Beijing, Xi’an and Yunnan Tour (15 days)

Booking flight from Paris to Beijing. Night on board.

Arrival at Beijing Airport. Welcome by your driver with a sign to your name, then transfer to the boutique hotel Shadow Art. Rest of the day free for a first discovery of the city of Beijing, and Hutong district around your hotel

Meet with your guide and driver at 9:00. Beginning of visits to Beijing, with that of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, once home to the Chinese emperors and center of political power. It is the largest and best preserved architectural ensemble in China. Walk to Tiananmen Square, Heavenly Peace Gate, and Coal Hill from where you can enjoy 360-degree views of Beijing. Continuation towards the districts of the lakes of Beijing for a pleasant stroll. Meals not included.
Overnight at the boutique hotel Shadow Art

Departure at 8:00 for the Great Wall in Mutianyu: built over 6700 km long to protect the Middle Kingdom from the invasions of the Barbarians of the North, listed as World Heritage of Humanity. Ascent by gondola and / or downhill walk. Lunch on the spot. On the return to Beijing, visit the summer palace outside Beijing, former residence of Empress Cixi. Walk around the inner lake. Dinner not included. Overnight at the boutique hotel Shadow Art

Alternative program day 4: Hike on the Chinese wall (DPJ, DEJ)

Departure at 8:00 to the Chinese Wall and the Gubeikou section. Meet with your local guide speaking a little English. A simple picnic will be planned. Walk along the wall still wild, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Great Wall winding the ridge of Yanshan. Gubeikou, Shanhaiguan and Juyongguan passes were considered strategic points for the military companies. The protection of these three passes was of considerable importance to Beijing’s security against the Mongol attacks. End of the trek on a better-developed section at Jingshanling, contrasting with the start of the hike. The hike lasts 4 to 5 hours today. Find your driver for the return trip to Beijing. Overnight at Shadow Art Hotel.

Free day. You can visit the Temple of Heaven nestled in the huge park of Tiantan Gongyuan, whose majestic triple-roofed rotunda is one of the most beautiful achievements of Ming architecture. Discovery of the hutong district around the drum and bell towers, and possibility to visit the lamas temple. Meals not included. Transfer to Beijing Railway Station for the night train to Xi’an (soft sleeper).

Arrival in Xi’an in the early morning. Meeting on your arrival with your new French speaking guide, then transfer to the hotel Zuoyouke 3.5 *. Breakfast. Departure for the famous site of the army in terracotta supposed to protect the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Reminiscent discovery of 6,000 warriors and clay horses, life-size, aligned in battle formation. Return to the city center through the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower and the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Walk in the Hui district. In the evening, optional (250RMB per person), banquet dinner of ravioli, local specialties, followed by a Tang Dynasty dance and song performance. Overnight in Xi’an.

Transfer to Xi’An airport for the morning flight to Lijiang. Welcome by a driver, and transfer to the charming Green Village Inn located in the heart of Lijiang’s Old Town. Today will be free for you to visit the old city of Lijiang at your own pace, and rest there.

Meet with your French speaking guide at 8:00. Discover the Naxi village of Baisha, then drive to the Gorges du Saut du Tigre, for a short walk down the Gorges. Lunch not included. Continue to Shangri La in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check into the Timeless Inn bed and breakfast located in the heart of the old town of Shangri La, two minutes walk from the small square where the premises dance at the end of the day. First stroll through the old town of Shangri La.

Visit Shangri La and its region, starting with the beautiful Tibetan Songzanlin Monastery. Walk to the local market, then walk through the old town, including the Bai Ji Si temple with beautiful views of Shangri La and the Shika Mountains. Lunch not included. In the afternoon, discover on foot or by bike the Tibetan countryside (several possible routes, to be discussed in the morning with your guide according to your desires and abilities). Random stop of the road and your meetings with a Tibetan family, always welcoming, to taste the Yak butter tea, “Tsampa” and Yak butter cheese, local specialties and bases of their daily food. Attend and participate if you wish in spontaneous dances in the evening of locals in the Old Town Square. Dinner not included. Overnight at your bed and breakfast.

Morning route to Shaxi. In the afternoon, discover the Shibaoshan Mountains, a superb set of Buddhist sculptures carved into the rock and very Zen temples. After the visit, it is possible to walk down a small path leading to the old town of Shaxi, if not by car. Discovery of Shaxi, former big trading center on the caravan route of tea and horses. Meals not included. Accommodation in the heart of the old town at the boutique Aoding Courtyard.

Walk through Shaxi this morning before heading to the Dali area. Discovery of the pleasant Bai minority village of Zhoucheng, meeting its inhabitants (learn more about the batik dyeing process, practiced here for generations) and its small but charming old temples. Discover the old town of Dali, stroll through its old streets. Discovery of the temple of the 3 pagodas. Continue to Xizhou. Installation at the beautiful and comfortable Linden Center boutique hotel, built in a beautiful traditional Bai mansion, and equipped with all modern comforts. Dinner at the hotel restaurant, not included.

Nice free day in Xizhou. You can freely explore the morning market and the village of Xizhou, walk from your hotel, then cycle through the surrounding countryside to Lake Erhai (bike available at the hotel). Meal not included. Overnight at Linden Center.

Transfer to Dali station for the direct train to Shilin (3h drive). Discovery of the site of the Stone Forest. We offer you a walk of about 2 hours inside the site, between rocky peaks and sometimes through narrow paths, away from the trails crossed by many Chinese tourists. Back to Kunming, for a walk in the old district of the flower and bird market, discovery of a traditional Chinese pharmacy. In the evening, attend Yunnan’s beautiful Yunnan minority dance and song show titled “Dynamic Yunnan” (8: 00-2: 30pm, option at 200RMB per person). Overnight at the hotel Home Inn Plus 3 *

Free time in Kunming. You can walk to the emerald lake, where locals love to walk, sing, dance and play music. Possibility to extend to the Buddhist temple of Yuantong located 5 / 10min walk. Transfer to Kunming Airport for your return flight to France. Night aboard the plane.

Arrival in the morning. End of our services.