Yunnan: A Journey to Hidden Treasures (2025)

Jour 1

Welcome to China. Transfer to the hotel. Early in the evening, to familiarise ourselves with the city, we provide a transfer to Wangfujing street, a pedestrian and commercial street full of life with many shops and restaurants. Dinner included and return to hotel.

Jour 2

An exciting day awaits us. We will discover the main points of interest in the Chinese capital. We will have a full day visit in which we will visit some of the main avenues in the city. The Great Chinese Imperial Palace, better known as "The Forbidden City", the most majestic architectural complex in China from where 24 emperors ruled for almost 500 years. We will also have the opportunity to visit Jingshan Park where the Coal Hill is located, one of the best preserved imperial gardens in Beijing. We ascend to the top of the hill to have the best views (if the day is clear) on the Forbidden City. We will walk through the immense Tiananmen Square one of the largest squares in the world, and from them, we will appreciate the Great National Theater, Beijing Opera House. Lunch is included. Today, we will also visit the SUMMER PALACE, the Imperial House of the Qing Dynasty with its beautiful gardens and lakes. In the afternoon we include a tricycle ride through the traditional neigbourhood of Beijing, known as Hutong. In this area we can see the typical life style in these popular neighborhood, visit typical shops and even a traditional house, a Siheyuan, with all its lounges around a courtyard. Return to the hotel and overnight.*Note: For reasons of heritage protection and increased visitor safety, the governing body of the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City has reduced the daily capacity of visitors for an indeterminate period of time. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that such a visit will take place. If it cannot be carried out, it would be replaced by a visit to the Confucius Temple and also the Lama Temple, both also emblematic of Chinese history and culture.

Jour 3

Jour 4

In the morning, our trip includes a visit round this impressive city. We will know the area of Pudong, located across the Huangpu River, is now the financial district, with its skyscrapers as the Pearl Tower. We include a ferry crossing of the Shanghai River which will give us great views of the two parts of the city. We will stroll the Old City and the Yuyuan Garden, a private garden that was built during the Ming Dynasty. We will enjoy a demonstration of the Tea ceremony,traditional drink that plays an important cultural role in China. We will pass by one of the most fashionable neighborhoods of the capital, Xintiandi. Lunch included. Then, visit Tianzifang, a former residential area known for its narrow, labyrinthine traditional streets with its small craft shops and art galleries. We finish the visit along the Bund with its old buildings that remind us of the influence of European trade. Free afternoon. If you wish, you can enjoy a boat trip to see Shanghai at night, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Jour 5

Transfer to the station. We take the high-speed train (a train is expected to leave at 07.17 h), and in a little over five hours, through many sections of pretty countryside, we cover the 1,000 km to LUOYANG. Lunch included. We see the impressive Buddhist caves of LONGMEN over more than a kilometre of the rocky walls of the river, where they sculpted more than 100,000 images of Buddha. We will include a boat trip. After this, transfer to the ancient city, where we cross its impressive wall and can enjoy the great traditional activity and its lit up streets.

Jour 6

In the early hours, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we visit the WHITE HORSE BUDDHIST MONASTERY, a huge monastery and place of study where Buddhists from all countries of the world. We continue our route to SANMEXIA. In this historic city we will see the Yellow River and the Baoulon temple with its tall pagoda and we will visit one of the best museums in China: the Guo museum with the funeral carriages of the former state of guo. Lunch included. We continue eastwards, passing of Mount Hua, a holy mountain. XIAN, arrival at the end of the afternoon.

Jour 7

We have arrived in the fascinating city where the silk route originated. First thing in the morning, we will go to see the TERRACOTA ARMY, with its thousands of life size clay soldiers that were found underground. We return to XIAN, where we will visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, we go across through the walled centre. We will cross the Muslim quarter there and we will enter the mosque, where we will be able to see the multiple cultures and religions that have left their mark on this country. Our tour will also include entry tickets to the Drum Tower where we will enjoy a short show of traditional instrument playing. Free time.-

Jour 8

We leave Xian in a very modern high-speed train, and in just over three hours we cover the 700 km that separate us from CHENGDU. On arrival we will go to the Panda Bear research and breeding centre, a reserve where 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas live. Lunch included. In the afternoon we will take a stroll through the People´s Park, with its small lake, the local people doing Taichi, and its tea houses.-

Jour 9

Today we include full-day tour of Sichuan Province, with its pleasant landscapes and traditional villages. In DUJIANGYAN we see the traditional irrigation system, which has been working for more than 2000 years and is a world heritage site. QUINGCHENG SHAN, “mountain of the green city” is a Taoist holy mountain. Its paths through the forests show us caves, pavilions and centuries-old wooden temples, lunch included. Finally, we will visit the ancient city of JIEZI with its alleys with over a thousand years of history. Return to CHENGDU.

Jour 10

Transfer to the airport for the included flight to Kunming, the capital of the Yunnan region. Upon arrival, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel. After, we’ll take a stroll through the Bird and Flower Market and visit the Golden Temple of Kunming.

Jour 11

We’ll begin with a visit to the Zhuanxin Farmers’ Market in Kunming, an old, traditional market offering a vast selection of fruits, vegetables, and other fresh products. We’ll then depart the city for an excursion to the Stone Forest, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site and one of the world’s natural wonders. Here, we’ll explore an extraordinary landscape of stone formations that resemble petrified trees. Lunch will be included. Afterward, we’ll return to Kunming for a stroll through the historic Kunming Laojie District.

Jour 12

Transfer to the station for the high-speed train ride to Dali (ticket included), a city renowned for the historic architecture of the Bai ethnic minority. We’ll visit Dali’s Old Town and Westerner Street, bustling with shops, bars, and local craft studios. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Chongsheng Temple, ascending by electric vehicle. Overnight stay.

Jour 13

We’ll head north, passing through shifting landscapes: from the cultivated fields along Erhai Lake to lush green mountains. Our first stop will be the Xizhou Ancient Town, where we’ll admire the traditional courtyard houses of the Bai people, followed by a visit to Zhoucheng Village, known for its world-famous, blue-dyed textiles, crafted entirely by hand. Lunch will be included en route. We’ll then continue to Lijiang, one of the best-preserved cities in Yunnan for centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Jour 14

We’ll visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the most renowned snow-capped mountain in Yunnan province and a must-see attraction on your journey through this region. You’ll ascend the mountain by cable car, taking in diverse landscapes depending on the season. In summer, you’ll see lush green forests surrounding the mountain peak, while winter transforms it into a breathtaking, snow-covered wonderland.Note: In the case of strong winds, the cable car may be closed for safety reasons. In peak tourist season, be prepared for possible long wait times for the cable car.After descending by cable car, we’ll visit visit the traditional villages of Yuhu and Baisha, the historic roots of the Nakhi people. Lunch will be included. We’ll also explore the ancient town of Dayan, followed by a scenic walk through the Black Dragon Pool Park, offering spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After, we’ll return to Lijiang for an overnight stay.

Jour 15

We´ll head to the airport for the included flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival in this major financial and cultural hub, we´ll provide a transfer to the hotel.

Jour 16

After breakfast, we will visit the city to see the financial centre with its tall skyscrapers, and we will visit the History Museum that enlightens us on the history of the city (colonial period, World War, etc.) the avenue of the Stars by the dock, which shows us the celebrities of the cinema industry. We will take the Star ferry across Hong Kong Bay and climb by bus up to Victoria Peak (552 m) with a view of the whole city. Return on Peak Tram. After our visit, free afternoon.

Jour 17

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.