Ethnic Wonders
E-109: 11 Days Private Tour of Beijing - Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shanghai


Tour Type: Private Tour, any parts of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide & experienced driver with air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodation: 3-star decent hotels, also be open to your own choice
Tour Highlights:
- Visit the majestic Great Wall and experience memories that will last a lifetime
- Discover the imperial Forbidden City, Summer Palace and sacred Temple of Heaven
- Feel the unique folk customs of Bai and Naxi minorities in Dali & Lijiang
- Explore the nearly 1000-year-old town Lijiang - a UNESCO World Heritage site

From $1899 per person Free Inquiry
- Itinerary
- Tour Prices
- Price Includes
Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Our guide will meet you outside the customs of Beijing Airport after you retrieve your luggage and clear the customs, and then with our experienced driver, we will transfer you to the hotel to recover from the jet lag for the rest of the day.
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing


Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing



Day 2 Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Photo by our clients Mr.Csaba Laszlo Kollo & Ms. Margareta Kollo
Photo by our clients Mr.Csaba Laszlo Kollo & Ms. Margareta Kollo
In the morning, our guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby at the appointed time. Before we transfer you to visit the magnificent Forbidden City, we will firstly have a stopover at the grand Tiananmen Square for about half an hour to take some photos for the surrounding symbolic buildings. Later after a 5-minute walking distance, we will get to the Forbidden City, which is the largest and most completed existing ancient architectural complex in wooden structure in the world. Lunch is arranged by yourself. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing



Day 3 Beijing
Get up early today and we will drive you to the suburb area to visit the spectacular Mutianyu Great Wall. We have included the round-trip cable car for you to save your energy. When you get to the wall, it would be enjoyable to see the view of the great wall that is spiraling on the mountain ranges. In the afternoon, proceed to visit the ancient royal garden - the Summer Palace. We will select an essential route for you to have a relaxing time walking through the garden, and enjoy the beautiful views of the lakes, hills, bridges, temples and pavilions along the way.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing



Day 4 Beijing - Kunming
Today we will transfer you to the airport and see off for your flight to Kunming. Upon your arrival at Kunming airport, your guide will meet you there and transfer you to the hotel with comfortable private vehicle. Rest of the day is free for you to explore this spring city.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Hotel - B


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Hotel - B



Day 5 Kunming

Stone Forest, Kunming
Today, you will have a full day guided tour to the main sights of Kunming. We will firstly visit the peaceful Yuantong Temple, and then followed by the Stone Forest, which is the reason you come to Kunming. The Stone Forest is the best place for you to appreciate the peculiar karst formations. As long as you enter the forest, you will be attracted by one miraculous view after another. After two to three hours here, we will drive you back to the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Hotel - B


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Hotel - B



Day 6 Kunming - Dali
Take an early morning bullet train to Dali. The ride takes about 2 hours. Your guide in Dali will meet you at the exit of the railway station on time. Then you will have time to walk through the Dali Old Town and explore some interesting shops at ease. Later after visiting the Three Pagoda Temple, you will take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage to tour around the beautiful Erhai Lake, where you may have a great view of China's largest highland lake - Erhai Lake radiating with the towering Cangshan Mount.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel



Day 7 Dali - Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head for Lijiang by private car. It takes about three hours driving from Dali to Lijiang. And you will stop on the way to visit the Bai Traditional House in Xizhou and the biggest natural village Zhoucheng which is famous for tie dyeing. Upon arrival, your guide will help you with the hotel check in, and then visit the Square Street of Lijiang Old Town for the rest of the day.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sanhe Inn


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sanhe Inn



Day 8 Lijiang
This morning you will go to Baisha Village to visit a local Naxi family and Baisha Murals. You will get a deep understanding of Naxi People's life and culture. Then pay a visit to the Old Town of Shuhe and the Tea-Horse Road Museum. Afternoon is free for you to wander around the old town.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sanhe Inn


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sanhe Inn



Day 9 Lijiang - Shanghai
See you off at the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will make your own way to the hotel we book for you. For the transportation, you may either consider taking a taxi which is more convenient, or take the subway Line 2 connected with Line 1 to get to your hotel. The rest of the time is free on your own to explore the city freely.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel



Day 10 Shanghai

Our clients at the Bund area, Shanghai
Full day is free on your own proposal. The recommended places for you to visit in downtown area are Yu Garden, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, the World Financial Center, Shanghai Museum, the Bund or Nanjing Road. You may choose three or four destinations for a day tour. If you are interested in the water town, you may also extend your stay in Shanghai for one day and spend half day to go to Zhujiajiao water town which is nice and close.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel


Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel



Day 11 Departure from Shanghai
The arrangement today is also on your own. Time is free for you before your flight leaves. You may pack your luggage at the hotel or do some last-minute shopping if time permits. Then get to the airport and board your homeward flight by yourself. We wish you have had a memorable trip with us.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Tour Prices
2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
---|---|---|
$1939 | $1899 | $1649 |
- Prices are per person in US Dollars based on double occupancy.
- Any parts of the itinerary e.g. tour length, activities & hotels can be tailored to your individual interests.
Price Includes
- Domestic airfares & train fares
- Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- Private guides and drivers on guided tours
- Entrance fees to tourist sites on guided tours
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Transfers and entrance fees for free days
- Entry Visa fees
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Why Travel With Us

Other level available for this itinerary:
The return trip is Hong Kong to Beijing on January 2nd with a 5 hour layover in Beijing to get back to USA.
Do I qualify for 144 hr transit visa?
Also, my two children, age 10 and 11 will be traveling with me. Both born in USA and have US passports.
By the way, you should keep in mind that your flights to/from Beijing should not have any additional landings within mainland China.
If yes, you can take metro line 2 to East Nanjing Road Station and then transfer to metro line 10 to Yuyuan Station, Exit 1. After arriving, walk east around 700 meters to find the scenic area.
is it still possible to ski in Yulong Xueshan in April? Is it better to go there in the first week of April or October?
Thanks for your answer.
Ingrid