9 Days China Tour from Dali to Shanghai

Welcome to Dali, a national historical and cultural city. Today when you arrive at Dali airport, your friendly guide and driver will pick you up with a welcome board. Then we head to the Oriental Santorini town, with a strong European architectural style. The whole town is built along the mountain, with all kinds of flowers and plants planted on both sides of the alleys inside. The streets meandering poetically. Thereafter, Cruising over to the Tianjingge Scenic Area a steep climb led ultimately to a pavilion providing stunning, indeed panoramic views of the lake and of course, Cangshan Mountain.

Afternoon start the trip from Wase Village, retains lots of Bai-style ancient gate towers. These gate towers were built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China era (1912–1949) by local people. Then we will travel to Shuanglang, a small town  famous for its beautiful scenery. The town has many special buildings, such as the “Sun Palace” of the dancer Yang Liping, the “Moon Palace” and the “Green Bar” of painter Zhao Qing.

After the visit, You will also have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful flowers at the Huayu Ranch. There are dozens of ornamental flowers such as lily, zinnia, dasiphora fruticosa, a string of blue, marigold, dianthus, campanula, chamomile, celosia, red leaves, willow verbena, willow, roses, etc. The last stop is Monastery Santasi (Three Pagodas)，a symbol of the history of Dali City and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. It occupies a scenic location at the foot of Mt. Cangshan and facing the Erhai Lake with a history of over 1,800 years.

Meal: B

Altitude: 2090m

Traffic: Car, Plane

Hotel: In Dali

Today after the breakfast, start our tour to Xizhou. Xizhou village has a more mixed population and cosmopolitan background. It grew and flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) along with the fortunes of Dali’s renowned tea merchants that traded to Tibet. Afterwords, we are going to the Yan Family Courtyard, is a representative of the traditional Bai folk house, known as the “classic Bai folk house”, and a model of traditional crafts such as clay sculpture, color painting, stone carving and wood carving. Also can watch the Bai nationality three tea dance and other performances. Then transfer to Zhoucheng village and learn to make the local famous Tie-dye cloth. After the visiting, we drive to Shangri-La.

Meal: B

Altitude: 3459m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Shangri-La

Today we will drive all the way from Shangri-La to Lijiang. First we will pay a  visit Songzanlin Monastery, in which tranquillity prevails, as its 700 monks and acolytes (often beginning their training at the age of five) go about their daily lives – just as they have done for more than three centuries. The lamasery’s murals are one of its highlights – resplendently colourful depictions of the life Buddha, the guardian deities of Buddhism and the wheel of life, painted by distinguished lamas past and present. Today you will also have an opportunity to visit a local Tibetan family. Then travel to the Dukezong Ancient Town, is an ancient Tibetan town with a history of more than 1,300 years. Dukezong Ancient Town is built on the mountain foot and the road surface was paved with slate from the ceaseless up-and-down undulations of paved roads, you can still find the faint imprints of horseshoes , which is the token left by the long-time horses and precious token from the ancient caravans since the town is the last stop of Old Tea – Horse Road.

On the road, you will pay a visit to Jinsha River, The Jinsha River is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It is named after the yellow soil in the river. It is also known as rope water, flooded water, and sputum water.

Meal: B

Altitude: 3459m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Shangri-La

After breakfast, we will drive to Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in mainland China. In Tibetan language, Pudacuo means reaching the opposite side of the lake by boat under the help of deity. forest, marsh, valley, alpine meadow and so on can be seen in the park. 

Afterwards, drive to Lijiang for overnight stay. On the road, you will pay a visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge, located 105 kilometers south of Zhongdian County. The gorge is 17 kilometers long with a drop of 213 meters, divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot the river is only 30 meters wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 meters above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 meters. Here you will also have an opportunity to Haba Snow Mountain viewpoint and have a incredible view. We will arrive in Lijiang in the late afternoon. Check in the hotel and have a good rest.

Meal: B

Altitude: 2466m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Lijiang

Another Wonderful day! Continue our tour to Lashihai, located 10 kilometers west of Lijiang City. It is a marvelous grassland with beautiful scenery. The water is very clear, and it is a wonderful place to visit in the spring and summer around Lijiang. Next we will have an exploration to Secret Dongba, There are plateau pastures, secret flower valleys, forest songs, and traditional villages in Naxi. It is a combination of natural scenery sightseeing, ethnic customs experience, and outdoor entertainment.

Then drive to visit the Guanyin Gorge, a strategic passage on the Tea Horse Road. Here you can see the unique geological shape of the gorge and sit in a wooden house on Tea Horse Road, sipping on a cup of Pu’er tea. In addition to the gorges, there are forests, lakes, and waterfalls, and the natural scenery is amazing!. In addition, there are quaint Naxi villages, religious temples, and other cultural landscapes.

Meal: B

Altitude: 2466m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Lijiang

After breakfast, drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, take 25 minutes’ cableway to Glacier Park, you will see the vegetations changes with ascending altitude. Walk along the plank road to reach 4680m and appreciate the fairyland with ice and snow. Take cableway down, drive to visit Blue Moon Valley with turquoise-colored water.  On sunny days, the water is blue, and the valley is crescent shaped. From a distance, it looks like a blue moon inlaid at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, so it is called Blue Moon Valley. And because the mud at the bottom of the lake is white, and the water turns white when it rains, so it is also called the White Water River. In Addition, we can also explore Ganhaizi, has a carpet of grass that leads from the base of Yulong Snow Mountain in the west to the distant horizon. It’s an ideal place for viewing and photographing. Afterwards, drive back to Lijiang for rest.

Meal: B

Altitude: 2466m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Lijiang

Take a morning flight from Lijiang to Hangzhou. When you arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel check in and have a rest. Then you can stroll around the HeFang Street, to explore the history and culture of Hangzhou. Hefang Street is one of the most popular commercial districts in Hangzhou. The shops along the street are remodeled from old buildings, lending a quaint atmosphere to the area. There are various local snacks, time-honored brands, and tea houses. In the background is Wushan, and Gaoyin Street, a food lover’s paradise, is also nearby.

Meal: B

Altitude: 16m

Traffic: Car, Flight

Hotel: In Hangzhou

The journey today will begin from the West Lake, a fabulous place for photography because of its natural beauty. Suggest you rent a bicycle or take a boat to enjoy the beautiful views of lake and surrounding mountains. Then go to view fish at flower pond, hang out for 30 minutes or 1 hour to see the sight of brightly colorful fish swimming around and listen the brisk melody of chirpy birdsong. Then pay a visit to the Leifeng Pagoda, which is one of the Ten Views of the West Lake, and become famous because of “White Snake” legend. Later visit Liuhe Pagoda which is located at the foot of Yuelun Hill facing the Qiantangjiang River. You will have an impressive experience in taking in the ancient Chinese architecture. We will back to Shanghai in the afternoon.

Meal: B

Altitude: 16m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Hangzhou

Time files, you will say farewell to Hangzhou and take the high speed train to Shanghai. Shanghai is considered as the most developed metropolis in China. Many people know China from this city as it represents for fashion and enthusiasm. If you’re not hurry to catch your flight or train for your next trip, there are many amazing places to explore in Shanghai including the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center ,Nanjing Road, the Bund, etc. Hope this trip leaves you with many unforgettable moments. Looking forward to seeing you next time.

Meal: B

Altitude: 5m

Traffic: High Speed Train, Car

Hotel: No