Yunnan Encounter

Day 1: Kunming

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Kunming. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-departure briefing with your tour leader late this afternoon.

Day 2: Kunming

Kunming is a beautiful city with wide boulevards, picturesque lakes and tranquil gardens. We take a stroll around and explore the Flower Market. Those of you who are more adventurous can try some of the delicacies at the roadside stalls. There’s free time to explore some of Kunming’s other sights, such as the Bamboo Temple or Yuantong Temple, before catching the sleeper train to Dali on Monday evening. We travel in 6-berth air-conditioned cabins that have an open and relaxed feel about them. A blanket, sheets and pillow are provided, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity). Travelling by train is a great way to meet the locals and practise your Chinese-language skills.

Day 3-4: Dali

Arriving in Xiaguan (Dali City) at around 6:30am, we continue on by bus to the old town. Travellers just love Old Dali, with its stunning mountain backdrop and the nearby spectacular Erhai Lake. We have time to explore the cobblestone backstreets of the Old Town, before cycling into the surrounding countryside and visiting a local Bai minority village. There is an opportunity to jump on a ferry across Erhai Lake to explore the interesting village of Wase. There is also plenty of free time here for you to participate in a multitude of activities. You can take a chairlift up the mountains behind the town and take a walk through the forest and stop at the occasional monastery along the way. Alternatively you can just relax in a café on Huguo Li, known to the locals as ‘Foreigner Street’.

Day 5: Lijiang

We travel through the countryside on a bus bound for the picturesque town of Lijiang. The Old Town of Lijiang is criss-crossed by a maze of narrow streets and canals that are lined by rickety old wooden buildings, and contains a bustling market square. We stay in an authentic Naxi-style guesthouse in the heart of this area. You have the afternoon free to explore the Old Town or perhaps climb Shizi Shan (Lion Hill), for a panoramic view of a sea of classical rooftops. In the evening we can catch a recital from the Naxi Orchestra performing their traditional music (please note that this option is not available if the orchestra is on tour). N.B. For our trek though Tiger Leaping Gorge, you will need to pack a daypack with clothing for the next three days. You will also need to bring along a light raincoat, as the weather there is highly changeable. A water bottle is also recommended. You will be able to leave your larger bags at our Lijiang hotel.

Day 6-8: Tiger Leaping Gorge

We leave Lijiang by bus and head to Qiaotou before starting our trek. Over the next three days we embark on some exercise, as we hike along scenic trails, overlooking the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (known here as the Jinsha River). The river thunders through Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is in turn framed by 5,000-metre-high mountains. As we wind our way up and down the hillsides, we enjoy some spectacular views along the way. There is no hurry so we take our time and stop to talk with the local villagers en route. The accommodation is quite basic, as we are visiting a remote area that is only frequented by adventurous travellers. Some people may choose to bring a sleeping sheet, although this is not essential. Good hiking boots are required and it is advisable to bring warm clothing, especially for the evenings and in the cooler months. Depending on the time of the year and weather conditions, our trekking route can vary greatly. Our tour leader may not be able to advise us of the actual itinerary until the last minute. After two nights in the gorge, we arrive back into Lijiang, when we have free time to relax in a sidewalk café and soak up the atmosphere.

Day 9: Kunming

We leave Lijiang this morning and catch the bus back to Kunming. The journey is a long, but pleasant one, as the landscape changes from rolling hills to mountainous countryside, punctuated by rich farmland. On our last night in Yunnan, we can go out and try Kunming’s famous ‘Over the Bridge’ noodles for dinner.

Day 10: Kunming

Our adventure ends this morning. Checkout time is usually around 12 Noon, however you are free to leave at any time in the morning. Additional accommodation can be arranged on request. You can extend your China experience by booking on The Road to Beijing tour, which covers the Yunnan highlights on this trip, then takes you to the Yangtze River cruise and Xian, before finishing in Beijing.

Tour Grade: undefined