Upon landing, you will be met by your local guide and driver at the airport, and then escorted to your hotel with prime location. The rest of the day is left for leisure by yourself. 

After breakfast, you will make a 3-hour land transfer to Dongchuan Red land to embark on a fantastic photography tour. Regarded as the God’s magic palette, the red land boasts marvelous landscape in dazzling colors of red, green and orange by the power of nature and local farmers.

At Luoxiagou, you are offered great chances to shoot the beguiling sunset view of the blazing red land and idyllic farm house scattered in the fields.

Later, your guide will help you to check into a fancy local hotel to stay overnight in Dongchuan, from which you could capture stunning rural views. 

Get up early in the morning to overlook the splendid sunrise over the Damakan Village from a higher slope. Morning mist whirls up above the village, and local pheasants are occupied with their farm work in the fields. You would be greatly impressed by this poetic landscape.

Then proceed to Guoditang to admire the rolling hill slopes displaying wonderful vistas of color in strips of farmland.

Afterwards, move to Dalongshu spot to have a glimpse of a giant fir tree guarding the red land for hundreds of years. At the end of the photography tour, board your private van back to your hotel in Kunming. 

Note: Dongchuan Red Land is even more spectacular after the rainfall when you have unbeatable chances to take some splendid pictures. 

Hop on your private van and drive about 1.5 hour to the jaw-dropping Stone Forest, a typical karst landform in Yunnan. Venture into the grotesque Stone Forest teeming with numerous clusters of gray-black rock formations originated from natural erosions of hundreds of millions of years, and discover the towers and pinnacles in various shapes resembling animals and even figures in folk legends. Ascend the viewing deck to capture a panoramic view of the astounding stone formations below, and get to know the famous story about Ashima with your informative guide.

At the end, you will be transferred to Jianshui by our comfortable vehicle in about 4 hours. On arrival, get lodged in your hotel for a good rest.

After breakfast, you will start the exploration of Jianshui Ancient Town by a walking tour. This old town is a hidden gem famous for its well-preserved ancient buildings and residential houses dating back to 1,200 years ago.

Today, you have a chance to venture into one of the most representative residences, Zhu’s Garden. Strolling in the labyrinth chambers and gardens to absorb the exquisite traditional architecture and peek at the rich life of Chinese merchants in the past.

Then take a leisure walk on the Double Dragon Bridge to wonder at the masterpiece of engineering in ancient China.

Then drive about three hours to Yuanyang to admire the stunning sunset over the rice terraces. 

Wake up in the early morning to capture fabulous sunrise view when the whole rice terraces are covered with brilliant golden hues. Especially after the harvest, the rice fields flooded with waters on the mountain side are just like the pieces of a huge broken mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds with silver light.

After the trekking between different rice terraces, you would pay a visit a Hani ethnic village to uncover their generations of farming culture and life. Delight yourself by dropping by their lovely mushroom-shaped houses.

Later, get ready to have an eye-opening experience in a local bazar market scheduled a few times a week, where you could witness the lively rural life of China. 

Set out in the morning for a land transfer from Yuanyang back to Kunming, with a drive of about 7 hours.

A stopover will be made at a lively fruit market for you to stock on some fruits and drinks to enjoy on the ride.

Then your guide will lead you to discover the only settlement of Mongolian people in Yunnan at Xingmeng Village. Fleeing from the wars in the past, the existing Mongolians live a secluded life in a highland water town of Yunnan. Without yurts and horses, they reside in houses of bricks and make a living by fishing and farming. However, you would be surprised to find that they still keep their authentic Mongolian language, costumes and customs.

On arrival, have a good rest in the hotel for next day’s adventure. 

Checking out of the hotel, your guide and driver will see you off at the railway station for a 2-hour highspeed train to Dali.

Upon arrival, meet your new guide and then start a safari tour on Erhai Lake by an enjoyable cruise. Fully immerse yourself into the enchanting lake shaded by the majestic Cangshan Mountain, and observe the flocks of red-billed seagulls hovering freely on the water.

Then take a shore excursion to Chongsheng Temple to wonder at the Three Pagodas, the most iconic structures of Dali.

After that, move to Dali Old Town to enjoy a panorama with a slow-paced stroll along the bustling lanes clustered with folk residences, shops, restaurants, inns, bars and teahouses. 

A 20km morning drive is awaited to transfer you to Xizhou Old Town which used to be a commercial hub on the Tea-Horse Ancient Trail. It has been a habitation resided by generations of Bai minority. Seize the morning to join in the local market to breathe the vibe of authentic rural life. Local Bai women in traditional attires make trades of daily supplies including fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.

After that, pay a visit to the Yan’s Compound to explore the elegant folk houses of Bai people, where you will see exquisite residential complexes decorated with fabulous sculptures, paintings, unturned eaves and screen walls.

Later, board your car to Lijiang with 2-hour driving. Upon arrival, settle your luggage at the hotel and start your free exploration of Lijiang Old Town. Liven up your evening by enjoying a drink at the bar street with live band performances. 

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the foot of imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to make a pilgrimage to the most sacred wonder among local Naxi people. Take a cable car to the Yak meadow with an altitude of 3500 meters, from which you are offered with a superb location to gaze at the 13 snow-capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and meantime you could soak up the fascinating alpine pastures with roaming yaks.

Next up, head for Shuhe Old Town to the trace the earliest settlements of Naxi ethnic group and the remaining Ancient Tea Horse Route.

Later, proceed to Baisha Village to savor the brilliant mural paintings depicting the vivid life scenes of Naxi ancestors and religious images.

Check out of the hotel for a morning excursion to the mind-boggling Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is one of the deepest river canyons in the world. Extremely narrowed between Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Jinsha River dashes through the gorge with tremendous roar and surging waves. Hike about the stairs to the viewing deck to breathe in the mighty vigor of the gorge and take great photos with the Tiger Leaping Rock.

Your great Yunnan tour will come to an end here. The guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your departure flight, and say goodbye to you there. Wish you a nice journey home!