01Erhai & Bai village life
Xizhou courtyards, the Three Pagodas and Zhoucheng tie-dye connect Dali’s landscapes with its crafts.
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CHINA / HANJOY TOURS · 12 days · reference itinerary
Beijing & Yunnan, mountains and living traditions
A 12-day outline from the imperial capital to Erhai Lake, tea country and highland towns, shaped by tie-dye, pottery and the flavours of Yunnan.
01 / At a glance
The story of your journey
History opens the journey in Beijing; Yunnan gives it new colours. Bai courtyards and blue-and-white textiles in Dali lead to tea and pottery in Lincang, monasteries and wetlands around Shangri-La, then the stone lanes of Naxi Lijiang. Landscapes and living crafts unfold together.
Choose this route for variety and hands-on discovery, with time devoted to travelling between regions. The highland section and intercity connections require careful tailoring. The 12-day outline is a starting point for an agreed, workable journey.
- Who it suits
- Travellers who enjoy landscapes, regional cultures and crafts, and are comfortable planning for altitude and transfers.
- Travel rhythm
- Includes highland and mountain visits, with some long transfers between regions.
- Getting between places
- Beijing–Dali and Lincang–Shangri-La connections require confirmation; several other legs are by road.
02 / Travel · Culture · Learning
Moments to remember
01
02From tea leaves to clay
Lincang brings Tea Horse culture, seasonal tea picking and pottery into an experience shaped by doing.
03Monasteries & mountain horizons
Songzanlin, Dukezong, Pudacuo and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain shape the highland chapter, with a pace to suit you.
03 / 12 days · reference itinerary
A new discovery, every day
A customisable reference programme. Timings, activities, accommodation and transport are agreed in your confirmed itinerary and quotation.
- Day 01
Beijing
Arrive in the imperial capital
Transfer to your hotel and take time to rest after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, explore the Tian’anmen and Qianmen area, where monumental gateways meet historic shopping streets. Ease into Beijing over dinner before returning to the hotel.
- Day 02
Beijing
Palace stories & a taste of hutong life
Spend around three to four hours exploring the Forbidden City and the courtyards of the Ming and Qing imperial palace. In the afternoon, discover the hutongs, Houhai and a courtyard home, then try making dumplings and Chinese dishes. Discuss a hutong rickshaw ride when tailoring the programme.
Beijing - Day 03
Beijing
Imperial gardens & an evening at the opera
Walk through the Summer Palace’s lakeside landscapes, painted Long Corridor and Seventeen-Arch Bridge, allowing around three to four hours. Continue to the Temple of Heaven to explore imperial ritual architecture. An evening of Peking opera introduces its voices, gestures and costumes; performance schedules are confirmed for your dates.
- Day 04
Beijing
Great Wall views & colours of Chinese opera
Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for roughly two to three hours of walking, adapting the distance to your energy. Back in Beijing, paint an opera mask and explore the meanings of its colours, with a Lord Rabbit figurine or folding-fan activity to be confirmed. Round off the day with Peking duck.
Beijing - Day 05
Beijing → Dali
First impressions of Dali
Travel from Beijing to Dali; the connection and arrival time are to be confirmed. Settle in and explore Dali Old Town, including Wenxian Tower and Wuhua Tower, before visiting the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. Local pastries and cold chicken rice noodles introduce the flavours of Yunnan.
- Day 06
Dali · Erhai Lake
Erhai, Xizhou & the blues of Bai tie-dye
Explore the Erhai lakeshore and Xizhou by bicycle or vehicle, adapted to your energy. At the Yan family courtyard, look at the woodcarving and painted details of Bai architecture. In Zhoucheng, a proposed artisan-led tie-dye session turns knotted fabric into a personal blue-and-white souvenir.
Dali · Erhai Lake - Day 07
Dali → Lincang
Tea landscapes & clay in Lincang
Travel by road to Lincang. The proposed visits include the Hecheng cultural park, Tea Horse Museum and Lu Yu Square, followed by tea picking and a pottery activity. Wa-style chicken rice is a possible local meal. Driving time and the activity sequence need checking; tea picking depends on the season and tea garden.
Dali → Lincang - Day 08
Lincang → Shangri-La
Towards Shangri-La & Songzanlin Monastery
Continue to Shangri-La. The source suggests flying, but the workable route and any connection must be confirmed before booking. Songzanlin Monastery is the cultural focus, with a gentle pace on arrival. Grassland horse riding and a Tibetan-style evening are possible additions to discuss, rather than confirmed inclusions.
Lincang → Shangri-La - Day 09
Shangri-La
Pudacuo landscapes & Dukezong Old Town
Explore Pudacuo National Park’s lakes, forests and wetlands, adapting walking distances to your comfort. Continue to Dukezong Old Town for Tibetan-style buildings and its prayer wheel, respecting local religious customs. Yak hotpot is one possible dinner choice; discuss dietary preferences in advance.
Shangri-La - Day 10
Shangri-La → Lijiang
By road to Lijiang & Shuhe
Travel by road to Lijiang and wander its stone-paved lanes. Continue to Shuhe’s Sifang Street and Qinglong Bridge to explore Naxi architecture and local culture. Cured-rib hotpot is a possible dinner, while a folk-music bar remains a personal choice for the evening.
- Day 11
Lijiang · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Blue Moon Valley
The proposed day pairs a cable car and viewpoint on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Blue Moon Valley. Altitude, weather, cable-car operations and reservations can affect the plan. Discuss suitability and alternatives in advance, and agree the exact mountain visit, overnight arrangements and onward departure together.
Lijiang · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Day 12
Depart Lijiang
Leave Lijiang & connect with your onward journey
Check out and transfer to the airport. The source suggests Lijiang–Guangzhou–France as an onward route, rather than a confirmed flight itinerary. Your destination, flight availability, connections and any extra overnight stay are planned for your actual dates.
Travel · Culture · Learning
Taste the places you visit
Dali pastries and cold rice noodles, Wa-style food in Lincang, Lijiang cured-rib hotpot and highland butter tea. Share ingredient preferences and whether you wish to avoid alcohol.
04 / HANJOY TOURS
The details that make it your trip
Plan with us
Altitude, weather and cable-car reservations affect mountain visits. Confirm the Lincang–Shangri-La connection and final departure sequence before agreeing the full quotation. Tea picking is seasonal.
Is this a fixed group departure?
These are customisable reference journeys, without advertised fixed departure dates or remaining places. We can discuss changes for your group, interests, language and walking ability. Travel arrangements and services are agreed in the confirmation documents.
What is included in the price?
Request a written quotation specifying accommodation, room type, transport, meals, admissions, guiding language, workshops and performances. International flights, visas, insurance, tips and optional activities must also be clearly addressed. A listed activity does not mean its cost is included.
Can I request English or French services?
You can enquire in Chinese, English or French. Let us know your preferred guiding language; availability, personnel and any related costs in each destination must be confirmed before booking.
HANJOY TOURS
Every journey starts with a conversation.
Tell us where you would like to go and what interests you: culture, language, art, nature or study.
You can also email us directly.
bobwu1987@gmail.comChina
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