Located in the northwest part of Yunnan, Dali is home to the ethnic Bai people. It is a picturesque little town with plenty of atmosphere. The old town, surrounded by the remains of the Ming city walls, is characterized by cobbled lanes and stone houses. Numerous Bai villages in the nearby countryside offer rural markets and a glimpse into traditional culture.

Dali is also a historically and culturally famous city of China and is renowned for her historical interest. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, the political, economic and cultural centre of Yunnan, an important gateway of cultural exchange and trading with southeastern Asian countries, and an important pass of the ancient "Silk Route of the South".

Dali has a long and rather glorious History.In 738 the kingdom of Nanzhao was established with Dali as its capital and covered a large area of Yunnan and northern Burma. The kingdom survived almost 200 years and had 13 kings before being overthrown by DUAN, Siping in 937. The Kingdom of Dali controlled by the DUANs survived until conquered by the Mongols in the 12th century. Many local people in Dali have the surname DUAN to this day (rare in other parts of China). These historical events are immortalised in the Martial Art.literature of Taiwanese author JIN Yong (read by every Chinese school kid), giving Dali a fame nationwide.

Itinerary

Day 1 :
Shanghai - Kunming MU5812  755/1105
Yunnan Rice Noodles

Chinese Traditional Music Program with Yunnan Cultural Art School
(Study Chinese musical instrument)
Check into hotel

Delivery Pizza
Pamper yourself at hot spring in the forest
Hot Spring Resort, Kunming

Day 2 :
After breakfast,
Flight from Kunming to Dali MU5981 0715/0750
Drive to visit
Monday market at Shaping
Drive to the hotel, check in

Local Cafe at Ancient Town of Dali

Cross Erhai Lake by small boats,
visit a authentic fishing village,
and experience tiedyeing at local family's workshop

Free dinner at Ancient Town
Explore Ancient Town on your own
Asia Star Hotel, Dali

Day 3 :
After breakfast,
Drive to Binchuan(1.5hour),
Visit a tangerine orchard.
Pick up the fruits and enjoy yourselves
Drive to Jizu Shan
Climb a mountain by horseback riding and cable car

Vegetarian Lunch at Jizu Hotel

Climb down a mountain by cable car and walk

Chinese dinner at Ancient Town of Dali
Asia Star Hotel, Dali

Day 4 :
After breakfast,
Bike around Ancient Town of Dali, Longkan village.(1-2hours)
visit en route to Three Pagoda Park

Chinese lunch at Ancient Town of Dali

Drive to Mt. Cangshan,
Take the cable car up to the mountain,
Hike 3 hours Higherland Inn at QiangShan
Higherland Inn
 
Day 5 :
Study martial arts with "Xiao Bin" teacher
After breakfast, take the cable car back

Chinese & Western Buffet at Asia Star Hotel

Drive to visit Xizhou village,
culture exchange with the local families

Art Event - Painting the landscape at Linden Center

Free dinner at Ancient Town of Dali
Free time in the Ancient Town of Dali
Asia Star Hotel, Dali

Day 6 :
After breakfast,
Check out hotel and flight from Dali to Kunming
MU5982  0835/0910,
transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
MU5811  1155/1500