In-depth Exploration of the Minorities Living in Yunnan A Private Journey for The Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art (8 Days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery…
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Colorful minorities along this journey...
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Bonfire Festival in Yunnan
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Adventures & discoveries in local cuisines...
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What’s Included...
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Photo credits...
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Itinerary Map
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Day1 (Tuesday)
Day6 (Sunday)
Fly from Hong Kong to Shangri-la –
Tacheng to Dali –
Up and up to the edge of Tibet
On country roads along the Yangtse to Dali, an idyllic village between
Day2 (Wednesday)
the Mekong and Yangtse rivers…
Shangri-La to Meili – Drive at the edge of Tibet where the
Day7 (Monday)
Meili Snow Mountain range soars to
In & around Dali –
almost 7,000m...
Torch Festival
Day3 (Thursday)
Day8 (Tuesday)
From Meili to Cizhong –
Departure –
Across the Baima National Reserve
Fly from Dali to Hong Kong via Kunming
Day4 (Friday) Cizhong to Tacheng – Drive along the Mekong towards Tacheng Day5 (Saturday) In & around Tacheng – Walking with the monkeys and a day off the road
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Yes, it is possible... A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure! This route is a breathtakingly beautiful itinerary that will take you from some of Yunnan’s less well-known treasure to Dali in the north – Shangri-la, Deqin, Cizhong, Tacheng, and Xizhou. This route will also allow you to become acquainted with the traditions, cuisines and loves of some of Yunnan’s colourful minorities such as the Bai, Yi, Lisu, Zhang, Naxi, and Tibetan. All along this exciting route you will enjoy the best accommodation available – staying in some of Asia’s loveliest hotels – and travel through an area steeped in the cultures of many different ethnic minorities and through some of the region’s most stunning countryside. On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...
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Friendly Tibetans living out of Tibet region
SHANGRI-LA - On the Road…”
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Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Along the way, one of the LARGEST MONASTERIES in SOUTH-WEST China…”
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RED-ROBED MONKS in Shangri-La�
At the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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A chance to PURIFY YOUR MIND?�
Prayer Session at Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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A colourful WELCOME as you APPROACH TIBET...”
Tibetan prayer flags
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Sofitel Mgellary Hotel & Resort, Shangri-La
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Kawagebo peak in the Meili Snow Mountain range
What a SUNRISE at the EDGE of TIBET …”
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In the foot hills of Meili Snow Mountain
Wonderful HIKING, if you like, as a WAY TO RELAX…”
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The Yangtze’s upper reaches
Your JOURNEY in the THREE PARALLEL RIVERS region...”
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Visiting the CUTEST MONKEYS in the world…”
Yunnan Snub-Nosed monkeys
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The view from a unique hotel in the middle of nowhere
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Boutique Hotels in Deqin, 3 Parallel River Villages
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Sunrise in Xizhou
Awaking in China’s RURAL COUNTRYSIDE…”
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Lake Erhai, Xizhou, near Dali
Take a lake shore DRIVE and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sunset reflections…”
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Boutique hotel in Xizhou
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Colorful Minorities along this Journey
Tibetan Minority (藏族
Bai Minority (白族)
Naxi Minority (納西族
族)
Yi Minority (彝族)
族)
Lisu Minority (傈僳族)
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Bonfire Festival in Yunnan
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Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines
While this itinerary is not one of our ‘Foodie’-themed journeys, we do believe that each one of our journeys should introduce you not only to hidden gems of cultural and scenic beauty, but that sampling local cuisines is also a must. Wherever you travel with us, we will order, with very few exceptions, dishes fresh and on location with an emphasis on local produce. It is not uncommon for our guides to venture into the kitchen to pick this, that or the other vegetable and to ask the cook to prepare them in the finest possible way. (On occasion we do preorder a meal: this will normally be the case only for special occasions!) p52
Wine and beer is always included in our meals for you to enjoy. (When we travel into high-altitude, we suggest moderation!) Finally, if you have special dietary requirements are particularly interested in the culinary aspect of one of our journeys, please let us know.
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Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines - Mushrooms
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What’s Included Generally speaking, our journey packages and prices are all-inclusive. Once you’ve paid and you arrive at the starting point, you really won’t have to take out your wallet again. • Cars – a modern SUV or 7-Seat car is provided for all driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis, Hertz, or other reputable car rental companies, and covered by the best insurance available, and hire car return from Shangri-La back to Kunming is also included • Guide and Support Vehicle – you will be accompanied by a registered Chinese tour guide, an On the Road Experiences host and a fully equipped lead car with a local support driver • Routes – we provide an extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary and state-ofthe-art satellite navigation system with a preprogrammed route for the journey. You will also receive a detailed pre-departure pack and route book for the journey • Driving License – You will need a temporary Chinese driving license for which all arrangements and fees are included. • Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car throughout the journey and pay all tolls p56
• Flight – Your flight from Kunming to Shangri-La and from Dali,Xizhou back to Kunming, • Airport Transfers – all airport transfers are included • Hotels – the best available or five-star accommodation is included in each overnight stop • Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and
• Other Essentials – we provide each car with walky-talkies • Laundry – your laundry cleaning along the itinerary (where practical) • Travel Insurance – 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation emergency service provided by International SOS is included, as is cancellation insurance • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and entrance fees for jointly attended activities are included • Activities, Meals, Transport during ‘free times’ as indicated in this Journey Dossier Local is provided), and lunch and dinner are included on all driving days, as are drinks. Meals on non-driving days as specified above. Prepare for a culinary adventure! • Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road HomeAway-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles
What’s Not Included The only items not included are your flights to and from Kunming, your China visa, and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs).
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Photo Credits
© Alvin Lee – page 11 © Andy Wong – page 33 © Cathy Choi – pages 38(top), 39(left bottom) © Linden Centre – page 36(top right) © Peter Schindler – Cover page, pages 3, 5, 13, 15, 17, 23, 25, 40(bottom), 42 © Ron Yue – pages 9, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31, 34-35 (Bai, Tibetan, Naxi, Yi minorities), 38(bottom), 40(top), 44, 47 © Songtsam Lodge Cizhong – page 37(bottom left) © Songtsam Lodge Meili – page 37(top left) © Songtsam Lodge Tacheng – page 36(top&bottom left) © Songtsam Retreat – page 37(top&bottom right) Unknown – pages 35(Lisu minority), 39(top left, top & bottom right)
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Contact Us E-mail contact@ontheroadexperiences.com Headquarter:
Luxury Driving Experience Limited Unit2205, Tung Che Commercial Centre 246 Des Voeux Road West, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Travel Agency License No. 353338
Telephone: Fax:
+852 3106 4839 +852 3012 1251
Overseas Taiwan: Australia: Switzerland: UK: Germany:
+886 921 162 079 +61 2 8003 5317 +41 (44) 586 58 43 +44 121 288 6879 +49 160 9622 2506
A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but when it comes to a road journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit : p60
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http://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/experience/videos/
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