11-Day Shangri la Explorer – Tour #Y001     Dates: (Call us for dates)   

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF CHINA'S YUNNAN PROVINCE.  MEET CHINA'S COLORFUL ETHNIC MINORITIES, LEARN ABOUT BUDDHISM AND LOCAL SHAMANIC TRADITIONS, AND EXPERIENCE THE CHINA THAT FEW EVER KNOW.  KLAUS AND DULCE WILL ESCORT YOU IN A TRULY INTIMATE EXPERIENCE OF MYSTICAL SHANGRI-LA!   

Why travel with us?  Because your hosts have many years of experience traveling and living overseas, as well as unique backgrounds in both Western and Eastern spiritual traditions.

Klaus has travelled extensively in Central & South America, Asia, Europe and the US.  His passion is to travel and to share this experience with others.  He also is in the business of helping heal people and animals with a unique therapy form called Bowenwork therapy.

Dulce has recently retired from a successful corporate career to bring to others what she loves the most:  travel and exploring unique cultures as a vehicle for getting in touch with the mystical forces of your inner life.  Dulce's interests include meditation, riding and healing horses, and the practice of Tibetan Buddhism.  She has lived and traveled extensively in South America, Eastern Europe and China.

Klaus and Dulce bring you a highly personal and unique vacation in places of spiritual impact throughout the world.  They are known as experts in the "roads less traveled," and are fully committed to delivering an authentic travel experience.

In China, we work closely with a company that has over 20 years background in bringing clients truly exceptional travel solutions, and who are not just "tour resellers", but engaged partners in our business. We do not specialize in high-volume, mass tourism.  Travel with us and meet China intimately, the way few people will ever know it.  To learn more about Klaus and Dulce click here.

Day 1 Arrival in Beijing

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your deluxe hotel, where you can rest and relax from your long journey.  In the evening, enjoy a group dinner and take a stroll with your hosts and other guests. 

Day 2 Tour of Beijing

After breakfast, explore the temples and imperial parklands of Tiananmen Square, then continue on a tour of the Forbidden City.  In the afternoon, enjoy shopping at your leisure in one of Beijing's busy market streets.  Join your hosts for a traditional Chinese Banquet in the evening.

Day 3 The Great Wall

In the morning, we embark on a half-day tour of the Great Wall and in the afternoon we visit the majestic gardens and architectural treasures of the Summer Palace.  This evening, you have an option of enjoying the Beijing Opera or a Chinese Acrobatic show.

Day 4 Transfer to Kunming

Fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, known as the City of Eternal Spring.  We will visit Xishang Mountain, 10 miles outside of Kunming.  Xishang is famous for the stone sculptures on the cliff, and offers a birds-eye view of the grand Dianchi Lake. In the evening, join us for a group dinner by one of Kunming’s lakeside cafes or venture out on your own.

Day 5 Transfer to  Dali

In the morning we will transfer to the ancient city of Dali.  After lunch, we go to the CanShang Mountain by cable car for a short hike and breathtaking view of Dali and Erhai Lake.  Later on we will visit the Three Pagodas, situated on the ruins of the Chongsheng Monastery.  

Day 6 Drive to Lijiang

We take a 3-hour bus ride to Lijiang in the morning. The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy the Ancient City of Lijiang with its cobbled-stone streets, canals, its myriad antique shops, handicrafts and art galleries.  Excellent restaurant and café choices are available with both Western and Oriental cuisine.

Day 7 Relaxation Day in Lijiang

Take the day off if you wish or join us for a lecture with a local expert on Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Following the discussion, he will be available for private consultations (included in trip price).  In the afternoon there will be an optional tea ceremony where you will have an opportunity to learn the traditional serving ritual, as well as taste a variety of teas. 

In the evening, play a game of mahjong (Chinese dominoes) with your hosts and local friends.

Day 8 Transfer to Zhongdian

We drive to Zhongdian (Shangri-La) in the morning. On the way, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge.

In the afternoon, we will go to the legendary Songzanlin Monastery, originally built in 1679.  We will tour the monastery and meet with a resident monk and receive a one-hour teaching on fundamental aspects of Buddhism.  Building on this foundation, we will then be guided in a 30-minute meditation session.  On the way back to our hotel, we visit a family home at a nearby village, where you will have the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of the Tibetan people and enjoy a cup of fresh butter-yak tea.

Day 9 - Fly to Shanghai

Arrival in Shanghai and transfer to your deluxe hotel.  The day is free to rest, with optional informal dinner and evening stroll with your hosts in Shanghai's legendary French Concession area.

Day 10 – Tour Shanghai

Tour the city's most popular tourist destinations:  In the morning enjoy YuYuan Gardens & The Jade Buddha Temple.  After dinner,  enjoy the breathtaking skylight from the Bund and then walk down the famous shopping streets of Nanjing Lu.

Day 11 - Departure

Included in itinerary:

• One-hour traditional Chinese massage in any city of your choice

• Optional morning or evening instructor-led meditation (available everyday)

• Individual consultations with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners

TOUR PRICE:  $ 1,999 based on double occupancy.  Does not include international airfare

We are providers of wholesale discounted airfares from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Beijing or Shanghai.    Click here for our airfare specials!

We offer visa services for $100 (single entry tourist visa).  As of May 2003, the Chinese consulates/embassies are no longer accepting direct applications for visas from the general public, for security reasons.  Visas may be obtained through authorized agencies only.  Please allow 10 working days for processing ("rush" service available at extra cost).

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NOTE:  This itinerary mentions the highlights of our journey and serves as a guideline of the intention and flavor of our tour.  Most days will include a sightseeing program with free evenings for you to explore on your own. However, Quest Tours reserves the right to make changes due to unforeseen circumstances or weather, so as to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the trip for our guests.