Soutwest Minority and Thailand Tour: Beijing/Xian/Kunming/Dali/Lijiang/Zhongdian/Kunming/Chiang Mai/Bangkok

18-day China tour of Beijing/Xian/Kunming/Dali/Lijiang/Zhongdian/Kunming/Chiang mai/Bangkok

Day 01 Beijing
Arrive in beijing, the capital of China, greeted by the guide at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day 02 Beijing
The highlight today is a visit to the Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization and to the Olympic Park--the Bird Nest and Water Cube. Attend a Beijing roast duck banquet in the evening.

Day 03 Beijing 
Visit the Tianan Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. Afternoon sightseeing features the 

Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests and the Summer Palace, a summer resort for Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Enjoy the Beijing Acrobatic show in the evening.

Day 04 Beijing/Xi'an
Morning flight to Xi'an and visit the majestic wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient City Wall.

Day 05 Xi'an 
A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient xian as you visit the burial site of an incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta soldiers and the ancient Banpo village. In the evening, you will enjoy two specialties, Xi'an dumpling dinner and the Tang Dynasty Show at Shaanxi Grand Theatre.

Day 06 Xi'an/Kunming
Morning flight to Kunming, the spring city of China. Located on the east edge of the Tibet plateau, Kunming is accompanied by warm weather all year round. Visit the Western Hill where you will find both Taoist and Buddhism temples on the top. A very beautiful lake view of the Dianchi lake comes into sight while you are on the top of the Dragon Hill Gate.

Day 07 Kunming 
A full day excursion takes you to the Stone Forest, one of the natural wonders of the area, and a typical karstic landscape. Shopping at the Courlorful Yunnan area where you may buy lots of the local products of Yuannan province.

Day 08 Kunming/Dali 
Morning flight to Dali, an important stop on the Yunnan-tibetan highway. Upon arrival, tour the Rrhai Lake and enjoy the folk songs and dances of the Bai ethnic minority while the famous three course tea presented. You will appreciate the crystal blue lake and the green mountain range nearby which looks like a Chinese painting. Then visit the symbol of Dali, the three pagodas, built 1,300 years ago. Take a leisurely stroll in old town of Dali in the evening.

Day 09 Dali/Lijiang
Bus to lijiang in the morning and visit the Black Dragon Pool Park, and the Dongba Culture Exhibition Museum, which represents the Dongba pictographic characters and Naxi minorities mysterious culture. Visit the  ancient town, a world heritage site in China recognized by UN in 1999.

Day 10 Lijiang 

Take cable car ascending the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to visit Yunshanping grassland, and tour the Basha Naxi minority village with the ancient Dongba frescos. You may enjoy a Naxi ancient music show in the old town in the evening.

Day 11 Lijiang / Zhongdian
Bus to Shigu village, at the first bend of the Yangtze river; visit the tremendous Tiger Leaping Gorge, and then bus to Zhongdian that is on the edge of the Tibetan plateau.

Day 12 Zhongdian / Kunming
Explore Zhongdian and the surrounding Tibetan cultural areas, including the Songzanlin Monastery and the Alpine Bita lake. Visit a local Tibetan family on the way. fFy back to Kunming in the late afternoon.

Day 13 Kunming/Chiang Mai
Morning flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city. Greeted by  guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Dinner Kantoke with show.

Day 14 Chiang Mai
Full day tour to visit the Doi Suthep Temple, symbol of Chiang Mai. Situated 3,520 meters above sea level, the temple offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding plains at the end of a 300-step climb, flanked by nagas (mythical serpents), from the parking lot to the temple courtyard. Then visit elephant camp to see elephants at work, including a demonstration of how trained elephants are used to help in lumber work.

Day 15 Chiang Mai/Bangkok
After breakfast drive to visit a Meo Hill tribe. these people are agricultural; planting fields, raising animals, and hunting for a living. Afternoon flight to Bangkok.

Day 16 Bangkok
Drive across the city into the inner core to see the contrast between old and new of bangkok. Visit the outstanding temples (wat) such as -Wat Pho famous for its reclining buddha, Wat Trimitr, the largest golden buddha of the world that is believed to be about 700 years old. Visit the Royal Grand Palace, home of the chapel royal of the emerald Buddha and the most sacred Buddha in Thailand. Visit to the floating market and enjoy the dinner Thai food with show.

Day 17 Bangkok
Free day.

Day 18 Bangkok
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure flight.