The optional tours takes you to the old and unsophisticated villages and the dreamland of Shangri-la from the modern capital city of Yunnan-Kunming that is famous for the mild climate all year round. From the trip, you will have an idea about the customs of Han people, Bai people, Naxi people and Tibetans with the background of plateau jokul, meadows, lakes and onrushing rivers. Besides the World Heritage-Old Lijiang Town, the deepest canyon in the world-Tiger Leaping Gorge and well-known Shangri-la (whose former name is Zhongdian), there are many other sparkly places arranged in the trip. It is believed that this trip will be an unforgettable experience in your life.

The Dreamland of Shangri-la Tour is an in-depth exploration of stunning Yunnan Province and the ideal addition for those wanting to immerse themselves in the local culture and surroundings. Yunnan is a step back in time with medieval villages of stone houses, arched bridges and classic Chinese temples and pavilions set among snow capped mountains and terraced rice fields. Yunnan is one of China's most ethnically diverse regions and we explore the fascinating Naxi, Bai and Tibetan cultures and sample the excellent local cuisine.

1.  Dali Landscape 1 Day  RMB2270/2pax

Pleasure boating on Erhai Lake (with Bai Three-course Tea, dance and sing performance), Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Dali Ancient Town

2.  Dali Folklore 1 Day   RMB2270/2pax

Cangshan sightseeing including cable car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (with Bai Three-course tea, dance and song performance) and Dali Ancient Town

3.  Lijiang 1 Day   RMB2650/2pax

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Yufeng Lama Temple, Mu's Palace, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town

4. Dali and Lijiang Landscape 3 Days/2 Nights  RMB5510/2pax

Day01 Cangshan sightseeing including cable car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Threecourse tea, dance and song performance) and Dali Ancient Town

Day02 Drive from Dali to Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town

Day03 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting and Dongba Village.

5.  Dali and Lijiang Folklore 3 Days/2 Nights   RMB5730/2pax

Day01 Cangshan sightseeing including cable car, Butterfly Spring

Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Threecourse tea, dance and song performance) and Dali Ancient Town

Day02 Drive from Dali to Lijiang. Visit Mu's Palace and Dayan Ancient Naxi Town

Day03 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting and Dongba Village.

6.  Zhongdian 1 Day   RMB2730/2pax

Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park(Including Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake), Tibetan Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit Zhongdian Old Town.

7.  Zhongdian and Lijiang 3 Days/2 Nights   RMB6520/2pax

Day01 Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park(Including Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake), Tibetan Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit, Zhongdian Old Town.

Day02 Drive from Zhongdian to the Tiger Leaping Gorges and the First Bend of the Yanytze River.

Day03 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Yufeng Lama Temple, Black Dragon Pool Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town.

8. Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian 4 Days/3 Nights   RMB7440/2pax

(Starts from Zhongdian / Ends in Dali or Stars from Dali / Ends in Zhongdian)

Day01 Shangri-la State Park-Pudacuo Park (Including Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake) , Tibetan Lama Temple Songzanlinsi, Tibetan house and family visit Zhongdian Old Town

Day02 Drive from Zhongdian to Lijiang Jade Spring Park, Dayan Ancient Naxi Town

Day03 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yun Shan Ping Yak Pasture, Baisha Naxi Village Ancient Mural Painting, Dongba Village Bus Dali.

Day04 Cangshan sightseeing including cable car, Butterfly Spring Park, Three Pagoda Temple, Xizhou Bai Village (With Bai Three-course tea, dance and song performance) and Dali Ancient Town.

9.  East-Line 1 Day:  RMB1960/2pax

One day Stone Forest tour including lunch 

10.  South-Line 1 Day   RMB2270/2pax

Western Hill (One way cable car), Daguan Park, Yunnan Ethnic Nationality Cultural Village including lunch.

11.  North-Line 1 Day   RMB1920/2pax

Golden Temple, Yuantong Temple and EXPO'99 Kunming including lunch.

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is about 120 kilometers from Kunming city and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers and includes both large and small stone forests as well as many other scenic spots. It has been known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World’.

