Temporary

Wandering through Shigu Village at the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Yunnan.

Ethnic Borderlands of Yunnan Province

23 Days
(Beijing--Kunming--Dali--Lijiang--Zhongdian--Lugu Lake)

Explore the magnificent landscapes and intriguing minority cultures of China's remote southwest on this tour which takes you from the imperial capital of Beijing to the fringes of Tibet. Still little known to Americans, Yunnan Province boasts a rugged and stunningly beautiful landscape of towering snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys. Three of Asia's great rivers, the Yangtze, the Mekong and the Salween, carve deep gorges through the uplands of the province. Bordered by Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Tibet, Yunnan is a crossroad and melting-pot of peoples. Twenty-four of China's fifty-six minority nationalities call the province home, and their colorful costumes and unique architecture enliven the villages and towns. Ingredients such as corn, potatoes, red chili peppers and fried root give Yunnan cooking a taste unlike that of any other part of China.

The tour begins with two days in Beijing. Our full program of sightseeing takes us to the major sights, but also takes us on foot through the hidden back streets, quiet residential quarters and bustling open-air marketplaces of the capital.

The next stop is Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, nicknamed "Spring City" for its year-round pleasant climate. Enjoy the inspiring views of sparkling Lake Dian from the cliff-hanging temples of the Dragon Gate. On a hill above the city, discover the startlingly realistic 500 Buddhas of the Bamboo Temple. In the evening, taste the special flavor of "Across the Bridge Noodles", Kunming's specialty.

From Kunming, move on to increasingly remote destinations for an adventurous look at the scenic and cultural diversity of Yunnan. In Dali, a beautifully preserved small city located between the Cangshan Mountains and Lake Erhai, explore the quiet back streets and lakeside villages to discover the solid stone houses of the Bai people. Penetrate deep into the ancient Old Town of Lijiang, the home of the Naxi people, to find a courtyard theatre in which elderly musicians bring to life the vanished styles of imperial Chinese court music. Hike to a meadow on the flanks of the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and trek into the Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the powerful upper Yangtze River carves a narrow passage between two towering peaks, to find thrilling views of looming granite cliffs and thundering rapids.

From Lijiang, follow the main highway between Kunming and Lhasa to reach Zhongdian, nicknamed "Little Tibet". This highland town serves as the base for explorations to the snow peaks, alpine lakes, grasslands and "flower seas" of the Tibetan borderlands, as well as for visits to Buddhist monasteries and the homes of Tibetan friends. Finally, travel through remote mountain areas and across the Yangtze River to visit Lugu Lake, the so-called "women's kingdom", where the Moso people preserve the remnants of a matriarchal society. Stay in the Moso people's stockaded houses and enjoy a special open-air bonfire party at which they perform their traditional love songs and dances.

Truly a journey "off the beaten track", this tour will give you an unforgettable look at one of China's most beautiful regions and introduce you to a little-known land of rich cultural diversity

Please note: This special adventure trip is slightly more challenging than an ordinary package tour. Accomodations range from first-class hotels in Beijing and Kunming to modest hotels or guesthouses in remote areas such as Qiaotou, Zhongdian and Lugu Lake, which may not have all of the amenities of modern hotels. Facilities, especially toilets, in remote areas along the road may be quite basic. Road travel on this trip is lengthy and sometimes rough. The tour visits areas of high elevation (over 3000 meters). A flexible, adventurous attitude is a must for this trip!

Price: $3,300.00 per person, double occupancy.
All-inclusive land cost.
Minimum six travelers.
Maximum twelve travelers.

Dates:
May 1-23, 1999
August 14-September 5, 1999

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Depart from USA.

Day 2 (Sunday): Arrive in Beijing in the evening.

Day 3 (Monday): Walking tour of Beijing, including visits to hutongs (ancient residential quarters), da za yuan (old courtyard houses) and the Forbidden City. In the evening, visit the open-air night food markets.

Day 4 (Tuesday): Excursion to the Great Wall. In the evening, enjoy a Beijing Roast Duck dinner and attend a performance of the Beijing Opera or the Chinese acrobats.

Day 5 (Wednesday): Fly from Beijing to Kunming in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Bamboo Temple with 500 Buddha statues.

Day 6 (Thursday): Fly from Kunming to Dali (morning); balance of day sightseeing in Dali Old Town, visiting the street markets and traditional houses.

Day 7 (Friday): Sightseeing in Dali, including a visit to the fishing villages of Lake Erhai.

Day 8 (Saturday): Drive from Dali to Lijiang, with side trip to Shibaoshan Grottoes.

