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Spring in December: Pink Cherry Blossoms Above the Clouds in Yunnan
Spring in December: Pink Cherry Blossoms Above the Clouds in Yunnan image 1

Spring in December: Pink Cherry Blossoms Above the Clouds in Yunnan

Dali, China

🌸 Yunnan Winter Cherry Blossom Tour from Chiang Mai / Bangkok (6D5N)
Dali & Wuliangshan Sakura Valley

📅 Recommended travel period: 12 December 2026 – 10 January 2027

While the rest of Asia waits for spring, thousands of winter cherry trees bloom among the tea terraces of Yunnan’s Wuliang Mountains. 🍃

🌅 Spend a night in the valley, catch sunrise over the sea of clouds, then slow down in the old town of Dali. 🏯

Duration:

6 days

From:USD 1,500/ person
Min 6 · Max 30
Accommodation

PromptPay accepts THB only. Choose THB in the currency menu before continuing if you want to pay this way.

Itinerary

1Day 1

Day 1 · Chiang Mai/ Bangkok to the Old Town of Dali

Fly, ride the bullet train, and arrive in time for an evening stroll.

  • Morning flight from Chiang Mai / Bangkok to Kunming,
  • Driver meets you at the airport and takes you to Kunming railway station (about 1 hour)
  • Second-class high-speed train to Dali (about 2 hours)
  • Stroll and dinner in Dali Old Town

Overnight in Dali Old Town

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Dali Old Town (大理古城)

Dali

  • A walled old town built in the Ming dynasty, set between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. Inside are stone-paved lanes and Bai-style houses with grey tiled roofs. Highlights include the South Gate, Wuhua Tower (五华楼)and Yangren Street (洋人街)with its restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops. The town is beautifully lit at night and pleasant to walk around.
Accommodation
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Dali Old Town

2Day 2

Day 2 · Erhai Lake & Xizhou Villages

Lake views, mountain air and warm flatbread straight from the oven.

  • Morning visit to Xizhou, a Bai village with old courtyard houses; try the local Xizhou baked flatbread
  • Walk or cycle along the western shore of the lake, with views of the lake and the Cangshan Mountains
  • Optional: Shuanglang on the eastern shore for sunset
  • Overnight in Dali Old Town
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Xizhou Village (喜洲古镇)

Dali

  • A centuries-old Bai merchant village with traditional courtyard houses in the "three wings and a screen wall" style (三坊一照壁), their white walls decorated with paintings and carvings. Highlights include the Yan Family Compound (严家大院)and the rice fields around the village with the Cangshan Mountains as a backdrop. Don't miss Xizhou baba (喜洲粑粑), a hot baked flatbread with sweet or savoury fillings.
Accommodation
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Dali Old Town

3Day 3

Day 3 · Weishan Old Town & into the Sakura Valley

From quiet ancient streets to an evening among the blossoms.

  • 08:30 Drive south to Weishan (about 1 hour)
  • Weishan Old Town: Gongchen Tower, old streets, lunch of local rice noodles
  • Afternoon drive via Nanjian into the Wuliang Mountains (about 2 hours including the mountain road)
  • Walk among the cherry blossoms and tea fields in the evening light
  • Overnight in the Sakura Valley area
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Weishan Old Town (巍山古城)

Weishan

  • A quieter old town than Dali and the birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom more than 1,200 years ago. At its centre stands Gongchen Tower (拱辰楼), built in the Ming dynasty. The old streets are lined with traditional shops and wooden houses, giving the feel of an ancient Chinese town where people still live.
Accommodation
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Weishan

4Day 4

Day 4 · Sunrise Above the Clouds

The morning this whole trip is built around.

  • Around 06:45 head to the Garden 1 viewpoint to wait for sunrise. The best light is usually 07:00–09:00, and cool, clear days often bring a sea of clouds.
  • Breakfast, then walk beneath the cherry trees in Garden 2; stop at Garden 3 if its blossoms are best that day
  • After lunch, return to Dali (about 3 hours)
  • Overnight in Dali Old Town

Walking: moderate, with some slopes and steps between viewpoints. Near-freezing at dawn: wear layers, a hat and gloves.

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Sakura Valley

Weishan

  • Garden 1 Viewpoint (1号园)The widest view of the valley, with terraced tea fields curving along the hills and pink cherry trees scattered across the slopes. It is the spot for sunrise and the sea of clouds. It gets crowded, so we leave early to get a good position.
  • Garden 2 (2号园)Paths wind between the cherry trees, with blossoms close to eye level, ideal for portraits with the flowers.
  • Garden 3 (3号园)In some years it blooms at a different time from the other gardens. Your tour leader will decide whether to stop based on the blossoms that day.
Accommodation
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Dali Old Town

5Day 5

Day 5 · Free Morning in Dali → Kunming

A slow morning, then an easy ride to the City of Eternal Spring.

