Lijiang old town–Black Dragon Pool park–Baisha Village–Shuhe old town. Stay at Lijiang

Old Town of Lijiang - China - Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00am or at Lijiang airport/train station. Our first stop will be the Lijiang old town.

World Heritage Park, Lijiang - We will enter Lijiang Old Town through the South Gate. Along the way, we will visit Mu’s Residence (entry fee not included), Lion Hill (entry fee not included), and Wangu Tower. We will stroll through the old streets and lanes to soak in the leisurely atmosphere of the old town, which will take a couple of hours to explore. Despite being largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1996, Lijiang was quickly rebuilt and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the cultural center of the Naxi minority, known for its unique religion and over 1,000 pictograms. Lijiang is a great place to relax and spend a few days.

Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village - Next, we will visit Baisha village, where we can see the Dongba pictograms, the mural paintings in Dabaoji Palace, and the ‘ten thousand camellia blossoms’ tree. Baisha means ‘white sands’ and was the first settlement of the Naxi people after they migrated from the Tibetan plateau. It was once the political, commercial, and cultural center of the Naxi Kingdom and became part of the Yuan Empire in the late 13th century. The Mu family, who governed Lijiang from the late 14th to early 18th century, originated from Baisha. The area was also a key part of the Tea Horse Road trade network.

Black Dragon Pond Park - We will then take a private car to Black Dragon Pond Park, where we can enjoy panoramic views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town. This park is a landmark of Lijiang, known for its exquisite beauty. The pool reflects the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is surrounded by green grass and willow trees. The park also features renovated buildings like the Moon-Embracing Pavilion and the Five-Phoenix Temple, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

Shuhe Ancient Town - After lunch, we will take a leisurely walk in Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe, meaning ‘village at the foot of the high mountain’ in Naxi language, is located 4km northwest of Lijiang Ancient Town. It covers an area of about 5 square kilometers and has a population of around 3,000. In 1997, Shuhe was recognized as an important part of Lijiang Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Lijiang–Jade Dragon Snow Mountain–White Water River–Impression of Lijiang Show. Stay at Lijiang.

Old Town of Lijiang - China - Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00am and we will drive 25km (about 50 minutes) to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain - We may visit the Snow Mountain via cable car to Spruce Meadow first or visit White Water River first, depending on the schedule of the Impression Lijiang Show, which runs from 11:00am to 3:00pm and lasts for 60 minutes. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is accessible via a system of cable cars that take visitors to different parts of the mountain. The 13 peaks, home to several glaciers, are covered in snow year-round. The changing landscapes range from peaceful meadows to snow-covered paths and glaciers. We will take the cable car to Spruce Meadow, which is at a lower altitude (3300M) and less crowded than Glacier Park, offering beautiful views.

Lijiang Impressions Show - Next, we will attend the Lijiang Impression show, an outdoor performance featuring traditional songs and dances by local ethnic people. The show is held at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at pre-determined times.

Blue Moon Valley - We will then take a private car to White Water River (Blue Moon Valley). The Blue Moon Valley is a strikingly blue river that winds through a lush valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. From a distance, it looks like a blue crescent moon, which is how it got its name. However, the river can also appear white as milk when it rains, due to the white mud and limestone rubble at the riverbed. The local Naxi people call it White Water River (Baishui River).

Lijiang–Tiger Leaping Gorge. Stay at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Old Town of Lijiang - China - Our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at 9am and we will drive 80km (about 2 hours) to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia) - Tiger Leaping Gorge is considered one of China’s best hikes. The initial climb along a series of switchbacks near the entrance to the gorge at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town is the most strenuous part. If you walk the trail slowly, take advantage of the accommodations, and are in good shape, the hike is manageable. The inns and hotels along the way make the trek comfortable. We will hike from Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse, covering about 17 kilometers in six hours. We will first hike for two hours to Naxi Family Guesthouse for lunch, then continue for another two hours up the steep switchback called 28-bends. After a break, we will hike for another one or two hours to reach Halfway Guesthouse, which offers great views of Yulong Snow Mountain and the Jinsha (Golden Sands) River Valley. The guesthouse has a deck facing the mountain, hot showers, and clean beds.

Tiger Leaping Gorge–Shangri-La(Diqing). Stay at Shangri-la.

Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia) - Today, we will hike down to Tina’s Guesthouse (about 2 hours), passing through waterfalls and canyons. Our driver will pick us up at Tina’s house and drive 2.5 hours (120km) to Shangri-La.

Dukezong Ancient Town - After lunch, we will explore Dukezong Ancient Town, an important stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Trade Caravan route from Yunnan to Tibet and India. The town features authentic Tibetan dwellings, gilded prayer halls, pagodas, and various lanterns lighting the narrow, winding lanes, creating a mystical atmosphere.

Guishan Park - Climb to the top of Guishan Hill (Tortoise Hill) to see the largest prayer wheel in the world and enjoy a panoramic view of Shangri-La county and Dukezong.

Shangri-La County - We will then take a private car to your hotel in Shangri-La for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Shangri-la–Ganden Monastery- Shangri-la airport.

Shangri-La County - Our guide will meet you at 09:00am or at a time that suits your flight/train departure. We can drop you off at Shangri-La airport or Lijiang airport/train station.

Sumtsaling Monastery - We will first visit Ganden Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan province, also known as ‘the little Potala Palace.’ Built in 1679, it is located in the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and is the most important monastery in southwest China.

Napa Hai Nature Reserve - Next, we will visit Napa Hai lake, the largest grassland in Shangri-la. Located 8 km northwest of Shangri-la County, it is a seasonal mountain lake and one of the few thermal alpine swamps and swamp meadows in Yunnan province.

Yila Grassland - Napa Hai Lake and Yila Grassland are the same place. During winter and spring, the lake surface shrinks, revealing a large swamp meadow known as Yila Prairie, the largest spring pasture in Yunnan province.

Shangri-La County - After lunch, we will transfer you to Shangri-la airport or Lijiang airport/train station, marking the end of our services.

• The entrance tickets
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• The private car & private tour guide

• The hotel
• The meals