7 Days Yunnan Muslim Tour with Shadian Mosque and Yuanyang Rice Terraces (Kunming-Jianshui-Yuanyang-Shadian-Mile-Kunming)
Tour Overview
Take a transformative journey through Yunnan Province, known for its rich Muslim heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant ethnic diversity. This 7-day tour is designed specifically for those interested in...
Code of Tour: YET0000004929
Length of Travel: 7 Day
Destinations of Tour: Kunming-Shilin-Shadian-Yuanyang-Jianshui-Kunming
Departure City: Kunming
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour:
Features of Tour: muslim culture tours Nature scenery
Take a transformative journey through Yunnan Province, known for its rich Muslim heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant ethnic diversity. This 7-day tour is designed specifically for those interested in exploring Muslim culture, historical mosques, and the unique beauty of Yunnan’s natural wonders. From visiting iconic mosques to experiencing the breathtaking Yuanyang Rice Terraces, you’ll immerse yourself in the beauty and history of this region. Along the way, you’ll discover local Muslim communities, observe daily prayer practices, and enjoy insightful cultural experiences.
Tour Overview
This tour offers an extraordinary combination of Muslim cultural exploration and natural beauty. You’ll visit historical mosques such as the Great Mosque of Shadian, witness the spectacular landscapes of Yuanyang Rice Terraces, and delve into the traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic communities. Along with the scenic beauty, you’ll experience daily Muslim prayers, learn about local Islamic culture, and explore the vibrant Hani and Yi ethnic groups. Whether you’re admiring the sunrise over terraced fields or exploring ancient towns, this tour will offer a holistic and enriching experience of Yunnan’s Muslim heritage.
Tour Highlights
- Great Mosque of Shadian: Visit the largest mosque in Southwest China, located in Shadian, and learn about the historical and cultural significance of the mosque to the local Muslim community.
- Yuanyang Rice Terraces: Explore the UNESCO-listed Yuanyang Rice Terraces, where you’ll experience the incredible Hani ethnic culture and stunning landscapes, including sunrise and sunset views.
- Jianshui Ancient Town: Discover the architectural beauty of Jianshui, an ancient town that preserves much of its Ming Dynasty heritage, including the Double Dragon Bridge and the Chaoyang Gateway.
- Stone Forest: Marvel at the Stone Forest, a geological wonder with towering stone formations, earning it the title of “First Wonder of the World”.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience the unique culture of the Hani, Yi, and other ethnic groups in Yunnan, with visits to traditional villages and markets.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Kunming Arrival
- Day 2: Kunming-Shadian
- Day 3: Shadian-Yuanyang
- Day 4: Yuanyang
- Day 5: Yuanyang-Jianshui
- Day 6: Jianshui-Kunming
- Day 7: Kunming Departure
Google Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Kunming
Sightseeing and Activities: Arrive in Kunming, the Green Lake
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Lunch
Upon arrival in Kunming, you’ll be escorted by your guide to your hotel. Start your journey with a visit to the Green Lake Park, one of the most picturesque parks in Kunming. Enjoy the lively atmosphere where locals practice Tai Chi and other traditional activities. If visiting in November or December, you may even see migrating Siberian seagulls.
Once in Kunming, enjoy some free time for shopping in Nanping Business Street and a visit to Nancheng Mosque.
- Arrival at Kunming: You’ll arrive in Kunming, known as the “Spring City” for its pleasant climate. Upon arrival, your private guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
- Green Lake Park: After check-in, you’ll visit Green Lake Park, one of Kunming’s most beautiful parks. The park is a social hub for locals, where you’ll often see people practicing Tai Chi, calligraphy, and other traditional activities. During November or December, you may be lucky enough to witness the migration of Siberian seagulls, which visit the lake.
- Visit Nancheng Mosque: Next, head to Nancheng Mosque, one of Kunming’s key mosques. This is an excellent introduction to the local Muslim community. You can observe the adhan (call to prayer) and witness the daily prayers. The mosque is an important cultural center for Muslim residents in the area.
- Meals & Leisure Time: Enjoy a halal lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore Nanping Business Street, a popular shopping area. Take the opportunity to buy local souvenirs, including traditional Islamic items such as Qur’ans, prayer mats, and halal snacks.
Day 2 Kunming-Shadian
Sightseeing and Activities: Stone Forest
Accommodation: Shadian
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, visit the Stone Forest, one of Yunnan’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the natural stone formations that have earned it the title of the “First Wonder of the World.” Later, drive to Shadian for an overnight stay.
