Know Before You Go
• Shangri-La is 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, be aware of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• Tour guide's name and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will greet you in the airport/train station arrival hall with a GGC pickup sign displaying your name.
Day 1 Arrival in Kunming, Kunming Airport or Train Stations Pickup
Meet your guide at Kunming airport or train stations and transfer to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. After getting settled at the hotel, you may explore the downtown area on your own or relax during the remainder of the day to recover from the jet lag. As the most important city along the ancient Tea Horse Caravan Road winding through the mountains of Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet in Southwest China, Kunming is situated in a fertile lake basin on the northern shore of Dianchi Lake and surrounded by mountains to the north, west, and east. Kunming is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its perpetual spring-like weather which provides the ideal climate for plants and flowers.
Meals Included: No meals
Hotel: 4-star Jinjiang Hotel Kunming or similar
Day 2 Kunming, Stone Forest, Western Hills & Dianchi Lake
After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to the Stone Forest (2 hours). The Stone Forest covers an area of 2,670 square kilometers and was formed 270 million years ago. The Forest contains peaks, pillars, stalagmites, depressions, underground rivers and caves. The Stone Forest is considered superlative natural phenomena and a world reference and listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Visit Western Hills & Dianchi Lake with Cable Car in the afternoon. Located west of the Dianchi Lake, Western Hills extend for more than 40 kilometers at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level. The top of Western Hills is the Dragon Gate which is a group of grottoes, sculptures, corridors and pavilions that were hacked from the cliff between 1781 and 1835 by a Taoist monk. Take a 20 minute cable car up to the Dragon Gate, then hike for 20 minutes to Kuixing Pavilion which is the highest point of Western Hills. Here you can enjoy an amazing bird's eye view of Dianchi Lake and Kunming City.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Jinjiang Hotel Kunming or similar
Day 3 Bullet Train to Dali, Cruise Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Dali Old Town
Take bullet train to Dali (about 2 hours). Dali has long been a regional centre of commerce, being located at a crossroads of trade routes between Tibet, China, Burma, and Southeast Asia. Cruise the Erhai Lake to the Jinsuo Island, home to 200 Bai ethnic families and experience the culture and lifestyle of ethnic Bai people. Erhai Lake is an alpine fault lake and the second largest highland lake of China, after Dianchi Lake in Kunming. Next, visit Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. Chongsheng Temple was once the royal temple of the Kingdom of Dali, originally built in the 9th century. Regarded as the symbol of Dali, the Three Pagodas enjoy a far-reaching history that could be dated back to 1,800 years ago in Nanzhao Kingdom. Afterwards, stroll along Dali Ancient Town, explore some historic sites in the town, such as the ancient city wall, Foreigners Street, Gate Towers and some old churches.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Landscape Hotel Dali or similar
Day 4 Dali, Cangshan Mountain, Shaxi Old Town, Drive to Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool
Take round trip Ximatan cable car to just 100m below the summit (4000m) of Cangshan Mountain. Hike kilometres of boardwalks to some beautiful scenic spots including the historic Ximatan (horse washing pool), where Kublai Khan rested his horses before conquering Dali in 1254. Then, drive out of Dali to Shaxi Old Town (around 63km). Located halfway between Dali and Lijiang, the historic market town of Shaxi is a step back in time. As one of the most intact caravan towns in the Ancient Tea Horse Road, the prosperity of Shaxi Old Town reaches its height circa the Ming and Qing dynasties. Shaxi is dotted with traditional Bai architecture of Xizhou characterized with authentic bazaar, quaint alleyways, ancient shops, houses and village gates donning honeycomb patterns. Explore the bustling bazaar at Square Street, the Ancient Stage, Yujin Bridge and stroll along its quaint alleyways and village gates. Continue along the Ancient Tea Horse Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang (about 90km).
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Wangfu Hotel Lijiang or similar
Day 5 Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Lijiang Old Town
Morning visit to the gorgeous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The ever snow-caped mountain is regarded as a holy place of Naxi people. A fascinating trekking starts from Ganhaizi Meadow to White Water River, then take a cable car reaching the Spruce Plateau at elevation of over 3,000 meters to capture the most stunning image of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at a distance. Next, visit Baisha Village, the earliest residential area for Nanxi people. It is famed for delicate Baisha Murals painted over 1,000 years ago, the murals combine the cultures of the Han, Tibetan, and Naxi people, and display stories of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Step into Naxi people's life by visiting a local Naxi family. Afterwards, explore the small paths and canals that weave through Lijiang Old Town and visit time-honored residential compounds, soak in the romantic culture in the famous bar street, and also hunt for local snacks at Sifang Street.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Wangfu Hotel Lijiang or similar
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The elevation of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain view point is 4,506 m (14,783 ft). Be aware of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and be prepared with warm clothing.
Day 6 Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Drive to Shangri-La, Dukezong Old Town
Drive out of Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge (about 80km). Stop at Stone Drum Town for a stunning view of the First Bend of the Yangtze River. It is named so because the Yangtze River takes a sudden turn for over 180 degree, and runs to northeast, forming a huge V-shaped bay. Stone Drum Town is one of the famous ancient town at the river bank of the upper reaches of Yangtze River. As there is a drum-shaped stone tablet carved with white marble, hence the name of the town. Continue driving to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is considered one of the deepest gorges in the world. It’s part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it that a tiger had leaped across the river to the other side, hence the name. Continue along the ancient Tea Horse Road to the Tibetan town of Shangri-La (about 110km). Explore the winding lanes of Dukezong Old Town, filled with multicolored Tibetan prayer flags, outdoor markets and prayer halls
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La or similar
Day 7 Shangri-La, Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park
Morning visit to Songzanlin Monastery, a golden, multi-storied complex where Tibetan Buddhist monks make clockwise circles outside, and juniper smoke and Tibetan prayer flags burst against the blue sky. This monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and one of the famous monasteries in the region of Kham. Construction of the monastery began in 1679 and was completed two years later. Songzanlin Monastery is nicknamed 'the little Potala Palace ', so named because of its similar appearance and layout to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Next, duck into the foliage of Pudacuo National Park for a chance to escape the crowds as you wander deep into the heart of Shangri-la's wilderness. The must-see scenery in this park includes Lake Bita and Lake Shudu. Lake Bita is surrounded by mountains covered with ancient pines, oaks, and rhododendrons, and appears like an emerald in the heart of the mountains. Lake Shudu is surrounded by a forest of fir, spruce, and silver birch, and is home to lots of wild animals, such as squirrels, golden cats, and pheasants.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La or similar
Day 8 Departure from Shangri-La, Transfer to Shangri-La Airports
Private transfer (without guide) to Shangri-La airport for your departure flight. Wish you a pleasant journey and thank you for traveling with GoGrandChina.
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Friendly Tips
• You may fly from Shangri to Lhasa, Kunming, Chengdu or Xian
• Please feel free to contact your GGC service staff if you want to book discount flight & train tickets.
