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11-Day Yunnan and Chongqing Natural Wonders Tour

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

This 11-day journey through Yunnan and Chongqing offers a rich blend of natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and local experiences. Starting in Kunming, you’ll explore iconic sites like the Stone Forest before traveling to Dali for lakeside scenery, traditional tie-dye culture, and cycling along Erhai Lake.

The journey continues to Lijiang with visits to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and ancient towns, then on to Shangri-La for Tibetan culture and dramatic landscapes like Tiger Leaping Gorge. The trip concludes in Chongqing, where modern cityscapes meet unique attractions such as riverside views, cable cars, and the famous train-through-building sight, along with a side excursion to Wulong’s striking karst formations.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Kunming

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Arrive in Kunming

Welcome to China! Upon your arrival in Kunming you will be met at the airport transferred to your hotel. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day. You are free to relax or explore at your leisure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cachet Boutique Hotel4 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kunming Airport to Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime

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    Destinations

    Kunming

Day 2

Kunming Highlights: Stone Forest, Temples & Green Lake

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Kunming Highlights: Stone Forest, Temples & Green Lake

Experience Kunming with visits to the Stone Forest, including an electric cart ride, Yuantong Temple, and Green Lake Park. Entrance fees are included. Enjoy meals at local restaurants arranged by your guide, offering authentic regional flavours.

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    Accommodation

    Cachet Boutique Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Stone Forest Scenic

    Yuantong Temple

    Green Lake Park in Kunming (West Gate)

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kunming to Kunming

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Kunming

Day 3

Kunming to Dali: Scenic Train Journey & Cultural Exploration

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Kunming to Dali: Scenic Train Journey & Cultural Exploration

Travel from Kunming to Dali on a first-class train with private transfers between hotels and stations in both cities. A local guide is provided for 1.5 hours in Kunming and seven hours in Dali.

In Dali, explore the Ancient City, cycle along Erhai Lake with provided bike and helmet, and visit Zhoucheng Village for a tie-dye experience. See key landmarks including the Three Pagodas and surrounding mountain and lake scenery.

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    Accommodation

    Landscape Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dali Ancient City

    Bike Ride along the West Shore of Erhai Lake — 12.5 km (8 miles)

    Zhoucheng Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime to Kunming Station North Plaza

    Train from Kunming to Dali

    Private Driver from Dali Station to Landscape Hotel

    Private Driver from Landscape Hotel to Landscape Hotel

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kunming

    Dali

Day 4

Travel from Dali to Lijiang: Ancient Towns & Scenic Landscapes

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Travel from Dali to Lijiang: Ancient Towns & Scenic Landscapes

Travel from Dali to Lijiang in comfort with a private transfer and the guidance of a local expert for eight hours. Explore key attractions such as Black Dragon Pool, Lion Hill, and the UNESCO-listed Lijiang Ancient Town, renowned for its charming streets and vibrant culture. Enjoy authentic meals at local restaurants, thoughtfully arranged by your guide. Lijiang offers access to remarkable sites like Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the scenic First Bend of the Yangtze River.

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    Accommodation

    Sedona Sanhe Hall (Lijiang Ancient City Waterwheel Store)4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lijiang Ancient Town (South Gate)

    Black Dragon Pool (Northwest Gate)

    Lion Rock

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Dali to Lijiang

    Private Driver from Lijiang to Lijiang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dali

    Lijiang

Day 5

Lijiang Highlights: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Cultural Villages

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Lijiang Highlights: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Cultural Villages

Discover the wonders of Lijiang on a full-day tour that includes a scenic cable car ride up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to Glacier Park. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Blue Moon Lake and the historic charm of Yuhu Village. Savor authentic meals at local restaurants carefully selected by your guide. Enjoy seamless sightseeing and transportation throughout Lijiang for a convenient, informative experience showcasing the region’s most captivating highlights in a single, well-organized day.

