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-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Blue Moon Valley-Black Dragon Pool Park-Lijiang Ancient town, Live in Lijiang Ancient Town
Transfer: By bus, From Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 30km, in 1 hour.
Accommodation: Overnight in Lijiang Ancient town
In this morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The 13 peaks in this mountain area are the sacred mountains among Naxi people. Take the tramway to the Spruce Meadow at 3,000 meters high, and you can both see the fascinating sightseeing and appreciate the gorgeous look of the whole snow mountain at the best place.
After that, you can choose to enjoy the electrifying Impression Lijiang Show (Optional) performed by 500 local people under the white snow and blue sky with the background of white Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which lasts for about 70 min. (Note: For the ticket is hard to book in peak season, if you are interested in the show, please tell us your likes in advance.)
On the way back, you will enjoy the charming scenery and the crystal clear water various with the weather in Blue Moon Valley and its White Water River.
After that, head to Lijiang. Then Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures.
Please Note:
If you want to visit Yak Meadow (with an altitude of 3,500 meters) which offers a good location to appreciate the 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; or go to Glacier Park (at 4,680 meters ) to see the wonder of the 「Green Glacier Peaks」, please tell your like to your travel consultant to adjust the itinerary. Different tramways have different prices. Please pay attention that it will be difficult to book the ticket of Glacier Park tramway, you need to tell your likes to us or book the ticket in advance. Besides, it takes about 1-2 hours to queue up for the tramway to Glacier Park.
For the tickets of Impression Lijiang Snow are hard to book in peak season, if you want to enjoy the show, please tell us your interest and we』ll help to book the tickets in advance.
Day3 Ljiang-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 theFirst 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.
Day4 Dukezong Old Town-Pudacuo National Park-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang; Live in Shuhe Ancient Town
Transfer: By bus, From Shangrila to Lijiang, 200km, around 4 hour.
Accommodation: Overnight in Songzanlin Monastery if the hotel is full then we will go Shangrila city
Today is a full day to explore the earthly paradise described in the famous novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton.
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.)
After the hiking tour, you』ll be driven to Lijiang. And Check in the hotel in Shuhe Ancient town.
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. And by far we can use the village's local car to go to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and do a hike along the Gorge about 4 hours which is more excited and amazing than the Senic spot. This is included in our schedule before the Scenic Spot open.
Day5 Shuhe Ancient Town-Yuhu Village-Rock Former Residence, Supposed to finish around 16:00
After breakfast, This morning is your own time to explore Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route. This ancient town is less crowded than Lijiang Dayan Old Town. Take a nice stroll here to explore local cultures, folk customs and traditions over several centuries.
After Lunch, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then go to visit Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you』ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a tranquil Yuhu Lake…explore leisurely around the village and then go to explore the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.
After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or railway station to catch your flight / train (after 17:00) to next destination.
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.
CET (Culture Exchange Trip) is a student self-organized service platform focusing on intercultural communication and aimed to create more opportunities for young people from all over the world to have more chances to communicate in more fantastic way like outdoor activities.
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