10 Days Lijiang and Shangrila Adventure Tour to Meili Snow Mountain and Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve

Lijiang and Daocheng Yading are two UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yunnan and Sichuan. Starting from Lijiang, this tour will explore Shangri-La and Meili Snow Mountain, as well as visiting the “the Last Shangri-La” – Daocheng Yading.

Highlights:

  • Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Lijiang.
  • Explore Shangri-La and Meili Snow Mountain.
  • Visit the “the Last Shangri-La” – Daocheng Yading.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Lijiang Arrival
  • Day 2: Lijiang
  • Day 3: Lijiang – Shangrila
  • Day 4: Shangrila
  • Day 5: Shangrila-Feilaisi
  • Day 6: Feilaisi – Meili Snow Mountain – Benzilan
  • Day 7: Benzilan – Daocheng – Riwa
  • Day 8: Riwa – Yading Nature Reserve
  • Day 9: Yading – Riwa – Daocheng
  • Day 10: Daocheng Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Lijiang Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Lijiang Old Town, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Ethnic Museum
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals:

Upon your arrival, picked up by tour guide and transfer to your hotel for a short rest. Then visit Ancient town of Lijiang and stroll on Square Street. Move on walking upstream along the Yuhe River to Black Dragon Pool to enjoy the reflection view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then head to Dongba Ethnic Museum to explore the culture of Naxi ethnic people. At night, join in the singing competition party at the town.

Day 2 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Yulong Snow Mountain, Baisha Village and Murals, Impression Lijang Ethnic Show
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang

Morning enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town. Then drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). Take the sightseeig bus for a short visit through the Baishuihe River, and take the chairlift up to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The cableway will be arranged according to the condition of the mountain. Hike around 1 hour in the original forest in Spruce Meadow(3200M).

After lunch, enjoy the Impression Lijang Ethnic Show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai peoples of the area directed in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). Later stroll through an enchanting traditional Yunnan village – Baisha Village and visit Baisha Mural – one part of Lijiang World Cultural Heritage.

Day 3 Lijiang – Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities: the First Bend on the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Tibetan Ancient Town
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Yixiantian Ray of Sunshine in the Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge

Morning drive about 100KM to Tiger Leaping gorge Town(Qiaotou Town) along the Naxi ethnic villages and the upper Yangtze River. Have a panoramic view of the First Bend of Yangtze River on the way.

Then visit the Iron Chain Bridge, the Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in the Shigu town. Then head to Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the world’s four great gorges, which is honored as one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges with 3900 meters in depth.

In the afternoon, drive to Shangrila. Walk around Dukezong Tibetan Ancient Town in Shangri-la, an important town of the Tea-horse Trade Road.

Day 4 Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities: Sogzanlin Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, Dabao Monastery, Napahai Lake, Tibetan family
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ganden Songzanlin Monastery in Shangrila

Morning, visit the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan – Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards visit Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park, which is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world.

Then drive back to visit Dabao Monastery and around Napahai Lake. Finally, visit a Tibetan’s family to experience their local life. Try some Tibetan home-made yak and cheese.

Day 5 Shangrila – Feilaisi

Sightseeing and Activities: Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, the first bend of Jinsha River, Dongzhulin Monastery
Accommodation: Feilaisi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to Feilaisi via Benzilan Town, Along the way, enjoy the stunning scenery of Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. View the first bend of Jinsha River and Dongzhulin Monastery.

Day 6 Feilaisi – Meili Snow Mountain – Benzilan

Sightseeing and Activities: the Sunrise View of Meili Snow Mountain, Mingyong Glacier, Mekong Grand Canyon, Ganre River Valley of Yangtze River, the Grand Bend of Yangtze River
Accommodation: Benzilan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Meili Snow Mountain Diqing

Get up early to enjoy the spectacular sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain. Then drive about 1.5 hours to Mingyong village and hike about 4km to visit Mingyong Glaciers of Meili Snow Mountain.

After the visit, hike along Lancang River Grand Canyon and visit Tibetan villages. Then drive back to Derong and continue the tour to Ganre River Valley of Yangtze River and the Grand Bend of Yangtze River.

Day 7 Benzilan – Xiangcheng – Riwa

Sightseeing and Activities: Sanpi Monastery, Wuming Snow Mountain, Sangdui Town, blockhouse, Sangdui pasture, vast poplar garden, Rewu Monastery, Bowa Mount, Chitu River Valley
Accommodation: Riwa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive to Xiangcheng and visit Sanpi Monastery in Xiangcheng County. Then continue driving to Riwa(Shangrila Town). On the way, visit Wuming Snow Mountain, Sangdui Town, blockhouse, Sangdui pasture, vast poplar garden, Rewu Monastery, Bowa Mount, Chitu River Valley, Tibetan villages and Gongga Langjiling Monastery.

Upon arrival, check in the hotel and the rest of the day is free for you.

Day 8 Riwa – Yading Nature Reserve

Sightseeing and Activities: Chonggusi Monastery, Luorong Pasture, Milk Lake, the Five-color Lake
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Today we will head to visit Chonggusi Monastery. Then move on to Luorong Pasture, which is a natural pasture for herds of sheep and cows. Hike about 3 hour to Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake. From here, you can also have closer magnificent views of three holy snow mountains – Chenresig (Xiannairi), Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong) and Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji).

In the afternoon, return to Yading tourist center and transferred back to Riwa for accommodation and dinner.

Day 9 Yading – Riwa – Daocheng

Sightseeing and Activities: Pearl Lake
Accommodation: Daocheng
Meals: Breakfast

Today we will hike to visit Pearl Lake to view the holy peak – Mt. Xiannairi. Then be transferred back to Daocheng county for accommodation and dinner.

Day 10 Daocheng Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Free activity before being transferred to Daocheng Yading airport for your next destination. Service ends.

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.