Yunnan Hiking | 7-Day Lijiang, Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour

Welcome to Lijiang. Our guide will greet you at the reception desk of the airport/railway station and take you to the hotel for check-in. After a short rest, head to Lijiang Ancient Town. [Lijiang Ancient Town] is a World Cultural Heritage site with a history of over 800 years and was once an important town on the Tea Horse Road. First, you will visit the [Mu Mansion] inside the ancient town, known as the Forbidden City of the South, to learn about local Naxi culture and the rise and fall of the Mu family, and walk to the best viewing point to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the ancient town with the snow mountain as a backdrop. Afterwards, you can walk to [Sifang Street] to explore Naxi handicrafts and local specialties. Finally, if time permits, you can visit [Black Dragon Pool Park] to the north of Lijiang Ancient Town, to enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery and the magnificent reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the water. How to get there 1. By plane: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG) has many direct routes, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changsha, Wuhan, etc. 2. By train: You can take a high-speed train directly to Lijiang Station from cities in Yunnan such as Kunming (3.5-4 hours), Dali (2-2.5 hours), and Shangri-La (1-1.5 hours), or take a high-speed train directly to Lijiang from Guilin (11.26 hours). 3. Lijiang Ancient Town: Lijiang Airport is about 28 kilometers from Lijiang Ancient Town, about a 45-minute drive; Lijiang Railway Station is about 10 kilometers from the ancient town, about a 26-minute drive. Nighttime activity suggestions 1. Best places to photograph the night views of Lijiang Ancient Town: Xianwen Lane, Zhenxing Lane, Nanmen Bridge, Fengling Street, and Sakura Restaurant, etc. 2. Best places to experience nightlife, bars, and night markets: Sifang Street (Naxi bonfire party after 7 PM), Wuyi Street, Xinhua Street, Zhongyi Market, etc.

This morning you will visit the famous [Jade Dragon Snow Mountain]. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sacred mountain of the Naxi people, named for its shape resembling a jade dragon in winter. You can take a cable car up to Spruce Meadow at an altitude of 3,240 meters, accompanied by magnificent scenery along the way. This vast meadow hidden in the primeval spruce forest is the best spot to view Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After sightseeing, take the cable car down and transfer to a sightseeing bus to [Blue Moon Valley]. Blue Moon Valley has 4 lakes and 1 river, among which Jade Liquid Lake and White Water River are the most worth seeing. Whenever the sun is bright, the water of Jade Liquid Lake is clear and blue, like a precious mirror, while White Water River is named for its overall white appearance as the water flows over white stones. Optional activity at your own expense: If you are interested in Lijiang's culture, you can go to Ganhaizi in the afternoon to watch the large open-air performance - "Impression Lijiang". The performance is mainly singing and dancing, lasting about 1 hour, vividly showing the traditional lifestyle of the local Naxi people. Afterwards, leave Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and head to [Baisha Ancient Town], once the ancient capital of the Naxi people, to admire the time-honored [Baisha Murals]. Most Baisha Murals were created during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Their greatest feature is that on a single mural you can see images from Han Buddhism, Taoism, and Lamaism and other different sects, which is very rare. Finally, return to Lijiang. If you still have energy, you can stop for a while at [Shuhe Ancient Town] along the way, stroll around the peaceful and tranquil ancient town, and taste local specialty snacks.

This morning, you will first head to the magnificent First Bend of the Yangtze River, to admire the rare V-shaped bend formed as the majestic Yangtze River is blocked by the mountain terrain, and go up to the viewing platform to overlook the spectacular panorama of the bend of more than 100 degrees. Afterward, continue onward to Tiger Leaping Gorge and begin your Tiger Leaping Gorge trek. First, you will set off from Naxi Family Guesthouse (the starting point of the trek), experiencing the thrilling drops and breathtaking rock walls along the cliffside path of Tiger Leaping Gorge. When sunlight shines into the gorge, the water surface at the more than ten-meter-wide gorge mouth glistens, the river below the gorge turns up whitecaps due to the drop, and above the gorge are sunlit cliffs and blue sky with white clouds. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. Then you will come to the most precipitous section of this trek, the 28 Bends, hiking along a winding path on the cliffside to reach the highest point (at an altitude of about 2,670 meters), overlooking the magnificent surrounding scenery. After trekking another 2 to 3 hours, you will arrive at the endpoint of this trek, Halfway Guesthouse. On the roof of Halfway Guesthouse there is a spacious platform. After dinner, you can quietly enjoy the magnificent scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and overlook the panorama of Ben Di Wan Village.

