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Roots of Yunnan: Handicraft Traditions and Cultural Encounters

Dali · Shaxi · Weishan
  • 8 Days
  • Jan – Jun, Sep – Dec
  • Dali
  • Dali
  • 6-12 people
  • Min-Age: 16+

About This Trip

Roots of Yunnan: Handicraft Traditions and Cultural Encounters is a thoughtfully paced 8-day journey through the Dali region, designed for those who prefer to travel more slowly and connect more deeply.

Travel through Dali, Weishan, and Shaxi, where you will step into local workshops and small communities, gaining insight into traditional crafts such as indigo dyeing, woodblock printing, and tile cat making. Along the way, experience Yunnan through its everyday life — from tea harvesting and pressing to observing the making of rushan (Yunnan cheese) and trying on traditional Yi attire. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of Dali’s celebrated landscapes — from Erhai Lake to the Cangshan Mountains — long admired for their beauty and romantic charm.

With a relaxed rhythm, minimal physical demands, and time to truly settle into each place, this journey offers a more personal and in-depth way to experience Yunnan’s living traditions.

What’s the Highlight – Travel like a local!
★ Craft Traditions Up Close - Step into the homes of local artisans to experience traditional crafts in an intimate setting, gaining insight into techniques passed down through generations.

★ Beyond the Usual Routes - Explore villages, temples, and local markets away from mass tourism, following the rhythms of everyday life and discovering Yunnan from the inside out.

★ Flavours & Everyday Life of Dali - Experience what the Dali region has to offer — from tea and rushan (Yunnan cheese) to hot springs, gentle walks with cable car access, and the cultural legacy of the Tea Horse Road.

★ Character Stays with a Sense of Place - Stay in carefully selected boutique heritage properties, including a restored courtyard in Xizhou and a charming hotel in Shaxi, where traditional architecture and thoughtful design create a warm and memorable atmosphere.

