Discovering Shangri-La & Tibet

Sign up for this tour if you are interested in nature, the lives of minority groups and inspiring monasteries.

Yunnan province, surrounded by Burma, Vietnam and Laos is the homeland of 26 unique minority groups, such as Bai and Naxi. Its name meant “beautiful clouds in the south” and colorful tents and traditional costumes of different ethnic groups can be seen almost everywhere within the province. It is tough to get close to most places in Yunnan until recently due to its sheer mountain surroundings. Most people believed that the “Shangri-La mentioned in James Milton's book “Lost Horizons” is actually the splendid Yunnan. Enjoy the fabulous sceneries at various attractions, such as the Stone Forest (Shilin) in Kunming, the famous Three Pagodas (San Tasi) in Dali, the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, both a UNESCO world heritage site and the center of Naxi minority culture; and the Tiger Leaping Gorge—the deepest gorge in the world in Zhongdian before heading to Tibet.

Tibet, known as the “Roof of the World”, has an elevation of approximately 4,000 meters. It contains the largest and highest plateau, various snow-capped mountains and numerous colorful monasteries. Your tour aims to explore Tibet's capital—Lhasa, the Holy Place. The spectacular tours to remarkable temples, such as the Norbulingka Palace (Treasure Park), Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Potala Palace will certainly amaze you!

Day 1 : LOS ANGELES/GUANGZHOU
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Get onboard your International flight this evening to begin your Shangri-La and Tibet Tour.
Day 2: EN Route
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Cross the international dateline.
Day 3: GUANGZHOU/KUNMING
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Arrive in Guangzhou early this morning and catch your connecting flight to Kunming (Spring City). Your English-speaking guide and driver will bring you to the hotel upon your arrival. Visit the World Horticultural Expo after a delicious Chinese lunch. Since Kunming has a spring-like climate all year round, the gardens are constantly in bloom with camellias, orchids, azaleas and primroses.
Day 4: KUNMING/DALI
accommodations: overnight express train
meals: B/L
After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour at the Stone Forest (Shilin). The shape and imagery of the forest was formed by millions of years of weathering; the spectacular sceneries there will certainly amaze you. Return to Kunming this afternoon and get onboard an overnight express train to Dali in the late evening.
Day 5: DALI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Arrive in Dali early this morning. Your English-speaking tour guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel upon your arrival. After breakfast, visit the Bai minority people's town—Xizhou, a few kilometers away from Dali where many Bai homes still retain their traditional architectures, paintings and layout intact. Browse the crowded market town prior to lunch. Explore Dali's Three Pagodas (San Tsai) this afternoon. Surviving through storms and earthquakes over ten centuries, the Three Pagodas are still the significant symbols of exceptional architectural technology and the brilliant culture of Dali. Your tour continues at the beautiful Butterfly Spring (Hudie Quan) and the Butterfly Museum, where thousands of butterflies gather in spring. Then attend a special performance of the Bai Nationality Three Course Tea, Singing and Dancing Show. Enjoy the Three Course Tea along with the performance of traditional Bai Nationality folk songs and dance.
Day 6: DALI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Visit Erhai Lake this morning. The lake is one of the seven largest freshwater lakes in China where boats and fishing vessels usually sail by; be sure to enjoy the spectacular sceneries of Mt. Cangshan and several small islands nearby. Move on to the top of Mt. Cangshan to view colorful blossoms of azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. After lunch, visit Dali's ancient city, which contains stonewalls, gray tiled roofs, phoenix and dragon carved windows and doors and streams that crisscrossed the city.
Day 7: DALI/LIJIANG
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Enjoy a scenic drive from the Yunnan countryside to Lijiang, a UNESCO world heritage site and center of the Naxi minority culture. After lunch, visit Lijiang's Ancient City—Dayanzhen, a town that is carefully laid out around a central square with small cobblestone streets and lanes radiating out in all directions. With the neat brick houses and fabulous views, Dayanzhen is the perfect place to stay away from the bustling activities at metropolitan cities. Move on to the Black Dragon Pool (Yu Quan), also known as the Jade fountain to view its green deep waters and magnificent sceneries of the Jade Dragon Mountain.
Day 8: LIJIANG
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, visit the spectacular Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain, which towers over the land at an elevation of 18,360 feet at its highest point; an optional cable car ride to the Dragon Spruce Meadow is available for those who are interested. Your tour continues at the Jade Peak Lama Temple (Yufeng Si), a small lamasery that is famous for its ancient Camellia Tree of 10,000 blossoms. After lunch, visit the White Water River to enjoy the extraordinary views in the area before exploring the Ming Dynasty Baisha Mural Paintings that Lijiang is famous for. If time allows, you may attend an optional performance of Baisha music performed by the Naxis.
Day 9: LIJIANG/ZHONGDIAN
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Depart Lijiang for Zhongdian and stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiaoxia). One of the deepest gorges in the world, the gorge drops more than 3,900 meters from the top to the ranging river that feeds into the legendary Yangtze below, and getting its name from the legend of a tiger jumping across its narrowest point of 30 meters.
Day 10: ZHONGDIAN
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Zhongdian, heavily influenced by the Tibetan culture, is located in the northwestern corner of Yunan Province. Visit Bita Lake (Blanket of Oak Trees in Tibetan), which has crystal clear waters and surrounded by species of rhododendron and azaleas. From May through June, “drunken fishes” could be seen in the lake due to their consumption of the slightly toxic petals of both azalea and rhododendron. In the afternoon, visit the home of a local Tibetan family to enjoy a tea-drinking ceremony and program of tradition Tibetan songs and dance.
Day 11: ZHONGDIAN/LHASA
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Fly to Lhasa this morning and your local English-speaking guide and driver will meet you at the airport. After lunch, explore the Norbulingka (Treasure Park), which used to be the summer residence of the Dalai Lama.
Day 12: LHASA
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Visit the Drepung (Rice Heap) Monastery, Tibet's largest and richest monastery. Then explore the Sera (Wild Rose Garden) Monastery founded in 1419. Approximately 300 monks continue to stay at one of the monastery's three colleges today.
Day 13: LHASA
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, visit the most recongnized Tibetan symboy - the Potala Palace. It is said to contain 1,000 rooms, 10,000 alters and 200,000 Buddhist statues.Then move on to the Jokhang Temple, which has numerous and the golden statue of Sakyamuni from Xian. After lunch, stroll along Barkhor Street(Octagon Street) located in the center of old Lhasa. You can shop for religious artfacts, prayer flags scriptures, jewelry and other Tibetan handicrafts at the busy market.
Day 14: LHASA/CHENGDU
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, get onboard your flight to Chengdu. Your English-speaking guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to a wonderful lunch upon your arrival. Visit the Silk Embroidery Institute and see some incredible artists at work. Enjoy the People's Park with Tea House and Garden in Chengdu. This evening, relax and enjoy some down time or explore the city on foot.
Day 15: CHENGDU
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Embark on an extraordinary journey to the Panda Breeding Research Base this morning. A professional panda caregiver will give you a brief insight of the panda research findings and everyone will have the rare opportunity to hold and hug a baby panda; something everyone in the family is sure to enjoy. After lunch, visit the fascinating SanXingDui Museum. Little is known about the mysterious cultural and religious beliefs of the people of SanXingDui, yet visitors could gain a sense of the culture through intriguing displays of ancient and rare artifacts used in daily life and religious ceremonies.
Day 16: CHENGDU/GUANGZHOU/LOS ANGELES
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Get onboard a mid-morning flight to Guangzhou and visit the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Liurong Temple; the memorial hall was built in 1929 when Sun became China's Provisional President. Then explore the reputable ancient Buddhist Liurong (Six Banyan tree) Temple that houses the 57-meter tall "Flowery Pagoda", Banyan Garden and the three six-meter tall brass Buddhas: Sakyamuni, Amitabha and Maitreya. Transfer to the airport in the late afternoon to catch your International flight back to Los Angeles.

