Yunnan, Through Local Eyes and Open Doors
Slow, sustainable journeys into the villages, farms, and tea forests most visitors never see.
Popular Tours
From Dali to Lijiang: A Slower Journey Through Villages, Food, and Mountain Landscapes
Set out on an 11-day journey through Dali and Lijiang, following a well-known route but taking a more local, off-the-beaten-path approach. Travel through historic towns like Weishan, remote Yi, Lisu and Naxi villages, and quieter corners shaped by everyday life. Along the way, explore markets, taste regional specialties, and experience Yunnan’s food culture up close, while mixing in light adventure—from hiking and foraging in primary forests with a local Lisu guide to e-biking through Lijiang’s countryside with views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You’ll also spend time at a hidden permaculture farm, harvesting seasonal ingredients, cooking with a local family, and baking in a traditional earth oven. With a relaxed pace and hands-on experiences throughout, this journey offers a more personal and grounded way to explore the region.
Beyond the Classic: A Deeper Journey Along Yunnan’s Most Well-Known Route
Experience Yunnan’s most iconic route—Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La—with a more thoughtful approach. This two-week journey follows the classic path but moves beyond the usual highlights, taking you into quieter villages, lesser-known landscapes, and more local settings. Along the way, explore markets, spend time with artisans and families, and take part in simple hands-on experiences rooted in daily life. From diverse regional food to mountain scenery and living traditions, this trip offers a more relaxed and personal way to experience Yunnan. A well-balanced journey for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without the crowds.
From Pu’er to Banna: A Journey Through Tea Mountains, Coffee Farms, and Living Cultures
Set out on a 12-day journey through southern Yunnan, exploring Pu’er and Xishuangbanna at a slower, more local pace. Travel through ancient tea mountains like Jingmai and Yiwu, visit lesser-known towns such as Menglian, and spend time in ethnic villages shaped by daily life. Along the way, experience Yunnan’s deep tea culture—walking through old tea forests, picking and processing leaves, and tasting at the source—while also discovering its fast-growing coffee scene through farm visits and seasonal hands-on activities. The journey blends local markets, family-run stays, cooking sessions, organic farms, and traditional crafts with light adventures like rainforest hikes, river activities, and hidden hot springs. With its warm climate, rich biodiversity, and diverse communities—including Dai, Bulang, Hani, Lahu, Jinuo, Wa, and Yi—this trip offers a more immersive and grounded way to experience southern Yunnan.
Ethnic Roots & Wild Landscapes: An 8-Day Expedition Across Southwestern Yunnan
Discover a lesser-seen side of Yunnan on this 8-day eco-cultural journey through the warm, wild southwest. Starting in Mangshi near the Myanmar border, you’ll hike through Phayre’s langur habitat, learn macrame from De’ang women, explore vibrant ethnic markets, and cook with local families in Tengchong. Soak in natural hot springs, walk the Southern Silk Road, make traditional paper, and explore Yunnan’s tea and coffee heritage in the Gaoligong Mountains. A rare blend of biodiversity, craftsmanship, and slow travel—for those seeking depth, flavor, and connection off the beaten path.
Where Culture, Nature & Sustainability Meet
Hike along hidden local trails in Yunnan’s mountains, join hands-on ethnic minority workshops, soak in wild hot springs, and stay in locally run eco-lodges. Our plant-forward, low-impact journeys reveal the real Yunnan—from quiet villages and farmers’ markets to forests, festivals, and everyday local life.
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Our Happy Guests
FAQs
About the Tours
Where do tours start and end?
Anywhere in Yunnan. Kunming is the easiest starting point because it has the most flight and high-speed train connections. We’ll send directions and help you plan your arrival.
How long are the tours?
Anything from one day to several weeks. One-day tours are only available in Kunming. For a first visit, we suggest a week or more so you can travel between regions without rushing.
What does a typical tour include?
Most tours include some of these:
• Bike rides and nature hikes
• Visits to ethnic minority villages
• Hands-on craft workshops
• Wild hot springs and farmers’ markets
• Eco-lodging and plant-forward local meals
We usually skip crowded sightseeing spots. If there are popular places you want to see, we can add them.
