Echoes of the Tea-Horse Road – chinaeagletravel.com

Duration

7 days

Persons

10 - 15

places

5

Itinerary:

Shanghai – Dali – Jizu Mountain – Dali – Weishan – Shaxi – Dali – Shanghai

Journey Highlights

Pilgrimage to Jizu Mountain

Ascend the sacred Buddhist mountain shaped by multiple ethnic groups. Amidst the ancestral temples of the Chan sect, the golden summit, and the sea of clouds, feel the convergence of a thousand-year Buddhist heritage and diverse civilizations.

Exploring a Hui Caravan Courtyard

Step into the Muslim caravan homestead in Donglianhua Village. In the tales of the caravan masters, trace the glorious history of the Hui merchant caravans along the Tea-Horse Road.

Strolling through Weishan Ancient Town

Wander the streets and lanes of the ancient capital of Nanzhao. Watch the everyday life of local residents, sip a bowl of covered tea, and experience the most authentic pulse of Yunnan's old-town life.

Friday Market in Shaxi

Visit the only surviving ancient market on the Tea-Horse Road. Join the locals in their simple trade, and capture the most genuine rural life through your lens.

Ecological Fish Feast in a Bai Village

By the reservoir, savor fresh ecological fish in a Bai village. Amidst the antiphonal singing of Bai love songs, hear the most touching voices of Yunnan's mountain countryside.

A Journey from Ancient Capital to Ancient Trail

From Dali, the "Ancient Capital at the Crossroads of Asian Cultures," to the UNESCO-listed Shaxi Ancient Town – cross through the three eras of Nanzhao, Ming-Qing, and the Tea-Horse Road in a single day.

Design Philosophy

Yunnan is a land of countless colors – a folding of geography and culture into something uniquely extraordinary. She is magnificent and solemn, tranquil and wild. She offers breathtaking landscapes and a way of life that touches the heart. With ten years of on-the-ground experience, we have woven together the true essence of Yunnan – born from the great rivers and the folds of the Hengduan Mountains – so that you may feel the grandeur of life and nature in this land.

Spring in western Yunnan carries the raw texture of nature itself. Our journey threads together flowers, ancient villages, caravan trails, and sacred mountains – allowing you to feel the pulse of western Yunnan's spring with every step.

Inclusions

1.Round-trip airfare between Shanghai and Dali;

Excellent English-speaking tour guide service throughout the itinerary;

Lunch and dinner daily at local specialty restaurants to enjoy authentic local cuisine;

Accommodation at city hotels as listed in the itinerary;

Private vehicle service throughout the itinerary: commercial tourist coach;

Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary;

Daily bottled water and fresh fruit in the vehicle;

Domestic travel insurance.

Exclusions

Optional activities and other personal expenses not mentioned in inclusions;

Personal expenses incurred during the itinerary.

Itinerary

Day 1

Shanghai – Dali

Fly from Shanghai to Dali. A private transfer will take you to the hotel near the ancient town. Check in and free at leisure (no activities arranged for today).

Accommodation: Dali Ancient Town Hotel

Meals: Breakfast (own expense) / Lunch (not included) / Dinner (included)

Day 2

Jizu Mountain – Dali

After breakfast, depart for Jizu Mountain in Binchuan. Dali is known as the "Ancient Capital at the Crossroads of Asian Cultures" – one of the most active zones for civilizational interaction, cultural contact, and ethnic exchange. Historically influenced by both Central Plains and Indian civilizations, Dali maintained close ties with Southeast and South Asia, deeply shaped by the convergence of these civilizations. After the Yuan and Ming dynasties, the rise of Chan Buddhism in Dali made Jizu Mountain a spiritual symbol born from the interweaving and sedimentation of multiple cultures.

Accommodation: Dali Ancient Town Hotel