5-Days Tour from Shangri-La to Lijiang to and overnight in Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 1: Shangri-la(Diqing)--Ganden Monastery-- Napahai Lake-- Tibetan Town. Stay at Shangri-la

1. Shangri-La County
   10m
   Our tour guide will sign your name and meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00am or Shangri-La airport.
2. Songzanlin Monastery
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Today, we first will visit Ganden Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan province. It has another alias - '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.
3. Napa Hai Nature Reserve
   20m
   Next, go to the Napa hai lake, The largest grassland in Shangri-la. Napahai is located in the northwest of Shangri-la County, 8 km away from the county, is a seasonal mountain lake, and also one of the few the thermal alpine swamp and swamp meadow in Yunnan province.
4. Yila Grassland
   20m
   In fact, the Napahai Lake and Yila Grassland will be the same place. During Winter and spring seasons, Napa Lake surface is shrinking, becomes large swamp meadow—Yila Prairie, which is the largest spring pasture in Yunnan province.
5. Guishan Park
   30m
   Afterwards, take the private car to the city center. When you climb up to the top of Guishan Hill or Tortoise Hill, you will see the largest prayer wheel in the world and have a panoramic view of Shangri-La county and Dukezong.
6. Dukezong Ancient Town
   1h
   After the lunch at Dukezong ancient town and you can walking around the town and shopping for one hour. Then, we will Transfer to back to your hotel in Shangri-la.

Day 2: Shangri-La--Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking. Stay at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

1. Shangri-La County
   10m
   In the morning at 9am, our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to the Tiger Leaping Gorge and need 2.5hrs driving, 120km.
2. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
   18h · Admission ticket included
   Tiger Leaping gorge is considered one of China's best hikes. It isn't very strenuous except for the initial climb along a series of switchbacks near the entrance to the gorge at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town. If one walks the trail slowly, takes advantage of the accommodations and is in good shape, the trail isn't strenuous. The inns and hotels for backpackers along the way make the trek comfortable.
   Today, we will hike from Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse. The whole distance covered on the first day is about 17 kilometers, and you'll hike for about six hours in total. Halfway Guest House really is at the halfway point on the High Trail. First, hike for two hours to Naxi Family Guesthouse and have lunch. Then continue to hike another 2 hours up the steep switchback called 28-bends before the next break. The views are unforgettable. After a break, hike another one or two hours, and then we will arrive at Halfway Guesthouse which has a great view of Yulong Snow Mountain and overlooks the Jinsha (Golden Sands) River Valley. You can sit out on a deck facing the mountain, and there are hot showers and clean beds.

Day 3: Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking--Lijiang. Stay at Lijiang.

1. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Today, we will Hike down to Tina's Guesthouse (about 2 hours) and pass through some pretty waterfalls and canyons on the way. the driver will pick up in Tina's house,then drive 2.5 hours(100km) back to Lijiang
2. Old Town of Lijiang - China
   18h
   Afterwards, take the private car to your hotel at Lijiang/Shuhe and check in the hotel, the rest of time it's free for you.

Day 4: Lijiang old town--Black Dragon Pool park--Baisha Village--Shuhe old town. Stay at Lijiang

1. Old Town of Lijiang - China
   10m
   Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00am and first we will visit the Lijiang old town.
2. Memory Of The World Heritage Park
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Our visit route is: Lijiang Old Town through the South Gate, on the way, We'll pay visit to Mu's Residence(Pay locally if we go inside), Lion Hill(Pay locally if we go inside) and Wangu Tower and wander through the old streets and lanes to enjoy leisure feel of the old town. This will takes couple of hours to explore.
   The old town of Lijiang is surely one of Yunnan’s most charming ancient cities. Although largely destroyed in 1996 following an earthquake, it quickly rebuilt, thanks in part to its UNESCO World Heritage designation. Lijiang is the center of the Naxi minority, with its very specific culture, including its religion and writing of more than 1,000 pictograms. The culture of Lijiang and its old town is a nice place to relax and hang out for a few days.
3. Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Next, got to Baisha village, at this village, we can visit the Dongba pictograms, The mural paintings in Dabaoji Palace and 'ten thousand camellia blossoms' tree etc..
   Baisha literally means 'white sands'. The town was the first settlement of the Naxi people after they migrated south from the Tibetan plateau. It was once the political, commercial and cultural center of the the powerful, yet mysterious, Naxi Kingdom. The region became part of the Yuan Empire in late thirteenth century. The Mu family, which administrated Lijiang from the late fourteenth to the early eighteenth century, had its birthplace in Baisha. The area also played a large part in the strategic commercial network known as the Tea Horse Road.
4. Black Dragon Pond Park
   40m · Admission ticket included
   Afterwards, take the private car to Black Gragon Pond Park. At this park, we can take the panorama view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town.
   This park is the landmark of Lijiang. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty. Its surroundings are all green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. In its waters, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected. At the far side of the pool, there are renovated buildings used for art exhibition such as the Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
5. Shuhe Ancient Town
   1h
   After the lunch, we will have a leisure walk in Shuhe Ancient Town.
   Shuhe, or 'Shaowu' in Naxi language, means the village at the foot of the high mountain. In the past, behind the village there was a high moutain named Jubao, so people named the village. Shuhe Ancient Town is located 4km to the northwest of the Lijiang Ancient Town. Its central part covers an area of about 5 square kilometers with a population around 3,000. In 1997, Shuhe was ranked as an important part of Lijiang Ancient Town which was already the World Cultural Heritage named by UNESCO.

Day 5: Lijiang--Jade Dragon Snow Mountain--White Water River--Impression of Lijiang Show & Drop off at Lijiang airport.

1. Old Town of Lijiang - China
   10m
   Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00am and transfer to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and need 50 minutes driving, 25km.
2. Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Today, We may visit the Snow Mountain with the cale car to Spruce Meado first or visit White Water River first, But it really depends of the Impression Lijiang Show, because the show time will depend on daily number of visitors from 11:00am--15:00pm and the show lasts for 60 minutes.
   The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is very easy to visit via a system of cable cars which take visitors to different parts of the mountain. The 13 peaks, home to several glaciers, are covered in snow all year round. Different altitudes give rise to changing landscapes with peaceful meadows giving way to snow-covered paths and glaciers. We choose to Spruce Meado with the cable car due to with the lower altitude(3300M) and less people than the way to Glacier Park and also with the nice view.
3. Lijiang Impressions Show
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Next, go to Lijiang Impression show. The show is outdoor performance, including traditional songs and dance by local ethnic people selected from the villages around Lijiang, is held at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, just out of the main building, at pre-determined times.
4. Blue Moon Valley
   1h
   Afterwards, take the private car to White Water River(Blue Moon Valley). The Blue Moon Valley actually is an extremely blue river meandering through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Seen from a distance, it resembles a blue crescent moon inlaid at the foot of the mountain. That's how the place got its beautiful name! However, blue is not the only colour of the river. If it rains, the white mud and limestone rubble at the riverbed will be swirled up, making the water as white as milk. Therefore, local Naxi people name it White Water River (Baishui River).
5. Lijiang
   10m
   Finally, we will drop off you at the Lijiang airport/train station. End of our services.

Pickup details

We can pick up any hotels in the Shangri-La central/airport.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Can add more days if you want