11 Days Yunnan Adventure

Welcome to Lijiang, one of the ancient towns with a long history and exquisite architecture and in China. Upon arriving at the Lijiang airport, your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. For the rest of the day, you will be free to step out in the fascinating city of Lijiang for a small adventure on your own.

Arrive in Lijiang, take you to visit the Lijiang Old Town, officially called "Dayan Town", "Dayan" literally means a "great ink stab", a graphic description of the town's location on a piece of rich flatland fed by a river and surrounded by green mountains. The Old Town is full of cobbled streets, crisscrossing canals, swaying willow trees and gaily hued blossoms. Every so often, a bridge stone, wooden, flat, arched, roofed-pops up and along it trundles local folk in traditional dress.

After visiting, we will pay a visit to Baisha Village, wandering around the village, one can enjoy the slow lifestyle of the Naxi People and their friendly smiling faces. The Baisha Murals cannot be missed. These Murals are representative of Lijiang Murals and their creation took about three hundred years, from the early Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Exploring Lijiang is like opening a Chinese Jewel chest -each exquisitely crafted compartment leads to richer more dazzling sights.

After breakfast, you will visit the Black Dragon Pool Park, Somewhat 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.

Then head to the Dongba Cultural Museum, which is an interesting folk cultural museum featuring on Dongba culture preserved by Naxi People. By visiting this museum, you could learn more about this minority group.

After enjoying the nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, today our professional tour guide will bring you to head to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is on the Jinsha River of the upper reaches of the Yangtze, and it is located 105 kilometres south of Zhongdian County. The gorge is 17 kilometres long with a drop of 213 metres. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower Hutiao. At the narrowest spot, the river is only 30 metres wide. The mouth of the gorge is 1,800 metres above sea level. The river is flanked by Yulong and Haba snow mountains, with a height difference of 3,900 metres. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Afterwards, transfer to Shangrila, upon arrival, visit Dukezong Old Town. It is a 1300-year-old Tibetan town located in Shangri-La, which it has experienced both the flames of war and prosperity of frontier trade. Dukezong Old Town's authentic Tibetan dwellings, majestic prayer halls and pagodas, winding lanes offer sanctuary to all those seeking refuge from the bustle city.

Another day to explore Shangri-la. Morning you will visit to Songzanlin Monastery which is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Yunnan. Here, tranquillity prevails, as its 700 monks and acolytes (often beginning their training at the age of five) go about their daily lives – just as they have done for more than three centuries. The lamasery's murals are one of its highlights – resplendently colourful depictions of the life Buddha, the guardian deities of Buddhism and the wheel of life, painted by distinguished lamas past and present.

Say farewell to Songzanlin Monastery, and we will continue to Napa Lake, Napa Hai ("Lake behind the forest") Nature Reserve is a state-designated wetlands area situated some 8 kilometers north of Shangri-La County (aka Zhongdian County) on the Yunnan - Guizou Plateau in northwestern Yunnan Province. Not surprisingly, this wetlands area is a true paradise for all types of birds, most especially for waterfowl. In spring, the higher, drier parts of the reserve is a prairie landscape carpeted with flowers. Parts of this prairie are farmed, the main crop being highland barley.

Today, we are going to visit the traditional pottery making village in Tanwei/Nixi Village. We offer a visit to one of the pottery making families though note the area is not commercialized and these items are being made for local daily life. 

After lunch, Journey to the heart of Balagezong, a hidden region on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan that has been dubbed ‘the last secret place of Shangri-La’. A patchwork of jagged mountains, plummeting canyons, crystal lakes, verdant grassland and virgin forest, it’s one of the most naturally beautiful places in Yunnan, if not the world. This is a land of legend set apart from the everyday, a place rife with ancient stories and natural wonders. This one-day excursion will take you to the heart of Balagezong, revealing view after view of the unique landscape and introducing you to the customs and culture of the colourfully garbed Kangba Tibetans of Bala Village.

Then drive to the heart of the Buddhist culture of Tibet, this one-day trip takes in the iconic art and architecture of Benzilan’s surroundings, offering a rich insight into the traditional lifestyle of the region’s indigenous people.

On arrival in Benzilan, you will be transferred to the LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan for night stay.

The day begins with a prayer in the temple just near the river, Then take your trip to the Dongzhulin Lamasery just outside of Benzilan. Founded in 1667 and one of China’s 13 great lamaseries, Dongzhulin was instrumental in the evolution of Tibetan Buddhism and is home to numerous priceless relics from the history of the faith. Its numerous buildings are classically Tibetan in architectural style; the most magnificent – the assembly hall – is adorned with spectacular frescos and sculpture.

Then Transfer to Feilaisi and check in your hotel. The view along the way is fantastic with different kinds of trees, streams down the valley, prayer flags and stupas, and Tibetan villages.

Get up early in the morning, enjoy the magnificent sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain from Feilaisi, and take pictures of this stunning scenery. After that, we will drive about 1 hour to visit Mingyong Village. Upon arrival, start our hiking journey from Mingyong village to Mingyong Glacier (2600m) which is the low altitude glacier of the lowest latitude in the world.

In the aftenoon, you can stroll around the nearby minority Villages, breathe the fresh air, or start a small conversatioon with local people. Have a chill time!

After breakfast in the morning, today's journey will start from Baima Snow Mountains Nature Reserve where the snowy mountain with vegetation coverage. While strolling around the nature, we can also look for the exclusive snub-nose golden monkeys. 

After enjoying a picnic lunch at the scenic spot. Hike to a local Lisu village to experience the daily life of the Lisu people in a rural setting and taste their traditionally-made honey.

After breakfast in the morning, continue our trip to next stop. It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Tacheng and we will drive 2-3hrs back to Shangri-la for lunch.

After lunch, we will head to visit Ringha Dabao Temple which attracts tourists come from afar with it sacred scenery. Sheep scatter amonng hillsides, fluttering prayer flags and pine trees, hiking through such a fairyland is really an enjyment.

Today our 11-day Yunnan natural exploration tour is about to an end. Say farewell to the colorful Yunnan and we will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back to your sweet home. Wish you have a pleasant journey home!