12 Days Southwest China Minority Tour to Lhasa Yunnan Guizhou

Summary

Day 1 Guiyang Arrival
Day 2 Guiyang: Qingyan Ancient Town, Jiaxiu Pavillion
Day 3 Guiyang-Anshun-Guiyang: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Tianxingqiao Scenic Spot
Day 4 Guiyang-Kunming: Hongfu Temple
Day 5 Kunming: Western Hills, Dragon Gate, Yunnan Nationalities Museum
Day 6 Kunming-Lijiang: Yuantong Temple, Green Lake Park
Day 7 Lijiang: Lijiang Ancient Town, Yuhu Naxi minority Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Day 8 Lijiang-Dali: Lugu Lake
Day 9 Dali-Kunming-Lhasa
Day 10 Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkor Street
Day 11 Lhasa: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
Day 12 Lhasa Departure

Day 1 Guiyang Arrival

Our Guiyang private tour guide will meet you at the exit of Guiyang airport holding with a welcome signal "China Private Tour" and escort you to your hotel. The rest day is free on your own to explore Guiyang city.

Day 2 Guiyang

In the morning, drive you to visit the Qingyan Ancient Town, 29km south of the city of Guiyang. It is one of the most famous historical and cultural towns in Guizhou Province dating back to the year of 1378. The ancient town is elaborately designed and artistically built with scattered temples, old Ming and Qing buildings, well known for exhibiting five hundreds painted arhat sculptures. 

In the afternoon, return to the city center and visit Jiaxiu Pavillion which is the symbol of Guiyang city, with a long history of more than 400 years. It was originally built based a giant rock dating back to Ming Dynasty ( 1368 - 1644). In Qing Dynasty it was rebuilt for several times and the present pavilion dates back to 1909. It is a three-story pavilion 20 meters high with white stone railings, Nanming River passing by at its front.

Back to your hotel.

Day 3 Guiyang-Anshun-Guiyang

After breakfast, drive to Anshun to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall, it takes around 2 hours from Guiyang downtown. Huangguoshu Waterfall is known as "the first waterfall in China", with the most impressive having a width of 81 meter and dropping 74 meter. A 134-meter-long curtain cave lies secretly behind the main fall. There are six 'windows', five 'sitting rooms' and three springs inside the cave. It is really wonderful that you look at the rushing waterfall through the 'windows' and touch the waterfall in the shortest distance. Among them, the Huangguoshu Waterfall is the largest with a flow of more than 700 cubic meters of water per second and huge amounts of water seem to be pouring from the sky. 

Then take a visit to Tianxingqiao Scenic Spot. It is a wonderful combination of ornamental stones, trees and water. It is a natural bonsai area formed by the change of stone forest on water. The main areas are Tianxing bonsai area, Tianxing Cave Scenic Area and Water stone forest area. Tianxingqiao scenic spot has dense stalagmites and luxuriant vegetation. It integrates mountains, water, forest and cave, and is praised by tourists as a wonderful painting scroll.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Guiyang city.

Day 4 Guiyang-Kunming

After breakfast, you will be taken to visit the Hongfu Temple. Hongfu temple is located in the center of Qianlingshan Mountain, Guizhou. It was founded by monk Chisong in 1672. The word "Hongfu" has the meaning of "carrying forward Buddhism, saving lives, benefiting the people, starting well and ending well".

After the tour, transfer to Guiyang train station to catch the train to Kunming. Stay overnight in Kunming.

Day 5 Kunming

After breakfast, our guide will take you to visit the Western Hills which is called “Sleeping Beauty Hills”, looking like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dian Lake. It will be a perfectly lovely trip to walk in this long wedge of parkland and explore the famous temples (Huating Temple and Taihua Temple included) and other cultural relics. 

There is a saying goes: If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven't visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven't been to Western Hills. Make some effort to climb up to magic Dragon Gate where you’ll appreciate the panoramic view of Dian Lake as well as see a group of grottoes and sculptures.