Itinerary

Day 01:Dali
➤ AM/PM: Airport or Train Station Pick-up. Check in to your hotel in Xizhou Ancient Town, a picturesque Bai village known for its well-preserved courtyards and lively morning market. You will stay in a thoughtfully restored Bai-style heritage courtyard, where traditional architecture and quiet surroundings offer a deeper sense of place. After settling in, take a leisurely stroll through the old streets, soaking in the town’s relaxed atmosphere and historical charm.
➤ EVE: Welcome dinner at a traditional Bai house, featuring local cuisine.
Day 02:Dali
➤AM: Walking Tour at the local Farmer’s Market and Xizhou Ancient Town and participate in a woodblock printing workshop, where you will learn the traditional technique of printing Jiama, sacred paper prints used in Bai religious practices. Explore the lively market and sample some local delicacies.
➤PM: Continue to Zhoucheng, the largest Bai ethnic village known for its rich tradition of indigo dyeing. Learn the ancient resist-dyeing techniques passed down through generations and create your own indigo-dyed textile to take home.
➤EVE: Return to Dali for a relaxing evening.
Day 03:Dali
➤ AM: Take a scenic open-air cable car up to Zhonghe Temple, perched on the slopes of the Cangshan Mountains. As you ascend, enjoy sweeping views of Erhai Lake and the surrounding landscape from above. This off-the-beaten-path temple offers a peaceful atmosphere for reflection, with fresh mountain air and a serene setting away from the crowds. After exploring, descend by cable car.
➤ Noon: Lunch at Zhonghe Temple (based on availability)
➤ PM: Visit a Dali tea factory to witness the traditional process of making compressed tea blocks. Participate in a tea-making session, pressing your own tea cake to take home as a unique souvenir.
Day 04:Dali/Weishan
➤AM: Depart for Weishan Ancient Town, a lesser-known but historically rich town that was once the birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Wander through its well-preserved Ming and Qing-era streets, admiring the traditional architecture and local craftsmanship. Visit the Confucian Temple and enjoy a slow morning soaking in the authentic atmosphere of this cultural gem.
➤PM: Travel to Donglianhua Village, a centuries-old Muslim Hui village known for its stunning courtyard homes and deep-rooted tea trade history. Visit the grand mosque and learn about the rich cultural exchanges that shaped this community. Return to Dali for the night.
Day 05:Dali
➤ AM: Travel to Diaocao Village to explore the cultural heritage of the Yi ethnic minority. Visit a local Yi costume and embroidery museum to gain insight into traditional craftsmanship, symbolic patterns, and the stories behind the garments. You will also have the opportunity to try on traditional Yi attire. If timing allows, join a traditional Yi circle dance, a joyful expression of community life.
➤ PM: Enjoy a relaxed bike or scooter ride along the shores of Erhai Lake, stopping at scenic viewpoints and lakeside villages to take in the area’s natural beauty. Return to Dali for a restful evening.
Day 06:Dali-Shaxi
➤ AM: Begin the day with a relaxing soak in Dali Hot Spring, a rejuvenating experience set in a tranquil natural environment. Enjoy the soothing mineral waters before continuing your journey north.
➤ Late AM: Stop in Dengchuan, a small town known for its traditional rushan (Yunnan cheese). Visit a local workshop to observe the process of making this unique dairy delicacy, and gain insight into a craft that has been part of the region’s daily life for generations.
➤ PM: Continue to Shaxi Ancient Town, a former trading hub along the Tea Horse Road. Stroll through the picturesque Sideng Square, a UNESCO-listed market square, and take in the town’s quiet charm before settling into a cozy courtyard inn.
➤ EVE: Enjoy a free evening exploring Shaxi’s peaceful alleyways, before heading out to a local restaurant by scooter or on foot for a relaxed dinner.
Day 07:Shaxi
➤ AM: Engage in a hands-on tile cat making workshop. The tile cat, a distinctive clay figurine in Bai culture, is believed to bring protection and good fortune. After crafting your own piece, enjoy some free time to wander through the town at your own pace.
➤ PM: Travel to Jianchuan and visit Jianhu Lake, where you will take a gentle boat ride across its calm waters, surrounded by wetlands and distant mountain views. Continue to Jianchuan Ancient Town to explore its quiet streets and local life, offering a more grounded glimpse into the region beyond the usual tourist routes.
➤ EVE: Return to Shaxi in the evening for a leisurely farewell dinner at a local restaurant, reflecting on the journey through Yunnan’s landscapes and cultures.
Day 08:Shaxi/Dali-Home
➤AM: Depending on your flight time, enjoy a relaxing morning in Shaxi before heading to the airport for your departure.

Details

Inclusion

  • Ground transportation, including airport transfers
  • Domestic trains, as noted in the itinerary
  • Accommodation based on double occupancy as noted in the itinerary
  • All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
  • Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
  • Services of an English-speaking guide and coordinator

Exclusion

  • International flights and relevant taxes
  • Chinese tourist visa. Please check out the latest policy before you start your journey
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary

Trip Cost

Price: NZD 2,995 per person (approx. USD 1,749 per person)
• Based on twin‑share accommodation

Bring‑a‑Friend Discount
• Bring a friend and share the adventure – save NZD 100 together!

Upcoming Tour Dates for 2026

• June 21 – 28, 2026

• September 6 – September 13, 2026

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Accommodation

We will stay in local 4-star hotels or local guesthouses (in the villages), carefully selected for their comfort, authenticity, and great locations. Here are some examples of the hotels you can expect on this tour.

The Linden Centre & The Linden Commons

  • Dali
The Linden Centre is located in Xizhou, a Bai minority village with thousands of years of history in Dali. The site has been carefully restored to its original grandeur, preserving the traditional materials, artwork, and wood carvings and still includes three courtyards and a lush private garden and terrace overlooking rice paddies beyond the Centre’s walls.

Shaxi Landscape Hotel

  • Shaxi
Shaxi Landscape Hotel is a boutique courtyard-style stay located in the heart of Shaxi Ancient Town, along the historic Tea Horse Road. Combining traditional architectural elements with understated modern comfort, the hotel offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by stone-paved streets and the quiet rhythms of village life.

