Day 1: Kunming airport-Hotel(28KM)

Kunming arrival (Altitude: 1900 meters). Upon your arrival in Kunming, your guide and private car will greet you at the airport or railway station and send you to the hotel. As the capital of Yunnan, Kunming earns the name of “Spring City” because of its warm weather of 15℃~ 25℃ (or 59℉~ 77℉) all year long. For the rest of today, you can have a soft walk around but be careful of being lost, and get ready for the coming 12 days.                     Overnight in Kunming.

Meal：None 

Accommodation：Kunming Jinhua International Hotel (3-star)

Major Attractions：

Day 2: Kunming

Kunming (Altitude: 1900 meters). Our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9 a.m . First you will visit Green Lake Park(Cui hu) for about 40 minutes. Then we will drive you to Yunnan Minority Village(Min Zu Cun) and this will take about 2-3 hours. After lunch, you will have a visit to West Mountain(Xishan) to overview the whole city and Dianchi Lake. Don’t want to climb? No need to worry about cause we have a cable car direct to the top. In West Mountain it will take about 3 hours and then we will drive back to your hotel. If you are not tired, you can also take a visit to Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Memorial Arch by your self or ask our driver and guide to take you there. In the evening, if you don’t know how to spend your time, we strongly suggest you watch the Yunnan Impression Show which starts at 8 p.m and lasts for 110 minutes.     

Overnight in Kunming.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Kunming Jinhua International Hotel (3-star)

Major Attractions： Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Memorial Arch

Day 3: Kunming-Luxi

Kunming- Luxi (200 KM; 3.5 hours; Altitude: 1750 meters). Today you will leave Kunming for your next stop, Luxi County, and your ethnic village tour really begins. You will have a 2-3 hours’ visit in Stone Forest in the midway and have lunch there. After that drive along the country road to Yi minority’s Nuohei Village. This village also has another name called Stone Village, which means the houses there are made of stones. You will take about 1.5 hours hanging around the village and taking pictures and chatting with the villagers, and then drive about 1.5 hours to Chengzi Ancient Village of Yi minority. Different from the stone village in Nuohei, Chengci ancient village is mainly made of earth. Take another 1.5 hours and drive to Luxi and check in your hotel. Take a good rest and get ready for the next day.                    Overnight in Luxi.

Stone forest :An extremely rare geological phenomenon dating back to 270 million years ago, the Stone Forest is 80 hectares of Karst limest one pillars in fantastic shapes that resemble a forest viewed from a distance some 78 kilometers, or 2 hour ride, southeast of Kunming. The Stone Forest is also home to the Sani tribe, a branch of the diverse and scattered Yi minority renowned for their diligence, embroidery and dancing.

Chengzi Old Village

Chengzi Old Village is “ the Over 600-hundred-year Old Yi People’s Ancient Castle”, “the Amber of Original Aestheticism Architecture” and “the Living Fossil of Development History of Chinese Civilian Residential Housing Architecture” and “the Living Fossil of Development History of Chinese Civilian Residential Housing Architecture”. It’s confirmed as “Yunnan Provicial level Cultual & Cultural Village” in 2007 by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.

     Chengzi formerly was Yi ethnic ancestors Baishao Tribe’s habitation, afterward was settled in with Han residents gradually, in the Chenghua Times of the Ming Dynasty, Chieftain Ang Gui built a grand yamun here, so the former Yi earth-made houses were expanded and a layour of mansion town was formed, and Chengzi became a political, economic and cultural center in South Yunnan at that time. Up to modern times, this place became well-known because Zhang Chong, a famouse general in the Anti-Japanese War, came from here; hence the Panbei Headquaters came into existence at Chengzi, it’s called as the “Little Xibeiqo” thanks to its important role in liberating Yunnan. Nowadays Chengzi becomes the worldwide photographers’ focusing piont.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Luxi local 3-star hotel

