NZ passport holders: visit China visa-free for 30 days (until 31 Dec 2026). Read our visa guide →

CTS Tours

China · discovery · 11 Days

Colorful Yunnan

Yunnan by air via Beijing — Erhai and Bai culture around Dali (including Shuanglang and “Santorini” viewpoints), Lijiang's Lashi Lake and Shuhe, then overland to Shangri-La through Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, and Napa Lake before returning to Auckland via Beijing.

1 / 5 · Songzanlin Monastery reflected in Lamuyangcuo Lake, Shangri-La

Songzanlin Monastery reflected in Lamuyangcuo Lake, Shangri-La

Songzanlin Monastery reflected in Lamuyangcuo Lake, Shangri-La
1 / 5

Next confirmed departure

10 September 2026

Scheduled group departure

Twin-share price

NZD $3,899

Per person · NZD

Travelling solo?

Own room + NZD $340

NZD $4,239 total per person

100+ Years Heritage

Backed by CTS · Founded 1928

Auckland Local Office

Local Support When You Need It

Direct China Operations

No Middlemen, Best Value

50,000+ Happy Travelers

Trusted by Kiwi Families

Book with a licensed New Zealand travel specialist

CTS Tours is a TAANZ member and IATA-accredited agency with local support in Auckland and direct operations in China—so you deal with one trusted team from enquiry to return.

View memberships & credentials
TAANZ — Travel Agents Association of New Zealand
IATA accredited agent
Qualmark recognised
Tourism Export Council New Zealand

Book with confidence

Free changes up to 60 days

Amend dates or travellers at no fee until 60 days before departure.

NZ-based specialist team

Speak to a Kiwi consultant in Auckland — one team, enquiry to return.

Backed by CTS · Founded 1928

CTS Tours NZ has run Kiwi-led tours from Auckland since 2000 (25 years), backed by China Travel Service (founded 1928) — hotels, guides, transport we run ourselves.

TAANZ bonded & IATA

Client funds held in a TAANZ-bonded trust — protected if travel plans are disrupted.

Ancient towns, highland cultures and the road to Shangri-La.

  • International flights routed Auckland — Beijing — Dali, returning Lijiang — Beijing — Auckland
  • Dali: Erhai Park, Ideal State “Santorini,” Wenbi Village, and Shuanglang Ancient Town
  • Optional full-day Haixi-line experience in Dali (extra charge; minimum numbers may apply)
  • Lijiang: Black Dragon Pool, Lashi Lake wetland, Silk Bedding exhibition, and Shuhe ancient tea-horse town
  • Road journey to Shangri-La via Tiger Leaping Gorge (incl. elevators); Dukezong Old Town, Guishan Park, and giant prayer wheel
  • Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (“Little Potala”), Napa Lake wetlands, Highland Barley Avenue
  • Optional Naxi village & Yuzhu Qingtian scenic day in Lijiang (extra charge; minimum numbers may apply)
  • Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan cultural landscapes in one journey

Experiences included in this journey

Your route at a glance.

China Discovery — Colorful Yunnan route map — cities, transport and nights

Your journey, day by day.

Save this itinerary:
Day 01

Auckland — Beijing

Meals on board · View full day

Make your own way to Auckland Airport and take your international flight to Beijing.

Meals: Meals on board

Day 02

Beijing — Dali

View full day

Arrive in Beijing, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Dali. Meet your local guide on arrival and check in to your hotel.

Meals: See day description

Stay: Dali hotel or similar (4-star)

Day 03

Dali

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

After breakfast, visit Erhai Park and the Dali “Ideal State” (Santorini-style viewpoints) — white-and-brown buildings between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake blending European and Bai charm. Visit Wenbi Village for traditional Bai residences. After lunch, explore Shuanglang Ancient Town: “First Town of Cang’er Scenery,” where architecture blends ancient and modern influences.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Dali hotel or similar (4-star)