Shaxi Landscape Hotel

  • Shaxi

Hilton Garden Inn Lijiang is the first Hilton brand hotel in Yunnan province with unique focused service culture, the hotel is located at the Shangrila Avenue, only 15 minutes walking distance from Dayan Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. They have always stayed their brand promise that is Sleep Deep, Work Smart, Eat Well, Stay Fit, Treat Yourself.

The Holiday Inn Express Kunming West offers a pleasant stay in Kunming for those traveling for business or leisure. The closest major public transportation, Liangjiahe Metro Station, is only 500m away. The nearby area boasts an abundance of attractions including Kunming Indoor Stadium, Aegean Sea and Shangrila-Dynamic Yunnan.

The Holiday Inn Express Kunming West offers a pleasant stay in Kunming for those traveling for business or leisure. The closest major public transportation, Liangjiahe Metro Station, is only 500m away. The nearby area boasts an abundance of attractions including Kunming Indoor Stadium, Aegean Sea and Shangrila-Dynamic Yunnan.

The Holiday Inn Express Kunming West offers a pleasant stay in Kunming for those traveling for business or leisure. The closest major public transportation, Liangjiahe Metro Station, is only 500m away. The nearby area boasts an abundance of attractions including Kunming Indoor Stadium, Aegean Sea and Shangrila-Dynamic Yunnan.

Next Steps

Sign up for the tour!
  • Please email info@wanderchina.co to secure your spot on this tour. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email before officially signing up.
  • When you’re ready to book, a $500 NZD per person booking fee is required to reserve your arrangements. This fee will be applied toward your total trip cost and deducted from your final balance.
  • Your balance payment will be due 60 days prior to your departure. 
  • If you’d like to customize a private pre or post trip to explore more of China, please let us know and we’d be happy to work with you on that!
Is this tour guaranteed to run?
  • A minimum of six travellers is required for this journey to operate (maximum group size: 12). The departure will be confirmed no later than 60 days prior to the scheduled departure date.
  • If the minimum number of travellers is not reached, Wander China reserves the right to cancel or postpone the departure. In this event, all deposits paid to Wander China will be refunded in full.
  • Wander China also reserves the right to cancel or postpone any departure, including confirmed departures, due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, such as travel restrictions, natural disasters, political instability, or other unforeseen events. In such cases, travellers will receive a full refund of all payments made to Wander China, less any non-refundable costs already incurred on their behalf, where applicable.
Cancelation Policy

If you decide to cancel for other reasons after this time, the following cancellation policy applies:

  • More than 60 days prior to trip departure:
    Deposit will be forfeited
  • Between 45 – 60 days prior to trip departure:
    20% of total tour price will be forfeited
  • Between 30 – 44 Days:
    50% of total tour price will be forfeited
  • Between 22 – 29 Days:
    90% of total tour price will be forfeited
  • Less than 21 days prior to trip departure:
    No refund

By paying the deposit, you accept Wander China Terms and Conditions.

Why Wander China

Local Expertise with Experience

We live here, and we’ve traveled far. Our team combines local roots in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi with years of experience leading international travelers. We are proud of our culture and passionate about sharing it with others. With extensive networks and resources on the ground, we bring a deep understanding of the region’s culture, history, and landscapes, and ensure every journey is thoughtfully curated.

Seamless Communication & Onsite Support

We speak your language—literally and culturally. From the first email to the last day of your trip, we’re here to guide, translate, and support. Our well-trained team ensures seamless coordination and personalized attention, making your trip both safe and memorable.

Committed to Heritage and Sustainability

We believe meaningful travel should give back. That’s why we support local artisans, share stories of living traditions, and take active steps to protect the environment—like picking up litter on mountain trails and choosing low-impact transport whenever possible. We also invite our participants to join us in giving back, fostering a shared commitment to meaningful and sustainable travel.

Flexible for All Kinds of Travelers

Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, family, a school group, or your company team—we offer the flexibility to match your interests and budget. Choose from thoughtfully crafted small-group tours, or let us design something just for you.

Got a wild dream? We'll make it real. Open to ideas? We'll dream it up for you.

Prefer a trip tailored just for you? Travel your way, on your terms!