TP 16A - Impressing South-China (SIC)

Arrival Kunming, known as a city of perpetual spring with a mild climate.   
A brief city tour with visit to Night Market 
Hotel accommodation  

Breakfast at hotel  

Depart in the early so as to avoid meeting a large crowd of tourist group.  We drive around 120km southeast of Kunming to the famous Stone Forest, a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded to their fanciful forms, the tallest standing 30m high.  Lunch at local restaurant  

Rest of the day free for leisure  

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  

Transfer to airport for flight to Dali  

Arrival Dali and proceed to visit Three Pagodas, Old Town and Monastery Santasi  
Lunch at local restaurant  

Take the ropeway up to Cangshan Mountain and go down either by cable car or on foot  (about 1.5 hours)  

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  

Driving 3 hours to Lijiang and visit the villages of Bai Minority en route  
Lunch at local restaurant  

Arrival Lijiang and visit in the old town  

Hotel accommodation
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  

Transfer to cable car station and go up by ropeway to visit Maoniuping (Yak Meadow) of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.  Afterwards, visit the village of  Baisha Naxi Minority 

Lunch at local restaurant  

Visit Black Dragon Pond and Dongba Research institute for listening to the ancient music of Naxi Minority 

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  

Excursion coach tour from Lijiang to Zhongdian (Shangri-La) – a town with a very Tibetan atmosphere. It is situated 198km north of Lijiang at 3200m altitude and very close to the Tibetan border, known as little Tibet.  Drive about 70km to the first stop at Shigu (Stone Drum Village) where you can see the geographically significant first Bend of the Yangtze River.  After another 70km away, we will see the Tiger Leaping George if the weather is allowed  

Lunch at local restaurant  
Arrival Zhongdian (Shangri-La) and transfer to hotel  
Rest of the day free for acclimatization

We recommend a stroll into the old city centre in the evening to experience a very authentic Tibetan atmosphere. 

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  

Full day excursion with lunch at local restaurant which includes Songtzanlin Temple,  “Ni Ru Village”,  also known as Pottery Village and with Tibetan family workshops of marking  pottery vessels , Tibetan Family visit and the old town 

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  
Transfer from hotel to airport for flight to Kunming 

Arrival Kunming and pick-up for tour of  West Hill with cable car and Golden Pagoda 
Lunch at local restaurant 

Hotel accommodation  
Meal: B/L

Breakfast at hotel  
Transfer to airport for departure flight  
Meal: B

* * * * * * * * End of Program * * * * * * * *

Remarks:

Program included :
01> Accommodation with breakfast and meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
02> Private transfers and tours conducted by English-speaking guide as mentioned in the above itinerary (German speaking guide will be provided in Kunming)
03> Admission ticket for sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
04> Domestic airfare (economy class) inclusive of tax for Kunming / Dali and Zhongdian / Kunming

Program NOT included :
01> Other than the above itinerary
02> Application of visa for China
03> International airfare enter and exit China
03> Personal expenses
04> Service during free time
05> Gratitude for local tour guides, drivers and porters

Remarks:
01> Blackout dates: 12-21 Feb 2010 (Chinese New Year), 30 Apr-03 May 2010 (Labour Day Holiday) and 28 Sep - 08 Oct 2010 (National Day Holiday).
02> There are only English-speaking guides available in Lijiang, Dali and Zhongdian.  They are marginally reached the standard of other cities in China.
03> Yunnan cuisine is an amalgam of Chinese and ethnic minorities cuisines.  Somehow, it is not the right appetite to western tourists.