You will head to Shadian and stay overnight at Sailiaomu Hotel in Shadian.
- Morning – Visit the Stone Forest: After breakfast, head to Stone Forest, one of Yunnan’s most famous natural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is famous for its towering limestone formations, which resemble petrified trees, creating a surreal “forest” of stone. You’ll have time to explore the park’s various sections and enjoy its unique geological features.
- Lunch: Enjoy a halal meal at a local restaurant in the area.
- Afternoon – Travel to Shadian: After visiting the Stone Forest, you’ll travel to Shadian, a small town in Yunnan that is home to the Great Mosque of Shadian, the largest mosque in Southwest China. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Great Mosque of Shadian: Upon arrival in Shadian, visit the Great Mosque of Shadian, a stunning structure with a rich history. The mosque is the heart of the local Muslim community, and here you can explore its unique architecture and learn about the cultural significance of this mosque, which serves as a hub for Islamic activities in the region. You may also witness the daily prayers at the mosque.
- Evening – Shadian Exploration: In the evening, take a walk around Shadian’s Muslim neighborhood. You can explore the local markets, where you can purchase traditional Muslim clothing, local products, and halal foods.
Day 3 Shadian-Yuanyang
Sightseeing and Activities: Great Mosque of Shadian, the sunset view of Laohuzui Rice Terraces
Accommodation: Yuanyang
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, visit the Great Mosque of Shadian, the largest mosque in Southwest China, and learn about its architectural beauty and significance to the local Muslim community. Take time to shop for local Muslim products in the area. Then, travel to Yuanyang, where you’ll enjoy a stunning sunset view over the Laohuzui Rice Terraces.
- Morning – Visit the Great Mosque of Shadian: After breakfast, revisit the Great Mosque of Shadian for a deeper understanding of its religious and architectural significance. You’ll learn about the historical connection between Islam and Yunnan’s Muslim community.
- Lunch: Enjoy a local halal meal in Shadian before heading toward Yuanyang.
- Afternoon – Travel to Yuanyang: After lunch, travel to Yuanyang, located in southern Yunnan, famous for its breathtaking Hani rice terraces. On the way, enjoy the scenic views of rural Yunnan, including rice fields, ethnic villages, and lush mountains.
- Evening – Sunset at Laohuzui Rice Terraces: Arrive in Yuanyang and head to Laohuzui for a sunset view of the rice terraces. The golden light of the setting sun reflects off the terraces, creating a mesmerizing and magical landscape. This is one of the best spots in Yuanyang to capture the beauty of the terraced fields.
Day 4 Yuanyang
Sightseeing and Activities: Doyishu Village, Qingkou Village, Bada Hani Rice Terrace, Shengcun Market
Accommodation: Yuanyang
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Get up early to witness the sunrise over the Duoyishu Rice Terrace Fields , where the terraced fields cascade up the hillside in a mesmerizing landscape. Visit Qingkou Village and Bada Hani Rice Terrace, and explore the vibrant Shengcun Market. In the evening, enjoy another sunset view over Laohuzui Rice Terraces.
- Morning – Sunrise over Duoyishu Rice Terraces: Wake up early to witness one of the most spectacular sights of your trip – the sunrise over the Duoyishu Rice Terraces. As the sun rises, it casts a soft glow on the terraces, creating a stunning landscape. You’ll also have time to observe local villagers tending to the rice fields, offering a glimpse into the Hani people’s agricultural practices.
- Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
- Morning – Visit Qingkou Village & Bada Rice Terraces: After sunrise, visit Qingkou Village, home to the Hani people. Explore the traditional Hani houses and discover the village’s unique culture. Continue to the Bada Rice Terraces, another stunning location where you can learn more about the Hani people’s farming techniques. These terraces, built for irrigation and rice production, are an engineering marvel.
- Lunch: Enjoy a traditional halal meal in a local restaurant.
- Afternoon – Shengcun Market: In the afternoon, visit the vibrant Shengcun Market, where you can buy local handicrafts, fresh produce, and ethnic items. This bustling market offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the Hani people and provides an opportunity to interact with the locals.
- Evening – Sunset over Laohuzui Rice Terraces: Return to Laohuzui for another unforgettable sunset view over the rice terraces. As you watch the golden hues of the sunset, take time to reflect on the beauty and tranquility of the region.
Day 5 Yuanyang-Jianshui
Sightseeing and Activities: Tuanshan Village, the Garden of Family Zhang, Double Dragon Bridge, Jianshui Old Town and the Chaoyang Gateway
Accommodation: Jianshui
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Drive to Jianshui in the morning, enjoy the tropical climate along the Honghe River Valley.
