HANOI – KUNMING – SHANGRI-LA – LIJIANG – DALYI

13:30: The tour guide and bus will pick up guests at the designated meeting point and transfer them to Noi Bai Airport for check-in for flight MU9606 (17:30 – 19:55) from Hanoi to Kunming.

Evening: Arrive in Kunming, transfer to the hotel, check in, and rest. Free time to explore Kunming at night.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight MU5933 (09:00 – 10:15) from Kunming to Shangri-La, described as the "Land of Immortality" in James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon. In Tibetan, Shangri-La means a place of destiny and luck, and it is the center of three major rivers: the Yangtze, the Lancang (the upper Mekong), and the Nujiang.
Upon arrival in Shangri-La: Visit Songzanlin Monastery (also known as Tongan Monastery), a smaller version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, built by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1679, and currently houses over 700 monks. Visitors will see grand Buddha statues, colorful prayer flags, intricately painted ceilings, and exquisite Tibetan art.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Explore Potatso National Park, a paradise with its snowy mountains, green forests, and rich biodiversity. Pudacuo is China’s first national park meeting International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards and one of the top 40 scenic spots in China. It’s a great destination for photography with its changing landscapes through the seasons: blooming flowers in spring, lush green in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter. Visit Bitahai Lake, stroll through meadows and flower fields, and enjoy the pristine environment.

Evening: Visit the Tibetan Culture Museum. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Shangri-La.

Breakfast at the hotel. You will visit:
- Dukezong Ancient Town - A historically Tibetan settlement that has been preserved for over 1,300 years, making it one of the best-preserved Tibetan towns in China. Here, you will see hundreds of ancient Tibetan-style houses carefully preserved, and the hospitable Tibetan locals will introduce you to their unique culture, daily life, and provide warm assistance.

Afterward, travel from Shangri-La to Lijiang. Upon arrival in Lijiang, you will explore this beautiful city on the Yunnan Plateau, blessed with picturesque and poetic landscapes. In Lijiang, you will visit:
- Black Dragon Pool Park – This park is fed by waters from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which nourish the Lijiang area. From the park, you can admire the majestic, snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the serene reflection in the still lake.
- Lijiang Old Town - This ancient town was built at the end of the Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. The architecture here is a unique blend of Han, Bai, and Tibetan styles with traditional Naxi influences. Lijiang was also a bustling trading center on the ancient Tea Horse Road, where traders exchanged Tibetan horses for Chinese tea. The old town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is known for its beautiful water scenery and is often referred to as the "Venice of the East," with its houses built over streams, willow trees hanging down, and charming small bridges. Visit a spirulina shop.

Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight stay in Lijiang. In the evening, you may choose to attend the “Impression Lijiang” performance directed by the renowned Zhang Yimou. (Optional activity at your own expense).

Breakfast at the hotel. The vehicle will take you to visit:
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area - Take the cable car to the top of the mountain at 3,200 meters to enjoy the stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which rises 5,596 meters and is covered in snow year-round. The eternal ice here shines a jade green color. It is called the "Virgin Mountain" because it has never been fully conquered by humans. Many climbers have either perished or retreated in awe of its pristine beauty. Visit the White Water River formed by melting snow from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Yushui Village known for its beautiful scenery and traditional customs of the Naxi people and Dongba culture.
- Blue Moon Valley - This area features breathtaking scenery located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is divided into four lakes: Jade Pool, Mirror Lake, Blue Moon Lake, and Tin Dao. The name Blue Moon Valley comes from the lakes’ distinctive jade-green color, and the valley viewed from above resembles a crescent moon.

Lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit:
- The Impression Lijiang performance, directed by the famous Zhang Yimou. It is an outdoor musical show performed at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, with the sky and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the stage backdrop. It is a unique experience that is hard to imagine without seeing it in person.
- Visit Yushui Village to experience the natural beauty and traditional customs of the Naxi people and Dongba culture.
- Naxi Village - A representative ancient village of Yunnan, China.

Dinner at a restaurant and overnight stay in Lijiang. In the evening, you have free time to explore the Four Directions Street in the old town.

Breakfast: After breakfast, depart from Lijiang and travel to Dali (180 km). Upon arrival in Dali, visit:
- Xizhou Ancient Town: Explore the traditional Bai architecture and taste the local Xizhou cake.
Fangyang Village: Located 7 km from Dali Ancient Town, at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. This village, along the ancient Tea Horse Road, features well-preserved traditional houses reminiscent of scenes from the movie The Wind Rises. Experience a relaxed lifestyle akin to that depicted in the film.
- Dali Flower Garden: Visit the flower farm and take a Jeep tour along the 129 km Erhai Lake Eco Corridor. Traditional Bai villages are scattered along the corridor. The blooming flowers on either side of the road and occasional sea mustard flowers on the lake create a vibrant and picturesque natural scene.
- Dali Ancient City: A 4A-rated tourist area in China. To the south of the ancient city is the clear blue Erhai Lake, and to the west are the evergreen Cangshan Mountains. The area is often praised for its scenic beauty, and visitors can enjoy the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze while immersing themselves in the serene atmosphere.
Dinner: At a local restaurant. Return to the hotel, check in, and rest.
Overnight in Dali.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and take the train G2846 (07:03 – 09:25) from Dali to Kunming.

Upon arrival in Kunming, a vehicle will pick you up to visit the Jinding Temple. This famous and sacred temple is located in the picturesque region of Kunming. The temple is part of a collection of attractive landmarks with unique architecture. Jinding Temple is the largest bronze temple in the area and ranks among the top three largest temples in China.

Lunch will be served at a restaurant. After lunch, the vehicle will take you to the airport for your flight MU9605 (16:05 – 16:30) from Kunming to Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, the vehicle will transfer you to the city. The tour concludes.