12-Day Yunnan & Eastern Tibet Tour
12 Days · From $3,469
Explore dramatic landscapes, Tibetan culture, and ethnic villages in southwest China.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Kunming
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.
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Day 2: Kunming to Dali - Stone Forest
After breakfast, travel to the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, a unique karst landscape in the subtropical plateau. Enjoy the exotic rock formations and watch wonderful performances by local Yi people in traditional costumes. Later, return to the city center and explore Juxing Bird & Flower Market to experience local daily life up close.
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Day 3: Dali
In the morning, head to Xizhou Ancient Town to immerse yourself in authentic Bai ethnic customs—watch Bai grandmas in tie-dye costumes walk through the streets and visit traditional residences. Afternoon, visit Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, a landmark between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Enjoy a boat tour on Erhai Lake, admiring the distant green Cangshan and the ancient outline of Dali Ancient Town.
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Day 4: Dali to Lijiang
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Lijiang, with a stop in the historic town of Shaxi, a former prosperous hub on the ancient Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and immerse yourself in the charm of Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan), a wall-less UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Day 5: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Take a cable car to Glacier Park at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, reaching the viewing platform at 4,680 meters above sea level to admire the magnificent snow-capped peaks and ancient glaciers. In the afternoon, visit Yuhu Village, an original Naxi village. Experience Naxi daily life, wear traditional costumes, and learn to make Dongba paper with hieroglyphs.
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Day 6: Lijiang to Shangri-La
After breakfast, drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge (about 2 hours), one of China's deepest canyons and a 4A-level scenic area. Hike down to the viewing platform to enjoy the stunning natural scenery and the roaring Jinsha River.
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Day 7: Shangri-La to Lhasa
After breakfast, transfer to Shangri-La Airport and take a flight to Lhasa. Your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a downtown hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the plateau altitude.
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Day 8: Lhasa
After breakfast, visit the Potala Palace, one of Tibet's most iconic attractions. Explore key sites like the White Palace East Main Hall, Red Palace Stupa Hall, and Treasure House. Later, visit Jokhang Temple, a sacred destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, and wander around Barkhor Street, an important pilgrimage route with rich Tibetan flavors. Complimentary Experiences: Thangka painting and Tibetan costume photography
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Day 9: Lhasa to Nyingchi
Drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi, enjoying the changing Tibetan landscapes—snow-capped mountains, meadows, prayer flags, and herds along the way. Stop at Basong Co Lake, known as the"Pearl of Easte rn Tibet", surrounded by green pines and reflecting the blue sky and green mountains.
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Day 10: Nyingchi - Bomi
Step into Suolung Forest, a paradise of lush forests, vast meadows, wildflowers, and Tibetan villages with curling smoke. In the evening, join a lively bonfire party, dancing with local Tibetans to cheerful music under the plateau night sky.
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Day 11: Nyingchi
Drive back to Nyingchi, visiting the primeval forest around Gangxiang Village, one of China's top 10 most beautiful primeval forests. Stop at the viewing platform to admire the panoramic view of Namcha Barwa Peak, a majestic snow-capped mountain over 7,700 meters high. Hang prayer flags to send your wishes.
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Day 12: Departure from Nyingchi
On the last day of the trip, enjoy the transfer service from your hotel to Nyingchi Airport, starting your new journey to the next destination.
What's Included
- ✓Costs for a private, air-conditioned business vehicle throughout the tour.
- ✓Services of a private English-speaking tour guide.
- ✓Hotels, entrance fees to scenic spots (first gate tickets), and meals as listed in the itinerary.
- ✓Travel insurance coverage during the tour (details available on the Insurance Policy page).
- ✓Inter-city flights or high-speed train travel.
- ✓24-hour customer service support during the trip.
- ✓Service fees, covering tour planning, handling, operation, and communication costs.
- ✗Chinese Visa fees.
- ✗Round-trip ticket. (We offer Air Ticket Booking Service, if you need it, please let us know.)
- ✗Personal expenses.
- ✗Meals, transportation transfers, and tourist attraction fees not listed in the itinerary.
- ✗Optional activities recommended at scenic spots or other commercial establishments.
- ✗Luggage overweight charges.
- ✗Optional activities provided by the driver or guide.
- ✗Personal Accident Insurance during Travel .
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