Pilgrimage to Meili | 8-Day In-Depth Tour of Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La and Meili Snow Mountain

Welcome to Lijiang. Our guide will meet you at the reception desk at the airport/train station and take you to the hotel for check-in. After a short rest, go to visit Lijiang Old Town. 【Lijiang Old Town】 is a World Cultural Heritage site with a long history of more than 800 years and was once an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. First, you will visit the 【Mu Mansion】 in the old town, known as the Purple Forbidden City of the South, to learn about the 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 old town with snow mountains as the backdrop. Afterwards, you can walk to 【Sifang Street】, where there are many shops selling Naxi handicrafts and local specialties, as well as lively bars. If the weather is good, in the evening there will also be lively activities with local residents dancing around a bonfire. 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 Old Town: Lijiang Airport is about 28 km from Lijiang Old Town, about 45 minutes by car; Lijiang Railway Station is about 10 km from the old town, about 26 minutes by car. Suggestions for nighttime activities 1. Best places to photograph the night view of Lijiang Old 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.

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide, you will go to the bustling [Zhongyi Market] near the South Gate of Lijiang Ancient Town. Here you can see many local Naxi people in traditional clothing selling or buying ingredients and daily necessities, personally feel the strong local atmosphere of life and cultural features, and also buy some local specialty snacks to try, such as fried potatoes, pan-fried cold noodles, grilled milk fan, and more, experiencing different flavors. Then, go to [Black Dragon Pool Park] in the north of Lijiang Ancient Town to enjoy the surrounding scenery of clear mountains and waters and the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected on the water. Then, walk to the [Naxi Dongba Culture Museum] near the park. Here you can gain an in-depth understanding of the history and cultural customs of the Naxi people, and also visit the Dongba culture exhibition. By viewing Dongba priests, Dongba ancient documents written in Naxi pictographs, and traditional Naxi clothing, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Dongba culture. Afterwards, set off toward Yuhu Village. On the way, you will stop to visit [Yufeng Temple], built during the Qing dynasty. This is one of the five great Buddhist temples in Lijiang and is world-famous for its "Ten Thousand Camellia" tree. Legend has it that this camellia tree was planted by a living Buddha himself and is now more than 500 years old. When it blooms, tens of thousands of camellia flowers sway among the branches, a breathtaking sight. Then arrive at Yuhu Village for sightseeing. [Yuhu Village] is a traditional Naxi village located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On one side of the village is the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and on the other is the tranquil Yuhu Lake. The village is composed of houses built of stone and wood, and the scenery is very beautiful. You can also communicate and interact closely with local people and experience their traditional way of life. In addition, there is also the former residence of Joseph Rock, where you can see exhibits and photos related to the research of this famous explorer and botanist on local plants and Naxi culture. If you are interested in horseback riding, you can also rent a horse and ride along beautiful Yuhu Village. Suggested Naxi cultural experience activities 1. Visit a local Naxi family to learn about the traditional Naxi way of life 2. Witness the traditional Naxi Dongba papermaking craft and learn to write Naxi Dongba script 3. Wear traditional Naxi clothing and take beautiful Naxi travel photos

This morning, you will admire the magnificent [First Bend of the Yangtze River], where the mighty Yangtze makes a rare V-shaped turn blocked by the mountain terrain, and climb onto the viewing platform to overlook the spectacular panorama of the bend of more than 100 degrees. Afterwards, continue onward to [Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge]. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world. Here you can enjoy the breathtaking sight of the roaring Jinsha River surging down, and you can also descend along the plank road/elevator (additional charge applies) to feel the surging river up close and the powerful force of nature. After the visit, continue to Shangri-La (about 108 kilometers, about 2-2.5 hours' drive). Upon arrival, go to the hotel to check in, and you can enjoy free time afterwards.