Inclusions

  • Prices listed above include Super Deluxe hotels.
  • Tour price includes sightseeing and meals as specified on the itinerary; intra-China airfare, private transfers, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
  • All prices are quoted in US Dollars, and are subjected to change without notice. Please check at the time of reservation.
  • All prices are quoted per person, based on two travelers sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.

Exclusions

  • Passport or Chinese visa application fees.
  • Tips to guides and drivers.
  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • International airfare
  • Entrance ticket for Baisha music performed by the Naxis.
  • The cost of holding the panda and taking a picture is additional to the entry fee. The costs are USD185.00/per person for holding a baby panda. Although the Pandas are cute and adorable, they may inflict accidental injuries in their playful nature.

Important Remarks

  • Prices are valid April 01, 2008 -- March 31, 2009. All prices are subject to change without notice.
  • For different scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote.
  • All prices are quoted in US dollars, per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy).
  • All prices exclude International airfare, visa, tipping, and personal expenses.
  • For international flight departing from your city, please contact our agents for special discount airfare.
  • Lotus Travel highly recommends clients to purchase travel insurance. The Travel Plus Plan offered by the Travelex Insurance Company has excellent travel benefits and children 15 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
  • A Chinese visa issued at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is good for 6 months. We recommend applying for travel visas at least two months before your departure. For detailed information, please visit the Web page at http://www.lotustours.net/promo/visas/index.shtml
  • Lotus Travel offers a very affordable cell phone rental package to help you stay in touch with families while in China. Please contact our cell phone rental specialist Theresa for more details.
Tour Overview
  • Tour Code:
    DSLT-20
  • Trip Duration:
    14 days/13 nights
  • Price:
    Adult: $2,999
    Child: $2,400
  • Departure Dates:
    2008: 9/13, 10/11, 11/08, 12/13

    2009: 1/10, 2/14, 3/14, 4/12, 5/10, 6/14, 7/12, 8/09, 9/12, 10/09, 11/06, 12/11

    2010: 1/10, 2/14, 3/14

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