Ethnic Minorities Tour in Yunnan
7 Days Classic adventures in Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La
This tour will take you to walk along with the important ancient station in Tea and Horse Caravan Road. You can view the most remote minority cultures from this road.
ScrollHIGHLIGHTS
- Find the ethnic minorities’ culture in the less-visited ethnic old town: Xizhou, Yuhu, Baisha and Shaxi.
- Hiking along with one of the deepest and the most magnificent gorges in the world: Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Experience the National Intangible Cultural Heritage: local handicraft culture – Bai Tie-Dyeing.
- Check out the amazing natural scenery – Pudacuo National Forest Park
- Get your spirit refreshment at the largest Seek enlightenment from a Tibetan Buddhist at the Songzanlin Lamasery
OVERVIEW
Inhabited by 55 ethnic groups, Yunnan is ranked number one in China in terms of ethnic diversity. As early as clan society, Yunnan was inhabited by three clans. After long-term migration, separation, development and integration, the distribution of ethnic groups became relatively stable in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The population of ethnic people accounts for approximately 1/3 of the total in Yunnan. Fifteen ethnic groups are indigenous and unique to Yunnan. They are Bai, Hani, Dai, Lisu, Wa, etc.
This tour will take you walk along with the important ancient station in Tea and Horse Caravan Road. You can view the most remote minority cultures from this road.
ITINERARY
Day1 Depart from Kunming – Three Pagodas in Dali
Three Pagodas have a history of over a thousand years. It is the royal temple of the Dali Kingdom and the first largest ancient temple in Dali. The Three Pagodas are famous for their symbolic three towers. The biggest one stands in the middle, and the other two smaller towers stand by the sides. Therefore, the Three Pagodas are also reputable as “Dali Three Towers”, which is one of the famous Buddha towers. The Three Pagodas is regarded as the landmark of Dali city. It is historical evidence left by the population and the spreading of Buddhism in Dali. It is also one of the remarkable sights of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake.
- Private Car Transportation from Kunming (3.5 hours)
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotel in Dali
- Meals are not provided but local cuisine will be recommended
Day2 Xizhou Ancient Town – Erhai Lake
Xizhou in Dali is a charming, historical town in Yunnan, China, renowned for its well-preserved Bai ethnic minority architecture, vibrant local culture, and stunning natural landscapes.
Erhai in Dali is a breathtaking, crystal-clear alpine lake, surrounded by lush mountains and dotted with traditional fishing villages, offering a serene and picturesque view of Yunnan’s natural beauty.
- Private car transportation
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotel in Dali
- Breakfast is provided; Lunch and Dinner are not provided but local cuisine will be recommended
Day3 Shaxi Ancient Town – Dali
Shaxi in Dali is a captivating ancient town, nestled in the heart of the stunning Jianchuan County in Yunnan Province, China. Known for its significant role as a trading hub on the historical Tea Horse Road, it boasts an array of well-preserved Bai architecture, ancient temples, and a bustling Friday market that offers a glimpse into its rich past. Its tranquil ambiance, lush surroundings, and friendly locals make Shaxi a perfect escape for those seeking an immersive cultural experience and a journey back in time.
- Private car transportation
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotel in Dali
- Breakfast is provided; Lunch and Dinner are not provided but local cuisine will be recommended
Day4 Jade Dragon Snow-capped Mountain – Lijiang
Jade Dragon Snow-capped Mountain is the sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi group people. The main peak Fanzi is at an altitude of 5596 meters and is surrounded by clouds and mist all year round. Jade Dragon Snow-capped Mountain is composed of 12 peaks and owns various landscapes. There are Jade Water Village, Blue Moon Valley, Glacier Park and other scenic spots in the Scenic Area; there is also a large-scale live performance “Impression of Lijiang” on the Blue Moon Valley Square.
