| Yunnan
Golf Vacation |
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Yunnan Adventure: 7-day
Yunnan Golf Vacation
Highlights:
• This trip gives you the best golfing in China, and you’ll play rounds at Kunming Spring City Golf and Lake Resort (you’ll play on courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr.), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club (which gives you stunning views of said mountain), and Lijiang Ancient Town International Golf Club, a picturesque and innovative modern golf course located in the center of the Lijiang old town
• Besides the great golf you’ll also have plenty of opportunities for some sightseeing, as you’ll visit the Stone Forest, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool, and the Lijiang old town
• In addition, you’ll also get to explore Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, as well as being considered the best trek in China.
B=(Breakfast) L=(lunch) D=(dinner) DEPARTURE: Daily |
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TOUR ITINERARY |
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Tour
code:
AYN-11 |
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Day 1:
Arrive in Kunming
You will fly to Kunming International Airport, and upon arrival you’ll be met by your English-speaking guide. Kunming is the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, a primarily agricultural province of 45 million. Kunming has a population of five million and is located in one of the world's most geographically, ethnically, biologically and linguistically diverse regions. Situated at 1,900 meters (6,233ft) above sea level and 25° north of the Equator it has a rather unique and pleasant climate for a Chinese city. Kunming is also well known as the Spring City because of its nice climate all year round, and this will make the golfing even more enjoyable.
After pick up from the airport, we’ll go for a little touring by taking a stroll along Green Lake. Green Lake (Cuihu) is Kunming's answer to Central Park in New York. Lined with willows, the lake is gorgeous, crisscrossed by small arched bridges in imitation of Hangzhou's more famous West Lake. The best season is winter, when days are warm and sunny and the large flocks of "Laughing Gulls" with their cackling cries as they arrive from their breeding grounds in Siberia. The gulls enjoy the legendary "eternal spring" weather in Kunming.
Afterwards you’ll be taken to your lodging, the Kunming Spring City Golf & Lake Resort. Surrounded by mountains and beside the limpid lake, the Spring City Golf & Lake Resort is one of the most beautiful golf holiday resorts in the world, hence the name of the golf paradise in Asia. The resort is comprised of and two championship golf courses - the Mountain Course designed by Jack Nicklaus, and the Lake Course by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Both courses have received numerous international accolades since they were completed in 1998.
With its cool, temperate spring-like climate all year round, stunning views of Yang Zong Hai Lake and a mountainous backdrop, Spring City Golf and Lake Resort was host to several major golf tournaments during the year, and also a popular venue for corporate meetings. These included the Board of Governors' Cup and the Spring City Cup.
You will then have a chance to unpack and relax for the evening. |
Day 2: Kunming Spring City Golf and Lake Resort-Stone Forest-Kunming Spring City Golf and Lake Resort (B)
In the morning, you will get the chance to play 18 at the Mountain Course (Jack Nicklaus designed). You will find that the golfing today will be highly enjoyable. US Golf Digest ranked it the "No.1 Golf Course in China" while Golf Digest Hong Kong listed it among the "Top 10 Golf Courses in China and Hong Kong". The latter also voted Spring City as the "Best Maintenance Golf Course" and named Holes No. 5 and 7 of the Lake Course as "Signature Holes". For the fifth consecutive year, the resort was named "My Favorite Golf Club" by China Golf Magazine.
After your round will get in some sightseeing with a trip to the Stone Forest. Well get there by making the 90km drive to the southeast of Kunming. Being one of the National Scenic Resorts in China, the Stone Forest Scenic Resort has a complete range of karst formations. Among the most wonderful attractions in this area are the following eight scenic spots: Large & Small Stone Forests, Naigu Stone Forests, Large & Small Zhiyun Caves, Qingfeng Cave, Long Lake, Moon Lake, Fairy Lake, Feilong Falls. Standing upright in the Stone Forest are innumerable cliffs and peaks, lofty and majestic, steep and precipitous, charming and enchanting. From afar, it really looks like a dense forest but as you walk closer, you will find "trees" are all slender stone pinnacles. The sight is vast covering some 350 kilometers. The Yi and Sani ethnic group who live there are hardworking and good at singing and dancing. Their folklore and culture are colorful and multifarious, backed up by a long history.