After arriving in Jianshui, you’ll visit Tuanshan Village and the Garden of Family Zhang; Tuanshan Village is a rare surviving example of an intact-albeit Yunnan village with walls in southwestern China, and it has been added to the 2005 list of internationally significant sites by the World Memorial Fund for Architecture (WMF), an international fund for the protection of world heritage sites. On the way, have a stop to take picture at Double Dragon Bridge.
Stroll in the Jianshui Old Town and the Chaoyang Gateway, which was built in Ming Dynasty (1389). It is also known as ‘Miniature of Tian’an men’ because the its shape is similar to Tian’anmen Square in Beijing.
- Morning – Travel to Jianshui: After breakfast, you’ll drive to Jianshui, a historic town known for its ancient architecture and ethnic diversity. The journey will take you through the Honghe River Valley, a tropical area filled with lush greenery and terraced fields.
- Lunch: Enjoy a halal lunch along the way.
- Afternoon – Tuanshan Village: Upon arriving in Jianshui, your first stop will be Tuanshan Village, one of Yunnan’s best-preserved traditional villages. Here, you’ll explore ancient Yunnanese houses, many of which still retain their original walls, architecture, and charm. Tuanshan is listed as one of the World Memorial Fund for Architecture’s protected sites.
- Double Dragon Bridge & Chaoyang Gateway: After exploring Tuanshan, head to Double Dragon Bridge, a beautiful stone bridge with an iconic arch. Then, visit the Chaoyang Gateway, a remarkable Ming Dynasty structure resembling Tian’anmen Square.
- Evening – Jianshui Old Town: Spend the evening strolling through Jianshui Old Town, a well-preserved area with traditional Chinese architecture and lively streets.
Day 6 Jianshui-Kunming
Sightseeing and Activities: the Garden of Family Zhu, Confucius temple, Nanpping Street, Kunming Nancheng Mosque
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
In the morning, we’ll visit The Garden of Family Zhu, a private garden that exemplifies the southern Chinese garden style. Next, we’ll head to the Confucius Temple, one of the oldest and largest Confucius temples in China. It’s an excellent place to learn about Confucian philosophy and its influence on Chinese society.
On our way back to Kunming, we’ll stop at Xingmeng Mongolian Village to experience the unique culture of the Mongolian people in Southern Yunnan.
Visit Najiaying Mosque before driving back to Kunming.
- Morning – Visit the Garden of Family Zhu: After breakfast, visit the Garden of Family Zhu, one of the finest examples of a southern Chinese garden. This traditional garden is a serene place to explore and learn about Chinese culture.
- Confucius Temple: Then, head to the Confucius Temple, one of the largest and oldest Confucian temples in China. Here, you can learn about Confucian philosophy and its influence on Chinese culture and society.
- Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
- Afternoon – Xingmeng Mongolian Village: On your way back to Kunming, stop at Xingmeng Mongolian Village. This village offers a glimpse into the Mongolian culture of southern Yunnan. Learn about traditional Mongolian customs, including their unique architecture, food, and lifestyle.
- Return to Kunming: Arrive in Kunming and check into your hotel for the night.
Day 7 Departure from Kunming
Sightseeing and Activities: Departure from Kunming
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Morning – Departure: After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kunming Changshui International Airport for your departure flight.
Recommended Hotels
Destination | 5 Star | 4 Star | 3 Star | Hostels |
Kunming | Sofitel Hotel | Jinjiang Hotel | Longteng Hotel | / |
Yuanyang | The Twelve Manors in Yuanyang | Yunti Hotel | Shuiyunjian Hotel | / |
Jianshui | Tingziyun Hotel | Linan Hotel | Hongmantian Hotel | / |
Shadian |
Service Included:
- Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
- Meals as listed in the itinerary;
- Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
- Private English-speaking tour guide;
- Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
- Service charge & government taxes;
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
- Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.
Service Excluded:
- Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
- Chinese visa fees;
- Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
- Single room supplement;
- Tips to guides and drivers;
- Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
- Personal travel accident insurance;
- All optional programs.
7 Days Yunnan Muslim Tour with Shadian Mosque and Yuanyang Rice Terraces: Muslim Travel Tips
Embarking on the 7-day Yunnan Muslim Tour covering Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Shadian, and Mile offers a fascinating blend of Islamic culture, ethnic diversity, and natural beauty. To make your journey smooth and enjoyable, this guide provides Muslim-friendly travel tips, including information about mosques, halal food, prayer locations and times, and useful travel advice to enhance your experience.
