Ancient Tea and Horse Trail

Highlights

• Departure Date: 11 September 2012
• Ancient trade route for Tibetan horses and Chinese tea
• Diverse landscapes of Yunnan
• Temples, villages and ethnic minorities
• Tea plantations and traditions
• Lively local markets and handicrafts
• Escorted Small Group *minimum numbers apply*
  

Day 1 - Arrive Shanghai, China
Arrive into the glittering metropolis of Shanghai with a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
The Portman Ritz-Carlton

Days 2 - 3 - Shanghai - Jinghong
Meet fellow group members this morning for the transfer to the airport. Fly south-west to Jinghong, in the far south of the country near the border with Myanmar and Laos. A welcome dinner is planned for this evening. The next day, head further west to Menghai, known for its Pu'er tea, the local red brew that's esteemed for its invigorating properties. Wander the Menghai Market; then visit the village of Nongyang. Its Bulang people were the first to plant and drink the popular brew in China. Continue to Manzhao to see paper made by hand. In Bampo, meet the Aini villagers, pick tea leaves and enjoy a cup with them (Day 2 B,D) (Day 3 B,L).
Tai Garden Hotel

Day 4 - Jinghong - Dali
Fly north to Dali and drive to the beautiful Linden Centre, set in rural surrounds in the foothills of the Himalaya. Stroll through the local village, Xizhou, home to the Bai people and once a stop along the ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail between Yunnan and Tibet. This evening, sit down to an Islamic-style dinner with the head of the local mosque (B,D).
The Linden Centre

Days 5 - 6 - Dali - Weishan - Dali
Spend the day mingling with the Weishan villagers and exploring the town. The next day, stroll Dali's lively market to see locals who still wear distinctive traditional attire. Your afternoon is at leisure, with time to shop for antiques in Xizhou if you like. Tonight's dinner is accompanied by a Dongjiang music performance (Day 5 B,L,D) (Day 6 B,D).
The Linden Centre

Day 7 - Dali - Shaxi
Stop at Shaping Market, where Bai women come dressed in their exquisitely embroidered smocks and headgear. Continue north to Shaxi, a town that was once a bustling trade centre on the southern Silk Road, but is now on the list of the 100 most endangered sites in the world. The village has undergone massive efforts to preserve its ancient architecture and culture and has an abundance of cobbled alleyways and old stone and timber mansions. Visit Xingjiao Temple, with its 12 Ming Dynasty-era frescoes (B,L).
Laomadian Lodge

Day 8 - Shaxi - Lijiang
Today continue further north to Yunnan's provincial capital, Lijiang (B,L)
Crowne Plaza Lijiang Ancient Town

Days 9 - 10 - Lijiang
During your stay in Lijiang, explore the 17 picturesque grottoes of Shibaoshan Mountain and then wander through Jianchuan's Old Town, known for its Ming and Qing wooden and stone carvings, and Lijiang's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the Wang Gu Lou Pagoda, enjoy a fabulous view of the city. Learn to make paper by hand in Huangshan and view Naxi cultural exhibits in the Dongba Museum. Stop in the Naxi village of Yuhu at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to watch Impression Lijiang, a cultural show that demonstrates the traditions and lifestyles of the region's local people. Spend time in Longquan, whose stone bridge is believed to be more than 500 years old, and then return to Huangshan to learn to write Dongba characters on the paper you made (B,L).
Crowne Plaza Lijiang Ancient Town

Days 11 - 12 - Lijiang - Zhongdian
View the beautiful scenery along the Yangzi River, including Shigu (Stone Drum), named after a drum-shaped marble plaque, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest in the world as you journey north on the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. The next day in Zhongdian, explore the Songzangling Monastery, home to the Living Buddha. The surrounding area is thought to be the "Shangri-la" of James Hilton's Lost Horizon. Walk through Zhongdian's Old Town, where an ongoing project is protecting and restoring a series of traders' houses dating to the 16th century. This afternoon, join a Tibetan family in their home and learn to make yak butter tea. Conclude your day with a Tibetan dance performance (B,L).
Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-la

Day 13 - Zhongdian - Benzilan - Zhongdian
Glimpse local handicrafts today when you visit a Naxi village, the only place that produces Zhongdian's special black pottery. Afterwards, watch artisans in Gongzhou make wooden tsampa bowls and teacups. Tonight, attend a farewell dinner (B,L,D).
Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-la

Day 14 - Zhongdian - Shanghai
Fly to Lhasa for your post-tour extension or return flight to Shanghai (B).
The Portman Ritz-Carlton

Day 15 - Depart Shanghai
A private transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B).

Tour Director Gerald Hatherly
A Canadian, Gerald Hatherly has been A&K's China Specialist since 1986. He studied Chinese as an undergraduate and continued his studies in Taiwan, which led to a job as a translator. Since joining A&K, Gerald has worked on China projects for many organisations. In 2009, Gerald was named Condé Nast Traveler's top travel specialist for China.

Departure Date: 11 September 2012