Major Attractions： Stone Forest, Chengzi Ancient Village, Nuohei Stone Village

Day 4: Luxi-Jianshui

Luxi- Jianshui(250 KM; 4 hours; Altitude: 1300 meters). Leave for Jianshui County at 9 a.m, in the midway visit one of the largest Mosque in Shadian and have lunch there. When you arrive in Jianshui, hang around Jianshui ancient town,look for the ancient wells of different sizes and shapes hidden in every corner and take pictures at Chaoyang Arch(which earns the name of Tian’an’men of Southwest China). For the last of today, take a visit to Zhu Family Garden which has 100 years history and learn about this wealth family’s thriving and decline. Overnight in Jianshui. Tips: you can choose to stay in this 100-year residence in Zhu Family Garden.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Jianshui Lin’an Guesthouse (3-star)

Major Attractions： Chaoyang Gate, Zhu Family Garden

Chaoyang Tower

Nicknames as Lesser Tian’an Men Tower, the Chaoyang Tower were built in Ming Dynasty and towering Southern Yunnan for centuries.

Zhu Family Garden

A major attraction in Jianshui, the Zhu Family Garden is a complex of nearly 100-year-old buildings built in late Qing Dynasty of 42 courtyards, covering a total area of over 20,000 square meters. It's typical private garden with local touch. A small portion of the garden were renovated in 1999 to 28 rooms that are scattered in 4 sections, namely "Plum Hall", "Orchid Courtyard", "Bamboo Groove" and "Chrysanthemum Garden.

Day 5: Yuanyang

Jianshui-Yuanyang(160 KM; 3 hours; Altitude: 1600 meters). Morning drive to Yuanyang Hani Nationality County and visit Yi minority’s Tuanshan village, Double-dragon Bridge on the way. By the time you reach Yuanyang Terraced Fields, which is photographers’ dreaming place, and drive to Bada to enjoy the amazing sunset above the Ailao Mountain.      

Overnight in Yuanyang.

Double Dragon Bridge

With seventeen arches, the pavilion-style Double Dragon Bridge is a Qing Dynasty masterpiece build of stone and one of the best examples of its type all over China.

Zhang Family Garden Tuanshan village

Zhang Family Garden, also called Tuanshan village, is 8 kilometers to the west the county seat. The village has currently 237 households and over 90 percent still bear a common family name of Zhang. With four gates at the directions of east, south, west and south, the village was self-sufficient. A dozen of old residences still survive the Cultural Revolution in the 1970's and fine work of wood carving and stone carving can be found all over the village.

Yuanyang

Set near China-Vietnam border and with Yuanjiang River flowing through, Yuanyang is now attracting more and more attention from overseas tourists for its unparalleled terraced paddies and diversified ethnic cultures of the Hani, Yi, Dai and Yao. Elevated over 1800 meters, old town of Yuanyang is on a mountain, 28 kilometers from the new town, namely Nansha, at around 200 meters above sea level.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Yuanyang Yunti Hotel

Major Attractions： Double-dragon Bridge, Zhang Family Garden, Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Day 6: Yuanyang

Yuanyang ( Altitude: 1600 meters). Toady we suggest you get up early to watch the grand sunrise in Duoyishu. Many valid photographers take several weeks just to wait for the perfect moment of the sunrise. After the sunrise drive to Hani minority’s Shengcun Village to watch their morning market. If you are luckily enough to come across their marketing day which happens once a week, the market will be a lot more prosperous and many Hani minority’s aged females wear their traditional costumes and sell unknown dry animal bodies or medicines which you can never ever see in cities or other countries. Rest for today? Hiking is strongly recommended. Walking alone the terraced fields and villages, you will get a better understanding of Hani minority’s culture and customs. In the late afternoon, watch sunset at Laohuzui and end today’s tour.                              Overnight in Yuanyang.

Terraced rice paddies

The Hani minority in Yuanyang has been renowned for creating a harmony between man and nature in the village, forest, river and terraced paddies. Here, paddy fields are terraced from the foot of the mountains onto the very top. During February to early April and September to early November, when water is filled in the paddies after harvests, a natural grandeur of thousands of mirrors are formed when the sun is low near the horizon at both ends of the days (05:00-06:30 AM and 17:00-18:00 PM). Locations to witness this spectacular scene are Lao Ying Zui (Eagle's Beak), Sheng Cun, Duo Yi Shu, and Ba Da.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Yuanyang Yunti Hotel

Major Attractions： Rice Terraces and Shengcun Market

Day 7: Yuanyang- Mojiang- Pu’er

Yuanyang- Mojiang- Pu’er(370 KM; 6 hours; Altitude: 1300 meters). Drive to Pu’er, the origin of Pu’er Tea. In the midway you will take a stop in Mojiang and visit Bixi ancient town of Hani Minority people and the Shuangbaotai Well, which the local Hani people believe if the pregnant momen drink the water in the well, she will have twin babies. And indeed there are many twins in this place.            Overnight in Pu’er.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Pu'er Sint Andi Hotel

Major Attractions：

Pu'er is located southwest of Yunnan Province, about 500 kilometers from Kunming. It takes 40 minutes to get there by plane. There are 10 counties under its jurisdiction, which are inhabited by 14 distinct ethnic minorities, such as Hani, Yi, Dai, Lahu, Wa, Bulang and Yao. The total minority population in the region numbers well over one million.Pu'er borders Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam with a border of over 600 kilometers. More than 43% of its land area is covered by forests, which host a mild climate that receives plenty of rainfall.

Day 8: Pu’er-Jinhong

Pu’er- Jinhong(120 KM, 2 hours; Altitude: 550 meters). In the morning visit Chinese Pu’er Tea Expo park, then drive to Jinhong, Xishuangbanna. For the last 7 days, you’ve already seen Yi Minority and Hani Minority, and there will be totally different minorities waiting for you in your rest journey. Today you will first get to Tuguo Village. This is a Dai minority village and it is known for its long history of earthenware making. If lucky enough, you might have the chance to visit one earthenware artisan and watch how they make clay into different beautiful cups, bottles an so on. Another village is you will visit is Mengyang Han-Dai village in which there are both Han people and Dai Minority people. The two nationalities influence each other in every aspect and it is easily to figure out by their architecture and costums. Overnight in Jinhong.

Jinhong(Xishuangbanna) With an area of 7,003 square kilometers and a population of 310,000 people, Xishuangbanna is situated in the southern tip of Yunnan on the borders of Myanmar and Laos. It is a place characterized by tropical scenery, rich and unique ethnic customs and habits.

Dai villages

Populated over 1 million in tropical and subtropical Xishuangbanna and Dehong Prefectures, the Dai, those who love freedom and peace in their own language, has three major branches, respectively Han Dai (residing in the mountains), Shui Dai (living by the rivers), and Hua Yao Dai (with a unique costume that has colored waist belt). Arrangement can be made to visit villages of Han Dai and Shui Dai in and around Jinghong.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Jinghong Daiyuan Hotel

Major Attractions：Chinese Pu’er Tea Expo park，

Tuguo Village，Mengyang Han-Dai village

Day 9: Jinhong-Menghai-Lancang

Jinhong-Menghai-Lancang(180 KM; 3.5 hours; Altitude: 1000 meters). Drive to Lancang Lahu Minority Autonamous Prefecture, and on the way vist Bala Ai’ni Minorty village, Aini Minority used to be a branch of Hani Minority. But as time goes by, they two have distinctive difference in many aspects. After the visit to Aini’s village, drive to Thousands-acre Ancient Tea Plantation in Jingmai, and learn about the Dai People’s Tea culture and their Tea-making technology. In the afternoon drive to Wengji and visit Bulang Minority’s village. Bulang nationality don’t have characters but their oral culture is extremely rich and even now they still preserve very traditional customs. The last village is Lahu Minority village when you arrive in Lancang. The ancestor of Lahu people come from Ganshu Province and QInghai Province and at first they made a living of nomadism, and finally settled down in Lancang.      

Overnight in Lancang.

