7 Days Exotic South of Yunnan

Arrive in Kunming, the Spring City of China. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the featured hotel to check in. If time is available, you can visit Kunming's landscape - Green Lake Park, the vibrant Flowers and Birds Market, and Kunming's symbol building - Golden Horse & Green Phoenix Archway. Overnight at the hotel in Kunming.

In the early morning we take you to visit the World Geopark - Yunnan Stone Forest, which is one of most remarkable natural phenomena of China. You will wonder at the innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks, which is created by wind and water erosion some 270 million years ago.

After lunch you will travel southwards to the famous hot spring spa resort Mile, which is known as "the Kingdom of Hot Spring", "the Kingdom of Tobacco" and "Eden of Plateau Grape". This evening, you will have plenty of time to luxuriate in hot spring bath at open-air mountain spa resort.

After a leisurely breakfast inside the resort, you will visit the Mile Vineyards to taste the latest wine.Then drive to Jianshui. After lunch you will begin your sightseeing of Jianshui by visiting the very famous Zhu Family Garden, which is built in the end of Qing Dynasty. In this grand complex of civilian houses, you could enjoy the style of local residential buildings. The next attraction is Jianshui Confucian Temple. It is the biggest and best-preserved Confucius relic in China after the temple in Qufu, Shandong province. The evening is free for you to stroll leisurely in the old town.

In early morning a thrilling excursion to the western outskirt of Jianshui town to explore Tuanshan Village. Built more than 600 years ago, Tuanshan Village is famed for its Han style residential complexes. When you strool in the village, it feels like travelling to another China. Small, cobbled lanes and old women with bound feet blend will leave you with impressions of timelessness, art and architecture. On the way back, visit Double-Dragon Bridge. Having appreciated the 400-year-old bridge known for elegant pavilion style and 17 bridge openings, you can't help marveling at the great architectural aesthetics of Chinese people in ancient times. After lunch, drive to Yuanyang New Town. On half way you can see Red River Valley. It will charm your eyes and the moisture in the air makes you fresh from head to toe. Upon arrive in Yuanyang, go to see terrace fields. The great terraces in sunset are so marvelous!

From November to April, the second year, you will keep being dazzled by the glowing water-logged Yuanyang Rice Terraces, which is immersed with water for rice transplanting. The 3 most-famous rice terraces zones you’re to visit are Duoyishu, Bada and Tiger Mouth Pass. Duoyishu is the best spot for sunrise view while the latter two are perfect for sunset spectacle. 

At dawn you will get to Duoyishu Village to have a grand view of the rice terrace in sunrise. Then cross a bustling morning market of local ethnic minority at Shengcun Village to reach the Bada Mountain, where you can appreciate the breathtaking steep terraces on the commanding point. Later go to Qingkou Hani Ethnic Village. You’ll meet with the lovely mushroom houses Hani people build, colorful ethnic garment of Hani women and their favorite food. It’s an eye-opening experience.  In the afternoon, drive to Tiger Mouth Pass. Under the rays of sunset, everything turns to gold, while the panorama of the terraces below is unsurpassable.

After enjoying a breezy good time for breakfast in the hotel, transfer back to Kunming. There are charming landscape alongside on the way back to Kunming. You may pass Kunming Ethnic Village and Dianchi Lake by. Just keep in good mood and feast on all these beautiful sceneries.