Day 04

Dali — Free Day

Breakfast · View full day

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time, or join an optional full-day tour (about CNY 550 pp, minimum 16 travellers): includes transport, guide, attraction tickets, two meals (Hotpot Fish lunch, Jumping Dish dinner). Route typically covers Dali Old Town Foreigner Street, Erhai Eco Corridor (music-bar-style car), ethnic costume photos (3 digital photos + ~30 s aerial group clip), Xizhou with horse carriage, Three-Course Tea song-and-dance, and a Bai “Jumping Dish” meal — confirm details and availability locally.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Dali hotel or similar (4-star)

Day 05

Dali — Lijiang

Breakfast · View full day

Free time in the morning. Afternoon transfer to Lijiang. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park, Highland Dulong Jade, and explore Sifang Street in the ancient city.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Lijiang hotel or similar (4-star)

Day 06

Lijiang

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · View full day

Lashi Lake wetland — seasonal golden wetlands and birdlife against mountain backdrops. Visit the Silk Bedding Exhibition Hall. After lunch, Shuhe Ancient Town on the Tea Horse Road: old lanes, markets, and traditional houses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Lijiang hotel or similar (4-star)

Day 07

Lijiang — Tiger Leaping Gorge — Shangri-La

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · View full day

Drive toward Zhongdian (Shangri-La). Dukezong Ancient Town comes alive at dusk with circle dances in Moonlight Square and the world’s largest prayer wheel nearby. Tiger Leaping Gorge (including up/down elevators): one of the world’s great river canyons; the “Tiger Leaping Stone” mid-river and thundering Jinsha. Guishan Park: Chaoyang Tower viewpoints, historic well water at the foot of the hill. Shangri-La giant prayer wheel: copper, gilded, with mantras and Buddhist treasures — turning it is a pilgrimage tradition. Overnight Shangri-La.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Elong Hotel Shangri-La or similar (4-star)

Day 08

Shangri-La — Lijiang

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (incl. eco shuttle) — largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, “Little Potala,” Gelug centre for Sichuan–Yunnan. Napa Lake wetlands and Highland Barley Avenue. After lunch, drive back to Lijiang ancient city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Jixiangyuan Hotel or similar (local 4-star), 11–15 Jiqing Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang — Tel +86 888 5577777

Day 09

Lijiang — Free Day

Breakfast · View full day

Breakfast; free time or optional tour (about CNY 550 pp, minimum 16, incl. two meals: salmon-style lunch, Naxi dinner with bonfire dance). Optional route: ancient Naxi village, Dongba pictographs, stone-mill tofu grinding, Naxi Museum, costume photos; afternoon Yuzhu Qingtian Scenic Area (mountains, springs, cliff art, Yulong Academy, ancient trees, Dongba/Buddhist sites). Confirm locally.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Jixiangyuan Hotel or similar (local 4-star), 11–15 Jiqing Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang — Tel +86 888 5577777

Day 10

Lijiang — Beijing

Breakfast · View full day

After breakfast, transfer to Lijiang airport for your flight to Beijing to connect with your onward international flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

Beijing — Auckland

View full day

Depart Beijing on your return flight to Auckland.

Meals: See day description

What's Included

Included meals (14)

8

Breakfasts

4

Lunches

2

Dinners

Accommodation (8 nights)

4 carefully selected properties

Sample hotels detailed below — final selection confirmed at booking.

Included

  • International and domestic airfares
  • 4-star hotel accommodation
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance fees and meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Land transfer

Not Included

  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation and guide services during free time
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Optional day tours and activities (e.g. Haixi line, Naxi village / Yuzhu Qingtian)
  • Tips (suggested NZD $10 per day per person)
  • Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary

Sample tour hotels

Representative properties for this tour — actual hotels may vary by departure date and are confirmed at booking.

  • 3nights

    Dali hotel or similar (4-star)

  • 2nights

    Lijiang hotel or similar (4-star)

  • 1night

    Elong Hotel Shangri-La or similar (4-star)

  • 2nights

    Jixiangyuan Hotel or similar (local 4-star), 11–15 Jiqing Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang — Tel +86 888 5577777

Room basis: Prices are per person, twin share. A private room for a solo traveller is an additional NZD $340 for the full tour.

Discover your destinations

Explore the places on your journey.

Get to know the cities and landmarks along this route, with our guides to what to see and how to visit.

Plan your trip

You may also like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about traveling to China with CTS

Have more questions?

Contact Our Specialists