Multicultural Yunnan:

JULY 2025 · 7 DAYS

A Journey South of the Clouds

Literally meaning "south of the clouds", Yunnan is home to 25 ethnic minority groups, including the Bai, Yi, Dai, Hani, Miao (Hmong), Tibetan, Nakhi, etc. Situated at the crossroads of the historic tea-horse road, Yunnan has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. During the trip, we will conquer the majestic snow-capped Jade Snow Dragon Mountain, visit traditional Buddhist temples in Shangri-La, and explore traditional ethnic Bai markets along the Tea Horse Road. We'll savor Yunnan's renowned flavors - from prized Pu'er tea and Yunnan cheese to smoky Xuanwei ham and wild mushrooms. Join us to explore the wonders south of the clouds, where every family, dish, and landscape tell a unique story.

Who This Experience Is For

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Foodie

You yearn to try new foods - morning breakfast markets, dinners from 4+ ethnic groups (veggie options available).

Culture & History Buff

You have endless curiosity - ask questions, reflect on what you've learned beyond the trip

Nature Lover

Have beginner fitness - no long hikes on this trip but be prepared for high elevation (up to 4000 meters)

Note: Itinerary may change, changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

Itinerary

Start our journey in Kunming by visiting a local produce market to learn about unique, regional dishes from various ethnic groups. Free tea tasting included!

Walk along the historic Kunming Old Street, dating back 1000 years and once a major trading post on the Southern Silk Road (predecessor to the Tea Horse Road)

Admire the beauty of Lake Dian, the "Pearl of the Plateau" for its scenic beauty and cultural significance

Take a cable car up to the Western Hills and Dragon Gate, a cliffside Taoist temple complex carved into the mountains, offering stunning views of Lake Dian.

Dinner: Local Dai Cuisine
Chongsheng Three Pagodas & Temple Complex: Marvel at the iconic 1,200-year-old Tang Dynasty pagodas, explore the serene temple grounds, and learn about Dali’s Buddhist history against a backdrop of the Cangshan Mountains.*

Dali Ancient Town + Flower Cakes & Tea Tasting: Wander through cobblestone streets lined with Bai minority architecture, then join a workshop to hand-make fragrant Yunnan rose cakes and savor locally grown Pu’er tea.

Bike Erhai Lake: Cycle past lakeside wetlands, Bai-style courtyards, and flower fields next to the shimmering shores of Erhai Lake

Dinner: Local Bai Cuisine
Shaxi Ancient Town: Visit Shaxi Ancient Town, a beautifully preserved Bai village lined with 14th-century wooden shops, old temples, and a 600-year-old theater stage.

Bai Friday Morning Market: Taste Bai specialties and learn more about their traditional handicrafts, herbs, and fresh yak cheese.

Shibao Mountain: Hike to a sacred site with Tang Dynasty grottoes carved into cliffs, featuring Buddhist statues and frescos. Spot wild monkeys along the trail.

Dinner: Local Bai Cuisine
Thousand Lion Mountain: Visit the Hidden Kingdom of Stone Lions, where over 3000 hand-carved stone lions sprawl across a forested hillside. A wild and utterly surreal site, a dream for adventurers who love unexplored, serene places.

Tea Horse Road Museum: Learn about the Tea Horse Road, the ancient network of trails linking Yunnan's tea fields to Tibet and beyond. Unlike flashy urban museums, this one is raw and local - a tribute to mule drivers, traders, and cultures that kept the Tea Horse Road alive.

Visit Jianchuan Ham Factory and Shan Lao Tui, a famous local restaurant celebrated for its aged Jianchuan Cured Ham, eaten like Spanish jamón but also eaten in a hot pot with local herbs and noodles. Learn more about the art of ham making from the owners.

Dinner: Jianchuan Ham Hotpot
Day 5

Lijiang Ancient Town: Visit Lijiang Ancient Town's 14th-century wooden houses, stone bridges, and flowing streams. Hike to the Wangu Pavilion atop Lion Hill for panoramic views of the town’s tiled rooftops

Black Dragon Pool Park: Walk to find the postcard-perfect view: the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains reflected in the pool, framed by a Ming Dynasty Moon-Embracing Pavilion.

Naxi Museum / Dongba Cultural Museum: Learn about the Naxi people, one of China's last matrilineal societies and their Dongba culture, which is now endangered. Observe their writing system, which is the world's last living pictographic writing system. Admire Naxi murals that depict their spiritual beliefs.

Dinner: Local Naxi Cuisine

Day 6

Jade Dragon Snow Mountains: day trip to the majestic 13 jagged peaks spanning 35 km

Option 1: Take China's tallest cable car (4,506 meters) or take a lower cable car to Yak Meadow or Spruce Meadow.

Option 2: Stroll along the Blue Moon Valley, electric-turquoise pools from glacier runoff.

