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Best of Yunnan Cultural Adventure
Yunnan is
one of China's most visited provinces, and rightfully so, as
Yunnan possesses an extraordinary melting pot of ethnic cultures
and religions. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism as well as Christianity
all made an imprint in Yunnan. As a result Yunnan also offers
unparalleled experience of architectural styles and decorative
arts in all of China. Best of Yunnan tour brings you several of
UNESCO's most cherished monuments, from Giant Buddha in Leshan,
seen on the way from Chengdu, the starting point of our tour in
Sichuan, to Yunnan's ancient market towns of Lijiang and Dali.
Add to it the remarkable Shangri La, the Tibetan Old Town of
Zhongdian, the ancient tea caravan market town of Shaxi, the
living treasure house town of Weishan and the old salt mining
town of Heijing, and one gains a complete insight into
historical past of Yunnan. Although en route of this wonderful
tour you'll have the opportunity to see nature's marvels of Jade
Dragon Mountain and the fabled Tiger Leaping Gorge, the
highlight of the Yunnan's traverse is the deep gorge of the
remote Nujiang
Valley. Parallel to Myanmar's border, in extreme northwestern
corner of Yunnan, the Nu river, which ultimately becomes the
mighty Salween that flows into Bay of Bengal, carved here a deep
and scenic valley which is a living museum of remote mountain
cultures and remains one of the most unique biodiversity regions
of the world.
Day 1. Arrive Chengdu
Upon arrival, you are greeted and transferred
to your hotel to check in.
Day2: Chengdu / Leshan
Today tour the Panda Breeding Center, visit the famous Giant Buddha
of Leshan, a remarkable monument and a UNESCO World
Heritage site.
Day3. Chengdu / Lijiang
Vist Sanxingdui and
its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts, and Wangjianglou Park, known for its scenic cedar wood
pavilions and bamboo forest. After dinner fly to Lijiang.
Day4. Lijiang
Full day tour of the ancient Dayan Town, a
UNESCO World Heritage monument. Admire Lijian's striking
architecture, see the Mu Family Mansion, ancient home of a Naxi
noble, and Yufeng Temple, with its famous 500-year-old camellia
tree.
Day 5.Lijiang
Tour Jade Dragon Mountain, renowned Black Dragon Pool with its Moon
Embracing Pavilion, Five Phoenix Pavilion, Baisha Ming and Qing dynasty frescoes,
and Shuhu, an authentic and
well-preserved Naxi village.
Day 6. Lijang / Zhongdian
Drive the scenic route to Zhongdian, the stunningly
picturesque setting believed to be the inspiration of the
mythical Shangri-La described in James Hilton's novel, The Lost
Horizon. Along the way, behold the "First Bend" of the Yangtze
River at Shigu, and the site of astounding Hutiao (Tiger's
Leap), know as the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River, one
of the deepest gorges in the world.
Day 7. Zhongdian
Today's tour of this breathtaking region
starts with the 17th-century Gedan Songzanlin Monastery, then
it's onto the Potala National Park, an integral part of the
Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, recognized as much for its
dramatic topological contours and rich biodiversity, as for its
stunning natural beauty,
Day 8. Zhongdian
Visit the scenic
Napa Lake Nature Preservation Zone and admire the distinctive plateau features
surrounding Shangri-La, a
well-known habitat for black-necked cranes. Return to Shangri-La town and tour Zhongdian's picturesque
Tibetan Old Town and local market.
Day 9 , Zhongdian / Shaxi
Depart Zhongdian for
Shaxi, a culturally diverse town and home to
the Bai and Yi ethnic groups. Visit Shibaoshan, Stone Treasure Mountain, Indian
influenced Buddhist grottoes and temples, and Sideng Market
Area, once a major trading stop on the ancient "tea and horse
caravan route" and the "southern silk road," by which Buddhism
spread from India.
Day 10:Shaxi / Dali
Arrive in Dali, the capital of the ancient Nanzhao and Dali
kingdoms, and home of the Bai minority group.
Day 11: Shaix / Shaping
Off to visit the Shaping
Market that is frequented by the Bai who ride
down into town from the hills in their colorful traditional
dress to trade and exchange latest news.
Day 12: Dali
Tour the
capital of the ancient Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, visiting the
picturesque Three Pagoda Temple and the myriad of
Dali's colorful streets, absorbing the local atmosphere.
Day 13:Dali / Liuku
Continue to extreme southwestern part of
Yunnan, to Liuku, the
capital of NuJiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.
Day 14:Liuku / Gongshan
Drive upstream along the Nu River from Liuku to
Gongshan in the upper reaches of Nu River. On the way
marvel at the stunning scenery of this remarkable valley studded
with picturesque Nu and Lisu villages; visit a hot spring,
witness villagers crossing fast-flowing Nu river on a "Sliding
Rope," and cat-walk-style of "Hanging Bridges."
Day 15. Gongshan / Fugong
Move on yet further north, to Fugong, gape in awe at Jiangzhongsong, the First Bend of Nujiang
River, a scenic wonder. Visit Lamma Temple,
Shingmenxiongguan and Cundingcun Catholic Church.
Day 16. Fugong / Liuku
Return back to Liuku, once
again soaking up the wonderful scenery of the Nujiang Valley and
its market villages.
Day 17. Liuku / Weishan
Leaving the deep gorge of the Nujiang behind
us, we drive to Weishan. Once the capital of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom, Weishan is a treasure house of Yunnan's ancient
city architecture. Dating from 14th century and flourishing
under the Ming and Qing dynasties, Weishan still retains its
ancient charm and remains unaffected by tourism. Unlike Dali,
which city core has become much too commercial, Weishan's shops
and markets cater exclusively to the locals.
Day 18. Weishan
Tour of Weibao Mountain,
the cradle of Nanzhao culture and a well-known mountain of
Taoism. En route traverse the Longqing Pass, an ideal passage
for migratory birds.
Day 19. Weishan / Heijing
Continue to Heijing, once one of Yunnan's richest towns, a small town in
the northern Chuxiong mountains, which came to prominence and
wealth from its salt. Founded during the Han Dynasty, even Marco
Polo, the 13th century Venetian traveler, learnt of its
existence. With salt mined there for centuries, Heijing is today
a quiet village only slowly being rediscovered. With only a
trickle of tourists passing through namely on account of it
remote location, Heijing teems in architectural splendors, from
houses of once rich traders to pagodas and temples.
Day 20. Heijing / Kunming
Arrive in Kunming,
the City of Eternal Spring.
Day 21: Kunming / Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu and connect to your flight
home.
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