Day 9-10 (Sunday-Monday): Sightseeing in Lijiang, including the Old Naxi Town, and a chance to hear the ancient music of the Naxi Orchestra, a trip to the mountain meadow at Yunshanping, the Yufansi Lama Temple and Baisha Village, with the ancient Dongba wall paintings.

Day 11 (Tuesday): Drive from Lijiang to Qiaotou (morning); balance of day for trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge, the upper gorge of the Yangtze River.

Day 12 (Wednesday): Drive from Qiaotou to Zhongdian, with sightseeing along the way of Tibetan villages and mountain scenery.

Day 13-15 (Thursday-Friday-Saturday): Sightseeing in and around Zhongdian, including the Songzanlin Tibetan monastery, the Bita alpine lake, the Napa Lake and grasslands (home of the black-necked crane) and visits to Tibetan families, mountain villages and temples.

Day 16 (Sunday): Drive from Zhongdian to Lijiang, with a side trip to the First Bend of the Yangtze River at Shigu.

Day 17 (Monday): Drive from Lijiang to Lugu Lake.

Day 18-19 (Tuesday-Wednesday): Sightseeing in and around Lugu Lake, including a ride on the lake in the local dugout canoes, a visit to the Yongning Monastery, staying in local people's homes and viewing their singing and dancing performances.

Day 20 (Thursday): Drive from Lugu Lake to Lijiang.

Day 21 (Friday): Fly from Lijiang to Kunming (morning); in the afternoon, visit the Western Hills and the Dragon Gate.

Day 22 (Saturday): Fly from Kunming to Beijing. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in Beijing.

Day 23 (Sunday): Fly from Beijing to the United States, arriving home the same day.

C.S.T. Number 2034611-40

Web Design by Brian H. Day

Day 1 (Saturday):	Depart from USA.
Day 2 (Sunday):	Arrive in Beijing in the evening.
Day 3 (Monday):	Walking tour of Beijing, including visits to hutongs (ancient residential quarters), da za yuan (old courtyard houses) and the Forbidden City. In the evening, visit the open-air night food markets.
Day 4 (Tuesday):	Excursion to the Great Wall. In the evening, enjoy a Beijing Roast Duck dinner and attend a performance of the Beijing Opera or the Chinese acrobats.
Day 5 (Wednesday):	Fly from Beijing to Kunming in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Bamboo Temple with 500 Buddha statues.
Day 6 (Thursday):	Fly from Kunming to Dali (morning); balance of day sightseeing in Dali Old Town, visiting the street markets and traditional houses.
Day 7 (Friday):	Sightseeing in Dali, including a visit to the fishing villages of Lake Erhai.
Day 8 (Saturday):	Drive from Dali to Lijiang, with side trip to Shibaoshan Grottoes.
Day 9-10 (Sunday-Monday):	Sightseeing in Lijiang, including the Old Naxi Town, and a chance to hear the ancient music of the Naxi Orchestra, a trip to the mountain meadow at Yunshanping, the Yufansi Lama Temple and Baisha Village, with the ancient Dongba wall paintings.
Day 11 (Tuesday):	Drive from Lijiang to Qiaotou (morning); balance of day for trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge, the upper gorge of the Yangtze River.
Day 12 (Wednesday):	Drive from Qiaotou to Zhongdian, with sightseeing along the way of Tibetan villages and mountain scenery.
Day 13-15 (Thursday-Friday-Saturday):	Sightseeing in and around Zhongdian, including the Songzanlin Tibetan monastery, the Bita alpine lake, the Napa Lake and grasslands (home of the black-necked crane) and visits to Tibetan families, mountain villages and temples.
Day 16 (Sunday):	Drive from Zhongdian to Lijiang, with a side trip to the First Bend of the Yangtze River at Shigu.
Day 17 (Monday):	Drive from Lijiang to Lugu Lake.
Day 18-19 (Tuesday-Wednesday):	Sightseeing in and around Lugu Lake, including a ride on the lake in the local dugout canoes, a visit to the Yongning Monastery, staying in local people's homes and viewing their singing and dancing performances.
Day 20 (Thursday):	Drive from Lugu Lake to Lijiang.
Day 21 (Friday):	Fly from Lijiang to Kunming (morning); in the afternoon, visit the Western Hills and the Dragon Gate.
Day 22 (Saturday):	Fly from Kunming to Beijing. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in Beijing.
Day 23 (Sunday):	Fly from Beijing to the United States, arriving home the same day.