Yunnan Highlands Local Culture 11-Day Tour (CIT004) Photo Itinerary: Days 4-5

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Day 4: Kunming – Dali
Dali Accommodations: Asia Star Hotel Dali Yunnan 大理亚星酒店 (5-Star) or equivalent


A trip to Kunming’s flower market (photo by John Meckley*)	Kunming is famous for its flowers (photo by Dave Heisley*)	An orchid at the flower market (photo by Steve Evans)


Grand View Park: sky, water, and greenery (photo by Aaron Yu*)	Grand View Tower affords a lovely view of the park (photo by Daniel Poon*)	A closeup of Grand View Tower (photo by Daniel Poon*)


A romantic scene (photo by CT Leow*)	Abundant flowers (photo by Daisy Lin*)	Topiary statues (photo by Daisy Lin*)


Lotuses cover the water (photo by Eric Chan)	A closeup of a lotus blossom (photo by Eric Chan)	A lovely place to take a walk… (photo by CT Leow*)


…watch an artist… (photo by Aaron Yu*)	…buy a painting… (photo by Aaron Yu*)	…take a boat ride… (photo by CT Leow*)	…or feed the gulls (photo by Aaron Yu*)


The park also features statues of famous historical figures (photo by Daniel Poon*)	A view of picturesque Lake Dian and the Western Hills (photo by Steve Evans)	Flocks of gulls on Lake Dian (photo by the World Resources Institute)


Kunming’s Golden Temple, on Singing Phoenix Hill (photo by “Gisling“)	Lovely and tranquil (photo by Rolf Mueller)	A statue of Chen Yuanyuan in Golden Temple Park (photo by “Gisling“)


Dali: a modern city in an expansive, high-altitude valley… (photo by David Woo)	…with temples, mountains… (photo by David Woo)	…farmers working in the fields… (photo by Jo Schmaltz)


…a traditional “old town,” and a lake (photo by Utpala)	First stop: Dali’s famous “Three Pagodas” at Chongsheng Temple (photo by David Woo)	Another view of the Three Pagodas (photo by A Mao)


The left pagoda (photo by David Woo)	The middle pagoda (photo by David Woo)	The right pagoda (photo by David Woo)


Time permitting, explore Chongsheng Temple itself (photo by David Woo)	Another view of Chongsheng Temple (photo by A Mao)	Chongsheng Temple grounds (photo by David Woo)


Afterward, stroll through Dali’s Old Town (photo by CIT)	Gates marking Old Town’s “Foreigner Street” (photo by CIT)	Old Town locals playing mahjong (photo by CIT)


Streams line the quaint streets (photo by CIT)	A pavilion at Old Town (photo by CIT)	Visit Old Town’s Wuhua Tower for a stunning view of the area (photo by Tom Thai)


Another view of Wuhua Tower (photo by CIT)	Try one of the tasty local snacks, like “fried milk” (photo by CIT)	The activity doesn’t stop after nightfall (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)


Keep on strolling and shopping… (photo by CIT)	…or wet your whistle at one of Foreigner Street’s bars (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)	There are lots of ‘em (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)

Day 5: Dali
Special Arrangements: boat tour of Erhai Lake, “Three Courses of Tea” song and dance show (三道茶歌舞秀表演, Sāndào Chá Gēwǔxiù Biǎoyǎn), chairlift ride up Cang Mountain
Dali Accommodations: Asia Star Hotel Dali Yunnan (5-Star)


A boat tour of Lake Er (photo by Jo Schmaltz)	A pagoda on Lake Er (photo by Tom Thai)	Rowboats on the shore of Lake Er (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)


Fishermen on Lake Er use trained cormorants (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)	Sometimes the birds fight over the fish (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*)	Closeup of a cormorant (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*)


As in much of Yunnan, life on Lake Er is still traditional and idyllic (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*)	Watch a traditional Bai “Three Courses of Tea” show (photo by CIT)	Afterward, ascend the magnificent Cang Mountain (photo by A Mao)


At times, clouds spill over the top of the mountain… (photo by Jo Schmaltz)	…and shroud it in mist (photo by Utpala)	The thrilling view from the chairlift (photo by Tom Thai)


A view from the mountain (photo by Jo Schmaltz)	Admire Lake Er in the distance (photo by Jo Schmaltz)	Explore the mountain paths (photo by Daniel)