Experience the Wonders of the Yangtze River on a 15 Day Tour from Yunnan to Shanghai
- tourmaster
- Jun 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Kunming(1N)-Dali(2N)-Shaxi(1N)-Lijiang(2N)-Shangrila(1N)-Chongqing(1N)-Yangtze River Cruise(3N)-Yichang-Shanghai(3N)
This tour will take you to explore from the upper part to the middle part of Yangtze River: Traverse Yunnan’s wonders—Kunming’s eternal spring, Dali’s lakeside serenity, Lijiang’s Naxi charm, and Shangri-La’s Himalayan mysticism. Shift gears in Chongqing’s fiery urban sprawl, then drift down the Yangtze River’s gorges on a cruise, passing Yichang’s engineering marvels, before indulging in Shanghai’s futuristic skylines, centuries-old architecture, avant-garde art hubs, and bustling markets.
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming
Upon arrival of Kunming, you will meet with our private guide and be transferred to hotel for check-in. After that, you can choose to explore the ever-spring city by your own, or enjoy a good rest at hotel after a long-time flight journey.
Day 2: Stone Forest and High-speed Train to Dali
Nestled in central Kunming, Green Lake Park is famed for its willow-lined paths, tranquil lake views, and seasonal flocks of migratory birds. You may see locals and visitors gathering here to stroll, dance, or boat amid lush gardens and vibrant cultural energy. Continue to visit the bustling Flower and Bird Market, which brims with colorful blooms, exotic plants, caged songbirds, and traditional handicrafts. Then we drive one and half hour to visit Stone Forest, a breathtaking karst landscape of jagged rock pillars. Back to Kunming, we will take high-speed train to Dali.
Day 3: Dali
We begin the tour in Dali from the Three Pagodas Temple, a 9th-century architectural marvel where ancient Buddhist history meets tranquil gardens—accessible via convenient shuttle rides. Glide through rustic villages and fields on an electric bicycle tour, soaking in pastoral landscape with a stop at Yang Liping Theater. Cap your day wandering Dali Ancient City’s cobblestone lanes, brimming with Bai-style courtyards, handicraft stalls, and echoes of the historic Tea Horse Road.
Day 4: Dali to Shaxi
This morning starts in Xizhou Old Town, a Bai ethnic treasure with Ming-Qing courtyards and buttery "Xizhou baba" pancakes. Delve into Zhoucheng Village, the heart of traditional tie-dye craftsmanship, where indigo fabrics flutter like folk art. Glide across West Lake on a serene boat cruise, framed by misty mountains and fishing villages. Finally, journey onward to Shaxi Ancient Town, a cobblestone relic of the Tea Horse Road, where you will enjoy locals’ slow-paced rural life.
Day 5: Shaxi to Lijiang
If you are lucky, we will join the locals to explore the lively Shaxi Market held on each Friday. Stroll along the ancient streets of Shaxi Ancient Town, with stops at the old temple, the ancient stage and Yujin Bridge, to admire the traditional architecture, enjoy the scenic beauty and experience its rich history and culture, and immerse yourself in the charm of this quaint town. Continue to Jianchuan and visit local wood-carving workshop to witness skilled artisans carving beautiful patterns into wood, and you can even try your hand at this ancient art. Then we drive to Lijiang Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage gem of cobblestone lanes, gurgling canals, and Naxi ethnic charm, where ancient Tea Horse Road history mingles with lantern-lit courtyards beneath the gaze of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. If time permits, we will take a visit of Naxi Museum and Black Dragon Pool Park.
Day 6: Lijiang
This morning, we ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain via the Yunshanping Cable Car to alpine meadows with sweeping views of jagged peaks sacred to the Naxi people. Descend to Blue Moon Valley, where turquoise pools mirror snow-capped ridges, then witness the epic Impression Lijiang Show, a grand outdoor performance celebrating local ethnic traditions against the mountain’s backdrop. Complete your journey in Baisha Village, famed for Ming-era murals and rustic charm, and Shuhe Old Town, a quieter Tea Horse Road gem of stone bridges and murmuring streams.
