Drive about 1.5 hours to one of Yunnan greatest wonders, the Stone Forest in Shilin County. Weather and time have sculpted a massive karst labyrinth that feels like you are walking through a forest, with ancient stone trees looking down on you. Every rock formation you pass has its own touching story or thrilling legend, passed on by the natives who have lived in this area for ages. The natives belong to the Sani minority, a branch of the Yi ethnic minority, which you can still find inside the park, jamming together singing folk songs or making embroidery.

After lunch we’ll see another piece of art made by nature, the Jiuxiang Caves, part of the largest cave group system in China, with rivers, gorges, waterfalls, forests, natural stone bridges, and anything you image you would find in a fairyland. Enter the caves through narrow green canyon and see the entrance of the caves hidden inside the forests from above as you fly over it in the cable car.

Get brought by your guide and driver to Kunming Railway Station to catch the train to Dali (about 2 hours). We recommend to take train D8672, 09:24 – 11:32, but earlier or later is possible on request (check the link for train schedules). Once you arrived at Dali Railway Station in Xiaguan City, your Dali tour guide will be waiting and take you to Dali Old Town. This is the heartland of the prosperous Bai people, with their colourful costumes and traditional lifestyle. When we picture ancient China, Dali is the image that appears in our imagination, wooden houses with ornate eaves and stone streets, well-worn over centuries of use. Dali has long been a melting pot for different cultures, and you will see the Bai people as well as the Yi and the Hui going about their daily business in their traditional garb.

Dali is known for her relaxed atmosphere, and is a great town to stroll around. Have a drink in one of the many cosy little bars or warmly decorated coffee shops, or walk around its lively main streets where local artists sell all kinds of beautiful handicrafts.

In the morning we stop off at the ancient market town of Xizhou, just 19 kilometres north of Dali Old Town. Here we will visit the morning market, where locals dressed in traditional minority clothing sell and buy local fruits, freshly cut meat, piles of fragrant spices, livestock and anything else you can think of. You can visit a traditional Three Course Tea ceremony and an exquisite example of traditional Bai-style courtyard homes.

Enjoy a short boat trip on Lake Erhai to Tianjingge Island and enjoy the majestic views of the green and clouded Cangshan Mountain Range looming over Dali’s lands from far while swarms of birds fly peacefully around you over the tranquil lake.

After lunch we will drive up to Lijiang (2.5 hours) and we will take you directly to your hotel, so that you can enjoy Lijiang Old Town by night, a location that well deserves its reputation as being the most romantic spot in all of China. Her pretty streams that wind through a maze of enchanting back alleys is part of an ancient complex water-supply system of that still functions effectively today. Lijiang was a key stopping point of the Tea Horse Road and has long been a magnet for traders, merchants, bandits and slavers. The town is set in a truly exceptional mountain landscape which will remain with you for the rest of your life.

Start your day with an early rise, embarking on an exhilarating journey to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. First, indulge in the breathtaking Impression show at Ganhaizi, nestled at the mountain's base. Subsequently, venture into the enchanting Blue Moon Valley and ascend to Glacier Park via a scenic cable car ride.

Following this majestic adventure, head to the quaint Baisha Village, where you'll be captivated by the intricate Baisha murals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Naxi minority.

Rounding off your day, make a pitstop at the picturesque Shuhe Old Town before returning to your hotel, allowing you to soak in the charm and tranquility of this ancient settlement.

Shortly after breakfast, your driver will drive you up to the First Bend of the Yangtze River at Stone Drum Town (1.5 hour) to see the impressive scenery, where the third longest river in the world make a sudden V-turn. This area is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.

Continue north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, trapped deep below the snow-capped peaks of Haba Snow Mountain to the north, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south. This is one of the deepest gorges in the world, 16 km long with a sheer 3900 meters between the wild waters of Jinsha river and the top of the Haba Snow Mountains next to it. The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. Your new tour guide will meet you here.

Later in the afternoon the tour continues to the fabled Tibetan city of Shangri-La at an altitude of well over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). On the way you will get tingling feelings in your stomach as you continue your way to the far corner of the world up to the Tibetan plateau, populated by robed monks a wild plateau nomads. Notice the landscape and architecture gradually change, with barley fields and yaks scattered across the valleys and the year-round snow-capped mountains always towering above you. Arrive at your final destination: Dukezong Ancient town, the ancient town center in Zhongdian city, where the locals still preserve the old Tibetan way of life, crafting traditional jewelry made of silver or horn, instruments, earth ware and daggers. Let this lovely mountain town welcome you, and spend your free time wandering through the narrow alleys and cobbled winding lanes or relaxing from the day’s adventures.

After a sumptuous Tibetan breakfast, your driver and guide will take you out to the restored Songzanlin Monastery, also called ‘Little Potala Palace’ as this 17th century monastery is modelled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It is the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan with over 700 monks actively practicing Tibetan Buddhism. The huge golden roof is a bright shining beacon that attracts Buddhists from all over Asia. There will also be a chance to visit a local family and experience the real life of a herdsman in the high steppe.

Following lunch, embark on an exhilarating exploration of Potatso National Park, where you'll be immersed in the stunning natural beauty and ecological diversity of this remarkable conservation area.

This is your last chance to sample a cowboy's breakfast of prime yak steak and fried mushrooms, before your driver drives you to Shangri-La airport. This is also your last chance to do some gift shopping for folks back at home, and Shangri La definitely has some of the best markets in Yunnan. Here, you can stock up with prayer flags, thangkas and Khampa Cowboy Hats for you workmates, friends and family. We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!