  • Free morning: shop and visit cafés in the Old Town
  • Afternoon van transfer back to Kunming (about 3–4 hours)
  • Dinner of local food
  • Overnight in Kunming city
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Dali Old Town

Dali

  • shop and visit cafés in the Old Town
Accommodation
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Kunming city Hotel

6Day 6

Day 6 · Green Lake Gulls & Home

Say goodbye to Yunnan with thousands of winter visitors from Siberia.

  • Morning at Green Lake Park (Cuihu), where black-headed gulls from Siberia spend the winter
  • Transfer to Changshui Airport
  • Afternoon flight back to Thailand
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Green Lake Park (翠湖公园)

Kunming

  • A park in the heart of Kunming, within walking distance of the hotel. Every winter (around November–March) thousands of black-headed gulls fly in from Siberia to rest on the lake. Visitors can feed the birds; the atmosphere is lively yet relaxed.
What's Included

Included

  • Accommodation: 4-star hotels or equivalent (2 people per room / twin beds)
  • Meals: All meals as listed, 15 meals in total
  • Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing throughout the itinerary
  • Train tickets: Second-class high-speed train tickets, Kunming → Dali
  • Entrance fees: Admission to attractions as specified in the itinerary
  • Service: Local guide and tour leader to assist you throughout the trip
  • Park fees: Entrance to the Sakura Valley and Weishan
  • Insurance: Travel accident insurance with coverage up to THB 1,000,000 (subject to policy terms and conditions)

Not Included

  • Flights: International and domestic airfares (if you would like us to help coordinate your flight bookings, please let our staff know)
  • Single room: Single supplement of an additional USD 180 per person per night
  • Tips: Tips for local guides and drivers are not included (at your discretion)
  • Cable car: Cangshan cable car and optional activities
  • Travel documents: Passport fees and visa or entry fees for foreign passport holders
  • Personal expenses: Expenses outside the programme, such as minibar drinks, phone calls, laundry, and food and drinks not specified in the itinerary
  • Taxes: 7% VAT and 3% withholding tax (if a tax invoice / receipt in a company name is required)
Additional Information
  • Visa Thai passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under the Thailand–China visa exemption agreement. Travellers of other nationalities should check the visa requirements for their passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
  • Weather and clothing Dali in December is dry, with strong sunshine and a cool breeze by day, but very cold before dawn. Mountain viewpoints before sunrise are close to freezing. Bring a warm jacket, layers, a hat, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen. White, cream or light blue clothing looks lovely in photos with the cherry blossoms.
  • Payments and phones China is almost cashless. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an international card before you travel, and carry a little cash in yuan. Google, LINE, Facebook and Instagram do not work on Chinese networks, but usually work via a roaming SIM or eSIM bought before you travel.
  • Blossom check Sakura can bloom 1–2 weeks earlier or later depending on the weather. We check the blossom status 7–10 days before departure and adjust Days 3–4 as needed.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to Vela Private Tour via email or official messaging channels. Refunds will be processed according to the following conditions:

·         Cancellation more than 30 days before arrival: A full refund will be issued, minus actual non-refundable expenses already incurred on your behalf (e.g., non-refundable hotel deposits, private transport bookings, or advance venue admission fees). Official receipts/vouchers for these costs will be provided.

·         Cancellation 15 – 29 days before arrival: A 50% refund of the total tour cost will be issued, or the remaining balance after deducting actual incurred expenses, whichever is lower.

·         Cancellation 0 – 14 days before arrival: No refund will be provided under any circumstances.

·         Non-Refundable Expenses: Any special advance bookings, seasonal hotel deposits, or customized experiences specified as "Non-Refundable" at the time of purchase cannot be refunded regardless of the cancellation date.

·         Force Majeure: In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (e.g., severe natural disasters, sudden government restrictions, or airport closures), actual non-refundable costs incurred with third-party suppliers will be deducted, and the remaining balance will be refunded or applied as credit for future travel.

General Terms & Conditions

1.      Unused Services & Partial Refunds: As our itineraries are customized on a private package basis, no refunds or credits will be issued for unused portions of the tour (such as meals, missed sightseeing, or early departure) after the tour has commenced.

2.      Acceptance of Terms: Payment of the 50% deposit constitutes full acceptance and agreement to all terms and conditions outlined by Vela Private Tour.

3.      Refund Processing Time: Approved refunds will be processed via original payment method or bank transfer within 7–14 business days after receiving complete bank details and documentation.

4.      Itinerary Adjustments: Vela Private Tour reserves the right to modify daily itineraries due to local traffic conditions, force majeure, or site closures to ensure the safety, comfort, and best interest of our guests.

5.      Immigration & Entry Requirements: Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and complying with Thai entry regulations. Vela Private Tour cannot be held responsible for entry refusal by immigration officers, and no refunds will be made in such cases.

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Questions?

Have a question about this tour or its cancellation terms? Our team is happy to help. Contact us through any of the channels below.

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