Journey across Southern Yunnan

Arrival at Kunming International Airport. Welcoming by your driver (they will have a board at your name) in the arrival hall, then transfer to Grand Park Hotel 5*, ideally located in the heart of Kunming. Rest of the day free to explore at your own pace. Easy stroll towards the Emerald Lake where local people like to wander around, sing, dance or play music, alone or together with their lover, friends or family ; the park is full of life from dusk to dawn and especially on the weekends; sceneries of happy and quiet lives will give you a very good first impression of Yunnan, its people and their culture. Welcome to Yunnan! Not far from there, you can carry on  and go visit the Yuantong Temple (entrance : 6 rmb / person). Dinner at your expense and transfer around 19.00 with your local driver to assist to a very beautiful show of Yunnan minorities songs and dances called ” Dynamic Yunnan ” (20.00-21.40). Back to the hotel afterwards. Overnight in Kunming.

Breakfast and meeting with your english-speaking driver and guide at 08.30 am. Then, take the direction to the picturesque village of Tuanshan (entrance : 35 rmb / person), located about 15km from Jianshui. The village has stayed like out of time and most of the buildings date back from the Qing Dynasty. Stroll in the picturesque small streets. Then you will take the road to Jianshui, one of the oldest and most remarkable city in Southern Yunnan. On the way, stop at the Double Dragon bridge, which is beautifully reflected in the waters of a small lake. In Jianshui, check in at the charming Hanlinyuan 4* Residence. End of the day free for a stroll at your own pace in the shopping small streets in the city center. You can try the famous tofu, which is Jianshui’s special food. Dinner at your expense and overnight in Jianshui.

Breakfast before you can explore the local Confucius Temple (entrance : 40 rmb/ person), which is the second largest in China after the Qufu Temple, the master’s native city. The temple consists in a big park with a pond, many courtyards, magnificient gantries, temples and pavillions. Stroll through Jianshui city up to the Chaoyang Arch, where locals hold a small bird market. Road towards Yuanyang Region. On the road you will get to a checkpoint where you will need to settle the entrance fee for the region (70rmb/person). First overview of different viewpoints over the amazing terrace rice fields, such as the Bada Viewpoint. Check in at the nice Havre de Paix Guest house, in the heart of Duoyishu village which rice fields all around. Dinner at your expense and overnight.

Enjoy your breakfast watching the rice fields, those are often flanked by the morning mist, a mystical and relaxing atmosphere. Today’s market will take place in Niujiaozhai (the market place might however change according to the day). Short drive to the market. You will be able to meet with Yi and Hani minority people still wearing their traditional outfit. Keep on towards a small village where a dance and songs show has been put in place by the villagers belonging to the Yi minority. Charming and touching… Please note that the income from the show will be directly given to the families. A local special dish lunch will be served then at one of the families taking part to the show. This afternoon if you wish you can go for a small 2 to 3 hours hike across beautiful rice fields landscapes, going through some very scenic villages. Back to the hotel at the end of the day. Dinner at your expense and overnight at Havre de paix.

Breakfast and visit of Shengcun market (this might change according to the Lunar Calendar). Long road then along the Red River, through Honghe and Yuanjiang. You will go through Dai minority villages. Visit Nakeli’s small village (entrance : 50 rmb / person), that used to be an important waypoint on the Tea and Horses Road. Discover by foot the wooden houses, the big mill and the covered way, meet the friendly inhabitants and wander along the small river in a yesteryear atmosphere. Dinner at your expense and overnight in Jiangshanlong Inn 3* in Pu’er.

Petit-déjeuner, et ce matin route le long du Mékong jusqu’à Ganlanba. Possible stops on the way at different Dai minorities villages around Galanba, then explore the Minorities Park (entrance : 80 RMB/person). This afternoon, you will enjoy a nice stroll in the heart of Menglun tropical garden (entrance : 180 RMB/person), to learn more about the local biodiversity. Check in at Crown hotel 4*. In the evening you will explore the night market along the Mekong River. Dinner at your expense and overnight in Jinghong.  

After breakfast, visit Menghai’s market, then the Jingzhen Pagoda. Continue towards Manzhao Dai village where people still produce paper in a traditional way. Then you will set off towards Nannuoshan Mountain, one of the six team mountains that have made Pu’er Tea very famous. Two hours walk through the tea fields, fully organic, up to the king of tea trees, a 800 years old tree. Back to town, dinner at your expense and overnight at Crown 4* hotel, à Jinghong.

Breakfast and free time before the transfer to Jinghong’s airport and the flight towards your next destination. Say goodbye to your English Speaking driver.

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 a pleasant way back home or a nice continuation of your trip.