[Yunnan Tour] 8-Day Direct-Flight Tour: Yunnan · Shangri-La

On this day, meet at Hong Kong International Airport and board a flight to Kunming. *Note: If your flight departs in the evening, dinner for that day will be rescheduled to lunch on the eighth day. Please take note.

[Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor]: The Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor serves as a boundary between people and the lake; the section in the western part of the lake stretches over 40 kilometers. It connects the villages along the shore, transforming the distinctive traditional Bai ethnic villages into “a string of pearls encircling Erhai Lake.” *Wenqing’s Tip: Kunming to Dali (approx. 5-hour drive).

[The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple]: Facing Erhai Lake, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple create a picturesque scene where the lake, mountains, and ancient pagodas come together in a single frame, making it a must-visit cultural landmark in Dali. It is home to the best-preserved cluster of ancient Tang and Song Dynasty pagodas in Southwest China. The main tower, the Qianxun Tower, was originally built during the Nanzhao Kingdom; this 16-story Tang-style brick tower soars high into the clouds. Flanking it on either side are two small octagonal Song Dynasty towers standing side by side. Together, these three towers have stood firm for a thousand years, withstanding earthquakes—a true miracle of ancient architecture.

[Dukezong Ancient Town]: Dukezong Ancient Town is located in the southeastern corner of Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and was built by the Tibetan Empire during the Tang Dynasty. The ancient town was constructed along the mountainside, with stone slabs laid along the roads to follow the natural contours of the terrain. To this day, you can still see horse hoofprints on the stone-paved roads—a testament to the caravans that passed through long ago. *Wenqing Tip: Dali to Tiger Leaping Gorge (approx. 3.5-hour drive); Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La (approx. 2-hour drive).

[Shangri-La]: Shangri-La is located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Yunnan Province, at the heart of the three regions of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. Shangri-La was originally known as Zhongdian County but was renamed due to its striking resemblance to the utopian paradise described in James Hilton’s novel *Lost Horizon*. *Wenqing Tip: The county seat of Shangri-La has an average elevation of approximately 3,280 meters. The drive from Shangri-La to Lijiang takes about 3.5 hours.

[Yulong Snow Mountain]: Yulong Snow Mountain served as the inspiration for the “Blue Moon Valley” in the global film *The Vanishing Horizon* and is also a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people. Yulong Snow Mountain is renowned worldwide for its “ruggedness, uniqueness, beauty, and elegance.” From the foothills to the summit, the mountain offers a wealth of diverse landscapes; however, its core scenic value lies in the snow-capped peaks and glaciers found in the high-altitude regions.

[Stone Forest Scenic Area]: The Stone Forest Scenic Area is located approximately 78 kilometers from downtown Kunming. This national 5A-level tourist attraction is renowned for its spectacular karst landforms and is often hailed as “the world’s most wondrous natural spectacle.” The core scenic area includes the Great Stone Forest, the Small Stone Forest, and the Naigu Stone Forest, making it a must-visit destination for exploring nature’s masterful craftsmanship and the Sani culture of the Yi people. *Wenqing Tip: Lijiang to Kunming (by high-speed rail, approximately 3.5 hours); Kunming to Shilin Scenic Area (approximately 1.5 hours).

[Dounan International Flower Market]: The Dounan International Flower Market is Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest trading center for fresh-cut flowers. More than 70 percent of China’s fresh flowers come from here. The market is renowned for its vast scale, wide variety (over 1,600 species), and affordable prices. Board your flight at the designated time to return to Hong Kong. This marks the successful conclusion of your journey. *Note: If your return flight is an early morning flight, the visit to the flower market will be rescheduled for Day 7.