12 Days Panoramic Yunnan Tour from Lijiang to Shangri-la

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.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then start your hiking tour from Yushui Village to Wenhai lake (3hours). Then visit the small Naxi villages in this area. You will admire the magnificent natural landscape along the way and experience the unique history and culture of Naxi people.

After that, drive back Lijiang, on the way stops at Shuhe Old Town, a well-preserved market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road. and pay a visit to Baisha Village with Fresco, 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.  

Spend a whole day to explore this ancient city. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Lijiang can be traced back to more than 800 years ago. Besides its unique architecture and local ethnic culture, it is also known for its orderly arrangement of bridges and waterways. Walk along the winding cobbled paths — it is said that you won't get lost as long as you follow the water. Then proceed the journey to 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. Next travel to the Dongba Museum to learn about the Dongba culture. enjoy the sunset at the Wan Gu Lou Pavilion in lion Hill, Atop Wan Gu Lou, you will have panoramic view of Lijiang Ancient City.

This morning, we will depart from the hotel in Lijiang and drive about 1.5 hours to Qiaotou, your wonderful trekking tour will start from here. After 2 hours, arrive at Naxi Family Guesthouse for a traditional lunch.

Thereafter, we will come to the most challenging part of the trek, the trail rises steeply to the top of the ride with "28 bends". you hike high up the valley along the gorge from here with the gushing river deep below. The view of the gorge and the Jade Dragon Mountain is spectacular.

Arrive at Old Tea Horse Guesthouse for overnight stay.

This morning we will continue enjoy the beautiful scenery along the gorge for another 3 hours until half-way guesthouse. Then you will arrive at Tina Guesthouse through lovely cultivation and villages for another 2 hours, where you can take your private vehicle to Shangri-la, on the way stops at Xiaozhongdian for fabulous photos.

After arrival, visit Shangri-la Old Town to explore the local culture and lifestyle. and continue the tour to the Turtle park, which is built on the hill and is the landmark of the ancient city. Here you can see the largest Prayer wheel in the world. 

After breakfast, visit 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.

Continue the journey to Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in mainland China. In Tibetan language, Pudacuo means reaching the opposite side of the lake by boat under the help of deity. forest, marsh, valley, alpine meadow and so on can be seen in the park. Return to Shangri-la and spend the evening at your own leisure.

This morning, we will drive to Benzilan. On the way, enjoy the stunning 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.

Then we will pay a visit to the traditional pottery making village in Tanwei/Nixi Village, explore the one of the pottery making families, these items are being made for local daily life. 

After lunch, Journey to the heart of Balagezong, the mysterious ancient Bala Village, hospitable villagers, holy snow mountains, plank road over Gangqu River, and precipitous gorges, waiting for visitors to discover its unique beauty with rich Tibetan culture. 

Then you will be transferred to Benzilan for night stay.

The journey begin with a prayer in the temple near the river, Then we will pay a visit to the largest one of the three Gelu Sect monasteries and one of the religious cultural activity centers in Kangnan District---Dongzhulin monastery.

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.

Early in the morning, you will enjoy the magnificent sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain from Feilaisi, It is famous for the rare and beautiful "Golden Snow Mountains" scenery. It mostly occurs in the early morning and afternoon of a sunny day when the sunshine suddenly cast the golden light on the top of the mountains. Then drive another 1.5-hyour to Mingyong village, where you will walk on the trails for about 4km to Mingyong Glaciers of Meili Snow Mountain, it flows from the top of Kawagebo Peak, the highest peak of the Meili Snow Mountain which is considered a sacred mountain by Tibetans. In the aftenoon, visit the nearby minority Villages.

Full day sightseeing in Tacheng. You will explore the Baima Snow Mountains Nature Reserve in search of the exclusive snub-nose golden monkeys. A picnic lunch will be arranged at the scenic spot.

Thereafter, Hike to a local Lisu village to experience the local lifesty of the Lisu people in a rural setting and taste their traditionally-made honey.

Today we will say farewell to beautiful Tacheng and drive back to Shangri-la.

Following a lunch in local restaurant, we will visit Ringha Temple where you could hike through the pastures, mountains and valleys.

Today you will say farewell to the beautiful Yunnan and back to your sweet home. Wish you have a pleasant journey home!