Full Itinerary Day by Day
Day1 Arrive at Lijiang, Live in Lijiang Ancient Town and then it is your own time to explore this city.
Transfer: By Flight or train, it is up to you. Berth train tickets is really difficulty to buy.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town, 3-Star Hotel.
Please Note: The rest day is your own time to explore the lijiang ancient town.
Ni Hao! Welcome to Lijiang, a very impressive ancient city! Upon arrival at the airport or railway station, your guide will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel in ancient town area with a private car, then we will help you check in the hotel. Then the rest day is your time to explore this wonderful city!
Early Arrival Option: You can start a memorable tour in Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial center, Lijiang Old Town is a well-preserved 800-year-old town for Naxi ethnic group, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Walk to the central area of the old town and visit Mufu Palace. A saying goes 「there is Forbidden City in the North, Mu’s Residence in the South」. Mu’s Residence was called the miniature Forbidden City.
Looked from a far distance, it likes a grand imperial palace and it is famous for the grandness and architectural buildings. Getting into the palace, you can know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts.
Then, wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round.
Take a leisure walk up to the Lion Hill and climb up the 33-meter-tall Wanggu Tower - the landmark building of Lijiang to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town and overlook the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.
Arrival Ideas: There’re direct flights from Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guiyang, etc to Lijiang Sanyi Airport. Trains are available from Kunming (about 3-3.5 hours), Dali (about 2-3 hours) to Lijiang Railway Station.
Day2 Lijiang-First Bend of Yangtze River-Yila Grassland(Napa Lake)-Songzanlin Monastery-Local Tibetan Family Visiting-Shangri-La, Live in Shangri-la
Transfer: By bus, From Lijiang to Shangrila 180km, around 3 hour.
Accommodation: Overnight in Shangrila city
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 52 kilometers from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn. Then it changes the direction and goes to the northeast. You』ll reach the observation deck to catch a panoramic view of the bend, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes.
After then, you』ll be driven to Shangri-La. With 2 hours' driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way. When we get closed to Shangri-La, we will passby Yila Grassland and Napa lake. Napa Lake is a seasonal lake. In dry season, the lake area turns to a swamp that provides open ground for horse riding and an ideal location for migrant birds. In rainy season, with a backdrop of green mountains in a distance and blue sky, it offers quite a few photogenic opportunities. There are a number of small to medium-sized Tibetan villages in the vicinity of Lake Napa. You can get a close-up view of life as it is lived today in a Tibetan village.
Then Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459meters), the Garden of Eden!First, you』ll be transferred with 7 kilometers』 driving to Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Gompa), reputed as the 「Little Potala Palace」 for it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 700 monks and lamas. Walk 147 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the three main lamasery buildings where you can not only see the Buddhism treasures, but also enjoy large number of monks of all ages going about their daily routines, praying, chanting, cooking and resting.
It should a nice trip to get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and shoot panorama view of Songzanlin Monastery with reflection in the clear water.
After the merry time in the Monastery, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea.
Day3 Shangri-La-Daocheng Yading, Live in Daocheng CountryTransfer: By bus, From Shangrila to Daocheng Country, 335km, around 7.5hour.
Accommodation: Overnight in Daocheng Country
After breakfast, our guide will meet you at your hotel and then transfer you from Shangri-La to Daocheng Yading by our private car by driving for about 7-7.5 hours.
From shangri-la to Daocheng, this is a challenging and little-known route, climbing mountains, entering the inaccessible areas, enjoying the scenery of the original forest, driving through groups of flocks and herds, shepherd singing in alpine meadow, climbing two waves over 4500, 4900 meters above sea level snow mountain pass, arrive in Kasi village and then climb over Echu mountain and then arrive the RIwa town (shangri-la).
Along the way, we will enjoy infinite scenery, beautiful sea canyon, mountain road winding in the mountains. From a distance, there are folds of mountains and lakes. The foot of the mountain is green meadow and dark brown slope of waste rocks, as well as those graceful pines from the valley extends to half empty tall, It feels like the clouds in the sky have never been so close to you.
