2 Days Shangrila Tour from Lijiang
In this trip, you will explore two of the most charming places in Yunnan: Lijiang – the Kingdom of Naxi People, and Shangri-La – Garden of Eden. Here, you are in a world of minority people, temples, old towns, ancient streets, lakes, rivers, mountains etc. splendid culture and breathtaking scenery are waiting for you to explore.
Highlights:
- Visit the highlights of Shangri-La and Lijiang.
- Enjoy the splendid culture and breathtaking scenery in this tour.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Lijiang-Shangri-La
- Day 2: Shangri-La
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Lijiang-Shangri-La
Sightseeing and Activities: the First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Accommodation: Shangri-La
Meals: Lunch
After breakfast, be met by the tour guide and drive about 45 kilometers to view the First Bend of Yangtze River, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before you. Visit Iron Chain Bridge in Shigu (Stone Drum) Town.
Later, transfer to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world – Tiger Leaping Gorge. It measures 16 kilometers in length and is a giddy gorge of 3900 meters from the waters of Jinsha River to Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You’ll walk about 2.6 kilometers along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves.
After the hiking tour, drive to Shangri-La. With 2 hours’ driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way. Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459 meters), the Garden of Eden. Upon arrival, check in your hotel and free to explore this fairyland.
Day 2 Shangri-La
Sightseeing and Activities: Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, local Tibetan family
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive about 5 km to visit Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Monastery), reputed as the “Little Potala Palace”. Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug sect of Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 600 monks.
Walk 143 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the three main lamasery buildings where you can not only see the Buddhism treasures, but also enjoy large number of monks of all ages going about their daily routines, praying, chanting, cooking and resting. It should a nice trip to get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and take photo of the breathtaking scenery of this pure land.
Later, drive to the first national park in China – Pudacuo National Park which is mainly comprised of Shudu Lake, Militang Grassland, Bita Lake. Shudu Lake is a famous pasture, herds of yak and goat grazing beside the lake. Militang Grassland is located between Shudu Lake and Bita Lake with lush grass in meadow. Bitahai Lake, regarded as a pearl of the Plateau, is an intact natural attraction with outstanding landscapes.(Note: Militang Pasture and Bita Lake in Pudacuo National Park are closed for tourists due to maintainance from 3th September, 2017. The administrative office of Pudacuo National Park hasn’t confirmed when they will be open exactly. Shudu Lake Scenic Area is still open for tourists)
After the merry time in the park, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea.
Transfer to the Airport or Hotel. Service ends.
Service Excluded:
- 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.