Then, continue your trip to Yunnan Nationalities Museum, the largest minority museum in China. You’ll lift the mysterious veil of China’s 52 ethnic groups and learn through many interesting exhibits like ethnic clothing, textiles, musical instruments, folk masks, folk arts and folk pottery, literature and so on.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Kunming.

Day 6 Kunming-Lijiang

Pick up from your hotel in the morning, first pay a visit to Yuantong Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Kunming with a history of more than 1,200 years. It is located on the south side of Yuantong Hill, famed for its grand architecture and design. Yuantong Temple was first built in the late 8th and early 9th century, the time of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the Tang Dynasty. After two major restorations and expansion in the Chenghua period (1465-1487) of the Ming Dynasty and the 24th year of Emperor Kangxi's rule (1686) of the Qing Dynasty, the temple took on its present design, with covered corridors, bridges and grand halls. 

After lunch, head to the Green Lake Park: Also named Cuihu Park, is located on the west side of Wuhua Mountain. The lake is divided into four parts by two long banks. The banks are covered with an abundance of willow trees and dotted with a variety of vibrant lotuses. This contrast between the pale green of the willows and the array of colors in the lotuses makes the park a popular destination for nature lovers. During the winter months, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate to Green Lake and entertain the crowds of visitors as they circle around and snap up bread, usefully provided by a herd of local vendors, thrown up into the air by tourists.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to the Kunming railway station to catch your train to Lijiang. Upon your arrival, drive back to your hotel.

Day 7 Lijiang

Pick up service will be arranged at your hotel. Our guide will take you to explore the Naxi Minority Village that is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This small village can reflect the culture and traditions of its people. Here the houses are built with processed stone and mud locally called monkey head. The street is bordered by house gates carved with simplicity. Everything here reveals the peaceful and original life of the Naxi people. The open-minded Naxi people will happily welcome foreigners to their village.

Then,take a short hiking tour to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is called "Oulu" in Naxi language, meaning "Tianshan". Its thirteen snow peaks are continuous, just like a "giant dragon", so it is called "jade dragon". Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the holy mountain of Naxi people. It is said that the protection god of Naxi nationality "Sanduo" incarnates.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Lijiang.

Day 8 Lijiang-Dali

Check out from your hotel and you will visit Lugu Lake today. The lugu lake is embraced in mountains. The best-loved one by the Mosuo people is the Holy Gemu Mountain (the Lion Mountaion). The local people worship it as their Goddess Gemu. On 25th July of each lunar year, they will gather at the foot of the mountain for a great sacrificial rite.

Many cultural sites and scenic spots are scattered along the lakeside. They are Mosuo villages, plateau hot springs, the underground maze-The Lucky Cave, the Chieftain's Palace, the Zhamei Lamaist Temple, Riyuehe - The Ruins of the Yuan Army Quarters when Kublai Khan was on his south - expansion, yongning - the key town on the ancient tea and horse trading route. Many beautiful legends have been circulating among the people.

After lunch, you will be taken to the Lijiang train station to catch the fast train to Dali (2.5hours). Drive back to your hotel once you arrived in Dali by our local driver.

Day 9 Dali-Kunming-Lhasa

Your guide will pick you up in the morning, drive you to the Dali airport to catch the flight back to Kunming, then transfer the flight to Lhasa. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 10 Lhasa

In the morning, our local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Today you will visit Lhasa’a cardinal landmark Potala Palace, the highest palace in the world. It well worths visiting for its artistic value, historic purposes, and cultural awareness, has been regarded as the No. 1 must-see attraction in Tibet. It is one of the world culture heritages. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, Thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Next, head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. 

And then walk along the famous street in Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Drive back to your hotel with private vehicle.

Day 11 Lhasa

The activities for today is Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Our guide will take you to visit these two prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa. Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

You will have a dinner at a suitable time. After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 12 Lhasa Departure

Free on your own to explore Lhasa city until transfer to Lhasa train station or Lhasa airport for your next destination.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.