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Chinas Shangri-la
10 days from
Highlights include Kunming Stone Forest Dali Lijiang Tiger Leaping Gorge Zhongdian The Ethnic Minorities
£1399
Including
ALL MEALS & FULL SIGHTSEEING
Fly from Heathrow Or from your LOCAL AIRPORT
BLACK DRAGON POOL, LIJIANG
Situated in the far southwest of China, Yunnan Province is a sheer delight. Bordered by Laos, Burma and Vietnam, it enjoys remarkable diversity in its landscape and people, and boasts a year-round mild climate except in the very north. With snow-capped peaks, vast plateaux, idyllic river valleys, ancient villages and vibrant traditional townships, Yunnan is a far cry from the great metropolitan developments in Chinas eastern regions.
Yunnans unique character derives from its geographical isolation, but now we are able to offer a delightful tour by road amongst its extraordinary beauty, history and ethnic diversity. You explore the three minority towns of Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian, plus, of course, the provincial capital of Kunming City of Eternal Spring. So join us in Chinas Shangri-la truly a world apart! YOUR ITINERARY Day 1 - Depart on your scheduled flight to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Day 2 - On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. Kunming is a delightful, relaxed city with parks, tree-lined boulevards, an old quarter, and an average annual temperature above 60°F. Day 3 - An orientation tour of the city followed by a full day excursion to the remarkable Stone Forest at Shilin, southeast of Kunming. An extremely rare natural phenomenon, it is a vast area of limestone pillars, eroded over 270 million years into bizarre and fanciful shapes which resemble a forest. On the return journey, you will stop at the Sani village of Qi Xin. Day 4 - Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Dali, home of the Bai minority. This engaging and ancient walled city is wedged between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, with plenty of preserved stone architecture and cobbled streets. On arrival drive to Erhai Lake for a delightful boat trip to the island of Jin Suo, to visit a Bai fishing village and market. Then visit the remarkable Three Pagodas to the north of Dali, amongst the oldest standing structures in China, dating from 850. The rest of the day at leisure to explore Dali.
Chengdu
Whats Included
Scheduled flights to Kunming, returning from Beijing Internal flights Kunming/Dali and Zhongdian/ Beijing Transfers between airport and hotels All other transportation as detailed Eight nights full board accommodation two nights in Kunming, one night in Dali, two nights in Lijiang, two nights in Zhongdian, one night in Beijing Services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and English speaking local representatives All hotel baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person All State and local taxes All UK and overseas airport taxes and security charges Excursions as detailed
situated in a picturesque valley. The old town, a World Heritage Site, is an extraordinary blend of winding cobbled streets, wooden buildings, markets, shops, teahouses and canals. There is a joyous, relaxed atmosphere amongst both visitors and the local Naxi people. Transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. This evening an included visit to a performance by the fabled Naxi Orchestra, which plays original instruments not usually heard in China any more. Some of this group buried their instruments underground during the Cultural Revolution. Day 6 - A full days exploration of the beautiful and historic surroundings of Lijiang. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park and the Yak Meadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where you will take a gondola for stupendous views. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Yuhu, an unspoilt Naxi village where the botanist and explorer, Joseph Rock, lived and worked in the 1930s. Lijiang is famous for its temple frescoes and you will visit some fine examples dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Baisha, formerly the capital of the Naxi kingdom, before returning to Lijiang. Day 7 - Morning departure along the YunnanTibet road, bound for Zhongdian. First stop is the River Yangtze, already well established on its long journey to the East China Sea. You will see the symbolic bend where Mao and his revolutionaries crossed the Yangtze during the Long March, commemorated by a fine statue of a soldier and a peasant next to an ancient Ming footbridge. Drive on to Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is actually deeper than the famous Three Gorges much further downriver. The turbulent waters crash spectacularly through the narrow gap between two sheer rock faces in a torrent of foam and spray. Descend 510 steps for the best view, or hire a sedan chair for around £3. The subsequent drive up onto the plateau is beautiful, with typical Tibetan villages along the way. Late afternoon arrival in Zhongdian for a two night stay. Day 8 - Zhongdian has been officially renamed Shangri-la and is a vibrant mix of old and new. As with most cities, part of it is modern and developed, but this sits comfortably with the older, more traditional scenes, such as women
Your Hotels
You will stay in very good hotels such as the King World Hotel in Kunming, Regent Hotel in Dali, Grand Lijiang Hotel in Lijiang, the Paradise Hotel in Zhongdian, and the Friendship Hotel in Beijing. Hotels have bar and restaurant. All rooms feature private facilities, air conditioning, TV and telephone.
Your Meals
All meals are included whilst in China. Breakfast is traditional, followed by Chinese lunch and dinner. Yunnan cuisine is especially varied and tasty. Beer and soft drinks are always available.
Wolong Nature Reserve
TIBET
CHINA
Zhongdian Lijiang Dali Kunming
The River Yangtze
Day 5 - Morning visit to the marble workshops and store. Dali is famous throughout China for its abundant resources of marble, now being exported worldwide. Afternoon drive to the Bai villages of Xizhou and Zhoucheng to see traditional tea merchants houses, colourful markets and plenty of authentic local character. Continue through rich farmland and mountain scenery to 800 year old Lijiang,
BURMA
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