YUNNAN COMPACT
Code: YUN-004 (4 days 3 nights)
Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Night Train to Kunming - Stone Forest - Kunming
Description
This 4 day tour covers the most important sight within the Yunnan Province. We visit the former capital of the once powerful Nanzhao Kingdom as well as the traditional village of Xizhou which is famous for its well preserved architecture. We take an early morning stroll through the UNESCO protected old town of Lijiang. An experience of a different kind is the night train from Lijiang back to Kunming. This train is only operating since October 2010 and offers an ideal alternative of travelling throughout the Yunnan Province. Recommendable are the special private Family compartments. We round up this interesting journey with a visit of the famous and impressive Stone Forest of Lunan.
Highlights
- Visit the 3 Pagodas of the San Ta Si Temple near Dali.
- Night Train from Lijiang to Kunming.
- See the impressive Stone Forest near Kunming
- Admire the Baisha Mural paintings dating back to the Ming Dynasty
- Visit Xizhou, famous for its well preserved Bai architecture
Program
Day 1. KUNMING - DALI (Fight time 30') (B)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Dali. Dali is situated on the eastern shores of the stunning Erhai Lake on the foot of the 4000m high Cang Shan mountain range. During the 9th century Dali served as capital of the once powerful Nanzhao and later the Dali Kingdoms, before the historical town was overrun by the Mongols about 400 years later. We visit the recently renovated 3 Pagodas of the San Ta Si Monastery from the 9th century. The rest of the afternoon is at your own disposal for the exploration of the picturesque old town of Dali.
Day 2. DALI - LIJIANG (B)
In the morning drive through a magnificent landscape towards Lijiang. On the way we make a stop at Xiaguan, which is famous for its well preserved Bai architecture. Upon arrival we take a stroll through the apparently countless and, on first sight, confusing narrow lanes and canals crisscrossing the old town. We also learn more about the secrets of the mystic Naxi culture. An earthquake destroyed most of the city in 1996, and after its reconstruction, Lijiang was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Time at leisure to stroll around old town Lijiang on your own. In the evening time for an optional visit to a traditional Dongba-Music concert.
Day 3. LIJIANG - Night Train to KUNMING (B)
In the morning, before the big influx of tour groups, we make a stroll through old town Lijiang and we learn more about the mystical Dongba Religion. Visit the Dongba Museum. Continue to the wonderful "Black Dragon Pool" Park, from where, weather permitting, one has a spectacular view of the 5'596 Meter high "Jade Dragon Mountain". After that, you drive out to Baisha. The Baisha village used to be the capital of the once powerful Naxi Kingdom. We visit the Liuli temple with beautiful wall paintings from the late Ming Dynasty, which, miraculously, survived the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. In the evening board the comfortable night train to Kunming.
Day 4. KUNMING - STONE FOREST - KUNMING (No meals)
The train reaches Kunming around 06h45. Pick up at the train station. Time for breakfast (not included). Continue to the Stone Forest (Shilin), located 1.5 hours west of Kunming. Years of rain and erosion left behind a bizarre and impressive landscape of limestone pillars, which, with a little imagination, indeed resemble a forest. We have a walk through the maze of paths and walkways leading through this natural wonderland. Drive back to Kunming. |