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    Accommodation

    Sedona Sanhe Hall (Lijiang Ancient City Waterwheel Store)4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Visiting Glacier Park by cable car)

    Naxi Family Visit in Yuhu Village

    Blue Moon Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lijiang to Lijiang

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lijiang

    China

Day 6

Lijiang to Shangri-La: Tiger Leaping Gorge Journey

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Lijiang to Shangri-La: Tiger Leaping Gorge Journey

Private transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La. An 8-hour guided tour runs from 9:00 to 17:00, including a visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons in the world, known for its dramatic cliffs and views of the Jinsha River. Meals are included at local restaurants, arranged by your guide.

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    Accommodation

    The 5th Meteorite · Light-year Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tiger Leaping Gorge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lijiang to Shangri-La City

    Private Driver from Shangri-La City to Shangri-La City

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lijiang

    Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Day 7

Shangri-La Cultural Tour & Flight to Chongqing

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Shangri-La Cultural Tour & Flight to Chongqing

Guided tour of Shangri-La visiting Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan known for its traditional architecture and cultural relics. Explore Dukezong Old Town, a historic Tibetan settlement with narrow streets and prayer wheels, and visit Guishan Park, home to a giant prayer wheel overlooking the town. Experience a Tibetan lama activity, offering insight into local spiritual practices and daily monastic life.

After the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing, followed by a transfer to your hotel on arrival.

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    Accommodation

    Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery (South Gate)

    Shangri-La Old Town (Dukezong Ancient City), Shangri-La Administration Committee

    Guishan Park

    Discover the Life of a Tibetan Lama

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Shangri-La City to Shangri-La City

    Private Driver from Shangri-La City to Shangri-la Airport

    Train from Shangri-La City to Chongqing

    Private Driver from Chongqing Railway Station to Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

    Chongqing

Day 8

Chongqing Highlights: Parks, Cableway & Historic Streets

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Chongqing Highlights: Parks, Cableway & Historic Streets

Guided day tour in Chongqing visiting Goose Neck Park, known for its river views and green spaces, and the Yangtze River Cableway for a one-way crossing with panoramic city and river scenery. Explore Huguang Guild Hall, a historic complex showcasing traditional architecture, and stroll through Longmenhao Old Street, featuring restored buildings and local culture. See Liziba Station, famous for trains passing through a residential building, and visit Hongyadong, a riverside complex known for its traditional stilted architecture and evening lights.

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    Accommodation

    Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Eling Park

    Yangtze River Cableway(One Way)

    Huguang Guild Hall

    Chongqing Hongyadong (Northwest Gate)

    Longmenhao Old Street

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing to Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chongqing

Day 9

Wulong Karst Exploration: Natural Bridges & Gorges

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Wulong Karst Exploration: Natural Bridges & Gorges

Private transfer from Chongqing to Wulong, followed by an 8-hour guided tour from 9:00 to 17:00. Visit the Three Natural Bridges, a dramatic limestone formation featuring massive natural arch bridges set within a deep karst landscape. Continue to Longshui Gorge Earthly Ravine, known for its narrow canyon, waterfalls, and striking rock formations carved by centuries of erosion.

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    Accommodation

    Tianyi Fangcaodi Holiday Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area

    Longshuixia Stitched Scenic Spot

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Chongqing to Wulong District

    Private Driver from Tianyi Fangcaodi Holiday Hotel to Tianyi Fangcaodi Holiday Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Chongqing

Day 10

Wulong to Chongqing: Furong River & Cave Experience

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Wulong to Chongqing: Furong River & Cave Experience

Private transfer from Wulong to Chongqing, followed by an 8-hour guided tour from 9:00 to 17:00.

Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Furong River, known for its calm waters and surrounding karst landscapes. Visit Furong Cave, a UNESCO-listed limestone cave featuring large chambers, stalactites, and underground formations, with a cable car ride included for access.

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    Accommodation

    VanYao International Hotel Chongqing4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Furong River Cruise

    Furong Cave

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Wulong District to Chongqing

    Private Driver from VanYao International Hotel Chongqing to VanYao International Hotel Chongqing

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Chongqing

Day 11

Depart Chongqing

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Depart Chongqing

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from VanYao International Hotel Chongqing to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Chongqing

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What’s included?

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 26 activities
  • 10 breakfasts and 9 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits