Meet Wonderland and Heritage
Yunnan and Chongqing, tucked away in Southwest China, offer a stunning panorama of natural beauty, featuring towering snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, and spectacular Karst formations.
Discover breathtaking landscapes and uncover hidden cultural gems on this 11-day journey through Yunnan and Chongqing. Exclusively with China Highlights, create your own Bai tie-dye handkerchief and chat with a lama at Songzanlin.
We provide customizable itineraries tailored to your preferences, whether you want to explore more of Yunnan or venture to Chengdu.
Suggested Yunnan and Chongqing Tour
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
1-2 Kunming |
Stone Forest, Yuantong Tempe, Green Lake Park |
3 Dali |
Zhoucheng Village, Erhai Lake Cycling, Bai Tie-dye Making, Dali Ancient Town |
4-5 Lijiang |
Dayan Town, Black Dragon Pool, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village |
6-7 Shangri-La |
Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Ancient Town, Songzanlin Lamasery |
8-11 Chongqing |
Huguang Guild Hall, Hongyadong, Wulong Karst, Furong Cave |
Yunnan and Chongqing Tour Map

Tour 'Wow' Points
Witness the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Take a thrilling cable car ride to the summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and explore a magical snow-covered landscape.


Discover the Wulong Karst
Explore the hidden gems of Wulong, including its awe-inspiring karst mountains and the mysterious Furong Cave.


Cycle around Erhai Lake
Have a bike ride alongside Erhai Lake. Feel the wind, enjoy the flowery meadows and rice fields, and see the clouds floating above the majestic Cangshan Mountains.


Marvel at the stunning Tiger Leaping Gorge
Check out the Jinsha River's raw power in Tiger Leaping Gorge, carving through a narrow valley around a central rock formation beneath towering mountains.


Marvel at the Famous 8D City
Delve into the high-rise "Mountain City" of Chongqing. Witness the fantastic city constriction, such as the train across the building.


Explore Diverse Heritage of Minorities
Discover the Naxi culture through a traditional hot pot, a visit to picturesque Yuhu Village, and a relaxing coffee break on a balcony overlooking stunning mountain scenery.


China Highlights' Special Discovery Experiences
Dye your handkerchief in the traditional Bai way.

Have a chat with a lama at Songzanlin Lamasery.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

