8 Days Kunming - Shangri-la - Haba Village - Dark Lake - Sanchahe Ranch - Peace Bridge - Lijiang - Kunming

Stone Forest, Kunming

On the first day, take a minibus from the Kunming Nanyao Bus Station (No. 60, Beijing Road, Kunming) to the Stone Forest. It is about 70km (43.5 miles) from Kunming and the drive takes about 2 hours. When you return to Kunming, visit the Green Lake Park. It is the most beautiful park in Kunming and opposite  Yunnan University. You can take bus No. 1 to get off at Yunnan University, take bus No. 101 to get off at Green Lake, or take bus No. 5, 23, 4 to get off at Small West Gate and walk to the park. You can stay overnight at Yuntel Inns (Chuanjin Road Kunming; Add: No. 1, Chuanjin Road, Panlong District, Kunming; Tel: 0871-6370496). The hotel is near the Green Lake Park.

On the second day, take the shuttle bus or bus No. 52, 67, 78 and 103 to Kunming airport. The drive takes about 20 minutes. Take a flight to Shangri-la. In Shangri-la, take bus No. 3 to the Grand Gedan Songzanlin Tibetan Lama Temple, often called "the small Potala Palace". Afterwards, stroll in the ancient town of Shangri-la. Pay a visit to the Tibetan Law Court and Guishan Temple where you can see the biggest rotating scripture column in the world. You can stay overnight at the local hostel in the ancient town.

Songzanlin Temple, Kunming

On the third day, make the 3-hours bus trip to White Water Terrace. After lunch, head for Haba Village by bus. Get off at the observation gallery of Haba Snow-Mountain and for the best view of the mountain. Then hike along the road for about an hour to Haba Village. Stay overnight night at a local hostel.

On the fourth day, trek to Dark Lake on Haba Snow-Mountain, and enjoy sun-rise on the mountain. Visit Lanjiacun Muslim Villages, Shajiacun Yi Ethnic Group Villages, Shibang Lake, the Flower of Poplar Forest, the Xiaojianshan Pasture and the Virgin Forest of Brown Trunk Rhododendron. You can also see  thousands year-old alpine birchs, the forest of skyscraping roburs, waterfalls, Yellow Lake, the main peak of Haba Mountain and the mysterious Dark Lake surrounded by many alpine flowers. The total hiking time is 5 to 6 hours, and the altitude is from 2750m to 3600m. Stay in the camp near the lake.

Overlooking the snow-capped Tianbao mountains

On the fifth day, trek to the Sanchahe Ranch. En route, enjoy sunrise over Haba Snow Mountain, and a clear perspective of Tianbao Snow Mountain. Hike across Nili Mountain Pass. Enjoy a view of the highest peak of Haba Mountain, the Three Swordsman Sacred Peak, the Shuicaoba Ranch,and sun-set over the snow-mountains. Stay overnight in the camp or in the tent of local herdsman. Today, you will hike across the highest altitude of the whole trip, 4325m. The hiking time is 6 to 8 hours.

On the sixth day, go on hiking for about 6 hours to the Peace Bridge. En route, visit villages inhabited by the Yi and Lisu Ethnic Group. Upon arrival at the Peace Bridge, drive for about 100km to Lijiang. Stay overnight at a local guest house.

On the seventh day, take bus No. 6 to visit the Baisha Village, see a local Naxi family, the Baisha Murals and the Rock Joseph's former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock in Yuhu Village. Return to Kunming.

On the eighth day, leave Kunming according to your own schedule.