8 DAYS HIDDEN CHARMS OF NORTHERN YUNNAN

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival in Lijiang (2,400m), you will transferred to your accommodation.

Into the Minority Naxi Villages

Let us whisk you off the tourist trail into the Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe is one of the earliest habitation of the Naxi ancestors and an important post of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Continue to Baisha Old Town to admire its Ming Dynasty-era architectures and the well-known Baisha Frescoes in Dabaoji Palace.

If time permits, you will also visit Yuhu Village, where Austrian-American botanist and explorer Joseph F. Rock once lived and introduced the local culture of Lijiang into the western world. We will visit Joseph F. Rock’s former residence, as well as the stone and wooden houses of local Naxi people.

Orientation Walk & Black Dragon Pond

Bordering Tibet, the small town of Lijiang offers spectacular mountain backdrop. Depending on where you stay, we will arrange either Lijiang or Dayan orientation walk. You will walk the lovely alleyways and learn about the local culture. You will also visit the Black Dragon Pond at the foot of the Elephant Hill.

Jade Snow Mountain & Countryside Walk

Today, you will ascend by cable car into the Jade Snow Mountain to visit the Yak Meadow. Enjoy a lovely countryside walk starting from Yu Hu Village, former home of American naturalist and explorer Joseph Rock. Alternatively, if time permits, we can also arrange a walk to the Spruce Meadow (3,240 metres).

Impressions of Lijiang

Conclude the day with a fantastic Impressions of Lijiang performance.

Car Transfer: Lijiang to Benzilan via Tiger Leaping George

Leaving Lijiang, you will drive approximately 85 km or 1.5 hours to Tiger Leaping Gorge (1,800m). Thereafter, another 50 km or 1 hour will bring you to Benzilan (2,020m).

Tiger Leaping George with Nixi Tangdui Hike

In Tiger Leaping George, you will make a stop at The First Bund of the Yangtze River. Embark on a short hike of the momentous river canyon before continuing approximately 150 km or 3 hours to Nixi Tangdui Black Pottery Village, where you can observe the locals knead and fire black clays, as well as an opportunity to DIY your own pottery!

Car Transfer: Benzilan to Meili

You will be driven approximately 80 km or 1.5 hours to Meili (3,600m) with stops along the way.

Prayers of Benzilan

Start the morning at a white pagoda where the local elderlies pray before continuing to Dongzhulin Monastery to admire the gilded Maitreya Buddha, the White Drolma statue and the Buddhas of Three Worlds.

Hands-On at a Cultural Village

A cultural afternoon follows with an option of either visiting Gonjo village to learn the arts of Tibetan wooden bowl painting, or Shiyi to witness the traditional making of Tibetan incense sticks.

Great Bend of Jinsha River

We will make a stop at a scenic spot to view the Great Bend of Jinsha River. The river flows through a steep valley forming a U-shaped bend.

A Scenic Day in Meili

Rise early for a morning sunrise at Kawagebo. Thereafter, you will visit Feilai Temple to appreciate the scenic the scenic mountains. Afterwards, we will drive to Kala Mountain for a 2-hour hike to Mingyong Glaciers (2,600m).

Car Transfer: Meili to Shangri-La

After a leisure morning, you will be transferred approximately 160 km / 3 hours into the fabled land of Shangri-La (3,460m).

The Fabled Land of Shangri-La

Start your tour with a visit the famous Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. You will also make a stop at Dukezong ancient town or the award-winning Shangri-La Highland Craft Brewto sample 6 distinctive all-natural Shangri-La beers.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport via Potatso National Park

Escape to the wilderness of Potatso National Park before transferring to the airport for your onwards journey.

Into the Mountain Passes
Today, we will hike 6h/15km through larch, fir and rhododendron forests. The journey will pass through two mountain passes around 3,900m, where you will marvel at the views of Yading Range and Abudje Mountains peaks before camping at Muet Grassland (3,750m).

Abudje Lake
Today’s 8h/22km loop will bring us through two major passes above 4,000m. After picnic on the banks of a forest lake, you will arrive in the majestic Lake Abudje around 3pm before returning back to your camp.

Back to the Fabled Land of Shangri-La
Today, you will descend 7h/18km through a 3,905m mountain pass and the Ringha Valley pastures, followed by a delicious picnic lunch at a pine tree forest. Thereafter, you will be transferred to your hotel to rest.

Enjoy free time before transferring to the airport for your flight home.