4 Days Kunming and Dali Tour by High Speed Train

Day 1 Arrive in Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Kunming, Western Hills & Dragon Gate – Yunnan Nationalities Museum
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:None

Welcome to Kunming, the “Spring City” of China! Upon arrival at Kunming airport or train station, your local tour guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

After a short break, head to Western Hills, also known as the “Sleeping Beauty Hills” because of its silhouette resembling a reclining woman beside Dianchi Lake. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the verdant forests of this mountain park, which is home to cultural relics and ancient temples. Don’t miss visiting the Dragon Gate, a famous grotto complex with panoramic views of Dianchi Lake and Kunming City. The site is rich in history and offers some fantastic photo opportunities. You can also visit the Huating and Taihua Temples if you’re interested.

Next, visit the Yunnan Nationalities Museum, the largest museum dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Yunnan. With over 20,000 cultural relics, the museum offers fascinating insights into the lives, costumes, festivals, and arts of the province’s 25 ethnic groups.

Return to your hotel in the evening for rest.

Arrival Tips: Kunming is well-connected by direct flights from more than 110 domestic cities and several international destinations, including Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, San Francisco, Tokyo, London, and Los Angeles. You can also reach Kunming by high-speed train from major cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai.

Day 2 Kunming-Dali

Sightseeing and Activities:the Stone Forest, the Green Lake, Flowers and Birds Market, High-Speed Train to Dali
Accommodation:Dali
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Stone Forest: After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and take you on a 1.5-hour drive (85km) to the Stone Forest. This UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, known as the “Essence of World Karst Landform,” covers 12 square kilometers of stunning limestone formations. Take a sightseeing bus through the scenic areas, including the Greater Stone Forest, famous for its towering stone pinnacles, and the Lesser Stone Forest, home to the iconic “Ashima” rock, which is the subject of a beloved local legend.

Green Lake: After returning to Kunming, visit Green Lake in the city center. This tranquil park is a favorite among locals for leisure activities like singing, dancing, and exercising. From November to March, Siberian Black-headed Gulls migrate here for the winter, adding to the park’s charm.

In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Dali, a historical city known for its Bai ethnic culture. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to your hotel near Dali Old Town for check-in.

Day 3 Kunming-Dali High Speed Train

Sightseeing and Activities:Three Pagodas, cruise in Erhai Lake, Dali Old Town, Foreigner’s Street, Ancient City Wall
Accommodation:Dali
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Get up in the early morning. Transfer to train station. Take a high speed train from Kunming to Dali.

Arrive at Dali train station. Meet your local guide in Dali. Then visit Three Pagodas in Chongshen Monastery which has a history of over 1,800 years located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain facing to the Erhai Lake. Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle.

Then you’ll cruise in Erhai Lake by the small boat to the Jinsuo Islet in the east Erhai Lake. There are 200 Bai ethnic families around 1000 people in Jinsuo Island.In Erhai Lake cruise, you will enjoy the green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas from a far as well as lots of birds and seagulls flying over the lake.

In the late afternoon, take a walk in Dali Old Town. Visit Foreigner’s Street and ancient city wall.

Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple: Start your day with a visit to the Three Pagodas, Dali’s most iconic landmark. Built in the 10th century, the pagodas are a symbol of the Nanzhao Kingdom. The complex also includes Chongsheng Temple, one of the most important royal temples in Dali. From here, enjoy breathtaking views of the pagodas against the backdrop of the mountains.

Erhai Lake: After visiting the pagodas, head to Erhai Lake. Known as the “Immaculate Jade Between Mountains,” the lake is a peaceful escape surrounded by stunning scenery. Choose from three ways to explore the lake:

1. Sightseeing Car Tour (1 hour, CNY 50/pp): Ride in a mini bus around the scenic lake, enjoying the view of the lake and Cangshan Mountain.
2. Boat Tour (2–3 hours, from CNY 145/pp): A boat cruise around the lake offers stunning views of the Three Pagodas and the surrounding mountains.
3. Cycling Tour (2 hours, from CNY 50/pp): If you’re feeling energetic, cycling around the lake is an exhilarating way to explore the area.

Dali Old Town: In the afternoon, explore Dali Old Town, which was once the capital of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms. Stroll through its historic streets lined with weeping willows and blooming flowers. Visit Wuhua Tower, the ancient Honglongjing (Red Dragon Well), and the famous Foreigner Street, a bustling area filled with shops, cafes, and boutiques. You can also visit the only Christian church in Dali, offering a unique blend of cultures.

Optional Activity: Learn to make Flower Cake, a traditional Dali pastry made with flower puree, puff pastry, and intricate designs. Take home your creations as a souvenir!

Day 4 Departure from Dali

Sightseeing and Activities:Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village, Lijiang Old Town
Accommodation:Lijiang
Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

In the morning, head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea and explore their distinctive culture.

Transfer to visit Zhoucheng Village and the Bai people’s Tie-dying cloth workshop where you can take some special souvenir with the Bai ethnic style.

Xizhou Ancient Town: After breakfast, visit Xizhou Ancient Town, an authentic Bai village. Start with a visit to the local morning market, where Bai people in traditional costumes trade fresh produce, meats, and daily goods. Explore the Museum of Bai Architecture, a collection of exquisite Bai homes adorned with intricate sculptures, paintings, and colorful decorations. Don’t miss the chance to experience the Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony, where you can taste three distinct tea flavors and learn about the cultural significance of tea in Bai society.

Zhoucheng Tie-dye: Next, visit Zhoucheng, the “Hometown of Bai People’s Tie-dye Art.” Here, you’ll learn about the traditional art of tie-dyeing, a famous Bai craft. You can even participate in an optional tie-dyeing experience, where you’ll learn how to create beautiful patterns using natural dyes.

After your visits, transfer to the airport or train station for your departure.

Service ends.