Find below the details of our program “Hidden Northern Yunnan”
Daily program: Hidden Northern Yunnan
Day 1: Dali - Weishan ~ 1h30min drive. Altitude: 1900m
Welcome by a driver upon your arrival at Dali airport. Transfer by private vehicle to the Weishan Valley, still unspoilt, this city is home to a very charming and smiling population. En route visit the Hui village of Donglianhua, with its small museum of the tea-and-horses route and its mosque. Lunch (not included). Then walk through the streets of the old town, discover wooden houses, small shops and the museum with unique artifacts. Settling in the old town in a small inn and dinner at leisure.
Day 2: Weishan (PDJ) ~ 1h drive. Altitude: 1900m
Morning walk in the local market, rich in surprises, then lunch and discovery in the afternoon of the mountain Weibaoshan (entrance: 50RMB per person), located at 2500m above sea level. As part of one of the 13 sacred Taoist mountains of China, the site is calm, exudes a certain serenity, and it is good to walk there to discover its small temples where Daoist monks reside. Return to Weishan at the end of the day and free evening in the old town. Night in a family inn.
Day 3: Weishan - Nuodeng (B, D) ~ 2h30min drive. Altitude: 2100m
Departure in the morning to the Yunlong Valley and the typical village of Nuodeng. Located on a hillside, this village is not accessible to motorized vehicles, the inhabitants carry loads on mules, the houses are carved wood and agricultural traditions still alive. You will have to climb in the village for about ten minutes to reach your family inn. From here you can explore the surrounding area and visit the Confucius Temple located at the top of the village. Dinner and overnight at the inn.
Day 4: Nuodeng (B, L, D) Altitude: 2100m
Day hike on the heights of Nuodeng, on the ancient road of tea and horses, paved path used by caravans until the last century. Visit lost villages en route. Back to Nuodeng at the end of the day, dinner and overnight at the hostel. Do not miss to watch the grandmother prepare the incense sticks according to the ancient techniques.
Day 5: Nuodeng - Shaxi (B) ~ 3h drive. Altitude: 2050m
Road this morning to the great Shaxi Valley, with a stop at the large village of Jianchuan to discover its old wooden houses and its many traditional craft workshops. Discovery also before the arrival in Shaxi Shibaoshan site (entrance: 65RMB per person + shuttle: 40RMB per person), beautiful set of Buddhist sculptures carved into the rock and very Zen temples. Continue to Shaxi. Accommodation in the heart of the old town of Shaxi in the old caravanserai Laomadian, beautifully refurbished with all the necessary comforts, having formerly served to host traders using the main road caravans tea and horses which Shaxi was one of the great trading centers. The hotel has a good restaurant.
Day 6: Shaxi - Xizhou (B) ~ 2h30 drive. Altitude: 1900m
Short walk in the old town and along the river this morning, then drive to the charming village of Xizhou. Along the way, stop at the large Bai minority village of Zhoucheng, especially known for its artisans making batik cloth. In Xizhou, we offer you a very charming hotel in a traditional Bai residence: the Linden Center. Note that a tour of the hotel is organized by the Linden Center every day at 17:00, in English, presenting the history and architecture of the places. The hotel has a very decent restaurant. Overnight at Linden Center.
Day 7: Xizhou (B) Altitude: 1900m
Visit the local market this morning, in English at 9am, then rest of the day free (without driver) to explore on foot or by bike the surroundings of the village (bike rental possible at the hotel). It is also possible to organize a small boat tour on Lake Erhai near the hotel. Meals not included. Overnight at Linden Center
Day 8: Xizhou - Dali ~ 50min transfer. Altitude: 1900m
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Dali airport for flight to your next destination. End of this secret North Yunnan tour, we wish you a pleasant return home, beautiful memories in mind!