We will then drive back to Kunming for the evening. |
Day 3: Kunming Spring City Golf and Lake Resort-Lijiang (B)
In the morning you will get to play a round at the resort’s other course, the Lake Course (designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.). After your round of 18 and a visit to the 19th hole for lunch, we’ll drive into Kunming in order to visit Yuantong Temple.
Located at the foot of Luofeng Hill in the northern part of the city, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Kunming, where the Yunnan Provincial and city's Buddhism Commissions are based. The temple was built during the Tang Dynasty, with a history spanning over 1,200 years. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temple was reconstructed and repaired several times to its present size and appearance. The temple is now one of the most important Buddhist temples under State special protection.
Afterwards we’ll then head over to the Flower and Bird market on Shangyi Street, which are quite famous. The florists there sell their wares by weight, so one can buy as little as a single rose. There is a flower & bird market in Jingxing Street, with numerous market stalls and shops run by ethnic minorities where one can buy all manner of ethnic handicrafts, including flowers and even live birds. Kunming is renowned for its handicrafts such as ivory carvings, woodcarvings, Burmese jade and other stone items. The food specialty shops of Kunming also offer many unique food and health-food items (aka Medicinal Foodstuffs) that are not available elsewhere in China, including tropical fruits.
You’ll then be taken to Kunming International Airport, and you will have a short evening flight to Lijiang, which is also in Yunnan province. Lijiang is a town that is an enclave of ethnic minority cultures, and the Naxi ethnic group is especially prevalent here. Once you arrive you will be met by your guide.
ou will have the rest of the night to walk around the old town of Lijiang, which has a history of over 800 years. The old town is made up of three old districts that retain a special character of Naxi and Han construction and Naxi customs, arts and culture. It was a former trading town and a stop for traders carrying goods on the “Chama Road” trails. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 following an earthquake and reconstruction in 1996 that returned the city to a more ancient look. The UNESCO description says: “The Old Town of Lijiang, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity." |
Day 4: Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang (B, D))
Today we will be exploring Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which dominates the landscape of Lijiang. You will visit the mountain itself and then play the golf course. At Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountains are a small group of peaks close to the city of Lijiang. The nearest slope is only about 30 kilometers north of the Dayan Ancient City District, and the mountain can be clearly seen from the Black Dragon Pool next to the ancient district. The group of mountains is notable because they contain a small ski area (in fact it is one of China’s best), good hiking along Tiger Leaping Gorge, great scenic views, and a 15,000 foot mountain with a specially built stairway and path to make climbing to the summit easy. There is no sliding on steep paths or climbing with your hands, the distance from the tram is short, and oxygen tanks can be rented for a little more than 4 dollars USD. But the view is excellent! The tallest peak called Shanzidou has only been climbed once by two Americans who say it is extremely dangerous. The Yangtze River runs through Tiger Leaping Gorge in the valley below. The mountains are a place to go to in Yunnan for skiing or fun in the snow in the winter and for hiking and enjoying the natural scenery the rest of the year.
By cable car and by foot we’ll visit all the scenic spots of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, including the Yak Meadow and the Ganhaizi Meadow.
After taking a little bit of time to tour the mountain you’ll next get to play at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club. Situated at the eastern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, this golf course was open to the public in October 2001. Designed by the famous Neil Haworth, the course is situated at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and at an altitude of 3100 meters. The specially designed 18 hole par 72 golf course at 8,548 yards has proved to be a world record. The first 9 holes are totally different from the other 9 because of the physiognomy. The layout fully presents the unique beauty of the only Snow mountain golf course in Asia. The Front 9 holes are on a gentle slope while the path is broad and long, the high mountain the lake and the lush hills will make you feel easy and comfortable. The back 9 holes are designed by the shape of the mountain. You will absolutely enjoy your game by crossing through of small wood and springs or even sheer cliffs. Thanks to its favorable location, unique scenic spots and historical sites, first-class design, construction and administration, it has become one of the most special and sought after golf courses in China, and all of Asia for that matter.
