8 days in Yunnan:Stone Forest

8 days in Yunnan:Stone Forest

Villages, Peaks, and Living Heritage

About the Trip

Venture into the soul of Yunnan on this 8-day immersive journey. Skip the crowds as you explore the Naigu Stone Forest, feed birds by Dianchi Lake, and taste Kunming’s street snacks. Glide along Erhai’s scenic shoreline, dive into Bai traditions in charming villages, and bake flower cakes in a floral haven. Walk the ancient Tea Horse Road in Shaxi and ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car. Discover peaceful Yuhu Village and participate in cultural crafts with the Naxi people. This trip blends nature, culture, and authentic interactions for travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary.

Trip Highlights

Discover the lesser-known Naigu Stone Forest and play “name the rock” with your kids
Taste authentic local snacks on Kunming’s Old Street
Enjoy panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake
Experience Bai culture in Xizhou and Zhoucheng villages
Bake flower cakes on a flower farm and sip flower tea in the countryside
Walk the ancient Tea Horse Road and visit a private caravan museum

The Itinerary

DAY 1 – Kunming | Arrival and Warm Welcome

Meet your private guide upon arrival in Kunming. You’ll be transferred to your hotel with ease, and your guide will assist you with check-in and orientation.

Activities:

Meet guide upon arrival in Kunming

Activities:

DAY 2 – Kunming | Naigu Stone Forest & Street Food Adventure

Skip the touristy routes and explore the quieter Naigu Stone Forest, where bizarre rock formations create a dreamlike geological landscape. After lunch, enjoy bird feeding and postcard-worthy photos at Dianchi Lake. Later, stroll Kunming’s Old Street and sample beloved snacks like rice noodle salad, sweet dumplings, and fried mushrooms.

Activities:

Naigu Stone Forest visit

Bird feeding at Dianchi Lake

Kunming Old Street stroll

Tasting rice noodle salad, sweet dumplings, and fried mushrooms

DAY 3 – Kunming to Dali | Scenic Lakeside Drive & Ancient City

Catch a morning bullet train to Dali. Drive along Erhai Lake’s east bank for a fresh view of Cangshan Mountain. Make scenic stops at villages along the way. End the day with a walk through Dali Ancient City, exploring its cobblestone alleys and well-preserved architecture.

Activities:

Bullet train ride to Dali

Scenic drive along Erhai Lake

Village stopovers

Dali Ancient City walk

DAY 4 – Dali | Bai Culture & Flower Cake Workshop

Experience local life in Xizhou and Zhoucheng villages with their colorful markets, tie-dye crafts, and Bai-style homes. Enjoy countryside views from a charming café. Learn to bake flower cakes at a flower farm, sip floral tea, and relax on a swing with views of Cangshan Mountain.

Activities:

Village visits: Xizhou and Zhoucheng

Market exploration and tie-dye craft demonstration

Bai-style home viewing

Countryside café relaxation

Flower cake baking at flower farm

Floral tea tasting

Swing relaxation with Cangshan Mountain views

DAY5 – Dali to Shaxi | Tea Horse Road History

Travel to historic Shaxi, a vital stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Explore Xingjiao Temple, Square Street, and Yujing Bridge. Visit a private museum featuring caravan artifacts, then stroll a peaceful 2.5-mile stretch of the original Tea Horse Road trail.

Activities:

Shaxi Ancient Town exploration

Visit to Xingjiao Temple, Square Street, and Yujing Bridge

Private museum tour with caravan artifacts

2.5-mile walk on original Tea Horse Road trail

DAY 6 – Shaxi to Lijiang | Black Dragon Pool & Ancient Town Charm

Arrive in Lijiang and visit serene Black Dragon Pool Park with views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Explore Lijiang Ancient Town’s narrow lanes, traditional architecture, and vibrant local life.

Activities:

Black Dragon Pool Park visit

View of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Lijiang Ancient Town walk through narrow lanes and traditional architecture

DAY 7 – Lijiang | Glacier Park, Yuhu Village & Naxi Traditions

Take a cable car to Glacier Park atop Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, reaching 4,680 meters for incredible views. Visit tranquil Yuhu Village, meet locals, try Naxi fire pit hot pot, and wear traditional Naxi clothing. Learn to make Dongba paper and write ancient Dongba characters.

Activities:

Glacier Park cable car ride on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Yuhu Village visit and local interaction

Naxi fire pit hot pot meal

Traditional Naxi clothing experience

Dongba paper-making workshop

Writing ancient Dongba characters

DAY8 – Lijiang | Departure

Spend your final morning at leisure before a private transfer to the airport. Your unforgettable Yunnan journey concludes here.

Activities:

Private transfer to the airport

Trip Include

Airport/train station pickup and drop-off with a professional driver.
Airport/train station pickup and drop-off with a professional driver.
All your activities, hotels, and meals are planned out just as shown in the itinerary.
Private air-conditioned vehicle for all scheduled sightseeing.

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