HANOI – KUNMING – DALI – LIJIANG – SHANGRI-LA

02:00: Guide and bus pick up guests at the meeting point to depart Hanoi for Lao Cai. Guests stop for breakfast on the way (self-pay).

07:00: Arrive in Lao Cai, complete immigration procedures at Hakou Border Gate, then drive from Hakou to Mong Tse (153 km).
Lunch on the way. Arrive in Mong Tse, board the high-speed train from Mong Tse to Dali.

22:00: Arrive in Dali. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

Breakfast. Visit the city of Dali, the capital of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, located in the west of Yunnan Province, on the Erhai Plain at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and on the shore of Erhai Lake.
-Visit the Xi Zhou Ancient Town - Experience traditional Bai architecture and try Hsi Zhou cakes.
- Visit the Fangyang Ya Village, 7 km from Dali Ancient Town, a village under the foot of the Shang Mountain, with well-preserved old houses and picturesque landscapes resembling scenes from the movie "A Place Where There Is Wind".
- Continue to Erhai Lake. On the west bank of Erhai Lake, guests can take photos and capture memorable moments.
Proceed to the Flower Sea, known as a popular spot for TikTok content creators and a "glass ball" for internet celebrities.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon:
- Visit the Dali Ancient City, a 4A-level tourist site in China, with picturesque views of Erhai Lake to the south and the evergreen Cangshan Mountains to the west. Experience the charm of the ancient city in its tranquil setting.
- Drive to Lijiang (180 km). Arrive in Lijiang, have dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay in Lijiang.

Breakfast. Visit the Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area. Take the small cable car to visit the Sanbai Ping area at 3,200 meters above sea level, where the 5,596-meter-high snow-covered mountain stands. Enjoy the pristine beauty of the glacier and explore the Baishui River, the Camhaiti Prairie, and the Jade Water Village, showcasing the customs and beliefs of the Naxi people and Dongba culture.
- Blue Moon Valley: Located at the foot of the Yulong Snow Mountain, the valley features four beautiful lakes: Yushui, Jingdan, Blue Moon, and Tingdao, resembling a crescent moon when viewed from above.
- Naxi Village: A traditional village perched on a giant mushroom-shaped rock, with over 1,000 neatly arranged houses connected by stone steps. The surrounding terraced fields add to the charm of the area.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon:
Visit Lijiang Ancient Town, built over 800 years ago at the end of the Song Dynasty, located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at 2,400 meters above sea level. The unique architecture blends Han, Bai, and Tibetan styles with traditional Naxi elements. The town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, is known for its beautiful canals, willow trees, and charming bridges, earning it the nickname "Venice of the East."
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Lijiang. In the evening, you may join the "Lijiang Ancient Love" performance by renowned director Zhang Yimou (optional). Overnight in Lijiang.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit:
- Black Dragon Pool Park – where the water from Yulong Snow Mountain nourishes the Lijiang region. Enjoy the magnificent view of the snow mountain in the serene setting of the lake.
- Drive to Shangri-La, "The Land of Immortality" from James Hilton’s novel "Lost Horizon." In Tibetan, Shangri-La means "a place of destiny and fortune," the center of three major rivers: the Yangtze, Lancang (the Mekong’s upper reaches), and Nujiang.
In Shangri-La, visit:
- Songzanlin Monastery: Known as a miniature version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, founded in 1679 by the 5th Dalai Lama. Admire the grand Buddha statues, colorful prayer flags, intricately painted ceilings, and exquisite Tibetan carvings.
- Dukezong Ancient Town: One of the best-preserved Tibetan settlements in China, with over 1,300 years of history. Visitors can explore ancient Tibetan-style houses and learn about Tibetan culture and daily life from the friendly locals.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Shangri-La.

Breakfast. Visit:
- Pudacuo National Park: Shangri-La's nature, resembling a paradise, features snowy mountains, green forests, and vibrant colors, with a rich array of flora and fauna. Pudacuo is China’s first national park meeting international conservation standards and one of the country’s top 40 scenic spots. The park offers stunning views throughout the four seasons.
- Bita Lake: Explore the pristine meadows, flower seas, and beautiful lakes on the snowy plateau, and enjoy the lush green forests.
Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to Lijiang.
Dinner at a local restaurant and free time to explore Lijiang.

After breakfast, take the high-speed train from Lijiang to Kunming (8:00 - 11:00).
Lunch in Kunming.
Bus transfer from Kunming to Hakou.
At Hakou, complete immigration procedures to return to Vietnam. Transfer from Lao Cai to Hanoi. The trip concludes.