15-day China Ethnic Culture Tour

Day 1 Arrival/ Hong Kong
Upon arriving in Hong Kong, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or explore Hong Kong on your own.

Day 2 Hong Kong/Guilin
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay
In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to Central for your tram ride up to Victoria Peak, which will give you a fantastic bird’s eye view of Hong Kong. You will then be driven to Aberdeen where you will see an entire community living on small houseboats as they have for centuries. After Aberdeen, you will be driven to Repulse Bay, the most luxurious section of Hong Kong, is famous for its architecture, boutiques, and golden beaches. Then you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Guilin. After you arrive in Guilin Your local guider will meet you and drive you to your hotel for rest.

Day 3 Guilin
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Tea Plantation, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Cormorant Fishing Show
In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Guilin Tea Plantation located near Yao Mountain. Here you will see how the green tea is picked and processed and to learn Chinese tea culture. You can also try pick your own tea if you like. Then you will go to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin City. It is also known as Water-Moon Cave because at night the reflection of the moon can be seen though the arch and it looks like it is under the water and floating on the surface of the water at the same time. After having your lunch, you will be driven to the Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave with multicolored lightening. In the evening you will see the show with Cormorant Fishing Show on Li River. Cormorant Fishing is a traditional fishing way that the fishermen use trained cormorants to fish in rivers.

Day 4 Guilin/Yangshuo
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Li River Cruise, West Street
In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Zhujiang Pier (40 minute drive) to begin your breathtaking Li River Cruise. While cruising down the river you will be amazed by the beauty that passes by. The beautiful karst mountains, ancient villages, and farmers working in their fields as they have for centuries, will make you feel as though you have stepped into a traditional Chinese landscape painting. Upon arriving in Yangshuo, your guide will escort you to your hotel. After checking in you will stroll down the famous West Street.

Day 5 Yangshuo/Kunming
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Biking through Yangshuo Countryside
After have breakfast in your hotel you will cycle out to the countryside surrounding Yangshuo. You will be mesmerized by the beauty of the scenery and the ancient villages that dot the landscape. Then you will be driven to the airport for you flight to Kunming. After arrive in Kunming your local tour guide will meet you and escort you to the hotel for rest.

Day 6 Kunming
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Stone Forest, West Hill and Dragon Gate, Huating Temple, Dianchi Lake
Today after have breakfast in you hotel you will transfer (1.5 hours) to Kunming’s famous Stone Forest, an area of bizarrely shaped rock formations formed by millennia of rain and weather. In the afternoon you will go to visit the West Hill and Dragon Gate and Huating Temple. Here is the best place to have a sight view of Dianchi Lake. You also can choose to walk around the lake. After you will be driven (4 hours) to Dali Ancient Town.

Day 7 Kunming/Dali
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Dali Ancient Town
Today after have breakfast in your hotel you will transfer to Dali city. After arrive in Dali you will visit Dali Ancient Town, which is in a state of excellent preservation and filled with ancient homes of the Bai Ethnic Minority Group.

Day 8 Dali/Lijiang
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Erhai Lake, Xizhou Bai Ethnic Minority Village, Three Pagodas
Today you will Bike around Erhai Lake and then go to village of Xizhou which is inhabited by the Bai Minority Group, where you will witness their ancient and colorful culture. After visiting the area you will be to the Three Pagodas near Dali Ancient Town. The Three pagodas are spectacular. They are the only example of their kind in the world. In the afternoon you will then transfer to Lijiang city. (about 3 hours driving)

Day 9 Lijiang
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Lijiang Ancient Town, Wangulou Tower
In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, you will be driven (3 hours) to the city of Lijiang (about 3.5 hours). After arrival Lijiang you will fist stroll through the beautifully preserved Lijiang Ancient Town. You also will visit the Wangulou Tower, the symbol building of Lijiang, which was totally made by wood, with 33 meters high.

Day 10 Lijiang
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yufeng Temple, Yuhu Village, Baisha Mural Paintings, Black Dragon Pool Park, the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture
After having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven (50 munites ) to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. Here you will visit the Yufeng Temple and Yuhu Village, the largest village with Naxi minority located on the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Also you will see the old house here of Joseph Rock. Then to you will then be driven (30 munites) to visit the Baisha Mural Paintings. The murals are unique ancient religious murals which blend Buddhist, Daoist, and Muslim religious themes. You will then (30 munites ) visit the Black Dragon Pool Park and the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture located inside.

Day 11 Lijiang/Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Tiger Leaping Gorge
After you have had breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to Zhongdian. On the way you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River. The views are spectacular. Then you will arrive the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge, known for its stunning rock formations and white water rapids, is one of the deepest gorges in the world. You will then be driven to Zhongdian (Shangri-la).
Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge (1.8 hours), Tiger Leaping Gorge to Zhongdian (1.8 hours)

Day 12 Zhongdian (Shangri-La)
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Pudacuo National Park, Songzanlin Lamasery
In the morning, after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven (1 hours) to Pudacuo National Park. Here you will see the gorgeous scenery. Lakes, hills, herds of yaks. After visiting the lake you will be driven ( 40 munites) to the Songzanlin Lamasery. The monastery, often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace” due to its similar appearance, combines Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles. This beautiful monastery houses many priceless treasures.

Day 13 Zhongdian/Kunming/Shanghai
Meals: B
Today after have breakfast in your hotel you will take the flight to Kunming and then take the transfer flight to Shanghai. After arrive in Shanghai your local guide will meet you and escort you to the hotel for rest.

Day 14 Shanghai
Meals: B, L
Places to visit: Shanghai Museum, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market
After breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to visit the Shanghai Museum, arguably the best museum in China. You will then stroll down The Bund, and nearby Nanjing Road, known as the number one shopping street in China. You will then visit the ancient Yu Garden, which is the only surviving ancient garden in Shanghai. After visiting the garden you will be taken to the Yuyuan Market located outside the garden. The Yuyuan Market is extremely popular with visitors and locals alike.

Day 15 Shanghai/Departure
Meals: B
You will be free on this day until your guide meets you and escorts you to the airport for your flight home.