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YUNNAN Magnificent South


Code: YUN-009 (5 days 4 nights)

Kunming - Jianshui - Yuan Yang Rice Terraces - Stone Forest of Lunan - Kunming

Description


Amongst other attractions are the 13th. Century Confucius temple of Jianshui, one of the largest and most beautiful in China; the Zhu family mansion with its ornate courtyards, pavilions and gardens; Chaoyang Gateway Arch built in the Ming dynasty. Out of town are a number of historical sites including Twin Dragon Bridge with its 17 arches; the lovely village of Tuanshan dominated by the Zhang family since Ming times and the superb Zhang family gardens. The famous terraced rice fields of Yuanyang are about 2 hours south of Jianshui and consists of about 12,000 hectares of terraces which have been cut into the sides of mountains are thousands of years by Hani farmers. This is an extremely picturesque area and is a photographer's paradise with vistas of rice terraces, the Red River, villages and Hani and Yi people dressed in their traditional costumes. Trekking or driving between villages and visiting markets are especially rewarding.

Highlights

  • Experience an unforgettable sunrise over the Yuanyang Rice Terraces
  • Visit the stunning Stone Forest of Lunan
  • Visit a colorful market of the Hani, Miao and Yi Ethnic group.
  • Take a walk through the magnificent rice terraces
  • Stroll through the hidden Xiushan with an array of temples from various Dynasties
  • Visit the lovely park of the 3rd largest Confucius temple in Jianshui
  • Explore the traditional village of Tuanshan with its well preserved Qing-architecture


Program

Day 1. Kunming - Jianshui

Drive to Jianshui. On the way stop a Xingmeng, a village inhabited by a Mongol minority left behind by Khengis Khans army over 700 years ago. Continue to Tonghai where we visit Mount Xiushan with an array of traditional Temples and Pavilions in various styles of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism some of which are from the late Jin Dynasty (265-420). Upon arrival in Jianshui visit the recently renovated Confucius Temple "Wen Miao". Continue to the "Westgate" and we also pay a visit to former residence of the once wealthy an influential Zhu family.


Day 2. Jianshui - Yuanyang Rice Terraces (B)

Drive to the traditional Zhuang-Village of Tuanshan with its unique and well preserved architecture. On the way you also visit the "Twin Dragon Bridge", an ancient stone bridge from the Qing Dynasty. After lunch we leave Jianshui towards the Swallow's Cavern, a magnificent cave that has been dug out by the Lu River. The Lu River still runs through the lower part of the cavern. During spring and summer hundreds of thousands of Swallows can be seen flying around inside and outside the cave. Continue through magnificent scenery towards Xinjie, the gateway to the stunning and spectacular rice terraces of Yuanyang. The Yuanyang rice terraces have been carved out of the Ailao Mountains over hundreds of years by Hani farmers living in the area.

Day 3. Yuanyang Rice Terraces (B)

We leave the Hotel early (around 6 am) to witness a magnificent sunrise over the rice terraces. (Depending on weather condition; In winter the Rice terraces are often engulfed in fog. After that if possible we will visit one of the bustling weekly local markets in the area where we can observe the local people from various ethnic groups (Hani, Yi, Zhuang, some Miao) doing their weekly shopping. Many of them still wear their traditional costumesIn the afternoon we make a hike (about 2.5 hours) through the magnificent rice terraces of Yuanyang to a nearby Hani village.

Day 4. Yuanyang Rice Terraces- Stone Forest of Lunan (B)

After breakfast we leave Xinjie and the Yuanyang Rice Terraces and drive north towards Mile. The fertile land and the mild climate make this part of the Yunnan province ideal for cultivating tobacco. Apart from the cigarette production, Mile is also well known for its many hot springs. Continue through an ever changing landscape towards Lunan and the nearby Stone Forest of Lunan, where we arrive in the early evening. Overnight accommodation is at Shilin. The magnificent landscape makes today's long driving hours well worthwhile.

Day 5. Stone Forest Lunan - Kunming (B)

Before the big influx of tourists, we pay a visit to the Stone Forest (Shi Lin) located 1,5 hours west of Kunming. At this time of the day we have the park almost for ourselves. Years of rain and erosion left behind a bizarre and impressive landscape of limestone pillars which, with a little imagination, indeed resemble a Forrest. We have a walk through the maze of paths and walkways leading through this natural wonderland. In the afternoon drive to Kunming.