An Epic Landscape Journey to the Plateau of Tibet
Experience breathtaking plateau landscapes offering vistas of snow-capped mountains, sprawling forests, pristine lakes and rivers, and magnificent gorges. Discover rich minority cultures, adding vibrant colors to the journey. And, awaken your taste buds to new flavors with an array of local culinary delights.
This 12-day tour is designed for travelers who would like to enjoy Yunnan and Tibet landscapes in a care-free and comfortable way. Altitudes experienced go up gradually and the driving time has been minimized.
Suggested Yunnan and Eastern Tibet Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-2 Kunming |
The Stone Forest and snack tasting |
| 3 Dali |
Erhai, the Three Pagodas, and Bai village |
| 4-5 Lijiang |
Black Dragon Pool, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Naxi village |
| 6 Tiger Leaping Gorge |
The great river and mountains |
| 7-8 Lhasa |
The Potala Palace |
| 9-11 Nyingchi and Bome |
Basomtso, Lulang Forest, and Mt. Nnamjagbarwa |
| 12 | Nyingchi Departure |
Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Lhasa- Nyingchi and Bome Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Have Fun in the Glacier Park on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The snowcapped peaks against the backdrop of clear skies create a majestic view. On the mountainside, you would find meadows, glaciers, canyons, lakes, and diverse plant and animal life.
Share an Intimate Moment with the Majestic Peak
Don't worry about the crowds at the cable cars ascending the snow-capped mountain. You will have a chance to slow down on the mountain and enjoy views that are not seen by typical tourists.
Marvel at the Torrents and Peaks of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Without experiencing the feeling of 'heart in heaven, body in hell', you can enjoy viewing snowy peaks piercing the sky from the thundering gorge with us, minus the tough trail hike.
Pilgrimage to the Palace That's 'Closest to Heaven'
Immerse yourself in the exquisite chambers on the Potala Palace. Discover the secrets of building this amazing palace.
Walk on Barkhor Street in Traditional Tibetan Dress
An interesting and easy way to experience minority culture is to change into their traditional clothing and take part in their ritual activities.
Fall in Love with the Delightful Blue and Green Colors
Aprreciate the beautiful lakes on the plateau, which look like a saphire or a emerald.
Witness the Most Beautiful Snow Mountain in China
Stop at a platform for a magnificent view of Nnamjagbarwa Mountain. Its main peak is more than 7,700 meters (25,000 ft) above sea level. Hang a prayer flag and make a wish toward the holy mountain if you like.
Walk in a Fairyland of White and Pink (for tours in April)
Discover eastern Tibet, which might be totally different to your impressions of western Tibet. Snowy mountains and peach blossoms present a deceptively tender and soft Tibet in spring.
Explore the Culinary Landscape of Minority Cultures
We have selected authentic local restaurants for you to try the most representative local cuisine, such as 'crossing-the-bridge' rice noodles, Dali clay pot fish, and Tibetan yak hot pot.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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12 day trip to Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
Our tour guide cum driver for Kunming, is Jack Lee. He took good care of us, especially when there is any descending or ascending hike during the trip. He gave excellent suggestion for dinner and even show us the authentic way to eat the food. We had a fantastic 6 days in Dali area. Our guide, 王立婷, is from the Bai ethnic group. She is very knowledgeable in the custom and history of Yunnan as well as the different Ethnic group of the area. We learn a lot of interesting things from her. If I were to go to Dali again, I will definitely look for her. The last stretch of our trip, is 3 days in Lijiang with our guide , 和绍春. He is from the Naxi Ethnic group. He shared with us his knowledge of his people and also how to handle high altitiude. Luckily for us, we had him to look out for us as some of us were unwell during and after the ascent of Yulong snow mountain. Last but not least, our driver, 卞师傅，spent 9 days with us and is a safe driver and a friendly person. more
Apr 2025, Boon Keow L
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Lijiang and Kunming
Thanks to Camillia Jiang from China Highlights who created our itinerary we had a wonderful holiday in Lijiang and Kunming. Our guides in Lijiang Alice and Lulu in kunming were wonderful in taking care of our needs from the word go and made our holidays so much better. more
Apr 2025, Chng S
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Amazing 9D8N Yunnan Experience!
