10-Day Yunnan Discovery - Ancient Tea Horse Routes, Ethnic Heritage & Highland Kingdoms

Highlights

• Walk the Ancient Tea Horse Road

  Discover Shaxi, one of the best-preserved caravan towns along the historic Tea Horse Road, where stone streets, traditional courtyards, and centuries-old trading memories remain alive.

• Experience Yunnan’s Living Cultures

  Explore Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan traditions through local markets, family visits, ancient temples, and authentic cultural encounters.

• Journey Through Ancient Kingdoms & Sacred Lands

  Visit the Three Pagodas of Dali, Lijiang Ancient Town, Songzanlin Monastery, and Dukezong Ancient City — landmarks reflecting the region’s diverse heritage.

• From Ancient Towns to Highland Realms

  Travel across dramatic landscapes from Erhai Lake and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La’s alpine valleys.

Itinerary

Day 1

Kunming Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Kunming

Day 2 | Kunming – Shilin – Dali Drive to Shilin (1-1.5hrs).

Visit Stone Forest Scenic Area with electric shuttle bus. Take high-speed rail to Dali (approx. 3 hours 15 mins).

Overnight: Dali

Day 3 | Dali – Shaxi (1.5hrs drive)

Visit Dali Morning Market, Three Pagodas Temple with electric shuttle bus. Explore Shaxi Ancient Town, a quiet original ancient tea-horse town. Enjoy stone rubbing heritage experience.

Overnight: Shaxi Ancient Town

Day 4 | Shaxi – Shuanglang (2hrs drive)

Witness morning mist in Shaxi. Transfer to Shuanglang. Visit Yuji Island, cycle along Erhai lakeside, overlook Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake from viewing platform, watch Erhai sunset.

Overnight: Shuanglang

Day 5 | Shuanglang – Lijiang (3.5hrs full day drive)

Morning: Enjoy Erhai lake scenery en route to Lijiang. Afternoon: Visit Yuhu Village, Rock’s Former Residence and Naxi family home visit (Optional: Horse riding or hiking to Stone Village, explore former residence, snow mountain views & historical stories).

Overnight: Lijiang

Day 6 | Lijiang

Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. Take Ice Forest Cable Car. Watch Impression Lijiang show. Explore Blue Moon Valley with electric shuttle bus. Wander Lijiang Ancient Town and Bar Street.

Overnight: Lijiang

Day 7 | Lijiang – Shangri-La

Morning: Drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge (1.5hrs), explore the gorge for 1.5 hours. Afternoon: Transfer to Dukezong Ancient City (2.5hrs). Visit Songzanlin Monastery known as Little Potala Palace (1.5hrs). Stroll Dukezong Ancient City in the evening, experience prayer wheels and admire ancient town night view.

Dinner: Tibetan-style meal

Overnight: Shangri-La

Day 8 | Shangri-La – Lijiang

Morning: Tour Pudacuo National Park. Afternoon: Visit Napa Lake, then transfer back to Lijiang (2.5hrs drive).

Overnight: Lijiang

Day 9 | Lijiang – Kunming

Take high-speed rail from Lijiang to Kunming (approx. 4 hours). Upon arrival, driver meets you at the railway station and transfers to hotel in Kunming or downtown Kunming.

Optional add-on USD120/person: Guide & driver service, visit Dianchi Lake & Haigeng Dam (watch red-billed gulls in winter), Dounan Flower Market, then hotel drop-off.

Overnight: Kunming

Day 10 | Kunming

Transfer to airport after breakfast for departure flight.