Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide at the airport, and then escorted to Dali Old Town. On the mid-way, the driver will make a stopover for you to drop by the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. Visible from afar, three independent pagodas erect forming an equilateral triangle, which is the most notable landmark and must-see of Dali. Then you will arrive at the Dali Old Town and explore the historic monuments around. Ascend to the top of the old city wall to admire the iconic 600-year-old south gate tower with exquisitely painted double-eave roof.

Afterwards, stroll for a while to the thriving Foreigners Street to hunt for authentic local snacks, hang out at the handicraft shops or visit the museums and galleries. At night, throw yourself into a folk bar to enjoy a drink and the live band music. 

In the morning, you will have a refreshing excursion to the majestic Cangshan Mountains. To save your energy, a cable car ride is included to transfer you up. In the cabin of the cableway, you could not only look up at the graceful snow-capped peaks of Mt. Cangshan, but also capture amazing bird's eye views of the Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas and Dali Old Town. After disembarkation, trek for a while to reach the Qingbi Stream, one of the most stunning spots of Mt. Cangshan. A small waterfall cascades down to an emerald pond, which looks like a sparkling gem lost by the fairies. 

Next, embark on a boat ride to have a safari of the enchanting Erhai Lake. As a crystal clear freshwater lake, Erhai resembles a giant jade inlaid between the mountains. Sit on a small boat drifting about in the gentle ripples to embrace the soft breeze and farseeing islands.

Then get back to Dali Old Town to visit Dali Museum, where you can not only take in the elegant residence of Bai ethnic minority, but also get further exploration of Bai people's folk culture and admire their exquisite bronze wares, porcelains, and stone carvings, etc.

Finally, pay a visit to a century-old Catholic Church built in typical traditional Chinese architectural style, with turned eaves and bright-colored wall paintings as well as delicate carvings, which merges local cultural elements and looks quite different from the ones in the western countries.

In the rest of the day, you could make some free exploration of the old town.

Erhai Lake

After breakfast, our private vehicle will transfer you to Xizhou Old Town for a deep insight into Bai people's life by visiting the lively morning market. Local women wear colorful head scarves and dark blue ethnic costumes, with bamboo basket on their back carrying vegetables and fruits, lingering in front of the street stalls and bargaining with the sellers.

Then you will venture into Yan's Mansion to discover the essence of ancient courtyard residence of Bai groups from the exquisite screen walls, arch gate, eave paintings, doorway carvings and antique furniture.

Afterwards, make a land transfer to Zhoucheng. It is not only the largest village inhabited with Bai people, but also the home to the tie-dying cloth and Bai embroidery. Follow your guide to visit a family workshop to learn about the ancient dying-out techniques of the tie-dye. 

Then make your way to Shaxi Old Town to discover the only surviving trading market on the Tea Horse Road. The old town retains well-preserved opera houses, taverns, temples and city gates from 600 years ago. Stroll along the famous Sideng Street to uncover the mottled residence in Ming and Qing styles, and the time-polished lanes clustered with inns and restaurants. With accompany of your guide, step into the ancient Xingjiao Temple built in 1415 to soak up the archaic Buddhist murals and tranquil ambience.

Finally, get lodged in a folk inn for a wonderful night stay. 

Seize the morning to explore more sights in the Shaxi Old Town, and Yujin Bridge is a not-to-miss spot where you could shoot fantastic pictures. Or you could just pace on the bridge to see the passing cattles and ducks herded by local farmers, which looks like an intoxicating ink landscape painting. Besides, the ancient village archway gates built with mud bricks still stand intact to retell its previous prosperity of the old town.

After that, sit back for a ride to Jianchuan County where nestles the bewitching Shibao Mountain. Endowed with unique Danxia landform, Shibao Mountain also boasts a number Buddhist sites. Your guide will lead you to visit the Shizhong Temple to see the giant bell-like rock, and then trek to a mountain behind the temple to marvel at the largest and best-preserved grottoes and cliff statues that could date back to 1,000 years ago. The exquisite grottoes fully demonstrate the Buddhist carvings art of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom periods.

At last, you will be chauffeured back to Dali City. The rest of the day is your free time to explore the Dali Old Town further. 

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport to catch your departure flight, and out guide will say goodbye to you there. Wish you a nice journey home.