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The Torch Festival is an important traditional festival of many ethnic groups in the Yunnan province. It will be held on the 24th of the sixth month, Chinese lunar calendar, and usually lasts three days. The grandest and most representative Torch Festival is held by the Yi Nationality (Chuxiong and Stone Forest), and the Bai Nationality (Dali). Throughout the festival, people dress in their splendid traditional costumes and take part in song and dance by campfires. In the daytime, you can enjoy folk wresting, horse racing, bull fighting and even goat fighting. At night you can see countless burning torches moving around the houses and fields, reminiscent of fireflies brightening the dark night.
Day 1 Meet your tour guide and begin sightseeing in the Western Hills. Here, you can see grottoes that were chiseled out 130 years ago and the Bamboo Temple where you can find "the sculpture treasure of the Orient"- 500 colorful clay Buddhas. The evening ends with an overnight stay in Kunming.
Day 2 Leave Kunming early in the morning and drive though the countryside southwards to Shilin where you have one full day to explore the famous Stone Forest that was formed 270 million years ago. You will take part in the opening ceremony of the Torch Festival, and then enjoy the rest of your evening in Shilin. Overnight in Shilin.
Day 3 Morning flight to Dali. Your sightseeing focuses on the impressive old city, the Three Pagodas from the Tang dynasty and Bai housing architecture. Overnight in Dali.
Day 4 The tour starts with a boat ride in Erhai Lake, where you can enjoy the Bai nationality three course tea and folk dance. Special Bai food, such as sour and spicy fish will be served during lunch. The tour continues with a drive northwards to Lijiang during which you can enjoy the fascinating landscape. Overnight in Lijiang.
Day 5 There??s so much to see on this tour: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Ten Thousand Camellias in Yufeng Monastery, the Baisha mural from the Qing Dynasty. You will enjoy a traditional evening with Naxi ancient music. Overnight in Lijiang.
Day 6 In the morning you will visit the Dongba culture museum. Before returning to Kunming, you have the chance to walk through the old city of Lijiang. Then fly back to Kunming in the evening, where you will stay overnight.
Day 7 Wander through the Bird and Flower Market. This ends the tour. |