After your arrival, you will be sent to your hotel at Daocheng Town (2,950m). The rest of the day is on your own to discover Daocheng Yading and the surrounding. Have a good rest for the following hiking experience!
Tips: Since the altitude of Daocheng Yading area is mainly over 3,000 meters, you are highly suggested not do strenuous exercise to release or avoid altitude sickness.
Day4 Yading Nature Reserve: Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five Color Lake) Live in Daocheng Country
After an early breakfast, start your exploration of Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve, the Last Pure Land on Earth first found by Joseph Rock in 1928 and then be widely treated as the 「Soul of Shangri-La」 with extremely dreaming wonderland.
Take the sightseeing bus from the tourist center to Zhaguanbeng for about 1-1.5 hours and enjoy the 2-2.5 hours』 hike to Luorong Pasture (4,150m) via Chonggu Monastery (3,900m)(you can also choose to walk 20 minute to Chonggu Monastery and take the 0.5 hour battery car to Luorong Pasture if you want to save energy).
Enjoy your relaxing roam at the idyllic pasture with those carefree grazing cattle and goats, layers of multicolored dense alpine forest, clear winding stream, etc. backed by the three holy snow mountains, namely Xiannairi (Mount Chianrezig),Yangmaiyong (Mount Jambeyang) and Xianuoduoji (Mount Chanadorje). You will appreciate the most beautiful appearance of Xianuoduoji snow mountain like a powerful man!
Next, take the challenging 5 km’s hike for 3-3.5 hours up to the fabulous Milk Lake (4,600m) (horse riding is available to Milk Lake and needs extra payment) and marvel at the unbelievable charm of such a holy lake like a precious blue gem that even can move one to drop tears. Continue to walk another 0.5 hour to visit Five Color Lake (4,500m) 0.3 km away to savor the impressive sightseeing with beautiful snow rock mountain in white, grey, silver and chocolate, blue and green water, various alpine plantations, clear sky backdrop, etc. particularly like an world-class oil painting.
After the visiting, walk down and take the car and bus back to the entrance. And our guide and driver will send you back to your hotel at Daocheng Town. Have a good rest!
Day5 Yading Nature Reserve (Chonggu Monastery - Chonggu Meadow - Pearl Lake - Poplar Forest - Benbo Monastery) Live in Daocheng Country
Today after breakfast, go to Chonggu Monastery as the same way on Day 2 by sightseeing bus and hike. Have a stop at the temple to admire the sacred Gelug Buddhist temple architecture in white, red, yellow and black and learn the interesting story about the temple and Joseph Rock’s stop by.
From such unbeatable location, you will easily take the excellent photo of the brilliant temple and the three pure white holy snow mountains. After some short walk, embrace the lovely Chonggu Meadow (4,020m) that can be paralleled with the fairyland on earth. Stroll on the vast grassland like a thick and soft carpet in yellow and green in each season.
Play along the particularly appealing transparent chanting river with clearly visible little stones like countless grains of gold sank to the bottom. Do not miss the best angle to admire the Xianuoduoji snow mountain like a powerful man.
Then, continue to hike for 30 minutes to visit Pearl Lake (4,120m) that is super fascinating to admire the picturesque landscape of surrounding snow peaks, green and orange dense forest, iridescent prayer flags, and their dazzling reflection in the shimmering clear lake. Also, it is the best location to admire the holy Xiannairi snow mountain.
After that, go back and be transferred to Bang River to appreciate the ten thousand acre of poplar forest (3,740m) from the best location. The wide spread of poplar trees are so charming in pure green in spring and summer and orange and golden in autumn under the frequent azure sky in Daocheng. Then, go to visit Benbo Monastery (3,940m) to have a close look at the striking claret-red Kagyu Buddhist temple cluster of over 900 years old, learn the interesting story of its establishment and the creator, and feel the sincere Buddhist pursuit and persistence of local Lamas.