Tea plantation Xishuangbanna is one of the great tea regions of China, providing Hong Kong with most of its beloved pu'er tea, Tibet with essential tea bricks, and France with a popular and profitable tea for slimming, tuocha. The Menghai Tea Factory is the largest industrial employer in the prefecture and arrangement to visit the tea factory can be made. On the way from Jinghong to Menghai, tea in plantations is on both sides of the road.

Lancang Lahu Autonomous County is an autonomous county under the jurisdiction of Pu'er City, in southwesternYunnan province, China. Lancang is the same as Lan Xang, and refers to the Mekong River (known in Chinese as the Lancang) on its eastern borders and adopted by modern Laos, a Tai word meaning Million Elephants. Lancang County is located in southwestern Yunnan below the Tropic of Cancer, spanning latitude 22°01'−23°16' N and longitude 99°29'−100°35' E and an area of 8,807 km2 (3,400 sq mi), making it the second-largest county in the province in terms of area. It has an international border with Burma's Shan State totaling 80.563 km (50.060 mi) in length. It is heavily mountainous and situated among the Hengduan Mountains, with the elevation ranging from 2,516 m (8,255 ft) at Mount Malihei in Xincheng Township to 578 m (1,896 ft) in Yakou Township.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Lancang local 3-star Hotel

Major Attractions：Bala Ai’ni Minorty village,

Aini’s village,Bulang Minority’s village

Day 10: Lancang-Cangyuan

Lancang-Cangyuan(230 KM; 6 hours; Altitude: 1250 meters). Drive to Cangyuan. Upon your arrival, take a visit to Guang Yunmian Temple which was built 170 years ago. The architecture style is a mixture of Han nationality and Dai nationality. The large paintings on the walls and beautiful woodcarving will leave you a deep impression. After this, get to know the Cangyuan Cliff Pictures. These pictures were drawn in the late Neolithic Age 4 thousands years ago. They reflect people’s living in agriculture, hunting, war and so on at that time.                            Overnight in Cangyuan.

Cangyuan County in West Yunnan is to hold the annual "Paint You Black" Carnival from May 1 to 4.

As an ethnic group that worships the color of black, Wa People deem black the symbol of diligence and beauty. The person, who is painted the blackest and with the thickest mud, will be considered the bravest.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Cangyuan local hotel

Major Attractions：Guang Yunmian Temple,Cangyuan Cliff Pictures

Day 11: Cang-Lincang

Cangyuan-Lincang(240 KM; 5 hours; Altitude: 1500 meters). Today you will drive to the border to visit a new nationality, Wa minority. For their residence, we don’t use Wa ethnic village, but Wa primitive tribe. Uncultivated, seldom known by the outside world, and their houses are mainly made of earth and dry couchgrass. After lunch drive to Lincang and take a visit to the local Bowl Burn-made Kiln.                          Overnight in Lincang.

Lincang is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, bordering the Lancang River.  It covers an area of 24,469 sq km. Its population is 2.4 million.

Lincang has a subtropical plateau monsoon climate with plenty of rainfall. The average temperature is 17.2°C, while the average annual precipitation totals 1,500-1,750 mm.  Lincang is rich in water resources. It is an important hydro energy base both for China, and for Asia. There are three hydro stations located in the city, namely, Manwan, which has installed capacity of 1.5 million kw, Dachaoshan, which has installed capacity of 1.4 million kw, and Xiaowan, which has installed capacity of 4.2 million kw.Transportation in Lincang mainly relies on highways and airlines. There are buses running between Lincang and surrounding cities such as Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. In addition, there are also daily flights connecting the city with Kunming.

Meal：B;L;D

Accommodation：Lincang local 3-star hotel

Major Attractions：

Day 12: Lincang-Kunming

In the morning drive to Lincang airport,flight to Kunming,when arrival Kunming airport ,transfer flight to next city.

Kunming departure. Today our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel (depend on your flight time) and send you to the airport. It finally comes to an end of your ethnic village tour. For the rest of your journey in China, if you have any plans, we can also help you with it!

Meal：B