![]() |
Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
![]() Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
|
Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
![]() My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
|
Yunnan Province 2024
![]() We spent a fabulous week traveling through Yunnan. Our guides, Jack (Shangri la) Alice (Lijiang) Frank (Dali) and Rosemary (Kunming) all have deep knowledge of their cities and did an excellent job showing us their home areas. Our driver Mr Liu was also excellent taking us safely from place to place. This China Highlights trip was as advertised and we highly recommend it. more
Dec 2024, Esteban C
|
Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. Feel free to let us know if you'd like to make any changes.
Welcome to Kunming! Our friendly guide will meet you in the airport arrivals hall and escort you to the hotel, assisting with check-in and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.
Explore the Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and be amazed by its breathtaking landscape of towering limestone spires resembling a magical stone forest(Tram included).
Explore the Yuantong Temple, a 1200-year-old Buddhist temple that offers a glimpse into the diverse cultural heritage of Yunnan Province.
Stroll through Green Lake Park, and you might stumble upon a vibrant local dance, where people in traditional dress create a cheerful atmosphere.
Transfer to Kunming Railway Station for a bullet train to Dali, where a private guide and driver will greet you.
Explore the charming Zhoucheng Village and immerse yourself in the rich Bai culture by learning about their ancient tie-dyeing techniques and witnessing firsthand the artistry involved. Marvel at the intricate patterns on their traditional Bai clothing, inspired by the elements of nature.
Experience the beauty of Erhai Lake on a leisurely bike ride along its western shore. Enjoy the gentle breeze, the vibrant colors of the flowers, and the stunning panorama of Cangshan Mountain.
Explore Dali Ancient Town's temples, vibrant markets, and charming neighborhoods to immerse yourself in its rich history and culture.
Good to know:
The Three Pagodas stand tall in a triangular formation, and are over 1,000 years old. They are ideal for landmark photography in your spare time.
Sit back and enjoy a private transfer from Dali to Lijiang with your private guide.
Discover the Black Dragon Pool Park, a hidden gem in Lijiang. Stroll through the verdant gardens and find tranquility as you contemplate the majestic reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Discover Lijiang Ancient Town(Dayan Town), a UNESCO site inhabited by the Naxi minority. Stroll cobblestone streets lined with traditional houses, admire local crafts and climb Lion Hill for stunning views.
Explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain of the Naxi people. Take a cable car to Glacier Park at 4,680 meters, where you'll find stunning scenery of forests, meadows and potentially snow-covered peaks.
Experience the Blue Moon Valley, a stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Vally featuring an incredibly blue river winding its way through.
Savor a traditional Naxi fire pit hot pot for lunch, then venture to Yuhu Village, nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Enjoy a scenic tram ride through Yuhu Naxi Village, discover Longnu Lake's beauty, and witness Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's reflection. Enjoy coffee at Xing Cafe, savoring the breathtaking mountain views from the balcony or rooftop.
Enjoy a seamless and private transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La.
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons. The mighty Jinsha River rushes through this narrow valley, carving a path around a central rock formation.
Following lunch, we'll ascend to Shangri-La, reaching an altitude of 3200 meters. Take some time to rest and adjust to the higher elevation at our hotel.
Discover the grandeur of Songzanlin Lamasery, Yunnan's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This architectural masterpiece is filled with Buddhist statues and cultural treasures, providing insight into Tibetan spirituality.
Interact with resident Tibetan monks in their dormitory. This unique opportunity offers a deeper understanding of their beliefs and practices, and you may even meet a living Buddha.
Wander through Dukezong Old Town, a vibrant Tibetan community, and immerse yourself in its rich culture. Visit Guishan Park and Moonlight Square, home to the world's most giant spinning prayer wheel.
Sit back and unwind as our private transfer whisks you away to Shangri-La Airport for your flight to Chongqing. A friendly guide will greet you and escort you to the Chongqing hotel.
Visit Huguang Guild Hall on the bank of the Yangtze River. Learn the history of the Yangtze River region and its economic development.
Stroll through Hongyadong, which is a typical style of residential house, but now it is a busy place for shopping and tasting local snacks.
Walk around Goose Neck Park, where you will see the local people playing Mahjong and Chinese chess. Find the history trail on the building of the former Embassies and the old mansion of Chiang Kai-shek.
Witness a light-rail train passing through a residential building, and then experience the cable car crossing the Yangtze River. Explore Longmenhao Old Street to discover the character of Chongqing in the Republic of China era.
Head to Wulong this morning to witness the extraordinary geological formations, including the world's largest natural bridge group and the second-largest sinkhole cluster.
Board a sightseeing bus and explore the Three Natural Bridges. Marvel at the grandeur of Tianlong, Qinglong, and Heilong as you explore the valley's breathtaking beauty.
Explore Fairy Mountain, dubbed "Eastern Switzerland," with its alpine meadows, forests, and cool temperatures. Enjoy a refreshing escape from the city in this scenic retreat.
Explore the Furong Cave. It is not just a cave but an expansive underground world of vertical shafts and horizontal passages. Alongside the Mammoth Cave in the US and the Clamouse Cave in France, it's one of the world's largest and most complex cave systems.
Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Furong River before driving back to Chongqing.
Enjoy a private transfer to the Chongqing airport for your flight to the next destination or back home.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.



Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guides
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- First-class seat on the bullet train from Kunming to Dali
- Economy-class seat on the flight between Shangri-La and Chongqing
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour code: cht-yn-3