Option 3: Watch the Impressions of Lijiang Show. Directed by Zhang Yimou, this show promises the mountain as the stage and performers from 10 ethnic groups singing in their native tongues.

Dinner: Local Naxi Cuisine
Songzalin Monastery: 17th-century Gelugpa monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist complex in Yunnan and a smaller version of the sacred Potala Palace in Tibet.
Guishan Temple & World's Largest Prayer Wheel: 17th-century Gelugpa temple, featuring Han and Tibetan architectural style. Join as a group and spin the 60 ton, pure gold plated Tibetan prayer wheel, the largest in the world.
Dinner: Local Tibetan Cuisine

Highlights

Learn to Make Rose Flower Cakes

8000+ hand crafted soldiers standing tall, protecting the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Ride China's Tallest Cable Car

Join local Uyghurs as we make the dough and stretch it until we have hand pulled noodles

Visit Yunnan's Largest Tibetan Monastery

Learn more about Turpan's sweet grapes, turned into raisins and wines

What Is Included

Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time). We LOVE sharing the beauties of China with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below
Every night, you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in. Family style means you will share food with your fellow travelers. Both of us are HUGE foodies and we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick!

If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
In this virtual pre-departure orientation, we will cover essential apps (payment, maps, VPNs, eSIMs) and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate China like a local.
It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.
Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares, on days 1 - 7
Metro rides within cities are not covered.
Transportation during free time is not covered.
Any transportation to Kunming (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 7 is not covered.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.

What Is Not Included

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- Chinese Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary

- Breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses
- Damaged or lost personal possessions

Costs

Single Occupancy

$2500 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room and bathroom to yourself

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Double Occupancy

$2000 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

What Our Travelers Say

Jurrien & Sandra

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement

with the communities they visit.

I would definitely go on another trip with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

This group experience is designed for adults, 21 years and older.

If you have minors who would like to join an experience like this, we can arrange a private experience specifically for your family.

Please note that each minor requires at least one adult 21+ years old to accompany them.

Refer to our private experiences page to learn more.
Enter in our Interest Form where you are interested in going and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible.

The cost of the experience may change.

Alternatively, we can host a private experience for you and anyone you want to bring along.
Yes, we generally advise our travelers coming to China to get a Chinese tourist visa in your country of residency. If you have confirmed that your trip to China can be done under the 10 or 30 day visa free policy, then you do not need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa.
Visa-Free Entry Policies
10-Day Visa-Free Transit: Travelers from many countries (e.g., US, UK, Canada) can stay up to 10 days in certain Chinese cities (like Beijing or Shanghai) if transiting to a third country (proof of onward ticket required).
30-Day Visa-Free Access: Citizens of 38 countries (e.g. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam) can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days under mutual agreements.
Note: Policies may change—always verify with this official webpage before travel.
From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to China because you lack the correct visa documentation.
You should book your departure flight from your home country to Kunming (will likely require a layover in another city) and your return flight from Kunming as well.

To get from Shangri-la (Xianggelila) to Kunming, you can take a 1 hour flight or a 5.5 hour high-speed train.

Alternatively, you can fly into Hanoi, Vietnam and cross into China via the Lao Cai/Hekou border. If you choose this route, you will need to obtain a Vietnam transit visa. Please reach out to us via email at hello@graceandyj.com if you would like us to consult you on how to plan this route.
Prior to entering China, you should download WeChat (communication and payments) and AliPay (payments and more).
If you need to use Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or Google Apps during the trip, download a VPN.
Refer to our China Apps guide to see which other apps are required and recommended.
Prior to traveling to China, we recommend you to buy a 3HK E-SIM.

If you would prefer to get a physical SIM card, we will bring you to a physical store in China to get a SIM card.
Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to China.

For this experience*, our cancellation policy is below. To cancel your spot, you must email us at hello@graceandyj.com. If applicable, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment between 5-14 business days, excluding bank transaction fees.

More than 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 20% of total price (deposit)

Between 45 – 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 40% of the total price

Between 30 – 45 Days: Cancellation fee of 60% of the total price

Less than 30 days prior to departure: No refund

After trip departure: No refund

*Note: Different experiences may have different deposit amounts and cancellation policies. Please refer to each experience page for the most up to date information.
We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this experience or cut the experience short.

Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the experience begins to cover unforeseen cancellations.

Our Travel Philosophy

We started traveling around China in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland. From then to now, we have traveled to half of China's provinces & regions. In the process, we realized that the beauty, history, and cultural diversity of China goes well beyond the typical path that tourists take (Beijing, Shanghai, etc). We want to show you the real China, from the cities to village in China's undiscovered provinces and regions. Whether or not you can speak Chinese, we want to help you navigate all the complexities that come with traveling around China and foster an environment that allows you to connect on a deeper level with Chinese culture, people, language, and food. Learn more from our videos!

Helpful Resources

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