Kunming - Lijiang City Highlights (L)

Old Town of Lijiang - China - The driver will collect you from the lobby of your Kunming hotel and transfer you to the railway station for a 3-hour bullet train journey to Lijiang.

Upon arrival, your local tour guide will be waiting at the exit of the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head straight to the Old Town of Lijiang.

The Old Town of Lijiang is a beautifully preserved ancient city of ethnic minorities with a rich culture. Established in the late Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), it boasts a history of over 800 years. The town’s architecture is a blend of Han, Bai, and Tibetan styles, uniquely adapted by the Naxi ethnic minority.

Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture - Wander through the old town with your guide and stop at the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture. This museum is dedicated to the history of the Naxi people, their pictographic language, and the animist Dongba religion. Discover the museum and learn about Naxi culture and art.

Mufu Palace - Next, visit the Mufu Palace. The Mu Family, rulers of the Naxi minority, governed Lijiang from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, spanning 470 years and 22 generations. The current Mufu Palace represents ancient central Chinese architectural style from the Ming Dynasty, while also retaining elements from the Tang and Song Dynasties. Inside, the details reflect the minority features of the Bai and Naxi groups. Besides its architectural value, it serves as an exceptional plant museum with ancient trees and extraordinary plants. The garden combines imperial and Suzhou styles. Explore the palace and learn its history and stories from your guide.

Lijiang Lion Rock - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then proceed to Lion Hill Park. From a distance, Lion Mountain resembles a sleeping lion, offering a stunning view.

Wangu Pavilion - Ascend to the mountaintop and visit the Wangu Pavilion, a five-storied wooden structure with five elegant eaves. The tower is considered the No.1 Domed-shaped Structure in China. Prepare your camera to capture the panoramic views of the surrounding areas, including Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Old Town, and the Naxi minority villages.

Wenchang Palace - Continue to Wenchang Palace, originally built in 1725, which was once a venue for exams and folk lectures during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Stroll around the area, then visit Twin-Stone Garden, where you can see a large waterwheel and bas-relief commemorating the Naxi civilization.

Black Dragon Pond Park - Your final stop is Black Dragon Pond Park. Follow your guide to explore ancient monuments such as Longshen Temple, Deyue Pavilion, Suocui Bridge, and Hanyue Stage. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the park.

After the tour concludes, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Lijiang. (If you wish to visit other places in Lijiang, just inform your guide.)

Lijiang- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain- Impressions Lijiang Show-Blue Moon Valley (B,L)

Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain - Meet your private guide in the hotel’s lobby in Lijiang and head directly to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is about an hour away. Relax and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, consisting of 13 peaks, is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. From Lijiang Old Town, the snow-covered and misty mountain resembles a jade dragon in the clouds, hence the name. Yunnan province is home to about half of China’s plant species, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hosts many of these, including trees, flowers, and medicinal herbs. The mountain’s ravines, creeks, cliffs, and meadows, all with Naxi names, provide settings for the myths and legends of the people who have lived here for 1,000 years.

Learn about its legendary stories from your guide. Upon arrival, take the convenient cable car to the scenic viewing point (4506 meters) and marvel at the spectacular glacier and mountain views. You can choose to hike up to 4680 meters via wooden stairs. When ready to leave, descend by cable car.

Lijiang Impressions Show - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then experience the amazing Lijiang Impressions Show. The show is performed during the day, using Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its backdrop. Over 100 horses and 500 non-professional peasant actors from 16 local villages and over 10 ethnic minorities deliver an outstanding performance. They use unique movements and original songs to showcase their culture, history, and customs. When booking, you can choose your preferred tickets for the show.

Blue Moon Valley - After the show, spend some leisure time exploring Blue Moon Valley. This valley features an extremely blue river winding through the lush landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take time to stroll around the area and capture amazing photos.

After the tour concludes, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Lijiang.

Lijiang-Yangtze River First Bend- Tiger Leaping Gorge (B,L)

Yangtze River First Bend - Meet your private guide in the hotel’s lobby in Lijiang and head directly to Tiger Leaping Gorge, which takes about 2 hours. Relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. En route, stop at The First Bend of the Yangtze. The river rushes down from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as “the roof of the world,” and enters Yunnan from the northwest, where it meets the Lancang and Nu Rivers. Together, they traverse the high mountains and deep gorges of the Hengduan Mountains. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and stop for photos.

Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia) - Continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. The gorge is divided into three sections based on its topographical features: the upper, middle, and lower gorges. The most famous scenic spots are the Mouth of the Gorge and the Tiger Leaping Pebble, both located in the upper gorge. Today, you will explore the upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Upon arrival, follow your guide to learn the legendary stories about the gorge, then walk about 1.5 miles (2.6 km) to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Along the way, enjoy the stunning views of the gorge and feel free to stop for photos. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Your wonderful tour concludes here, and you can choose to end your tour in Lijiang or return to Kunming.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• Entrance Fee+Middle Seats Show Tickets+Shuttle bus at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• English-speaking guide
• Bottled water
• Breakfast
• Cable car round trip to Glacier Park
• Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Overnight accommodation of standard twin room (two beds), based on twin share if choose the option

• Gratuities to tour guide and driver(recommended)
• Accommodation if you choose to have the tour only

Spend 3-day to discover the highlights of Lijiang for a private and customizable sightseeing tour from Kunming by bullet train. This personalized tour is tailored to your needs and allows you to tick off Lijiang city attractions, such as Mu Palace, Lion Hill, Lijiang Old Town, the Dongba Culture Museum, the Black Dragon Pool, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yangtze River First Bend. Explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and enjoy amazing open-air Impression Lijiang Impression Show which performances by non-professional peasant actors who are from local villages. If you have other sites in mind to go, just feel free to discuss with your tour guide. This private tour including English speaking tour guide, travel by private air-conditioned vehicle, train tickets, entrance fee, round trip cable car, lunch, show tickets and door-to-door hotel transfers. You can choose to end your tour in Lijiang or return Kunming. Tour includes the option to book 4 star accommodation with daily breakfast.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.