FROM SHANGRI-LA TO MEKONG RIVER

Kunming—Shangri-la—Lijiang—Dali—Jinghong —Chiang Saen (9D8N)

Day 01  Kunming
Arrive in Kunming, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel.(D) Overnight in Kunming

Day 02  Kunming
Visit Stone Forest. A typical Karst formation, the Stone Forest covers an area of more than three hundred square kilometers. Scientific research has shown that what is now the Stone Forest was 270 million years ago an immense expanse of water with a vast stretch of limestone sediment formed over the years on the seafloor. As a result of the crustal movement, the seabed rose gradually and a large piece of land thus came into being. Exposed to rains and winds, eroded by the elements, the strange-looking limestone ranges were shaped by time. About 200 million years ago numerous stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites rose abruptly from the ground and towered into the sky, extending now as far as the eye can see, looking like a vast forest of stone, hence the name "the Stone Forest".(B/L/D)  Overnight in Kunming

Day 03  Kunming – Shangri-la
In the morning take flight to Shangri-la  ( the old name is Zhongdian ). Visit Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism  monastery, which is 5 km from the seat of Shangri-la County. Construction began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. It is said that the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through divination and named it "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery". In 1724, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery". During its time of greatest prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple, now there are still 700 monks inside. Then to visit Dongzhulin Monastery which is located in deep mountains, 95 km away from Zhongdian. Dong Zhu Lin Monastery was first built in 1667, the 6th year during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi of Qing Dynasty. It was where the Monlam Festival of the Prayer for the Emperor's birthday was held. The main hall in the center is a four-story wood and earth structure, surrounded by 82 tall trees. The hall on the 1st floor is for reciting Buddhist scriptures, where enshrines the statues of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa sect, together with Damarenqen, one of Tsongkhapa's disciples, and Khedrub Je, the 1st Panchen Lama, and other Buddhist statues of Sakyamuni, and Guanyin, a Bodhisattva. The monastery also enshrines a 6.8 meter high, gilded bronze, statue of seated Buddha of Qiangba (Maitreya), and a10.5 meter tall statue of Sakyamuni, gifts from the Sera Monastery in Lhasa. The monastery also collects an 8.5 meter long, 5.2 meter wide image of Buddha, which is sunned once a year when the Monlam Festival of Prayer is held. It is unique with many thangka, Tibetan Buddhist Scriptures, four mandalas and stupas. The most unusual thing is the real body of the fifth Zhatang living Buddha which is over 100 year but still reserved very well in the monastery. Beside that have a photo stop for the wonder of upper Yangtze River -- The First Bend of Golden Sand River ( the upper reach of Yangtze ) and enjoy the scenery along the river. Afternoon visit Zhongdian old town with Tibetan old streets and houses. In the evening have dinner in the old town and enjoy the folk dancing in the town centre.(B/L/D) Overnight in Shangri-la

Day 04  Shangri-la – Lijiang
Bus to Lijiang, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way, which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled ( 70-90 degrees ) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands ( Jingsha ) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below. In the afternoon visit Lijiang Old Town, which is one of the best-preserved ancient towns of the minority ethnic people of China. Lijiang old town belongs to the World Culture Heritage of UNESCO.( B/L/D ) Overnight in Lijiang

Day 05  Lijiang
After breakfats visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the 13 peaks of 18,360-foot Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a treasure of wild plants and rare animals, are like a silver dragon lying in the clouds. Awesome and unconquered, they dominate the Lijiang Plain. Some have described Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a radiant cornet crowning Lijiang's head. Scientists say she arose from an ancient geosyncline 230 million years ago in an age when dinosaurs began to increase and formed her present shape sometime during the last 600,000 years, even as late as 12,000 years ago. Take cable car to Spruce Meadow, Baisha Ancient Mural, Baisha (White Sand) is located in the north of Lijiang. It is named this because of the large amount of white sand on the earth’s surface there. According to history Baisha is the earliest place for the settlement of Naxi nationality after they entered Lijiang basin. The present murals are all kept in Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple in Baisha. All of the 55 murals were masterpieces in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The biggest one is stored in Dabaoji Palace. In total, there are 100 vivid figures visible in it. Their facial expressions are vivid enough to show their happiness, anger, sadness and joys. All of the Baisha murals are about religion. However their uniqueness comes from the fact that they are the combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism, which is a very rare phenomenon.( B/L/D ) Overnight in Lijiang

Day 06  Lijiang – Dali - Jinghong
Bus to Dali, which is regarded as ” the oriental Switzerland,” or ” Chinese Geneva”. First visit Xizhou Bai Nationality village, Three Pagodas, then cruise on the Erhai Lake which is 280 square kilometers in size and dotted with fishing boats, after that ends the tour with 1100 years old Three Pagodas in the daytime. In the evening you could take a pleasant stroll in Dali Old Town which was the capital city of Nanzhao Kingdom 1000 years ago. In the evening take flight to Jinghong, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. (B/L/D) Overnight in Jinghong

Day 07  Jinghong
Arrive in Jinghong, meet the local guide and drive to Galanba, visit local morningmarket, Water Dai people village, rubber garden and Burmese temple. At noon have lunch in the Red House Restaurant. In the afternoon visit Botanic Garden. In the evening have the folk dancing and singing dinner given by local Dai people.(B/L/D) Overnight in Jinghong

Day 08  Jinghong 
Morning go to Wild Elephant Valley, then visit Dry Dai people village.(B/L/D) Overnight in Jinghong

Day 09  Jinghong – Chiang Saen
Early morning to take speedboat ( regular transfer ) for journey to Chiang Saen with a simple lunch on board. (B/L)
                                                   
Prices: 4 star:$2800 per person single room supplement: $590
5 star: $3225 per person single room supplement: $1025

The prises include:
* 2 domestic flights in Economy Class with tax ( Kunming/Shangri-la, Dali/Jinghong )
* Twin-bedded hotel rooms with private shower and WC
* English speaking local guide and national tour guide
* Daily normal meals out of hotels ( as detailed in the tour description )
* Admission charges where applicable as shown in the tour description
* Private A/C transportation in the program
* Service charges for baggage handling between hotel, airport and port
* Domestic travel insurance
* Speed boat ticket from Jinghong to Chiang Saen

The prices do not include:
* International flights with tax
* Personal consumption
* Visa fee
* Tips for guide, driver and porter

Note: the regular transfer on Mekong River between Jinghong and Chiang Saen as follow: downstream (JHG/CS) – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; upstream ( CS/JHG ) – every Monday, Wensday and Friday.