Cultural Mosaic-Tea Horse road (Kunming-Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang-Shangri la)

    

Itinerary:
Day 1 Kunming                            
Meet in Kunming, check in a hotel beside the beautiful Green Lake, make an orientation about this trip. And pay a visit to the local Flower and Bird Market if time permitted.

Day 2 Kunming/Dali
Morning short flight (45mins.) to Dali, a beautiful and fertile land between the Cang Mountain and the Erhai lake. We slow down our paces in the Dali old town, which once the capital of Ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and still keeping its peace and tranquility until now. We also pay a visit to the Three Pagodas, built in 11th century, to touch the Buddhism culture of Dali. Overnight in a hotel of traditional style in the old town.

Day 3: Dali/Shaxi                
In the morning, we take a boat into Erhai Lake, feeling this soft mother lake of Dali. Then explore Xizhou village beside the like, famous for Bai’s traditional custom and architecture.  In the afternoon, we transfer to Shaxi Village by car (3 hours), passing through rolling hills and pine forests. Stay in a guesthouse near the Sideng Market, the last surviving marketplace of the ancient Tea&Horse Caravan trail.Buddhism in China.

Day 4: Shaxi/Lijiang                             
Besides enjoying the beautiful rural landscape around Shaxi, we also pay a visit to Shizhong Grottos nearby, whose ancient carvings trace all the way back to the Tang Dynasty. Continue our way north to Lijiang basin, with the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mt.  Check in a hotel in the Shuhe Old Town, where you can explore later in the free time.  

Day 5: Lijiang
Today we get enough time to explore the ancient and mysterious Naxi Kingdom. From the freso in Baisha village, to Black Dragon Pool Park and Museum of Dongba Culture, and finally the fascinating Dayan Old Town. In the evening, attend a performance by the Naxi Orchestra which performs traditional court music over 1000 years old on traditional instruments.  

Day6: Lijiang/Tiger Leaping Gorge/Shangri-la
Transfer by car to Tiger Leaping Gorge (2 hours), where we stop to be shocked by its majesty and magnificence. Later we continue driving north to Shangri-la (2 hours). In the evening, you can have a walk in the Dukezong Old Town.  

Day7: Shangri-la
Today we can give a glimpse to the fascinating and deeply spiritual Tibetan world. The hill adorned with prayer flags behind Songzanlin Monastery offers a wonderful overview of the Shangri-la plains. A tour to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest in Yunnan, fashioned after the Potala Palace of Lhasa. And we will also visit Lake Napa Nature Reserve.  

Day 8: Depart by air to Kunming, end of journey.