China Tours · 15 days
Yunnan: Traditional Medicine, Tea & Heritage
Explore Yunnan through medicinal plants, tea traditions, botanical learning, historic towns, ethnic culture, and landscapes from Lijiang and Dali to the rice terraces and Xishuangbanna.
Explore Yunnan through medicinal plants, tea traditions, botanical learning, historic towns, ethnic culture, and landscapes from Lijiang and Dali to the rice terraces and Xishuangbanna.
- Duration
- 15 days
- Route
- Lijiang → Dali → Kunming → Jianshui → Yuanyang → Xishuangbanna
- Travel style
- Special-interest journey
Journey positioning
Yunnan is most meaningful when plant knowledge, food, tea, history and landscape are allowed to speak to one another.
The route moves gradually from the highland cultures of Lijiang and Dali through Kunming and the rice terraces to tropical Xishuangbanna.
It is designed for curious travelers in their 50s, 60s and beyond who prefer learning and conversation to rushed sightseeing.
Who this trip is for
Travelers interested in botanical knowledge, traditional Chinese medicine culture, tea, regional food, ethnic traditions, historic towns, and Yunnan’s extraordinary plant diversity.
Key highlights
- Lijiang Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Dali’s Bai culture and hands-on tea experience
- Kunming museums, medicinal plants and market visits
- Jianshui heritage and the Yuanyang rice terraces
- Pu’er tea and tropical botany in Xishuangbanna
Full day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive in Lijiang
Settle into Lijiang Old Town and begin with its Naxi streets, waterways and living heritage.
- Day 2
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Experience Yunshanping, Blue Moon Valley and a cultural performance with an adjustable mountain pace.
- Day 3
Yangtze & Tiger Leaping Gorge
Travel to the First Bend of the Yangtze and view the dramatic gorge landscape.
- Day 4
Lijiang to Dali
Continue to Dali for the Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake and an introduction to Bai history.
- Day 5
Bai Culture & Tea
Visit Xizhou, experience three-course tea and take part in a gentle tea-picking and tea-making activity.
- Day 6
Dali to Kunming
Travel by high-speed rail and explore the cultural landscape around West Hill and Dragon Gate.
- Day 7
Stone Forest & Flowers
See the Stone Forest, Dounan flower market and Kunming’s historic streets.
- Day 8
Museums & Chinese Medicine
Connect Yunnan’s history with an educational visit focused on life science and traditional medicine culture.
- Day 9
Fungi, Botany & Herbs
Explore wild-mushroom knowledge, medicinal plants and a traditional herbal market.
- Day 10
Kunming to Jianshui
Discover Jianshui’s city gate, Confucian temple, gardens, old wells and tofu-making traditions.
- Day 11
Jianshui to Yuanyang
Ride the heritage narrow-gauge train, visit Tuanshan and continue to the Hani rice terraces for sunset.
- Day 12
Yuanyang to Kunming
Explore the terraces and Azhike village before returning to Kunming.
- Day 13
Kunming to Xishuangbanna
Take the train south, then visit a medicinal-plant garden and learn about Pu’er tea.
- Day 14
Tropical Botany
Spend time in the tropical botanical garden, focusing on plant diversity and culturally significant species.
- Day 15
Depart Xishuangbanna
Conclude the journey and transfer for onward travel.
Good to know This is a cultural and botanical journey, not a medical treatment program. Specialist visits remain subject to institutional approval and local opening schedules.
Interested in this journey?
Let’s shape the right version for you.
Tell us your preferred dates, travelers, interests and pace. Fun Travel will respond personally and tailor the journey around your group.
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