The magnificent, strange and steep landscape of the Stone Forest creates countless labyrinthine vistas, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics. Geologists say the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography.Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over years of movements, the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day Stone Forest.   

Golden Temple

Located on the top of Mingfeng (Singing Phoenix) Hill is the home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony), which is the largest copper temple in China. The history of Golden Temple starts during the Ming Dynasty in 1602 and the entire temple was rebuilt in 1890 after the Muslim rebellion of 1857. 250 tons of solid bronze ware used to build the temple except for the staircases and balustrades, which are made of marble. The walls, columns, rafters, roof tiles, altars, Buddha statues, wall decorations and the banner near the gate tower are all made of copper. The burnished copper gleamed like gold and that is why people named it the Golden Temple. Since its last renovation, this beloved copper temple on the top of Mingfeng Hill has been well cared and has become the most famous Taoist shrine in Yunnan Province.  

Dali Ancient City

Dali Ancient City is 13 kilometers away from Xiaguan in Dali City and is one of the 'Three Ancients' (Ancient Cities, Ancient Pagodas and Ancient Steles) of the Dali Scenic Spot. History of Dali can be dated back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and it has been listed among the top historical cities of China since 1982.

Unlike any other Chinese city, the traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses give the city distinctive feel. The city layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the city, which has remained unchanged to this date. Besides the Bai ethnic minority traditional folk houses, the houses with gray-green roof tiles, peculiar workshops, temples, schools and churches with antique flavor are scattered. Traditional marble artworks, like pencil vases, striped screens, and a variety of woven handicrafts of fine straw are laid chockablock on both sides of the street to be appreciated and purchased. Its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery have been attracting many visitors. 

Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. The name means 'Sea shaped like an ear' in Chinese. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. From Cangshan Mount, It looks like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the beautiful scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'.

The surrounding islands, temples and villages by Erhai Lake are worth seeing too. The Golden Shuttle Island and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority do deserve a visit, with its attractive Bai culture and lifestyle, the rare beauty of the lake and its surrounding scenery. In Spring time, visitors may enjoy the wonderland of flowers of camellias, azaleas and primrose, and abundant exotic trees in Erhai Lake Park.  

Butterfly Spring

Situated 27 kilometers south of Dali, this popular beauty spot is locally called the 'Butterfly Spring' as the spring rises to form a square shaped pool that is shaded by the dense foliage that lines its banks.

The pool is 50 square meters in size and above it is an ancient decumbent tree, known as the famous 'Butterfly Tree', since its fragrant blossom attracts thousands of butterflies in the short interval of spring turns to summer. These small multi-colored creatures fly around the pool and settle on the tree in great clusters as they sip the nectar from its blooms. The vast numbers of butterflies are hardly distinguishable from the flowers as the whole tree pulsates with every color of the rainbow. This spectacular sight has given rise to a local festival when the Bai people gather at the tree on April 15th for the 'Butterfly Meet', where the Bai youth will seek to engage with the love of his life. 

Three Pagodas

Three Pagodas, located about 1 kilometer northwest of the ancient city of Dali, has a history of over 1,800 years. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area.

The middle pagoda is 69.13 meters high, which is one of the highest pagodas from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), while the other lower two previously could be climbed by ladder from the inside. Three Pagodas, together with Zhaozhou Bridge of Hebei Province and Big Wild Goose   

  Pagoda in Xian, Shaanxi Province, are three curiosities of Chinese ancient architecture. Many sculptures of Buddha made of gold, silver, wood or crystal, Buddhist readings and more than 600 various medicinal ingredients were found in Qianxun Pagoda, playing an important role in explaining the ancient history of Dali City. Study of Three Pagodas and the cultural relics excavated at the site will provide significant data in exploring the history, religion and art of the area.   

Lijiang:

Lying in a broad, fertile valley dominated by the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range, Lijiang was founded as Dayan, a largely Naxi settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty nearly eight centuries ago. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have evolved over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system which still functions effectively today. In 1986, China’s State Council designated Lijiang as an important historical and cultural national treasure. It was included on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997.

