 |
Yunnan, Shangri-la, Tibet 17 Days |
 |
Visit: Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La - Tsetang - Lhasa - Chengdu
Tour Code: GTCYT17 |
|
| Detailed Itinerary |
|
Day
01 |
USA - Guangzhou, China |
| Take a midnight flight with China Southern Airlines from LAX
to Guangzhou, the southern gateway to China. Enjoy delicious
on-board meals and the latest movies. |
|
|
| Day 02 |
En Route
|
| Overnight on board. |
|
|
|
| Day 03 |
Guangzhou
(B,L,D) |
| Arrive in Guangzhou in the morning, have a city tour and enjoy
some leisure time. |
|
Hotel: Ramada Pearl Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 04 |
Guangzhou - Kunming
(B,L,D) |
| Fly to Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province in southwest
China. The city's mild climate and year-round blossoms have
earned it the nickname of the Spring City. For evening
entertainment there will be an ethnic dance performance while
you enjoy over-the-bridge rice noodles, a local specialty. |
|
Hotel: Bank Hotel/Harbor Plaza or similar |
|
| Day 05 |
Stone Forest
(B,L,D) |
| This morning take coach to Stone Forest. When seen from a
distance, the vast area of jagged stones dotted with green trees
and colorful flowers presents the look of a unique forest. Viewed
up close, the oddly shaped rocks seem to take on a life of its
own. Loosen your imagination to give life and breath to these
unforgettable rock formations. |
|
Hotel: Bank Hotel/Harbor Plaza or similar |
|
| Day 06 |
Kunming - Dali
(B,L,D) |
| Travel by coach to Dali, a city in western Yunnan. You will visit
the Three Pagodas at the Congsheng Temple. Constructed during
the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the temple is one of the finest
examples of the architectural genius of ancient craftsmen.
Additionally, it holds a special place in the writings of Hong
Kong writer Jin Yong's swordsmen novels, which are wildly
popular with Chinese in the world. This evening you will be
treated to a special dinner featuring boiled terrene fish. |
|
Hotel: Asia Star Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 07 |
Dali
(B,L,D) |
| Today's sightseeing begins with a boat excursion on Lake
Erhai¡Xthe second largest fresh-water lake in Yunnan Province.
Then visit Nanzhao Island, a summer resort during the Kingdom
of Nanzhao in the Ming Dynasty. Visit the old town of Dali in
the afternoon. |
|
Hotel: Asia Star Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 08 |
Dali - Lijiang
(B,L,D) |
| Travel by coach to Lijiang. On the way, you¡¦ll stop at a small
city called Dayan. The ancient city has been well preserved. The
flowing creeks and drooping willows impart a great sense of
tranquility. |
|
Hotel: Guanfang Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 09 |
Lijiang
(B,L,D) |
| An area of enormous interest to the outsiders in Lijiang is the
well-preserved ethnic culture of Naxi nationality. Ancient Naxi
people used written records and pictographs to pass their culture
from generation to generation. Hence it continues to flourish
today, although in a different way. Continuing the bus ride, you
catch your first glimpses of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Standing at 18,260 ft., Jade Dragon has never been conquered
by man. But you can take a cable car up to Yunshanping, which
commands a magnificent view of green grasslands, tall firs, and
glittering snow. Return to the city to visit the Black Dragon
Pool. |
|
Hotel: Guanfang Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 10 |
Lijiang-Shangri-La
(B,L,D) |
| The day begins with a stop at Tiger Leap Gorge. It is 12 miles
long with a natural drop of 623 feet. A thunderous roar can be
heard as water cascades through the gorge. The difference in
height between Jade Dragon Peak and the riverbed is 12,792
feet. About 25 miles from the city of Shangri-La, you'll come
upon the Shangri-La Grassland. In May and June, the whole
grassland presents a glorious view, covered as it is with azalea
flowers. This is the place commonly believed to have been
depicted as the mythical Shangri-la in James Hilton's Lost
Horizon. |
|
Hotel: Huanytai or similar |
|
| Day 11 |
Shangri-La - Tsetang
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you¡¦ll take an hour¡¦s flight to Lhasa, Tibet where
you immediately board a coach for a two-hour ride to Tsetang.
The road takes you along the Yalung Zangbo (The Holy River)
through rural Tibet. Upon arrival, a good rest is a must for
everyone to adjust to the high altitude of Tibet. |
|
Hotel: Tsetang Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 12 |
Tsetang
(B,L,D) |
| Today you will visit Yumbu Lukhang, Tibet¡¦s first monastery. It
stands on the top of a hill in the Yalong Valley. Some 32 kings of
the Tubo Dynasty resided here. Then you make a stop at the
Changzhu Temple, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD). To the north, three rivers merge and then flow south to
the sea. You will also visit Sangye Temple, which is known for
the footprints of Lotus Buddha and a Buddhist scripture recorded
in the Tibetan language. With close connections to the late Dalai
Lamas, the temple is reputed to have been a place of rest and
refreshment for the Buddha. |
|
Hotel: Tsetang Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 13 |
Tsetang - Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| Your visit to Lake Yambdrok is one of the highlights of the tour.
The beautiful lake with the reflections of snow- capped peaks
makes it unforgettable. The next stop is Lhasa, capital of Tibet,
which has a population of 180,000. In the afternoon visit Tibet
Museum and Norbu Lingka, the summer residence for the Dalai
Lamas. |
|
Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 14 |
Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| No other place represents Lhasa better than the grand and
imposing buildings of Potala Palace, which will be the highlight
of today¡¦s tour. Built in the 7th century it contains 999 rooms.
Formerly the home of the Dalai Lama, it now houses various
halls dedicated to the Buddha, Tibetan Scripture and Tibetan
history. It is here that you could take a group photo. This evening
you will attend a performance of Tibetan songs and dances. |
|
Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 15 |
Lhasa
(B,L,D) |
| Visit Sera Temple and Barkhor Street, both located in the heart
of the city. First planned by Princess Wencheng in the Tang
Dynasty, Barkhor Street is the oldest street and market in Lhasa.
Numerous shops offer all sorts of arts and crafts for the souvenir
hunter. A nearby temple attracts worshipers who recite prayers
and perform religious rites. It is also here that monks used to sit
and debate scripture and its meaning. Stay overnight in Lhasa. |
|
Hotel: Lhasa Hotel or similar |
|
| Day 16 |
Lhasa - Chengdu
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you have an early flight to Chengdu, capital of
Sichuan Province. Your first stop today is the well-known
Dujiang Dam. Built in the Warring State period about 2000
years ago, this dam played an important part in keeping this
region well irrigated, and it still does. Then you'll visit the
Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center. Known
as a "living fossil," the giant panda is one of the most rare and
treasured animals in the world. There are now approximately
1,000 giant pandas in existence, scattered mostly in the areas
around Chengdu. To help preserve the rare animal, several
natural reserves have been launched to form the "Great
Hometown of Giant Pandas" in Sichuan. The research and
breeding center has achieved some initial success in artificial
breeding. In recognition of this, the UNEP put the center on
the Global 500 Honor Roll in 1989. To end your visit to the Roof of the World, a spicy Sichuan local cuisine will be served
this evening, followed by the performance of a local opera
(Chuan Opera). |
|
Hotel: Crown Plaza Holiday Inn or similar |
|
| Day 17 |
Chengdu - Guangzhou - USA
(B,L,D) |
| Board your plane by China Southern Airlines to fly back to USA
via Guangzhou. |
 |
|
|
|
