hike to a Tibetan village. En route, In the village we visit a Tibetan family to try their yak butter tea and participate in their Tibetan dances. Then return to Shangri-La Old Town and free time. Stay another night in Zhongdian.
Jiantang Hotel (4 star built in Tibetan style）
Day 7 Zhongdian to Kunming / Fly Out
We visit the Songzanlin Monastery, one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in Yunnan. You will see high mountains surrounded by alpine meadows and wildflowers and a temperate rain forest.
Transfer to Shangri-La airport, fly back to Kunming and connect flight back to Beijing or Shanghai.
Zhongdian - Kunming - Beijing (arrival around 6pm)
Zhongdian - Kunming - Shanghai Hongqiao (arrival around 7pm) |
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Depart Beijing
Three Tiers |
Price |
Single Supplement |
Payment Deadline
-the date on/before which payment must be RECEIVED by CCC |
Method of transport |
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Early Bird Price |
RMB10,400 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-06-18 |
To:flight From:flight |
| Regular Price |
RMB10,600 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-06-28 |
To:flight From:flight |
| Last minute Price |
RMB10,900 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-07-02 |
To:flight From:flight |
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Depart Shanghai
Three Tiers |
Price |
Single Supplement |
Payment Deadline
-the date on/before which payment must be RECEIVED by CCC |
Method of transport |
|
Early Bird Price |
RMB10,600 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-06-18 |
To:flight From:flight |
| Regular Price |
RMB10,800 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-06-28 |
To:flight From:flight |
| Last minute Price |
RMB11,100 |
RMB1,300(6 nights) |
2010-07-02 |
To:flight From:flight |
Depart other locales: |
We welcome those to join us from other locales. Your tour price will be adjusted based on your departure city. |
Children's Discounts
Payment Terms and Conditions
Payment must be received before published deadline to receive corresponding price.
Please refer to the following terms and conditions associated with each method of payment:
Payment at office: CCC must receive the amount (Cash or from credit card) before the published deadline to receive corresponding price.
Credit card: If paying by international credit card authorization form (moto form), CCC must receive your form 2 days before the published deadline in order to have time to process it, and for funds to be received on/by the published deadline.(click to view details)
Bank Transfer: CCC now requires that your payment must be transferred into Chinese RMB before you wire your bank transfer. We must receive a copy of the bank transfer receipt before the published deadline in order to guarantee your price.
Last minute booking: CCC cannot guarantee that we will be able to reserve tickets and rooms at this late stage but we will try our best. Thank you for your understanding.
CCC will respond to every email concerning payment immediately. If you do not hear from us this may indicate that we may not have received your email and we would advise you to call us to confirm. We cannot guarantee that we receive every email so the onus is on you to ensure we receive the payment information before the published deadlines. Thank you for your understanding.
CCC services include:
--All air tickets involved (4 flights)
--6 night accommodation as listed in the itinerary.
--transfers in customary air conditioned coaches
--entrance fee for all sights mentioned in the program
--all sightseeing and transfers with CCC guides & local English-speaking tour guides
--all meals during the trip
--Gratuities to the guide and driver
--Local travel insurance
If there are less than 10 participants, CCC has the right to cancel the trip.
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