Discover Southern China by Train

Flight to Kunming upon request.

Arrival in Kunming during the day and welcome by your guide. Transfer to your hotel.
Check-in and free time to explore the city.

Kunming, nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring”, is the capital of Yunnan, a province in southwestern China. Renowned for its pleasant climate year-round, it is home to a rich cultural diversity marked by the presence of several ethnic groups. Dianchi Lake, known as the “bright pearl of the plateau,” is the largest high-altitude lake in China, bordering the city and offering picturesque views and relaxing activities.

The Horticultural Expo Forest Park in Kunming, created in 1999, features a variety of themed gardens and green spaces. The city also boasts historical sites such as the Yuantong Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples, and the West Pagoda, an iconic landmark.
Overnight at the hotel.

Departure for an excursion to the Stone Forest in Shilin.

Located 120 kilometers from Kunming, the Stone Forest is a treasure of Yunnan province, famous for its unique grey limestone formations. It covers 80 hectares within a wider geological area of 26,000 hectares, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. Beyond its unique geological features, the park is also home to a Sani ethnic minority village, a Tibeto-Burman community, adding an intriguing cultural element to your experience.

In the late afternoon, return to Kunming for a stroll through the flower and bird market in the old quarter. The market offers remarkable diversity, with stands grouped by type of goods and specialties. You can find a range of items such as water pipes, carved roots, bonsais, ethnic dolls, buffalo horn combs, engraved buckets, teapots, embroidery, jade jewelry, and much more. Birds are kept in beautiful wooden cages, complete with small bamboo drinkers. Plant lovers will appreciate a charming corner dedicated to them, where you can purchase azalea bouquets or stunning orchids at affordable prices.

Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

Morning transfer to Kunming train station and high-speed train (2nd class) to Dali, a 2h10 journey.

On arrival in Dali, meet your guide at the station and set out to see the beautiful scenery along Erhai Lake (meaning “ear-shaped sea” because of its characteristic shape from above). You’ll also see Mount Changshan, with its steep peaks, lush valleys, and abundant vegetation.
Enjoy views of authentic local villages as well.

In the afternoon, visit Jizhaod Temple where you can discover the architectural beauty of the temple, explore its inner courtyards, and admire sculptures and paintings showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Next, take a cable car up Mount Changshan, where you’ll enjoy a 1-hour walk along scenic hiking trails, offering breathtaking views and an immersive nature experience. Descend the mountain by cable car.

Upon arrival in Dali city, take time for a stroll in the old town. Surrounded by massive walls, the town has a medieval atmosphere. It is also famous for its watchtowers, offering panoramic views over the grey-tiled rooftops and surrounding mountains. Visitors can wander bustling markets, visit local crafts workshops, and sample a variety of cuisine influenced by the region’s ethnic minorities. A visit to a church is scheduled to end the day.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

Meet your guide at the hotel reception for a visit to the Three Pagodas, located in the Chongsheng Buddhist Temple, then set off for an excursion to the village of Xizhou. The village is famed for its traditional architecture, with well-preserved houses dating from different Chinese dynasties. These homes, often called “bai zhai” or Bai houses, are noted for their white walls adorned with elegant carvings.

A visit to the Yang Family House is scheduled for the afternoon. Known for its ingenious design, it harmoniously blends functionality and aesthetics. Visitors can explore its many rooms, each serving specific purposes, such as living quarters, storage areas, and ceremonial spaces. The entire house reflects the cultural and social values of the Bai dynasty, offering valuable insight into local history.

Late afternoon return to Dali.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

Transfer to Dali train station and high-speed train (2nd class) to Lijiang (2h10 travel time)

Upon arrival, your guide will take you on a tour of Lijiang Wetland Park, a scenic nature reserve in Yunnan’s mountainous region. Locally known as “Lijiang Dayan Wetland Park”, the area provides a peaceful refuge for indigenous plants and animals. Then visit Zhiyun Temple, a historical and religious site dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Officially known as the “Zhiyun Lama Temple”, it is located in the heart of Lijiang’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple, dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism, is one of the few preserved lamaist temples in China. It features traditional Tibetan architecture, colorful roofs, floating prayer flags, and artistic carvings. Inside, the temple is adorned with Buddhist frescoes, statues, and ritual objects, creating a spiritual and contemplative atmosphere.

In the afternoon, stroll through Lijiang’s old town and climb the Wangu Tower for a unique panoramic view of the old city.
Check in at the hotel and free time.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

In the morning, visit the Black Dragon Pool Park, an emblem of Yunnan with its white oriental bridge unfurling before a Chinese pagoda, all framed by the tranquil waters of the pond and, in the background, the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain creating a stunning setting and adding an extraordinary touch to this rich landscape.

Right next door, you can delve deeper into the experience at a major cultural site dedicated to preserving and promoting the Dongba culture of the Naxi people, a minority ethnic group living in the region. End the morning with a visit to the frescoes in Baisha village, known mainly for their Buddhist religious scenes, including depictions of deities, mythological events, and the teachings of Buddhism. Some themes may also include Tibetan influences, reflecting the cultural interaction between the Naxi and the Tibetan communities in the region.

In the afternoon, visit Yuhu village, where you can find the former residence of the writer Luoke.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

In the morning, depart from the Lijiang high-speed rail station for Shangri-La (1h30 travel time).

Upon arrival, meet your guide, and start your visit at Pudacuo Park, the first national park established in China and home to lakes such as Shudu and Bitahai, famed for their picturesque scenery, emerald-colored waters, and the various fish species they house. Pudacuo Park is a true haven of peace for all who visit.

In the afternoon, explore the old town of Shangri-La, and hike up Guishan Hill, where you can see the enormous prayer wheel (the largest in the world) and admire a splendid panorama over the old city.

Every evening from 7 pm, locals and tourists gather on the main square to dance to the rhythms of Tibetan music.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

The day begins with a visit to Songzan Monastery, also nicknamed the “Little Potala”, which is one of the largest lamaist monasteries, home to about 700 monks and lamas. The monastery’s colors and architecture are sure to amaze you, standing apart from the typical styles elsewhere in Yunnan.

Continue with a walk along the shores of Napai Lake, which is seasonal by nature—turning into a vast meadow during the dry season, and refilling in summer. In spring and summer, it hosts numerous migratory bird species, especially the black-necked crane, before herds of yaks, horses, and sheep appear in the autumn. Nestled within a preserved natural park, this lake offers opportunities for exploration on horseback or on foot along marked trails.

After this walk, you will visit a Tibetan family for a full immersion to discover their customs and traditions.

Late in the morning, visit the White Rooster Temple. Built on a hill overlooking the city, this sacred site is known as Baiji temple, or the temple of 100 chickens! Tibetan Buddhist devotees flock here on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. They follow a unique tradition by bringing along a hen or rooster, which they release on the hill during their prayers.

In the afternoon, transfer to Shangri-La station for departure to Kunming (5-hour journey).
Arriving in the evening, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel (B&B)

Transfer to the airport, end of our services. (B&B)

Flight to Paris upon request.