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, gathering the finest of Tibetan plastic arts, and is also known as the "Tibetan Art Museum." Here you can experience Tibetan Buddhist culture, and you can also climb to the top of the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Songzanlin Monastery and Lamuyangcuo Lake. In the afternoon, you will drive to China's first national park, [Potatso National Park]. Potatso National Park has a variety of natural landscapes including forests, grasslands, lakes, and relics. After entering the scenic area, you will transfer to an eco-friendly bus and first go to see Shudu Lake. Shudu Lake is the largest lake in the park and is 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 water. Around the lake are many tall trees, whose reflections in the water form a series of breathtaking pictures. After the visit, on the way back to Shangri-La, you can also visit a local [Tibetan family], taste butter tea, and chat with Tibetan people. After arriving in Shangri-La, you can 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 was also an important town on the Tea Horse Road. Here you can see various Tibetan-style dwellings, temples, pagodas, etc., learn about Tibetan culture, and you can also climb Guishan to turn the world's largest prayer wheel together with local people to pray for yourself or your relatives and friends, or find a vantage point to overlook the entire ancient town. Optional Evening Activities: Around 7 p.m., you can go to Sifang Square to watch locals perform traditional Tibetan dances; around 9 p.m., the entire ancient town lights up, a great time to enjoy the night view of the ancient town.

After breakfast, you will drive to the scenic Deqin County, about 196 km in total, about 5 hours by car. On the way, you will first admire the famous 【Great Bend of the Jinsha River】. The Great Bend of the Jinsha River, also known as Moon Bay, is one of the landmark landscapes of the World Natural Heritage site "Three Parallel Rivers." The surging Jinsha River makes a 180° turn here, forming a perfect "Ω" shape, known as a wonder of the world. You can climb up to the viewing platform and overlook the breathtaking scenery. After sightseeing, continue by car to 【Dongzhulin Temple】. Dongzhulin Temple was originally named "Chongchong Cuogang Temple," meaning the temple by Crane Lake. It was first built in the Qing Dynasty (AD 1667) and is one of the thirteen great monasteries of Kham. Here you can visit its magnificent main hall and admire many precious cultural relics, including a gilded Maitreya Buddha, a statue of Master Tsongkhapa, the Buddhas of the Three Times, the Lord of Hell, Manjushri Bodhisattva, statues of the Eighteen Arhats, and thangka scroll paintings depicting Buddhist stories. In addition, you can also see other stupas and religious ritual objects. Afterwards, continue onward, passing the majestic 【Baima Snow Mountain】, and stop briefly at the viewing platform to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the snow mountain. Then continue driving to check in and rest at the Feilai Temple scenic area at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain.

This morning you can get up early and go to the Feilai Temple viewing platform to enjoy the amazing [Meili Snow Mountain sunrise]. Meili Snow Mountain is not a single snow mountain, but a mountain range composed of thirteen peaks. When golden sunlight shines on the majestic snow-capped peaks, you will be healed by this magnificent scenery. Then return to the hotel and begin today's journey. First, you will drive about 32 kilometers (about 1 hour) to Mingyong Village, then hike about 4 kilometers (or take a sightseeing bus) to see Yunnan's lowest-altitude glacier - [Mingyong Glacier]. Mingyong Glacier, also known as Nainogoru Glacier, is the longest glacier under Kawagebo Peak, the highest peak of Meili Snow Mountain. After sightseeing, continue to visit [Taizi Temple], located at the foot of the glacier in the hinterland of the mountain foot. This is also the best place to view Mingyong Glacier. After the tour, you will hike along the [Lancang River Grand Canyon]. Along the way you will pass through some Tibetan villages and experience the local life and customs. If you still have good stamina, you can hike back to Feilai Temple from the Lancang-Mekong River, and enjoy this wonderful and challenging hiking journey under the magnificent scenery of Meili Snow Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain.

This morning, you will once again enjoy the magnificent [Meili Snow Mountain sunrise], then visit the historic [Feilai Temple]. Feilai Temple was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1614) and features the integration of three religions. Here you can admire the most breathtaking part of the temple's main structure - the architectural carving art of the Haichao Hall - and also learn about the local Tibetan Buddhist culture. After the visit, you will drive back to Shangri-La. On the way back, you can take one last look at the magnificent scenery of Baima Snow Mountain.

After breakfast, the trip ends. Our guide or driver will take you to the airport or railway station for your next destination. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more travel regions in Yunnan, such as Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Jianshui, Dongchuan Red Land, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange them 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 want to take an international flight back home, it is recommended to take the high-speed rail (about 5.5 hours) or a flight (about 1 hour) to Kunming International Airport, where more flights are available.