- Private tour car service
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
- Breakfast provided by booked hotels; Lunch and Dinner are excluded but recommendation of local cuisine would be made
Day5 Shuhe Ancient Town – Lijiang
Shuhe Ancient Town is located northwest of Lijiang Ancient Town. It is next to mountains and rivers, which makes it more tranquil than Dayan Ancient Town. The mountain sitting behind the town is the extension part of the Jade Dragon Snow-capped Mountain. The Great Stony Bridge and Dajue Palace are relatively well-preserved; you can see many Buddhist wall paintings here.
- Private tour car service
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
- Breakfast provided by booked hotels; Lunch and Dinner are excluded but recommendation of local cuisine would be made
Day6 Songzanlin Lamasery – Shangri-La
Songzanlin Lamasery is built along the hill of the mountain. Looking from distance, it has a similar appearance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Songzanlin Lamasery is on a large scale so it is also praised as the minor Potala Palace of Yunnan. There is an oval city wall around Songzanlin Temple. The two main halls of Dhacang and Jikang are located at the highest point in the centre of the temple. Not only is the architecture exquisite, but there are also many religious artifacts and precious cultural relics in the temple. Also known as the “Tibetan Art Museum”.
- Private tour car service
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
- Breakfast provided by booked hotels; Lunch and Dinner are excluded but recommendation of local cuisine would be made
Day7 Pudacuo National Park – Shangri-La
Pudacuo National Park is located in the heart of the Shangri-La touring district. It is an important part of the “Three Parallel Rivers” Natural heritage of China. It consists of Bitahai Lake, Shudu Lake and Militangya Mountain pastures. Pudacuo National Park owns diverse natural landscapes, lakes and wetlands, forests, rivers and streams, as well as rare wild animals and plants. Its natural environment is well-preserved. It is also a paradise for photography lovers. The sightseeing here in spring and fall are extremely pretty, which is considered the best time for taking pictures.
- Private tour car service
- Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
- Breakfast provided by booked hotels; Lunch and Dinner are excluded but recommendation of local cuisine would be made
TOUR MAP
PRICE
Prices per person for the months of July and August (Chinese Summer Holiday):
| Participants | Luxury | Comfort Plus | Comfort | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | US $4,210 | US $3,210 | US $2,210 | -- |
| 2 persons | US $2,597 | US $1,948 | US $1,326 | -- |
| 3 persons | US $2,838 | US $2,040 | US $1,215 | -- |
| 4 persons | US $2,282 | US $1,669 | US $1,048 | -- |
| 5 persons | US $2,503 | US $1,743 | US $1,030 | -- |
| 6 persons | US $2,189 | US $1,539 | US $955 | -- |
| 7 persons | US $2,374 | US $1,669 | US $992 | -- |
| 8 persons | US $2,151 | US $1,539 | US $936 | -- |
| 9 persons | US $2,300 | US $1,632 | US $918 | -- |
| 10 persons | US $2,133 | US $1,483 | US $899 | -- |
| 11 persons | US $2,226 | US $1,539 | US $890 | -- |
| 12 persons | US $2,040 | US $1,447 | US $806 | -- |
| 13 persons | US $2,226 | US $1,483 | US $798 | -- |
| 14 persons | US $2,040 | US $1,410 | US $788 | -- |
| 15 persons | US $2,040 | US $1,465 | US $779 | -- |
| 16 persons | US $2,040 | US $1,391 | US $769 | -- |
Please Note
1. The prices above only apply to the twin-bed room (One room for two persons to share, with two separate beds or a king bed alternatively). The extra expense will be charged if the extra room is required.
2. The prices above are for people to book together. For example, if you have 2 people booking together, you can have the price for 2 people. If you have 8 people booking together, you can have the price for 8 people, etc.
3. Luxury hotels include 5 Star international luxury hotels, such as Banyan Tree, Aman Resorts. Comfort Plus hotels include local top-scale 4 Star hotels, such as Hilton and Shangri-La. Comfort hotels include local general hotels and Inns.