Our group of 8 had an amazing time in Yunnan with China Highlights!We’re on 9D8N tour in Shangrila, Lijiang, Dali and Kunming. Special thanks to Liberman (key coordinator) for his patience in meeting our many requests and changes, I’m really impressed with his good English competency, prompt responses and follow-up. We were blessed with great weather, sunshine when we visit Pudacuo and Songzhanlin, Hotel Indigo is an excellent choice for hotel stay in Shangrila. We were able to ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang too, it was snowing slightly and the mountain was covered by thick white snow, making our experience a very special one. Thumbs up to Lijiang guide Jack, he’s one of the few guides who would hike up the mountain side by side with guests. Our special thanks goes to our guides - James (Shangrila), Jack (Lijiang), Alice (Dali), Lydia and May (Kunming). They have worked very hard to ensure our Yunnan experience is an amazing one with beautiful scenery, delicious food, great shopping! I will definitely travel with China Highlights again andwill highly recommend them to my friends. more
Apr 2025, savvy Traveler
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. It includes daily breakfast and lunch. If you would like to let us arrange your dinner, just let your travel adviser knows. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and needs.
You would meet your private guide in the arrivals area of the airport or train station. They would transfer you directly to your hotel in a non-smoking vehicle that is reserved just for your group.
Kunming Stone Forest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features a landscape of jagged limestone formations that juts up from the earth like a petrified forest.
Enjoy the famouse Cross-bridge Rice Noodle for lunch.
Drive back to the city and have a relaxing walk on the Old Street to learn the history of Kunming. And taste the local snacks, such as rice noodle salad, deep-fried mushrooms, big sweet dumplings, and milk tea.
Take a bullet train to Dali in the evening
Visit Xizhou in the morning. You will see typical Bai traditions and dresses there. Some buildings are old and typical ancient architecture, which are the real local houses. In a small wet market, you will see how the local bai people start their days
Then, you will visit the Three Pagodas. Between the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, they are considered the landmark of Dali. Tour the park with an electric car. Appreciate the architecture and the great view of Erhai Lake.
Taste the Dali clay pot fish and the other delicacies of Bai nationality for lunch.
End your day with a relaxing cruise on Erhai Lake. The mountain, the lake and the Dali ancient town create an impressive picture.
You would be driven to Lijiang in the morning.
Enjoy lunch and start the tour in Lijiang. Lijiang Ancient Town is the best-preserved minority ancient city. Enjoy the quaint city scenery and see plenty of handicrafts in a distinctive style only found in this area of China. You can climb up to Lion Hill to have a bird's-eye view of the whole town.
Then pay a visit to the Black Dragon Pool Park, where the view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China. Stay overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Take a cable car up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for breathtaking views. The cable car will reach Shanzidou Peak, the main peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you will ascend 1,100 m (3,600 ft) to Glacier Park at an altitude of 4,680 m (15,350 ft).
Explore Yuhu Village at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, where Naxi culture thrives. Chat with the local people in a Naxi family. Try on the traditional Naxi dresses and experience some housework as the Naxi people do. Learn to make Dongba paper and write the mysterious Dongba characters.
Your guide and driver will escort you from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Along the way, visit one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges — Tiger Leaping Gorge. The dashing water from the magnificent Jinsha River flows into the narrow valley with a stone in the center. There is an ancient saying that the gorge is so narrow that a tiger was able to leap over to the other side of the river, hence the name.
Drive up to a comfortable guest house on the mountain with a breathtaking view of the gorge and peaks. Stay overnight here and have a memorable evening when the golden sunlight paints the peaks at sunset.
Enjoy a 1½ hours transfer to Shangri-la Airport. And then take a flight to Lhasa.
Welcome to the 'Sun City', Lhasa. Your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Relax for the rest of the day to get used to the altitude.
Visit Tibet's most famous landmark — the Potala Palace — in the morning. Enter the palace and see exquisite murals, decorated statues, and antiques. Follow the local people walking around the palace and feel their piety.
Have a change to the traditional Tibetan dress. Walk around the Barkhor Street. Watch religious pilgrims prostrating themselves at the front gate of Jokhang Temple.
Drive from Lhasa to Nyingtri. Enjoy amazing scenery along the highway. Stop at Basomtso — a green lake surrounded by pine trees that is quite different from the austere holy lakes in the west of Tibet.
Explore Lulang Forest and enjoy the forest, grassland, wild flowers, wondering cattle and sheep, Tibetan houses, and the snowy mountains create a picture of paradise.
Dance with local Tibetans around a bonfire in the evening.
Drive back to Nyingchi from Bome. Explore the forest near Gangxiang village, which is one of the ten most beautiful primeval forests in China.
Stop at a platform for a magnificent view of Nnamjagbarwa Mountain. Its main peak is more than 7,700 meters (25,000 ft) above sea level. Hang a prayer flag and make a wish toward the holy mountain if you like.
Note:If you come in winter (late december to early February), and are interested to see a beautiful glacier, it is recommended to stay one more night in Bome and have day tour to visit Ranwu Lake, Laigu villlage and witness the amazing Laigu glacier.
Nyingchi Airport transfer
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- Flights/trains between itinerary cities
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cht-dz-2