Once you are in Lijiang, a small, quiet, and comfortable city in China's southwestern province of Yunnan, you will find it hard to tear yourself away and return to the hustle and bustle of the large cities. The dustless streets paved with colorful pebbles and the wooden houses with their gray roofs make you forget the grim forests of cement in the large cities.   

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. It consists of13 peaks with the highest one at an altitude of 5,600 meters, and stretches a length of 35 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers. Looking from Lijiang Old Town 15 kilometers away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. About one fourth of all plant species in China can be found here and 20 primeval forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species live in different temperature levels and create different kinds of views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The peaks are covered by snow all year round and the mountain is called the "Natural Glacier Museum". You can see rivers and pools formed by the thawed snow water running along the valley and through the forests. The plants and the animals are different according to the altitude, so are the views. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a famous scenic spot for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, exploration, scientific research and taking holiday.   

Old Town (Naxi)

The Old Town of Lijiang is a well-preserved old city of Naxi Ethnic Minorities with brilliant culture in Yunnan Province.

With a history of more than 800 years, the Old Town was firstly built in the late Song and early Yuan Dynasty and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built along the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers, providing a very precious sample of the research on the old-time architecture. The unique geographical location, historical background and multiracial inhabitants make the town the most special one. As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings in the town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free-style and flexible, the houses are close and diverse, and lanes are narrow and meandering. When walking on the streets of the Old Town, one can feel the prosperity and flourish of the town from the shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. The charming Old Town is now a famous tourist attraction for its traditional ethnic culture customs, inimitable buildings and the wonderful natural views.  

Lijiang Mural Painting

The most famous frescos are known as Baisha Mural of the Dabaoji Palace and the Colored Glaze Temple in the town of Baisha, which is ten kilometers northwest of Lijiang Old Town.

The originality and figures of the mural paintings reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Daoism and the Naxi Dongba religion, as developed in a Naxi school. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits, but perspective is used very well, and the close, middle and establishing images are clear. The various lifelike portraits are not only Buddha but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, criminals, tourists and executioners. Many of the scenes and subject matters are drawn from daily life-people shown fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron. The style of these true-life frescos is rural and unconstrained; the colors are strong and have intense contrast but are also unified.

The Lijiang Mural fully demonstrates the superb artistic skills, outstanding creativity and rich imaginations of these excellent craftsmen. The vivid and exact figures, flowing lines, well-defined colors and powerful effects of the exquisite details make the Lijiang Mural not only the rare treasure of art, but also forceful proof of national solidarity and an important source for research on national religions, arts and history.   

Spruce Plateau (Yunshanping Plateau)

The Spruce Plateau is situated half way up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and covers an area of 1 square kilometer. As its name implies, Spruce Plateau is a pasture surround by a forest of gigantic and straight spruces and firs, just like a beautiful green skirt laced by the perfect chiffons. The verdurous grassland, exuberant spruce forest, holy snow mountain and the clean blue sky tier up and represent a majestic sight. Yaks, scalpers, goats and horses roam freely and play leisurely on the meadow. Ringdove, cuckoo, titmouse and many other unnamed birds fly and sing freely in the forest. The beauty of natural serenity and harmony are thoroughly demonstrated here.  

Jade Spring Park (Heilongtan Park)

Located at the foot of Elephant Hill, Jade spring Park was built in 1737 during the Qing dynasty with name Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan). Since the water of the pond is as green as a shining jade, the park is also entitled the Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park). It occupies an area of 11,390 square meters and includes many distinctive, ravishing and well-preserved sites like stone-carved lions, white marble bridges, pavilions, temples and steles etc. These antique and exquisite architectural pieces are in the style of Naxi, which will make your every step in the park a surprise. Besides, at least 500 kinds of flower are planted in the garden and the temple now serves as an exhibition hall for seasonal horticultural shows and art displays. Dongba Culture Research Institute and Dongba Culture Museum are also in the park.  

