Kunming

Kunming is the capital of Yunnan and also the economic and cultural center of this exotic southwestern province. Due to its special geographical conditions, Kunming has spring-like weather all year round. Having a blue sky on most days, comfortable temperatures, and beautiful flora spread throughout the city, Kunming is truly a delightful place for travel in all seasons.

Photography tour notes: Here in Kunming we will shoot city life in China, get up-close pictures of birds and flowers, and city panoramas from the western hills.

Day 1: Free day

On arrival in Kunming, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Tonight, we will have a welcoming dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Western Hills Forest Reserve, Yuantong Temple, Bird and Flower Market

Today after breakfast in the hotel, join your expert guides on a tour of Kunming. First on the agenda is a visit to the Western Hills Forest Reserve. The small temples throughout the mountain and the mist that often shrouds the cliffs combine to give the West Hills a heavenly atmosphere. The Western Hills surround Dianchi Lake and the vistas are sure to give our group plenty to photograph.

After the hills, we will drive to the Yuantong Temple. The temple, built over 1,200 years ago in the Tang Dynasty, remains in active use as a buddhist pilgrimage site. After lunch, we will spend the rest of the afternoon wandering through the Bird and Flower Market. One of the most interesting and unique places in China, the Kunming Bird and Flower Market is a relic from old Chinese culture that still remains today. After the tour concludes, we will have dinner in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.

Jinghong

Xishuangbanna is a humid tropical area in the southern part of Yunnan, close to the border with Myanmar and Laos. With Jinghong at its center, the scenic area in Xishuangbanna extends to the whole Lancang River Valley. Celebrated for its numerous species of plants, botanists refer to it as “the crowning diamond of the plant kingdom.” In addition to its plant diversity this region, it is also one of the most ethnically diverse regions in China. The minority groups of the region include: Dai, Yi, Hani, Lahu, Blang, Jino, Yao and many others.

Photography tour notes: This is the most culturally diverse area of China, so we will be able to photograph a lot of different types of dresses and customs. Xishuangbanna as a border has a heavy southeast Asian influence.   The area is in a tropical climate and so the flora and fauna here will be totally different from the rest of the tour and most of the rest of China.

Day 3: Olive Plain

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Jinghong. On arrival, we will check into the hotel and then visit Olive Plain. The Olive Plain area is so named because its geography is shaped like an olive fruit. The park is filled with exotic wildlife like peacocks and tropical plants. We will spend the afternoon here walking through the bamboo houses and along the clear rivers of this natural park. Tonight after dinner at a local restaurant, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 4: Mengkuan

This morning, we will get an early start so that we have the majority of the day to explore Mengkuan and trek through some of the villages. The walk will be about 5 hours with frequent stops for snacks and photographs. On the walk, there will be beautiful views of rice paddies, local tea plantations, and small village houses. Today, we will walk through six different villages that are comprised of people from the Ake, Aini, and Dai minority groups. The walk will not be too strenuous but participants should be in good physical condition. After a full day in Mengkuan, we will return to Jinghong for dinner. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Dali

Originally inhabited around 4,000 years ago by the Bai people, Dali  has always been an important intermediary post linking eastern China with India. Today, the city is 300 km northwest of Kunming. With over 20 various ethnic groups living in Dali in addition to the remarkable scenery of the area, Dali and its surroundings are one of China’s most culturally unique and geographically stunning destinations.

Day 5: Three Pagoda Temple, Erhai Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the airport and fly to Dali. On arrival, check in to the hotel and we will proceed to visit the Three Pagoda Temple and Erhai lake. The Temple is the iconic landmark of Dali city. The pagodas were built over 1,000 years ago and have been designated as national treasures. Erhai Lake (translation: ear-shaped sea) is the main geological structure in Dali along with the Cang Mountains. The lake is a main source of food for the local residents. Interestingly, the Bai people are famous for their fishing method which entails putting rings around the necks of birds to prevent them from swallowing the fish they catch. When the birds return to shore, the Bai people remove the uneaten fish from the mouth of the bird. Today, lunch and dinner are provided.

Lijiang

Lijiang is the ancient capital of the Naxi kingdom and lies 2,400 meters above sea level on the Yunnan Plateau. This historic town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its multi-ethnic charm, historical milieu and architectural landscape. Located along an important trade route that was once part of the Silk Road from Yunnan to Tibet, Lijiang was an important center of commercial and cultural exchange. To the north of this beautiful city arises the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred sanctuary which is believed to have protected the ethnic minorities and their unique cultures since ancient times.

Photography Tour Notes: In Lijiang, we will be in a border zone between Naxi minority culture and Tibetan culture.  Lijiang is one of the best preserved old towns in China and has fantastic opportunities for photos of alleys, traditional Chinese architecture, and snow capped mountains.

Day 6: Free day

We will drive to Lijiang this morning. After arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city.

Day 7: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Naxi village tour

After breakfast, we will visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The mountain is a short 15 km from Lijiang city and its peak stands 5,600 m above sea level. The back side of the mountain creates one of the sides of Tiger Leaping Gorge, which we will see tomorrow. We will have lunch at a local restaurant and then enjoy a Naxi village tour. After dinner, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Shangrila

Shangrila (known in Chinese as Zhongdian) is located on the Tibetan plateau at the intersection of Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. Coined in The Lost Horizon by James Hilton, Shangrila does not refer to a specific place; instead, China renamed Zhongdian in 2001 to promote tourism to the area. Like the novel’s description of Shangrila, this area of China is picturesque with alpine scenery, exotic animals, and shining water. Zhongdian and its surroundings offer great opportunities for exploration. On arrival in Zhongdian and especially some of the neighboring villages, one finds that Tibetan customs and culture are alive and well in this mystical region.

Photography Tour Notes: This is a Tibetan area. Again, another complete change in local culture compared to the other places on the tour.  Photographers will have the chance to photograph authentic Tibetan monasteries and natives plus amazing scenery.

Day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangrila

This morning, we will drive 60 km to Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge is 15 km long and one of the deepest river canyons in the world. The cliffs start at the river rapids and shoot 2,000 meters up to end in snow capped peaks of the Yulong and Haba snow mountains. We will have lunch at the gorge and then continue on to Shangrila. Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel and have dinner. After dinner, the evening is free for your own exploration.

Day 9: Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park

Today, we will have a day tour in Shangrila, starting with the Songzanlin Monastery. The monastery has its roots over 300 years ago. It was severely damaged during the cultural revolution but then was rebuilt in the eighties after China’s reform. Most recently in 2005, the monastery was refurbished and it now stands as a  beacon of splendor in this small city. After the monastery, we will visit a local family for snacks and in the afternoon explore the Pudacuo National Park. The park has just received its national park status in 2007 and is the first national park in China to meet the standards of the International Union for Nature Conservancy. It is 1300 square kilometers in area has over 100 endangered species living in it. After dinner we have the evening free.

Day 10: Free day

Today, on the last full day of the tour, you will have free time in Shangrila to explore the city on your own and experiment with your camera.

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to the airport and fly to Kunming. On arrival in Kunming, our service ends.