Yunnan Ethnic Minority Cultural Tour
Tour Overview
This 7-day and 6-night Yunnan Ethnic Minority Cultural Tour will take you to experience the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan. Starting from Kunming, passing through Dali and Lijiang to Shangri-La, you'll experience the unique charm of multiple ethnic groups including the Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan, exploring their traditional customs, architectural styles, and food culture.
Highlights
We have carefully designed every detail to allow you to deeply experience the colorful ethnic cultures and natural landscapes of Yunnan.
Bai Ethnic Three-Course Tea Experience
In a traditional Bai ethnic residence in Dali, learn the Bai's traditional "one bitter, two sweet, three aftertaste" tea ceremony, listen to Bai ethnic songs, and watch traditional dance performances.
Naxi Dongba Culture Exploration
Learn Dongba writing with a Dongba cultural inheritor, understand the ancient religious rituals and traditions of the Naxi people, and experience Dongba paper-making techniques.
Tibetan Home Visit and Guozhuang Dance
Step into a Tibetan family in Shangri-La, taste butter tea and zanba, learn to make Tibetan pastries, and participate in the lively Guozhuang dance around a bonfire at night.
Detailed Itinerary
Each day's itinerary is reasonably arranged for comfort, with both cultural exploration and leisure experiences, making your Yunnan ethnic minority journey fulfilling without being exhausting.
Day 1:各地 - Kunming Gathering
Arrive in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Our guide will meet you at the airport/train station and take you to the hotel for check-in. You can enjoy free time in the afternoon; we recommend visiting Cuihu Park or the Yunnan Provincial Museum.
At 18:30 in the evening, we will hold a welcome dinner at the hotel, featuring Yunnan's famous Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles and other local specialties. The guide will introduce the upcoming itinerary and provide an overview of Yunnan's ethnic minority cultures.
Kind Reminder: If you arrive in Kunming early, you can visit Haigeng Dam by Dianchi Lake to watch red-billed gulls (in winter) and experience the warmth and beauty of the "Spring City".
Day 2: Kunming - Dali
After breakfast at the hotel at 8:00, depart for Dali (approximately 2.5 hours by car). Upon arrival, visit Dali Ancient City and stroll through the streets from the Nanzhao Kingdom period, feeling the historical changes of Dali.
In the afternoon, visit a Bai ethnic residence, experience the Bai's "Three-Course Tea" ceremony, learn Bai batik techniques, and create your own batik work.
Dinner will feature the Bai specialty "Tuba Wan" (Eight Bowls Cuisine). After dinner, you can stroll through the ancient city and experience Dali's nightlife.
Day 3: Dali Erhai Lake Scenery
Watch the sunrise by Erhai Lake in the early morning, then ride a bike along the west bank of Erhai Lake (approximately 2 hours), enjoying the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains. Pass through Bai ethnic villages such as Caicun and Panxi, experiencing the local customs.
After lunch, head to Xizhou Ancient Town to visit the traditional Bai residential architecture complex. Learn about the Bai architectural features of "Three Houses and One Screen Wall" and "Four Houses and Five Courtyards", and taste the famous Xizhou Baba (local pastry).
Return to Dali Ancient City in the evening. After dinner, you can choose to watch the large-scale live performance "Impression·Dali" (at your own expense).
Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
After breakfast, drive to Lijiang (approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Lijiang Ancient City. Experience the Naxi people's daily life in Sifang Street and visit the ancient city's water system and traditional residences.
In the afternoon, visit a Dongba culture inheritor, learn the basic writing of Dongba script, understand the Naxi people's ancient religion and cultural traditions, and experience Dongba paper-making techniques.
Dinner will feature Naxi specialty cured pork rib hot pot. In the evening, you can freely explore the ancient city's bar street to experience Lijiang's nightlife, or listen to Naxi ancient music in the courtyard of your inn.
Day 5: Lijiang In-depth Tour
After breakfast, visit Mu Mansion to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi Mu chieftain family, and appreciate the architectural complex that combines Central Plains architecture with Naxi traditional style.
In the afternoon, head to Yushui Village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to visit the sacred place of the Naxi people and learn about their nature worship and Dongba culture.
After dinner, attend a traditional Naxi music performance to enjoy Naxi ancient music and traditional dances.
Day 6: Lijiang - Shangri-La
After breakfast, drive to Shangri-La (approximately 3.5 hours), passing through Tiger Leaping Gorge where you can make a short stop to enjoy the magnificent canyon scenery.
Upon arrival in Shangri-La, visit Songzanlin Monastery to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture and experience the religious beliefs of the Tibetan people.
In the evening, visit a Tibetan family to participate in a home visit activity, taste butter tea, highland barley wine, and zanba, learn to make Tibetan pastries, and join a bonfire party in the evening to dance the Guozhuang dance with local Tibetans.
Day 7: Shangri-La - Return
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, we will arrange transportation to Shangri-La Airport or back to Lijiang for departure by plane/train.
If your flight is later in the day, you can choose to visit Napahai Grassland to enjoy the plateau lake and grassland scenery, or explore Dukezong Ancient Town freely to purchase souvenirs.
Kind Reminder: We recommend booking a flight in the afternoon to allow sufficient time to return to the airport.