4. The list of recommended hotels will be presented to the clients for their reference before the order is placed, and the standard prices are made based on the average level of the boutique comfortable hotel. In this itinerary, we will select and recommend hotels according to their locations, facilities, service, and previous customer feedback. Besides, there are also chances that these hotels are all fully booked or have limited quantities of rooms that cannot match your demands. We will rearrange other hotels that in an equal standard for you if these recommended hotels are fully booked. If you have any accommodation preference in the equal standard, please feel free to contact us to adjust the arrangement.
5. Sometimes, the service fee for a tour group with participants in an odd number will be higher than a tour group with participants in an even number. It’s mainly because that based on different numbers of participants, the arrangement for transportation and accommodation will be different too. A tour group with an odd number of participants will have to afford more fees for a single room or more space on transportation.
Prices per person for the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec:
| Participants | Luxury | Comfort Plus | Comfort | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | US $4,072 | US $3,072 | US $2,072 | -- |
| 2 persons | US $2,040 | US $1,520 | US $1,085 | -- |
| 3 persons | US $2,226 | US $1,539 | US $955 | -- |
| 4 persons | US $1,762 | US $1,243 | US $807 | -- |
| 5 persons | US $1,947 | US $1,298 | US $788 | -- |
| 6 persons | US $1,669 | US $1,243 | US $733 | -- |
| 7 persons | US $1,818 | US $1,243 | US $751 | -- |
| 8 persons | US $1,669 | US $1,168 | US $695 | -- |
| 9 persons | US $1,780 | US $1,224 | US $686 | -- |
| 10 persons | US $1,632 | US $1,113 | US $658 | -- |
| 11 persons | US $1,724 | US $1,168 | US $649 | -- |
| 12 persons | US $1,595 | US $1,094 | US $639 | -- |
| 13 persons | US $1,688 | US $1,132 | US $649 | -- |
| 14 persons | US $1,576 | US $1,075 | US $621 | -- |
| 15 persons | US $1,650 | US $1,113 | US $612 | -- |
| 16 persons | US $1,483 | US $1,057 | US $603 | -- |
Please Note
1. The prices above only apply to the twin-bed room (One room for two persons to share, with two separate beds or a king bed alternatively). The extra expense will be charged if the extra room is required.
2. The prices above are for people to book together. For example, if you have 2 people booking together, you can have the price for 2 people. If you have 8 people booking together, you can have the price for 8 people, etc.
3. Luxury hotels include 5 Star international luxury hotels, such as Banyan Tree, Aman Resorts. Comfort Plus hotels include local top-scale 4 Star hotels, such as Hilton and Shangri-La. Comfort hotels include local general hotels and Inns.
4. The list of recommended hotels will be presented to the clients for their reference before the order is placed, and the standard prices are made based on the average level of the boutique comfortable hotel. In this itinerary, we will select and recommend hotels according to their locations, facilities, service, and previous customer feedback. Besides, there are also chances that these hotels are all fully booked or have limited quantities of rooms that cannot match your demands. We will rearrange other hotels that in an equal standard for you if these recommended hotels are fully booked. If you have any accommodation preference in the equal standard, please feel free to contact us to adjust the arrangement.
5. Sometimes, the service fee for a tour group with participants in an odd number will be higher than a tour group with participants in an even number. It’s mainly because that based on different numbers of participants, the arrangement for transportation and accommodation will be different too. A tour group with an odd number of participants will have to afford more fees for a single room or more space on transportation.
DEPARTURE DATES
- Departure from Kunming on Any Sunday
ACCOMMENDATION ( RECOMMENDED)
| Hotel Category | Luxury | Comfort Plus | Comfort | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
【Personalized Consultant Service】To meet your very personal demands, we provide 1 to 1 professional consultant service to all travelers.
【Accommodation】We pick suitable and tasteful hotels based on your requirements.
【Transportation】We provide a private and comfortable vehicle during your whole journey.
【Tickets】Entrance tickets for the sightseeing places listed in this program.
【Activities】All the activities listed in this program.
【Breakfast】Breakfast for the whole trip.
【Tour Guide/Driving service】Professional driver and English-speaking guide.
【Insurance】Travel accident insurance.
- Other personal expenses during the journey
- Meals (lunch and dinner)