Yufeng Lama Temple

First built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13 km northwest from the Old Town of Lijiang. It is surrounded by the flourishing forest and a never-dried river, with snow mountain at the back and meadow in the front. All this makes it a really good place to visit.

The whole Yufeng Temple shows a distinctive and conjunct architectural style of Han Buddhism,Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and the local Naxi Dongba Religion due to the cultural communion between different minorities and different areas. It is also a historical witness of the peaceful coexistence and syncretism of multinational cultures and religions, and still plays a very important role in acculturation of Naxi Ethnic Group.   

Baisha Naxi Village

Baisha is a small village 10KM north of Lijiang. Although the traditional houses do not look very impressive, Baisha was the historical capital of the Naxi Kingdom and is still a good place to have a glance at the Naxi culture. There are old temples with interesting frescoes(photography is forbidden inside), traditional musicians, as well as Dr Ho, probably one of the best known Naxi men, a Taoist doctor specialist in herbal medicine, made famous by journalists all around the world, who enjoys the celebrity. 

Zhongdian(Shangri-La):

Zhongdian was named the official Shangri-La in 2001 by the Chinese authorities. With endless kilometers of backcountry just waiting to be discovered, this region offers unique hiking and horse trekking opportunities to those who get the chance to make the journey down to northern Yunnan. At an altitude of 3,200m, Zhongdian is the start of the Tibetan world in northern Yunnan. A generation ago this small town was a frontier trading post on the doorstep of Tibet. But today, the town looks one of China's next adventure hotspots.

The stunning scenery in the area. the azure sky, the breathtaking beauty and the hospitality of unsophisticated people have attracted so many travelers both from China and abroad. Within the city limits, one can wander the streets and see various ethnic groups including Tibetan, Naxi, Han Chinese and Hui Muslim all living and working together in close quarters. This multi-cultural environment gives Zhongdian its distinctive color and charm.  

Bitahai Lake

As the highest lake in Yunnan Province, Bitahai Lake is 3500 meters above sea level, Covering an area of about 159 hectares (around 393 acres) with an average depth of 20 meters , Bitahai Lake is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery which is set against the mountains and with forests surrounding it.

Bitahai Nature Reserve is an intact natural attraction with various species of flora and fauna and the picturesque landscapes. In ancient Tibetan language, Bita means the area heavily covered with trees. In the reserve itself, century-old pines and cypresses grow around Bitahai Lake, in which the water is crystal clear. In the lake there is an islet covered by cedars and azaleas. In spring, when the withered azalea flowers fall into the lake and are eaten by fish, the fish seem to be unconscious and almost drunk! They float on the surface with their abdomen facing the sky. Around the lake are virgin forests--ideal habitat for rare animals including red-footed pheasant, silver pheasant, wild bull, leopard and lynx.

Bitahai Lake is not only a feast to the eye, but also enhances our sense of beauty and our imagination.

Songzanlin Monastery

Gedan Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province, as well as one of the 13 large lamaseries in the Kangzang region (The joint area of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan). It is 5km from the seat of Zhongdian County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. Built along the mountains with a magnificent facade, the present monastery is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Covering an area of 33.35 hectares, the hall can hold 1,600 lamas sitting in meditation or chanting the Buddhist scriptures. There are many treasures in the monastery. The most famous ones are the eight gold-covered sculptures of Sakyamuni, dozens of bronze sculptures, the 'Ganzur' scriptures hand-written in liquid gold, scriptures written on pattra leaves, gold lamps, and many exquisite gilded silver incense burners.   

Napahai Lake Natural Reserve

Napahai Nature Reserve is both an ideal grazing field for herdsmen and a paradise for many species of birds. This is, in the true sense, a seasonal lake. When summer comes, snow on the adjacent mountains melts and flows down into about ten rivers forming a vast lake. In the dry season, Napahai becomes a boundless green grassland – the best time for herding sheep or cattle. Every September, the lake again turns into a temporary habitat for migratory birds, such as bar-headed geese, wild ducks and black-necked cranes (one of the 12 rarest bird species in the world). During this period, the lake becomes an ideal place for ornithologists from around the world.