Today, we will continue yesterday's hiking journey. First, we will wind down along a path carved out of the cliff, enjoy the stunning scenery, embrace small waterfalls, until reaching Tian's Youth Hostel on the main road, and then hike to Teacher Zhang's Family Inn. Afterwards, hike along Teacher Zhang's Trail, a trail carved out by Teacher Zhang's family themselves, which gradually became a calling card of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Starting from Teacher Zhang's home, go straight to the bottom of the valley at [Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge] to feel the majestic, rolling Jinsha River up close. At Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, there are two ways to return to the highway. One is to return along the Sky Ladder, which is relatively dangerous and requires almost vertical climbing; the other is to take the easier Yixiantian back to the highway. We generally recommend choosing Yixiantian, and you can also visit [Walnut Garden] along the way. Walnut Garden is a small village located between Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, almost isolated from the world and still retaining its most primitive appearance. After the visit, you will drive to Shangri-La. After arriving in Shangri-La, first go to the hotel to check in. After a short rest, drive to visit [Dukezong Ancient Town], which has a history of more than 1,300 years. Dukezong Ancient Town is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China and an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Here you can see various Tibetan-style dwellings, temples, and pagodas, learn about Tibetan culture, and you can also climb Guishan and turn the world's largest prayer wheel together with locals to pray for yourself or your relatives and friends, or find a favorable spot to overlook the entire ancient town. Optional evening activities: Around 7 pm, you can go to Sifang Square to watch locals perform traditional Tibetan dances; around 9 pm, the entire ancient town lights up, a good time to enjoy the night view of the ancient town.

This morning, you will visit [Songzanlin Monastery], known as the Little Potala Palace. Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Built against the mountain, the monastery features a unique five-story Tibetan carved architectural style, embodying the essence of Tibetan plastic arts, and is also known as the 'Tibetan Art Museum.' Here you can experience Tibetan Buddhist culture and climb to the top of the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Songzanlin Monastery and Lamuyangcuo Lake. In the afternoon, you will take a car to visit China's first national park, [Potatso National Park]. Potatso National Park features diverse natural landscapes including forests, grasslands, lakes, and relics. After entering the scenic area, you will transfer to an eco-friendly bus to first visit Shudu Lake. Shudu Lake is the largest lake in the park, famous for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the surrounding scenery, then take the eco-friendly bus to Bita Lake. Bita Lake is famous for its pagoda-shaped hills and clear, tranquil waters. Surrounding the lake are many tall trees, whose reflections in the water create stunningly beautiful scenes. After the visit, on the way back to Shangri-La, you can also visit a local [Tibetan family], taste butter tea, and chat with the Tibetan people. Upon arriving in Shangri-La, you can visit [Dukezong Ancient Town], which has a history of over 1,300 years. Dukezong Ancient Town is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China, and was also an important town on the Tea Horse Road. Here you can admire various Tibetan-style dwellings, temples, and pagodas, learn about Tibetan culture, climb Guishan Hill to spin the world's largest prayer wheel together with locals and pray for yourself or your loved ones, or find a vantage point to overlook the entire ancient town. Optional evening activities: Around 7 PM, you can go to Square Square to watch locals perform traditional Tibetan dances; around 9 PM, the entire ancient town lights up, a great time to enjoy the night views of the ancient town.

After breakfast, you will drive about 84 kilometers, about 2 hours, to [Balagezong Scenic Area], which combines snow mountains, gorges, glaciers, rivers, plateau lakes, primeval forests, and Tibetan customs. If Shangri-La is heaven, then Balagezong is a paradise on earth. It is said that the Blue Moon Valley described in "Lost Horizon" is this place. First, you will take the scenic area shuttle bus to [Echo Wall]. Here you can shout toward the towering cliff and listen to nature's response. If you are not afraid of heights, you can also experience the thrilling high-altitude glass walkway and high-altitude zipline, feeling the clouds and mist drifting beneath your feet and enjoying the visual pleasure of a different scene with every step. Above, you can look up at the snowy mountains in the sky; below, you can look down at green waters and blue waves. Then come to [Bala Village], surrounded by mountains. For thousands of years, the hardworking and simple people of Bala Village fled from distant wars, wholeheartedly pursuing peace and tranquility, and finally settled in this sacred pure land and grew into a community. Here you can learn about the local Tibetan customs and long history, and also admire the mountain dwelling scenery composed of Tibetan wooden buildings, colorful prayer flags, and pastoral views. After the visit, you will continue to Shangri-La Grand Canyon. [Shangri-La Grand Canyon], also known as Balagezong Grand Canyon, is a must-visit hidden paradise when going to Balagezong. Here you can see the magnificent scenery of "canyons within canyons, canyons above canyons, crisscrossing and interconnected." You can also hike along the plank road in the canyon and immersively enjoy the amazing canyon scenery. If interested, you can also experience the thrilling canyon rafting project. Shangri-La Buddhist Pagoda In-Depth Tour (at your own expense): [Shambhala Buddhist Pagoda] is located northeast of Balagezong Sacred Mountain and is one of the main landscapes of the Balagezong hidden paradise. Its naturally formed pyramid shape resembles the Buddhist pagodas in Tibetan Buddhism that hold relics and scriptures. It is praised as "a naturally formed Buddhist pagoda bestowed by heaven" and attracts countless devout people to come and worship, praying for their heartfelt wishes.

After breakfast, this journey comes to an end. Our guide or driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you wish to extend this trip and explore more travel regions in Yunnan, such as the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Jianshui, the Dongchuan Red Land, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna, etc., you may also contact our customer service to arrange it for you. Travel advice: Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG) is a relatively small airport with domestic flights to Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Shanghai and other places. If you wish to take an international flight back home, it is recommended to take the high-speed train (about 5.5 hours) or a flight (about 1 hour) to Kunming International Airport, where more flights are available.