The masterpieces of human and nature

Kunming - Yuanyang Terrace Field - Jiangshui - Chengjiang

7days / 6nights

$ 900 USD

The masterpiece and land sculpture photography trip

This trip is full of masterpieces and magnificent land sculptures. From the Stone Forest and Yuanyang rice terrace to local artistic architecture, you will see the hard work and wisdom of local ethnic people and the spectacular views created by the power of nature.

The Stone Forest represents the Karst landscape in China and was formed in the Ming Dynasty. The Stone Forest scenic region was established in 1931. After long-term development, it is well known as the World Natural Heritage, the World Geopark, the National Key Scenic Spot, the National Geopark, and the 5A-level Scenic Area in China.

Yuanyang locates in the Ailao mountains of Hengduan Mountains region. Clouds shroud it for over 180 days a year. It is a masterpiece created by the Hani, Yi, and other nationalities for generations. The reclaimed terraces adapt to the local hills and terrain. Based on a hillside, the highest terrace has 3,000 rungs, which is rare in the terraced landscape in the world. In 2013, Yuanyang Hani Terraces were listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Meanwhile, this trip also includes the Fuxian Lake, which is one of the most attractive places to locals. Fuxian Lake is famous for its water quality and is the third deepest lake in China. Besides its beautiful scenery, an ancient underwater city at the bottom of the lake makes this lake more mysterious than others.

Highlights

Start: KunMing

End: KunMing

Airports & Travel details

Frame UNESCO’s Stone Forest

Capture the surreal limestone peaks of the Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where nature’s sculptures glow in dawn’s golden light.

Itinerary Summary

7days / 6nights

Activity Level 4

Boutique Hotels

Private trip

Day 1: Kunming — Stone Forest — Yuanyang

Stone Forest and YuanYang Terrace Filed

Your photographic odyssey begins with a 9:00 AM pick-up in Kunming (hotel, airport, or train station), followed by a 1.5-hour drive to the Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the South China Karst. Wander its labyrinth of limestone spires, sculpted by millennia, perfect for dramatic dawn shots. Most Attractive Moment: Frame a towering karst peak against June’s lush summer greenery, the morning mist weaving through stone like a painter’s brush, as your guide shares Yi legends of Ashima. Savor a Yi-spiced lunch before a 4-hour drive to Yuanyang, arriving at dusk. Sleep in Yuanyang, dreaming of terraced horizons.
Kunming pick-up ( around 9:00 AM); Stone Forest (1.5-hour drive, ~2–3 hours); 4-hour drive to Yuanyang.

Day 2: Yuanyang

Sunrise and Sunset at Yuanyang Rice Terraces, A-Zheke Hiking

Rise early to capture the sunrise over Yuanyang Rice Terraces, a Hani masterpiece where cascading pools mirror the sky, glowing gold in summer’s light. Hike the A-Zheke Rice Terrace trails (1–2 hours), framing terraced curves and Hani farmers at work. Most Attractive Moment: At sunset, lens the terraces from a vantage point, their water-filled steps reflecting fiery clouds, a land sculpture that shifts with the light, perfect for long-exposure shots. Savor Hani sticky rice for dinner, the flavors grounding your creative high. Sleep in Yuanyang, inspired by nature’s canvas.
Yuanyang sunrise (1 hour); A-Zheke hiking (1–2 hours); sunset shoot (~1 hour).

Day 3: Yuanyang

AClouds of Yuanyang Terraces, Mushroom Houses, Sunset

wake to photograph the Yuanyang Terraces shrouded in morning clouds, their misty layers creating ethereal compositions, a hallmark of Yunnan’s Ever-Blooming Canvas. Visit a traditional Hani mushroom house with its unique roof and wooden interiors offering intimate cultural shots. Most Attractive Moment: Return for another sunset shoot, capturing the terraces’ mirrored pools under shifting clouds, each frame a new masterpiece as light dances across the sculpted land. Enjoy a Hani mushroom hotpot dinner, the warmth complementing the evening’s glow. Sleep in Yuanyang, lens ready for dawn.
Clouds shoot (1–2 hours); mushroom house (1 hour); sunset shoot (~1 hour).

Day 4: Yuanyang — Jianshui

– Sunrise at Yuanyang Terraces, Jianshui Old Town

Capture one final Yuanyang sunrise, the terraces’ contours glowing in soft light, ideal for panoramic shots. Drive 3 hours to Jianshui, a historic gem. Most Attractive Moment: Wander Jianshui Old Town, framing its ancient gates, tiled roofs, and bustling markets, where artisans and tofu stalls offer vibrant street photography in summer’s vivid hues. Shoot the town’s weathered stone wells and Ming-era architecture, a cultural sculpture frozen in time. Savor Jianshui’s famous barbecue tofu for dinner. Sleep in Jianshui, enchanted by historic charm.
Sunrise shoot (1 hour); 3-hour drive to Jianshui; Old Town (2 hours)

Day 5 : Jianshui

Zhu Family Garden, Jianshui Pottery Class

Explore the Zhu Family Garden, a Qing dynasty mansion with ornate courtyards and carved woodwork, perfect for architectural photography. Most Attractive Moment: In a Jianshui pottery class, capture artisans shaping purple clay teapots, their hands crafting cultural art, then try your own, snapping the process for dynamic shots. The soft light of the studio and clay’s earthy tones create a timeless frame. Savor a lunch of Yunnan rice noodles, the flavors as intricate as the garden’s designs. Sleep in Jianshui, inspired by human artistry.
Zhu Family Garden (1.5 hours); pottery class (1–2 hours).