After dinner, you’ll be treated to an evening of music and dance at the Naxi Orchestral Show, located at the Dongba Palace. This show presents the splendid culture of the Naxi ethnic minority group in the form of song and dance, and it’s the perfect way to cap off your day of fun and golf! |
Day 5: Lijiang (B, L, D)
Following breakfast in the hotel, we’ll set out for some sightseeing before your golf by visiting Black Dragon pool. Although idiosyncratically known as Black Dragon Pool, the Jade Spring Park to the north of Lijiang derives its name from the waters which sparkle like jade and are as clear as spring water. The entire park is green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. Under the Shuocui Bridge, a waterfall creates a constant roar as it cascades downstream. At the far side of the pool, there are renovated buildings used for art exhibitions, the Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
After taking in the wonderful vistas of Black Dragon Pool we’ll head to the Dongba Museum. The museum is built completely according to the traditional life style of the Naxi Minority. You can feel the traditional atmosphere of national culture from the layout of its yard, building facilities, tools and details of life.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Lijiang, and you’ll play 18 at Lijiang Ancient Town International Golf Club. Located at the foot of Mount Wenbi, Lijiang Ancient Town Lakefront Golf Club is just 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the Lijiang old town. Founded in November 2005, it was designed by American designer, Joe Obringer. Winding along Wenbihai Lake and with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background, this golf course has very beautiful natural scenery for you to enjoy. The golf course has 18 holes and 72 pars and its fairways are 7661 yards long. The first 9 holes present a mountainous style of golf while the last 9 holes create a wonderful lake view and watery hazards. It is a great combination of functional design and scenic charms. Playing golf here, you will feel entertained, challenged, and relaxed at the same time.
For the night, you will stay at one of the villas of Lijiang Ancient Town International Golf Club. |
Day 6: Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang (B, L)
After breakfast we’ll make the 60km drive to the First Bend of the Yangtze River. It is called the “first bend” because the river makes a 90 degree turn from south to east within a distance of 1 kilometer. The place was important militarily because big armies crossed the river at that point, and it was a place where Tibetans came down to trade with the people living in the area. It is an interesting scenic area, and there is hiking and other outdoor activities nearby.
Then we’ll visit the Stone Drum Town. This town derives its name from a white marble carved monument in the shape of a drum, (diameter 15 m, thickness 0.7 m). This monument memorializes the victory and subsequent spread of power of Baizhuang, the Tusi of Mu Family of Lijiang, during the Jiajin years of the Ming Dynasty. This historically relevant stone monument was erected during one of the earliest periods in Lijiang. To the right of the monument is a lovely willow forest at its bank; while on the left flows the Chongjiang River. Spanning this river is the 17m long Tiehong Bridge, constructed of boards paved over iron chains, and with similar iron chains serving as fences on both sides. Stone Drum Town is a historically important town on the ancient trade route for tea and horses between inland provinces and Tibet. The town still features a flourishing trade fair, currently held every three days.
We’ll then drive another 40km to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is the world’s deepest gorge, and is tucked in between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Mountain. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river. At a length of 17km, Tiger Leaping Gorge is the birthplace of the ancient Lijiang culture, whose people lived in the many caves, big and small, in the side of Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain). These caves were naturally formed houses. In some caves, rock paintings and artifacts shedding light on the life of these primitive peoples were found. The rock paintings have now become another attraction of Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge is regarded as one of the top ten hiking trails in China. At the mouth of the upper gorge, squeezed by the two snow-capped mountains and further blocked by the huge Tiger Leaping Boulder, the Golden Sand River (Yangtze River) is only 25 meters in width. The water there makes violent whirlpools and hits the banks so powerfully that soaring breakers are created. This really makes boating treacherous. However the high waves, soaring water, and the mountains shrouded with clouds and mist constitute the most magnificent scenes of the gorge and attract numerous brave explorers.
After taking some time to poke around Tiger Leaping Gorge and to have lunch, we’ll make the drive back to Lijiang. |
Day 7:
Lijiang-departure (B)
Before going to the airport, you’ll have some free time in Lijiang. We recommend you visit Wangu Tower, The landmark building of Lijiang ancient town--the Wangu building is located on the top of Lion Hill. This is the best pure wood building in the world, which is 33 meters high. You might also have time to admire the view from Lion Hill, which provides sweeping views of the Lijiang old town and the surrounding countryside. You’ll then be taken to the airport, and you will fly on to your next destination, ending your tour. If you would like to extend your stay in Yunnan province or your time in China, then check with our China City Tours or China Package tours page to find out how! |
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Stuff to bring:
• Sturdy shoes or boots, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Bug spray and any other items needed in dealing with the tropical heat
• Tips for a job well done by your guides and drivers, money for any
personal expenses not mentioned
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