Day 7: Tiger Leaping Gorge and Transfer to Shangrila
We start the day from the morning market of the old city, where many locals gather for fresh produce, traditional crafts, and authentic Yunnan snacks, capturing the vibrant pulse of daily Naxi culture. Continue to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, a dramatic canyon where the roaring Jinsha River thunders between 5,000-meter cliffs, which offers breathtaking views of towering cliffs and turbulent waters. Drive to Shangrila with stop at an observation point to enjoy the nice landscape combined with snow montains, fields and villages. In the evening, we will explore the ancient Tibetan town of Dukezong, with its maze - like streets and traditional architecture.
Day 8: Shangrila Flight to Chongqing
The last day in Shangrila begins from Songtsam Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist gem dubbed "Little Potala," where golden rooftops glow above prayer halls echoing with chants. Nearby, Napa Lake unfolds as a seasonal wetland sanctuary—crystal waters reflecting snow-capped peaks in winter, blooming grasslands in summer. Embrace warmth in a local Tibetan family visit, sharing butter tea and stories of nomadic traditions. Transfer to airport and take the flight to Chongqing.
Day 9: Board Yangtze River Cruise Boat
Chongqing, a sprawling mountain municipality, captivates with its fiery hotpot cuisine, misty landscapes, and the surreal cityscape of skyscrapers, stilted-house complexes, and crisscrossing monorails threading through hills. We will first visit a park in the city center, from the tower inside of which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, then China Three Gorges Museum for a general knowledge of Three Gorges of Yangtze River, continue to walk along Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street to Chaotianmen Square; Before transfer to board the Yangtze River Cruise Boat, we will take a short stay at Hongyadong for evening lights view.
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise
The cruise boat offers full board and some optional activities.
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise
The cruise boat offers full board, and it will go through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge today.
Day 12: Yichang Flight to Shanghai
After check out from the cruise boat, you will be transferred to visit the Three Gorges Dam, then to Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center, where you will meet with our private guide. Transfer to visit Three Travelers’ Cave, a historic limestone cavern famed for inspiring Tang and Song poets, features ancient inscriptions and panoramic views of the Xiling Gorge along the Yangtze River. Enjoying sunset view at the bankside of Yangtze River, you will be transferred to airport for flight to Shanghai.
Day 13: Shanghai
Our tour will start with the visit of Yu Garden, a famous classical Chinese garden located in the city center, and nearby market, where you will find various local snacks, traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, pearls and other specialty goods. Walk along Nanjing Pedestrian Road until to the Bund, a famous waterfront area along the Huangpu River known for its historical architecture, stunning skyline, and vibrant nightlife. In the late afternoon, we will visit a multiple-function commercial complex Known as “the Hanging Gardens of Babylon”, which contains a shopping mall, restaurants, art galleries, and office space. For the evening, we offer several optional activities, like Acrobatic Show or Night Boat Cruise on Huangpu River, you can choose according to your wishes.
Day 14: Water Town of Shanghai
This morning will take you to Zhujiajiao Water Town, which is often referred to the "Venice of Shanghai" due to its network of canals, arched stone bridges, and traditional architecture. You can ride a hand-cranked boat to the town center and then take a walking tour among the streets. Back to Shanghai, visit Tian Zi Fang, a creative district known for its abundance of art studios and galleries, and Xin Tian Di, a comprehensive business district for shopping, dining, entertainment and culture.
Day 15: Departure From Shanghai
From the bankside of Huangpu River, we will take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to Pudong, first visit Shanghai Municipal History Museum on the ground floor of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, then go up to its main observation deck for a panoramic view of Shanghai’s skyline. Continue to Lane 1192 Old Shanghai Style Street, an "immersive" retro food street perfectly reproduces the old Shanghai style in the thirties of the last century, where you can see rickshaws, docks, old-fashioned trams, shop signs and other scenes. The last stop in Shanghai will be Fun Collection, an underground market with all kinds of products, like clothes, suitcases, toys, digital products, handicrafts and so on.
After that, you will be transferred to airport for departure flight back to home, ending the whole tour in China.