Day 6: Jianshui — Fuxian Lake

Sightseeing Train, Tuanshan Village

Ride a traditional sightseeing train (30 minutes) to Tuanshan Village, a UNESCO-recognized heritage site with preserved Qing-era homes, their yellow walls and tiled roofs ideal for rustic photography. Most Attractive Moment: Frame Tuanshan’s ancient courtyards against summer’s green hills, capturing villagers’ daily life—drying chili peppers or weaving—as a living cultural sculpture. Drive 2 hours to Fuxian Lake, arriving at dusk for golden-hour lake shots. Savor fresh Fuxian fish for dinner, the lake’s serenity fueling your creativity. Sleep near Fuxian Lake, ready for the final frame.
Sightseeing train (30 minutes); Tuanshan Village (1–2 hours); 2-hour drive to Fuxian Lake.

Day 7: Fuxian Lake — Kunming

Fuxian Lake Hiking, Cycling, or Boating

Awake to Fuxian Lake’s turquoise expanse, a natural canvas for your final shoot. Choose to hike, cycle, or boat, each offering unique angles of the lake’s sculpted shores and distant mountains. Most Attractive Moment: On a boat, capture the lake’s mirror-like surface reflecting summer clouds and fossil-rich cliffs, a serene land sculpture tied to the nearby Chengjiang Fossil Site’s legacy, perfect for wide-angle shots. Enjoy a lakeside lunch before a 1.5-hour drive back to Kunming (hotel, airport, or train station, ~3:00–4:00 PM), your memory card brimming with Yunnan’s masterpieces.
Fuxian Lake hiking/cycling/boating (2–3 hours); 1.5-hour drive to Kunming (3:00–4:00 PM).

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High Altitude Reaction:

1. the average altitude in Yunnan is 1894 meters. Kunming: 1890 meters. Dali: 2050 meters. Lijiang: 2400 meters, Jade Dragon Mountain: 4506 meters. Shangri-La: 3280 meters. We strongly suggest our consumers thoroughly prepare for high-altitude reactions and intense ultraviolet rays. By preparing these, you can take high-altitude reaction medicines or bring some Oxygen Can before you depart.

2. If you suffer any diseases, please advise your doctor before you depart.

There are various kinds of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, and so on.

3. We don’t suggest our guests take showers in the first two days in a high-altitude area. If they get cold, it may easily lead to pulmonary edema and encephaloma.

4. Please don’t drink any alcohol, especially any strong liquids, since alcohol will lead to a high severe altitude reaction.

The price excludes：

1. Other personal expenses during the journey.

2. Our accommodation prices are for twin rooms (two people live in one room, with a separate bed/one bed). There will be an extra cost if consumers require a separate room for each person.

3. Chinese Visa Fees.

4. The extra expense is due to transportation delays, cancellations, wars, natural accidents, and strikes.

5. Meals (lunch and dinner)

Accommodations

We pick suitable and tasteful hotels for your requirements.

Transfer

We provide your own private and comfortable vehicle.

Guide/Driver service

Professional driver and Chinese/ English speaking guide.

Activities

All the activities listed in this program.

Local Knowledge

Our staff are locals with true love and knowledge of our hometown.

Entrance tickets for the sightseeing places listed in this program.

Tickets

Personalized Consultant Service

we provide one-on-one professional consultant service to all travelers to meet your demands.

Insurance

Travel accident insurance and Travel Agency’s Responsibility insurance.

How’s the weather? What should we wear?

Yunnan is dominated by the subtropical monsoon climate. Integrating low latitude, highland, and monsoon, the climate in Yunnan has four characteristics: first, there is a slight difference in annual temperature but a significant difference in daily temperature. Second, there is a big contrast between the rainy and dry seasons. Third, the climate alters according to the change in altitude. Fourth, the frost-free period is extended.
When you travel to Yunnan, the best advice for your wardrobe is to bring all kinds of clothes. A jacket, scarf, raincoat for the rainy season, and sunglasses are essential.

How’s the accommodation?

We believe that staying in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of the journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic culture, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you the most unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.

How’s the road?

Because the significant landscape in Yunnan is mountainous, the mountain area has bumpy roads and steep slopes. Even on the expressway, there are always sharp turns. So we strongly suggest our guests fasten their seat belts before they depart.

How’s the meal?

Most hotels will provide breakfast in both American and Chinese. During the travel, we will recommend featured local dishes and street food for our consumers. We also encourage our consumers to explore the local food they like since eating is essential for a journey. Our guide will suggest a suitable restaurant to our consumers.

Design my trip

Quality Guide Of KiKi

Accommodations

Being in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of a journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic cultures, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.