Find below the details of our program “Hidden Northern Yunnan”
Daily program: Hidden Northern Yunnan
Day 1 : Arrival in Dali – Donglinghua – Weishan ~ 2h30 drive. Altitude : 1900 m.
Arrival at Dali‘s airport or railway station. Welcoming by your English Speaking guide (they will have a board at your name), then head off straight away towards Weishan region.
En route, first stop at Donglinghua Hui village (muslim minority) (entrance : 50 RMB per person), to discover its mosque or its museum with a magnificient viw over the city’s rooftops (entrance : 20 RMB). Still preserved from mass tourism, Weishan hosts a very charming and smiling population.
Then you can stroll into Weishan’s small streets, discover the small wooden houses, small shops and a museum with unique artefacts.
Check in at your family Inn, Laoguan.
Dinner at your own expense and overnight in Weishan.
Day 2 : Weishan and Weibaoshan (B) ~ Altitude : 2500 m.
After breakfast, stroll into town and at the local market which is full of surprises !
In the afternoon, discover Weibaoshan Mountain (entrance : 40 RMB per person), located at 2500m. altitude. Being a part of the 13 sacred taoist mountains in China, the site is quiet and gives off quite a serene atmosphere and it’s good to stroll there and discover the small temples where taoist monks live.
Back to Weishan and rest of the day free. Take your time to wander according to your wishes.
Dinner at your own expense and overnight at your guest house, Laoguan.
Day 3 : Weishan - Nuodeng (B ; D) ~ 3h drive. Altitude 2100m.
Departure this morning towards the Yunlong valley and Nuodeng’s small typical village. Layed down on the mountain side, this village is not accessible to motorized vehicles, the inhabitants carry the loads with mules, the houses are made of wood sculpted and the agricultural traditions are still well alive. You will have to go up the village for about 20 minutes to get to your family guest house (mules will be available to carry your luggage). From there, you can explore the surroundings and visit the confucius temple located at the top of the village.
Dinner and overnight at the Gujing family guest house.
Day 4 : Nuodeng (B ; L ; D)
Breakfast then day hiking on the heights of Nuodeng village together with your guide. You will rut on the ancient tea and horses road on a paved path that was used by the caravans until the last century. You will go through lost villages that seem like arising from another era.
Back to Nuodeng at the end of the day.
Dinner at your own expense and overnight at Gujing guest house. Don’t miss to observe the grand mother prepare the incense sticks according to the ancient techniques !
Day 5 : Nuodeng – Shibaoshan - Shaxi (B) ~ 3h drive. Altitude 2050m.
Breakfast then, road towards the Shaxi region. Stroll through Shibaoshan’s majestic site (entrance : 45 RMB + shuttle : 40 RMB), a nice set of buddhist sculptures engraved in the rocks and very zen temples. You will go down the mountain on foot, this will take you about 90 minutes, with sumptuous clear views amidst the pine trees and with an invigorating and pure air.
Arrival in Shaxi, check in at your guest house in the heart of the old city. End of the day free to enjoy at your pace the quiet atmosphere of Shaxi village. Lots of small cafes or bars with a terrace will be available close to the main square. Relax and immerse yourself in the local life.
Dinner at your own expense.
Overnight at the Aoding Courtyard 3* hotel. The welcome is very warm and we advise you to try the hotel’s restaurant !
Day 6 : Shaxi – Zhoucheng – Xizhou (B) ~ 3h drive. Altitude 1900m.
Breakfast and stroll in the small streets of Shaxi and along the river. The village is a former big center of commercial exchange on the road of the tea and horses caravan.
Then road towards Shaxi region. On the way, stop at Bai Minority’s big village Zhoucheng, notably known for their craftsmen producing the Batik clothes.
Then road to Xizhou Bai village.
Late check in at the very comfortable Linden Center charming hotel, built in a beautiful traditional Bai courtyard. Say goodbye to your English Speaking driver. Note that a visit of Linden Center is organized by the hotel everyday at 5.00 pm in English, to present this place’s history and architecture.
The hotel has a very decent restaurant however we would also advise you to get tempted by some simple restaurants on the village’s main square which will be the ideal spot to observe the local evening life. Families get together on the square, kids are playing, the elderly drink some tea and chat together. The small street are not lit after the night as fallen, don’t forget to bring the flashlight that you will find in your room, or use the one on your mobile phone !
Overnight in Xizhou.
Date 7 : Xizhou (B)
Quiet breakfast and rest of the day free in Xizhou‘s quiet small village. You can explore the morning market and the village on foot, then on bike or on foot the surroundings of the village accross the rice fields (bikes available at your hotel). You can also organize a small boat tour on Lake Erhai.
Meals at your expense.
Overnight at Linden Center 4*.
Day 8 : Xizhou – Dali / Departure (B)
After breakfast, last free moments before your transfer towards Dali railway station or Dali airport to take your train or your flight back to your home.
If time is enough, you can stop in the Dali old cities, friendly and dynamic. Free stroll to discover a stunning catholic church. For lunch, we advise you to get tempted by the local barbecue, which is the undisputed specialty in Dali, in one of the many restaurants in the old city. If you wish, you can even visit the 3 pagodas temple (entrance : 120 RMB per person).
Note : Your room will have to be freed before noon. Your luggage can be kept at the hotel.
End of our services. Our team wishes you an enjoyable way back home!
