The Borderlands of Yunnan

We pick you up at Dali Airport or the high-speed rail station and set off along the tranquil shores of Erhai Lake. Our destination is Xizhou, the grand old Bai trading town on Erhai's western shore — mansion courtyards, rice fields, the lake a short stroll away. As dusk falls, we share our first evening together over a relaxed welcome dinner of local delicacies and wine.

We begin the day along the shores of Erhai Lake, heading to Beimen Market in Dali Old Town — Yunnan's vibrant vegetable basket, where farmers, flavors, and everyday life come together. From there, we explore the Bai mansions and quiet lanes of Xizhou before spending the afternoon learning indigo tie-dye in Zhoucheng, the village where this traditional craft still thrives. Return to Xizhou for a relaxed evening at your own pace.

Leaving Dali behind, we travel west toward Baoshan for a hearty farm lunch before descending into the Salween Valley, one of Asia's great rivers flowing through Southwest China and Myanmar. With its unique climate and fertile mountains, this region has become one of China's finest coffee-growing areas. We visit a local coffee estate to discover the story behind Yunnan's coffee industry and enjoy one of the freshest cups you can taste, straight from the source.

Enjoy a slow morning among the coffee gardens before traveling south into tropical Dehong, a land of palm-lined roads, rice fields, and warm valley air. Arrive in Mangshi, where Dai, Han, Achang, De'ang, Jingpo, and Burmese cultures meet. Watch the sunset from the golden and silver pagodas, then explore the night market with our guides, who will lead you to the best local stalls while you sample dinner your own way.

Start the morning with a village breakfast at Yinjia, a family-run breakfast house in Nongshao. We then explore Dehong's diverse villages, home to Dai, De'ang, Achang, and Jingpo communities living alongside each other. Learn about De'ang fermented sour tea, watch their traditional brocade weaving, and connect with local families through everyday life. Visit One-Tree Forest, the legendary banyan tree that appears to become a forest of its own, before ending the day in a Dai family kitchen — cooking together and sharing a home-style banquet made from the dishes we prepare.

Leaving Dehong's tropical valleys, we ascend toward Tengchong with a stop at a countryside outdoor kitchen for a farm-style lunch of grilled meats and fresh vegetables. Continue into the Gaoligong Mountains for an easy hike through one of China's richest biodiversity areas, surrounded by ancient forests, birds, and towering trees. Later, arrive at Heshun, a 600-year-old trading town on the historic route to Myanmar. Enjoy Tengchong's signature guozi, a clay-pot stew prepared especially for our table.

We begin with Tengchong's breakfast classics — Xidoufen pea porridge and roast-pork rice noodles at a local village eatery. Then explore Heshun, a 600-year-old caravan town shaped by the ancient trade routes to Myanmar. Taste Tengchong's signature dishes for lunch, including Dajiujia, the legendary stir-fried rice cake, and dabaopian, paper-thin pork slices. In the afternoon, choose between a hands-on craft workshop making oil-paper umbrellas or shadow puppets, or unwind in Tengchong's natural hot springs — a unique landscape shaped by the region's volcanic heritage. In the evening, we gather for our farewell dinner together in Tengchong.

After breakfast, we transfer you back to Dali, or drop you at Tengchong airport for onward flights. You carry the borderlands home.