1. Daily Prayers (Salat) Tips
Maintaining daily prayers (Salat) while traveling is essential for Muslim travelers. Here’s how you can ensure you stay on track with your prayers during your Yunnan trip:
Prayer Times and Apps
- Prayer Time Apps: Use apps like Muslim Pro or IslamicFinder to get accurate prayer times based on your location. These apps are especially useful in unfamiliar areas.
- Time Zone: Yunnan follows China Standard Time (CST), which is UTC +8. Ensure you adjust for prayer times when traveling between regions.
Mosques for Prayers
- Kunming
- Nancheng Mosque: This mosque, located in the city center, is ideal for Maghrib and Isha prayers.
- Prayers in Public Places: Many halal restaurants and local businesses near Muslim communities have designated prayer spaces.
- Shadian
- Great Mosque of Shadian: One of the largest mosques in Southwest China, it is perfect for all five daily prayers.
- Yuanyang
- Smaller mosques in Yuanyang cater to local Muslim communities, and your guide will help you find the best places for prayers.
- Jianshui
- Jianshui Old Town Mosque: A serene place for performing your prayers while in the area.
2. Halal Food and Restaurants
Finding halal food in Yunnan is easy, especially in areas with a significant Muslim population like Kunming, Shadian, and Jianshui. Here are some tips for enjoying delicious halal meals during your travels:
Kunming
- Nancheng Mosque Area: The area around Nancheng Mosque is known for numerous halal restaurants, serving a variety of Xinjiang, Hui, and local Muslim dishes.
- Recommended Halal Restaurants:
- Xinjiang Muslim Restaurant: Famous for lamb skewers (kebabs), pilaf, and hand-pulled noodles (lamian).
- Yi He Hui Muslim Restaurant: Offers a variety of noodles, dumplings, and steamed buns.
Shadian
- Halal Food in Shadian: This area has a significant Muslim population, so halal food is widely available.
- Recommended Halal Restaurants:
- Great Mosque Halal Food Street: Located near the Great Mosque of Shadian, this street is full of food stalls offering lamb stew, naan, and Xinjiang-style kebabs.
- Sailiaomu Hotel: Offers authentic halal dishes, including pilaf and mutton kebabs.
Yuanyang
- Halal Food in Yuanyang: Although Yuanyang is not as densely populated by Muslims, there are still options for halal meals.
- Recommended Halal Restaurant:
- Local Muslim-run Restaurants: Small family-owned eateries serving rice, vegetables, and meat dishes.
Jianshui
- Halal Food in Jianshui: Jianshui has a strong Hui Muslim presence, making it easy to find halal food.
- Recommended Halal Restaurants:
- Shao Family Halal Restaurant: Known for mutton kebabs, hand-pulled noodles, and dumplings.
- Jianshui Old Town Halal Food Street: A popular spot for lamb skewers, dumplings, and pilaf.
3. Muslim-Friendly Travel Tips
Cultural Sensitivity
- Modest Clothing: When visiting mosques, religious sites, or rural areas, it’s important to dress modestly. Women should wear loose clothing that covers the arms and legs, while men should avoid wearing shorts when entering mosques.
- Respect for Mosques: Always remove your shoes before entering a mosque. Most mosques provide places to perform wudu (ablution) before prayers. Ask your guide for help if you’re unfamiliar with the practice.
- Local Customs: Chinese Muslim communities, especially in Yunnan, are very welcoming of Islamic practices. Always greet people with “As-salamu alaykum”, and be open to learning about local culture.
Alcohol-Free Locations
- Avoiding Alcohol: Yunnan is not known for a heavy alcohol culture, especially in Muslim-populated areas. Always check menus in restaurants to ensure no alcohol is served, as most halal eateries will not serve alcohol.
Prayer Times
- China Standard Time: Yunnan follows CST, so be mindful of local time differences when calculating prayer times. Your guide will also help you find quiet spots for prayers during sightseeing.
Street Food
- Caution with Street Food: In non-Muslim areas, be cautious with street food, as non-halal ingredients may be used. Stick to halal restaurants or stalls located near mosques.
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Dear Mr./Ms, I’m from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia would like to travel under this package – 7 Days Yunnan Muslim Culture Tour with Shadian Mosque and Yuanyang Rice Terraces.
1. My group will be about 3-5 person only.
2. Kindly, advice/quote the price of the package.
3. Can we pay full amount of the package only upon arrival in Kunming with the minimum deposit for the security reason.
4. When is the best time to visit?
TQVM. Regards, Mansor