After the visiting, our guide and driver will send you to your hotel in Daocheng County (3,700m) and help you check in. Have a good rest!
Day6 Daocheng Yading- Shangri-La Live in Shangri-LaTransfer: By bus, From Daocheng Country-Shangrila, 335km, around 7.5hour.
Accommodation: Overnight in Shangrila
In the morning, we will start to go back to Shangri-la from Daocheng, passing through Sangdui town, across the unknown mountain (4723 meters), across the Ma Xiong ditch, then arrive at Xiangcheng Town. Xiangcheng town is known as "Kangba Jiangnan," here often has green mountains, blue sky and white clouds all year round.
The three rivers of Shuoqu, Mayi and Dingqu runing through the forest and valley, muddled along the Tibetan villages (white) scattered along the roads, like three strings of pearls strung together by three silk threads. The name "Xiangcheng" (meaning Buddha beads in Tibetan) is derived from this.
Follow the Shuoqugang River Valley to enjoy the clear water and the scenery along the way, climb over the large snow mountain (altitude: 4196m), come to the Shangri-La Grand Canyon. Climb over the small snow mountain (altitude: 3906m), enjoy the magnificent scenery: rivers, forests, valleys, snow mountains, blue sky setting off each other, forming a wonderful and strange picture.
After we arrive Shangri-La, then check in the hotel and have a good sleep.
Day7 Shangri-La-Dukezong Old Town-Pudacuo National Park-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang Depature (Arrive at Lijiang around 18:00)
In the morning, cherish your time in Shangri-La to explore Dukezong Old Town. With a history over 1300 years, Dukezong Old Town is the largest and the best preserved Tibetan community in China. Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill (or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of both the endless snow-capped mountains surrounded the pure land and the large scale of the old town with countless Tibetan dwellings. Join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world in clockwise direction.
After the tour, drive about 27 kilometers to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the first first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It is renowned for well-preserved primitive landscape, which is endowed with lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, brooks, rare plants and animals.
Visit the spots by clockwise and throw yourselves into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery of Shudu Lake (hike 3.3 km, about 1 hour). (Note: the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m and you should avoid strong activities. There’s no problem to hike in the park.)
Important Notice: Militang Pasture (彌裡塘草場) and Bita Lake (碧塔海) in Pudacuo National Park are closed for tourists due to maintenance from 3th September, 2017. The administrative office of Pudacuo National Park hasn't confirmed when they will be open exactly. Shudu Lake Scenic Area (屬都湖) is still open for tourists.
Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. This steep gorge is situated between the 5596 meters Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and 5396 meters Haba Snow Mountain to the north.
Measuring 17 kilometers in length, the whole gorge is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower gorge and you』ll pay a visit to the maturest section - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk about 1,000 stairs along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves. (Travel tip: This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended.)
Recent News: Tiger Leaping Gorge has 3 parts:Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge. The Upper one is Tiger Leaping Gorge Tourist Area which is going to be closed from November 1st, 2020 to April 30th 2021 due to the road construction.
After the hiking tour, you』ll be driven to Lijiang. Service ends!
Additional Information:
Please be advised that there will be approximately 10-45 travelers per group
The above itinerary is for reference only, and is subject to change due to the weather conditions
Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and allergies if you booked our tour. Please remember to bring any medication that you need with you
Pregnant women, guests with heart attacks, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, severe colds, and those who are not suitable for outdoor hiking are advised to carefully decide whether or not to travel according to their own conditions or doctor's advice
We will contact you between 8:00pmto10:00pm a day before you travel to reconfirm the pick up time and place. Please keep your contact lines or channels available. If you have not received any confirmation after 10:00pm, please contact customer service.
In case of severe inclement weather or other environmental problems beyond control that causes the tour to be unable to proceed, participants can opt for a reschedule.
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