YM-32 Lijian-Shangri-l-Dali-Jinghong-Kunming (9D8N)

Day 1 Arrive in Lijiang by air, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 After breakfast goes to visit the Dragon Snow Mountain, is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,360 feet), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (9 miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take the cable car to the Yak Meadow ( because now the cable to Spruce Meadow is under reconstruction ), the best place to see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In the afternoon visit Black Dragon Pool, somewhat idiosyncratically known as 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. Then 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. Then visit Lijiang Old Town, which belongs to the World Culture Heritage of UNESCO. 

Day 3 oday go to Shangri-la. Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way, which is believed to be one of 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 River ( up reach of Yangtze River ) with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters ( about 700 feet ) below. When arrival, 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 thereign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery".During its time of greatest prosperity, there were more than3,000 monks in the temple, now there are still 700 monks inside. In the evening go to the central square in the Old Town to enjoy local people nightly dance.

Day 4 In the morning drive to Dali, one the way to Lijiang visit Stone Temple in Shibao Shan Mountain. Check in the hotel.

Day 5 Morning cruise on Erhai Lake, is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, "sea shaped like an ear", in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. In the afternoon visit Three Pagodas which known as the Chongsheng Santa and situated on top of the ruins of Chongsheng Monastery, the Three Pagodas lie one kilometer northwest of Dali and located on the slope of Mount Cangshan. In the afternoon you could take a pleasant stroll in Dali Old Town which was the capital city of Nanzhao Kingdom 1000 years ago. In the evening take flight from Dali to Jinghong, check in the hotel.

Day 6 Today go to visit Ganlanba morning market, Water Dai Village, Burmese temple, rubber garden, Botanic Garden ( the biggest one in China ). In the evening enjoy the Dai BBQ as dinner.

Day 7 Take a visit Wild Elephant Valley; take cable car to get through the primitive raining forest. In the afternoon visit Dry Dai people village on the way back. In the late afternoon take flight from Jinghong to Kunming, check in the hotel. The local flavour Crossing Bridge Rice Noodle will be arranged as dinner.

Day 8 After breakfast visit the Stone Forest. A typical Karst formation, the Stone Forest 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 ober the years on the seafloor. As a result of the crustal of 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 ". Lunch taste Yiliang Roast Duck and Mushroom Hot Pot will be provide as dinner.