MC-19 Hekou-Jianshui-Stone Forest-Kunming-Shangri-la-Lijiang-Dali-Jinghong-Chiang Saen（by speed boat10D9N）

Day 1 In the morning get through the border and customs check from Vietnam and arrive in Hekou, the border city and port between China and Vietnam. Meet the guide and drive via Pingbian, Mengzi, Gejiu to Jianshui. On the way, besides enjoying the sub-tropical scenery and the Miao people, you can have a look at the famous narrow gauge railway connecting Kunming and Hainoi, which was built by French 100 years ago. You also can visit the small old French style railway station if time is enough.

Day 2 After breakfast visit the landmark of Jianshui, 400 years old Chaoyang Tower which is even 24 years elder than Tian An Men in Beijing.. The small city Jianshui is the cultural center of southern Yunnan province. In the past, the people of this city became very rich due to the natural deposits of tin. So now, you can see many private houses with typical Chinese architecture style in the city. You will have a chance to visit one of them - Zhu Family Garden which is formed by 250 rooms and 42 courtyards, It's even much better than the gardens in Suzhou. You can also visit the second largest Confucian-temple in China. In the afternoon visit Zhang Family Garden ( Tuanshan Village ), which is survived from long history and is still in the genuine old style and situation.            
 

Day 3 After breakfast drive via Gejiu, Kaiyuan, Mile to Stone Forest. On the way you can enjoy vast the sugar cane and grape ardens, also see the bggest Buddha in Asia. Visit Stone Forest, a typical Karst formation, which covers an area of more than three hundred square kilometers. Scientific research has shown that what is now the Stone Forest was 270 million years ago an immense expanse of water with a vast stretch of limestone sediment formed over the years on the seafloor. As a result of the crustal movement, the seabed rose gradually and a large piece of land thus came into being. Exposed to rains and winds, eroded by the elements, the strange-looking limestone ranges were shaped by time. About 200 million years ago numerous stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites rose abruptly from the ground and towered into the sky, extending now as far as the eye can see, looking like a vast forest of stone, hence the name "the Stone Forest".                                                                                    

Day 4 Take flight from Kunming to Shangri-la ( the old name is Zhongdian ). Then drive along Yunnan-Tibet Road to visit Dongzhulin Monastery which is located in deep mountains, 95 km away from Zhongdian. Dong Zhu Lin Monastery was first built in 1667, the 6th year during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi of Qing Dynasty. It was where the Monlam Festival of the Prayer for the Emperor's birthday was held. The main hall in the center is a four-story wood and earth structure, surrounded by 82 tall trees. The hall on the 1st floor is for reciting Buddhist scriptures, where enshrines the statues of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa sect, together with Damarenqen, one of Tsongkhapa's disciples, and Khedrub Je, the 1st Panchen Lama, and other Buddhist statues of Sakyamuni, and Guanyin, a Bodhisattva. The monastery also enshrines a 6.8 meter high, gilded bronze, statue of seated Buddha of Qiangba (Maitreya), and a 10.5 meter tall statue of Sakyamuni, gifts from the Sera Monastery in Lhasa. The monastery also collects an 8.5 meter long, 5.2 meter wide image of Buddha, which is sunned once a year when the Monlam Festival of Prayer is held. It is unique with many thangka, Tibetan Buddhist Scriptures, four mandalas and stupas. The most unusual thing is the real body of the fifth Zhatang living Buddha which is over 100 year but still reserved very well in the monastery. Beside that have a photo stop for the wonder of upper Yangtze River -- The First Bend of Golden Sand River ( the upper reach of Yangtze ) and enjoy the scenery along the river. Visit
the Baimang Snow Mountain Pass ( 4250 meter high, natural reserve ). In the afternoon visit Zhongdian old town with Tibetan old streets and houses and enjoy the local people dancing in the middle square of old town.                    

Day 5 In the morning visit Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism monastery, which is 5 km from the seat of Shangri-la County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. It is said that the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through divination and named it "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery". In 1724, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery". During its time of greatest prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple, now there are still 700 monks inside. Then bus to Lijiang, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way, which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled ( 70-90 degrees ) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands ( Jingsha ) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below. Walking in the Lijiang Old City. Enjoy Mr.Xuanke's Naxi Ancient Music in the evening.                        

Day 6 After breakfast visit the Black Dragon Pool, the Jade Spring Park to the north of Lijiang derives its name from the waters which sparkle like jade and are as clear as spring water. The entire park is green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. Under the Shuocui Bridge, a waterfall creates a constant roar as it cascades downstream. Visit Baisha Ancient Mural. Baisha (White Sand) is located in the north of Lijiang. It is named this because of the large amount of white sand on the earth’s surface there. According to history Baisha is the earliest place for the settlement of Naxi nationality after they entered Lijiang basin. The present murals are all kept in Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple in Baisha. All of the 55 murals were masterpieces in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The biggest one is stored in Dabaoji Palace. In total, there are 100 vivid figures visible in it. Their facial expressions are vivid enough to show their happiness, anger, sadness and joys. All of the Baisha murals are about religion. However their uniqueness comes from the fact that they are the combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism, which is a very rare
phenomenon. Visit Dongba Culture Museum ( Museum of Naxi Culture ). In the afternoon visit Lijiang Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved ancient towns of the minority ethnic people of China. Lijiang old town belongs to the World Culture Heritage of UNESCO.                                                                   

Day 7 Morning bus to Dali, which is regarded as ” the oriental Switzerland,” or ”Chinese Geneva”. visit old Three Pagodas, which known as the Chongsheng Santaand situated on top of the ruins of Chongsheng Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie onekilometer northwest of Dali and located on the slope of Mount Cangshan. In theafternoon you could take a pleasant stroll in Dali Old Town which was the capital city of Nanzhao Kingdom 1000 years ago. Take flight from Dali to Jinghong, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 In the morning drive to visit Ganlanba ( famous Dai people inhabitant area ), morning local market ( approx. 30 min), water Dai villages, Burmese temple, rubber garden. In the afternoon biggest Botanic Garden in China in Menglun. In the evening have Dai people's BBQ as dinner.                                                      

Day 9 In the morning drive to visit Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion, on the way visit the third largest Pu'er Tea Factory and see Pure-tea producing process ( no photo). In the afternoon visit the Wild Elephant Valley ( natural reserve area ) and take the cable car to get through the jungle.After lunch go to explore the Wild Elephant Valley that is a nature reserve for elephants and get through the jungle by cable car.                               

Day 10 0800 transfer to the Jinghong Port and get on board of Chinese luxury speed boat Golden Triangle 8 to cruise on Mekong, in the afternoon arrive Chiang Saen, end of the service.                                    (B/L)