Yunnan Highlands Local Culture 11-Day Tour (CIT004) Photo Itinerary: Days 1-3
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Day 1: U.S.A. – Hong Kong
Day 2: Hong Kong – Kunming
Kunming Accommodations: Weilong Hotel 威龙饭店 (4-Star) or equivalent
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| Yunnan: a land of lovely open spaces… (photo by “The Tenth Dragon“) |
…stunning mountains… (photo by Aaron Yu*) |
…and idyllic rural life (photo by Tom Thai) |
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| But within Yunnan there is also Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring,” nestled amongst lakes and mountains… (photo by Andreas Muelder) |
…historic and traditional… (photo by Hector Garcia) |
…but also modern and vibrant (photo by Wikipedia) |
Day 3: Kunming – Shilin (Stone Forest) – Jiuxiang – Kunming
Special Arrangements: authentic Yunnan cuisine—Mushroom Hot Pot (菌菇火锅, Jùngū Huǒguō)
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| A panoramic view of part of the Stone Forest (photo by Gilad Rom) |
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| Miniature “mountain-and-water” landscapes (photo by Kent Wang) |
Lush flowers and grass (photo by Mark Kao*) |
Rock and sky (photo by Kent Wang) |
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| A pavilion affords a fantastic view (photo by Mark Kao*) |
Jagged rock formations (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
“Elephant on a Platform” (photo by CIT) |
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| An expert local guide will lead you (photo by CIT) |
up stairs between sheer rock faces, (photo by CIT) |
under precariously perched boulders, (photo by Eric Chan) |
and through holes in the karst formations (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| Admire the harmony of trees, grass, flowers, ponds, and rocks (photo by CIT) |
Observe and interact with locals (photo by CIT) |
Watch local culture performances (photo by CIT) |
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| Fruit and snack vendors in Shilin’s outdoor market (photo by CIT) |
Vendors selling local fashions and other memorabilia (photo by CIT) |
Shilin: Unforgettable beauty (photo by Gilad Rom) |
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| (photo by Kent Wang) | (photo by Kent Wang) |
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| Jiuxiang Scenic Area (photo by CIT) |
Jiuxiang’s Yincui Gorge, seen from above (photo by CIT) |
The gorge rises high above (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| Your tour begins with a lively boat ride through the Yincui Gorge, and voices echo off the walls (photo by CIT) |
A local tour guide accompanies you into the cavern (photo by CIT) |
The walkway descends into the gorge… (photo by CIT) |
…and the entrance swallows you like an enormous maw (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| The ceiling rises high over your head (photo by CIT) |
As the cavern closes in, you feel like an explorer (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
The cavern features a great variety of limestone formations, some with colorful lighting (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
More lighted formations (photo by CIT) |
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| Don’t miss the world-famous “Feudal Headman Castle”… (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
…and “Posture in Lying of an Old Immortal Man After Drunkenness” (photo by CIT) |
A vast chamber within the cavern, much larger than a photo can convey (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| After crossing a bridge, you continue the tour (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
A waterfall flows into the entrance (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
More falls near the entrance (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
A magnificent cascade deeper in the cavern (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| The waterfall flows far down into the depths (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
If you don’t want to make the long climb to the exit, you can just take an inexpensive “sedan” ride (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
From there, you can ride a horse back to the park entrance (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
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| You can also take a chairlift… (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
…and enjoy a vertiginous view of Jiuxiang’s hills and forests (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
A delicious dinner of steaming wild mushroom hotpot awaits you in Kunming (photo by CIT) |
* Unlicensed photos are used by permission of the photographer.
Continue to Yunnan Highlands Local Culture 11-Day Tour Days 4-5