China · discovery · 11 Days
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
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
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Amend dates or travellers at no fee until 60 days before departure.
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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.
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Client funds held in a TAANZ-bonded trust — protected if travel plans are disrupted.
Meals on board · View full day
Make your own way to Auckland Airport and take your international flight to Beijing.
Meals: Meals on board
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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
Breakfast · View full day
After breakfast, transfer to Lijiang airport for your flight to Beijing to connect with your onward international flight.
Meals: Breakfast
View full day
Depart Beijing on your return flight to Auckland.
Meals: See day description
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.
Representative properties for this tour — actual hotels may vary by departure date and are confirmed at booking.
Dali hotel or similar (4-star)
Lijiang hotel or similar (4-star)
Elong Hotel Shangri-La or similar (4-star)
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
Get to know the cities and landmarks along this route, with our guides to what to see and how to visit.

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