Can I customize a tour?
Yes. Every tour is tailor-made, for individuals, families, schools and organizations. Tell us what interests you, like tea, coffee, forest bathing or wildlife, and we’ll plan the route around it.
What’s the accommodation like?
We usually stay in clean, comfortable local homestays and small hotels rather than international chains, so the money stays in the local community. Where there’s no good local option, we use a regular hotel. Rooms are normally shared by two people. If you’d like a single room, ask us about the supplement before booking.
Is the food vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
Yes. Meals are 80-100% plant-based and made with local, seasonal ingredients. We can cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and other diets. Just tell us when you book.
How do we travel during the tour?
• Electric vehicles for small groups
• Private vans for larger groups
• High-speed trains between regions where it makes sense
Can children join?
Yes, with a parent or guardian. We can adjust activities for families with kids.
Will I be photographed?
We sometimes take photos and videos on tour for our website and social media. If you’d rather not appear, tell us when you book and we’ll leave you out.
Is it safe?
Outdoor travel always carries some risk. To reduce it, we:
• Carry first-aid kits
• Include travel insurance
• Check weather and trail conditions before each day
How do you keep tours sustainable?
We:
• Use electric vehicles where possible
• Avoid single-use plastics
• Serve plant-forward meals made with local ingredients
• Give each guest an eco-travel kit
• Work with local communities and artisans
• Follow low-impact practices in protected areas
Weather and Packing
What’s the weather like in Yunnan?
Kunming is known as the “Spring City” because it stays mild all year. The rest of Yunnan varies a lot by region, season and altitude, but most places have warm days and cool nights.
• Winter: mild days, cold nights
• April-May: can be hot and dry
• May-October: rainy season, so bring rain gear
• Northwest Yunnan (Shangri-La and the Tibetan Plateau): about 10°C colder than Kunming, especially cold in winter
• Southern Yunnan (Xishuangbanna): warm and humid, good for a winter trip
How high is Yunnan?
Elevation runs from 76 m (250 ft) in the southern river valleys to 6,740 m (22,110 ft) at Kawagebo, the highest peak of Meili Snow Mountain. Most places we visit are between 1,500 and 3,000 m (4,900-9,800 ft). We don’t go above 4,000 m unless the itinerary clearly says so. If you have health concerns, check with your doctor before the trip.
What should I pack?
• Sun protection: sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
• Hiking shoes
• Rain gear, especially from May to October
• Swimwear if your tour includes hot springs
• Warm layers for nights, winter and trips to Shangri-La
• Light long-sleeved clothing for sun and insects
• Eco-friendly toiletries
• Reusable slippers
• Reusable water bottle
• A small personal first-aid kit
Are the toilets Western-style?
All the places we stay have Western-style toilets. In villages and on hikes you may find squat toilets, so carry tissues and hand sanitizer.
Booking, Payment and Cancellation
How do I book?
Contact us with your dates and interests. We’ll confirm availability and send you a custom quote. A 20% deposit confirms your booking. For tours of 5 days or longer, please book at least 2 months ahead.
How do I pay?
• Wise: if you haven’t set up Alipay or WeChat Pay, you can use Wise to send money to our Alipay account
• Alipay: the most convenient option in China
• WeChat Pay: fine if you already use it
When is payment due?
• 20% deposit when you book (non-refundable)
• 50% two months before the tour
• The remaining 30% before or on the first day of the tour
What if I cancel?
The 20% deposit is non-refundable once your booking is confirmed. If you cancel for personal reasons less than 1 month before the tour, 50% of the total price is non-refundable.
What if the tour has to change because of weather or other events?
If we have to reschedule because of weather, local events or safety, we’ll work with you to find a new date. In cases of force majeure, such as natural disasters or travel restrictions, we offer flexible rescheduling or partial credit toward a future tour.
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“Village workshops, tea routes and forest trails through one of China’s most overlooked regions. Led by locals, built for curious travellers.”
Testimonials
About Us
Immersive, sustainable journeys through the wild beauty and living cultures of Yunnan.
Contact
East Hongshan Road, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Phone: +86 18501663664
Email: leoling2019@gmail.com
