Many travelers consider Yunnan Province to be the most colorful and thrilling part of China. Here you’ll find the convergence of Tibetan, Burmese, Laotian, Indian, Vietnamese, and ethnic Chinese cultures; spectacular natural beauty; wonderful cuisine; traditional architecture; and wonderfully charming small towns. With new airports, roads, and hotels, Yunnan is now a perfect destination for international travelers seeking “Old China” in comfort. This tour explores the highlights of ‘Shangri-La’. Fly from Beijing to Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring,” with city touring that includes the Old Town, the Yunnan Provincial Museum, Muslim Street, the Bird Market, and the University and lake district. Fly to Lijiang, home to a number of ethnic minority groups, including the matriarchal Naxi people. Tour this enchanting town, the Naxi Museum, Dragon Spring Village with its old Tibetan temple, the frescos at Baisha Village, and Black Dragon Pool at the Jade Spring Park. Continue your drive through beautiful mountain scenery to Zhongdian, situated at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level and very close to the Tibetan border. En route visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. In Zhongdian, visit a 300- year-old Tibetan monastery inhabited by several hundred monks and novices, and tour Bita Lake National Park. After an exhilarating trip, fly from Zhongdian to Shanghai for your international or domestic flight.