(Flight Shanghai to Dali 12:55-16:40)

Pickup and transfer to hotel in Dali ancient town. Free time to walk around and explore the town.

Dali ancient town can be dated back to the year 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has been among the top listed historical cities of China since 1982. With Erhai Lake to the east, and Cangshan Mountain to the west, its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses, and marvelous scenery have been attracting many visitors. 

Cycle from Dali old town to Erhai lake.

In the afternoon head for Xizhou old town to fully appreciate Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea, and explore their distinctive culture. Xizhou is our home. This little village has been called 'a living art museum' due to its unusual concentration of nationally protected heritage sites, mostly including architecture that spans the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) until the creation of New China in 1949 but also includes centuries-old trees, parks, and wildlife preserves.

Strolling through the morning market and main walking street will reveal a vibrant town with a healthy mix of traditional Bai culture and modern influence from Eastern China and abroad. It is the balance of development and forward-thinking that exists in Xizhou that makes it special.

D3

In the morning drive to Shangri-la

Visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. Songzanlin Monastery has another alias - 'the little Potala Palace ', so named because the whole monastery is in the traditional style with a mysterious atmosphere. 

Later, drive to the Napa Lake - "the lake beside the forest", a beautiful nature reserve. 

Then we will explore Dukezong Old Town by climbing up to the top of Guishan Hill (or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of the old town and Shangri-La County and join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world. 

In the morning, drive to Qiaotou Town (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town). You will start the trekking of Tiger Leaping Gorge, as one of the world's four great gorges, is honored as one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges with 3900 meters in depth. Let's trek in the Tiger Leaping Gorge!

You will arrive at Tea & Horse Guesthouse to finish today's trekking. This is basically the halfway point of the journey.

Get up in the early morning, you will pass the iconic Half Way and trek to Tina's Guesthouse. This is the most beautiful part of the gorge! Then drive to Lijiang and explore Lijiang's ancient town!

A whole day exploring Jade Buddha snow mountain. 

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southern most glacier in the northern hemisphere. The 13 peaks in this mountain area are the sacred mountains among the Naxi people. Take the tramway to the Spruce Meadow at 3000 meters high, and you can both see the fascinating view and appreciate the gorgeous look of the whole snow mountain at the best place.

Impression Lijiang Show 

Around 1 pm, you can enjoy the Impression Lijiang Show performed by 500 local people under the white snow and blue sky with the background of white Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which lasts for about 70 min. Then we will visit Blue Moon Valley to see the beautiful lake!

After the visit, we will drive back to Lijiang. 

In the morning head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. 

Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. In the afternoon, transfer to Lijiang airport. Safe back home, see you next time!

Accommodation:

*All the hotels are the same standard during the whole trip.

The deposit is not refundable.

Cancellation 7-3 days before the trip starts, 50% penalty of the trip's price.

Cancellation within 48 hours before the trip starts, no refund of trip fee.