5-Day Shangri-La Discovery Tour from Shangri-La to Lijiang

Tour Highlights
• Immerse in the breathtaking natural beauty and holy religious atmosphere of the unspoiled Shangri-La
• Admire Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Monastery in Yunnan
• Wander deep into the heart of Shangri-La's wilderness at Pudacuo National Park
• Stroll along Dukezong Old Town, a 1300-year-old town with Tibetan dwellings, majestic prayer halls and pagodas
• Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges
• Stop at Stone Drum Town for a stunning view of the First Bend of the Yangtze River
• Admire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with peaceful meadows giving way to snow-covered paths and glaciers
• Step into Naxi people's life at Baisha Village, famed for delicate Baisha Murals
• Visit Black Dragon Pool to get an obligatory photo of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Explore the small paths and canals that weave through UNSCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang Old Town

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Day 1 Arrival in Shangri-La, Shangri-La Airport Transfer
• Day 2 Shangri-La, Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Dukezong Old Town
• Day 3 Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Stone Drum Town, Drive to Lijiang
• Day 4 Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang Old Town
• Day 5 Departure from Lijiang, Transfer to Lijiang Airport or Train Stations

Hotels & Meals
• 2 nights of accommodations at 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La or similar
• 2 nights of accommodations at 4-star Wangfu Hotel Lijiang or similar
• Daily hotel breakfast included, lunch & dinner on your own

Price Remarks
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).
• Prices are based on double/twin/triple occupancy at the suggested hotels.
• A single supplement is charged for single room occupancy.

Price Inclusions
• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast.
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Admission tickets to sightseeing places.
• All government taxes.

Price Exclusions
• Your personal expenses.
• Tour guide for departure transfer.
• Lunches & dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Information
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• Advice on Meals: Please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations on authentic local food.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that all travellers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 31 days or more before departure will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made 22-30 days before departure will incur a 10% fee.
• Cancellations made 15-21 days before departure will incur a 30% fee.
• Cancellations made 8-14 days before departure will incur a 50% fee.
• Cancellations made 0-7 days before departure are non-refundable.
• Once the tour commences, there are no refunds for unused services or missed days.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you've booked your own hotel, prefer a different stay, or wish to modify this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), and we'll craft a personalized tour just for you.

Know Before You Go
• Shangri-La is 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, be aware of High Altitude Sickness.
• 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 Shangri-La, Shangri-La Airport  Pick-up
Meet your guide at Shangri-La airport and transfer to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. After getting settled at the hotel, you may explore Shangri-La on your own. Shangri-la, formerly known as Zhongdian in Chinese and Gyalthang meaning Royal Plains in Tibetan, is where you really start to breathe in the Tibetan world. Like its counterpart in James Hilton’s novel The Lost Horizon, Shangri-La is an isolated paradise awash with snow-capped mountains, colourful flowers, sparkling lakes, and lush pine forests. Shangri-La rests on the border where Yunnan, Tibet and Sichuan meet. It is the last stop of the ancient Tea Horse before reaching Tibet Autonomous Region.

Meals Included: No meals
Hotel: 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La or similar

Day 2 Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Dukezong Old Town
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. Afterwards, 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 3 Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Stone Drum Town, Drive to Lijiang
Drive out of Shangri-La to Tiger Leaping Gorge (about 115km). 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). Next, visit 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 along the Ancient Tea Horse Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang (about 56km).

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: 4-star Wangfu Hotel Lijiang or similar

Day 4 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Black Dragon Pool, 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. Continue with a visit to Black Dragon Pool for the best view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, over its white marble bridge. 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

Day 5 Departure from Lijiang, Transfer to Lijiang Airport or Train Stations
Private transfer (without guide) to Lijiang airport or train station for your departure flight/train. Wish you a pleasant journey and thank you for traveling with GoGrandChina.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel

Friendly Tips
• You may fly from Lijiang to Kunming, Chengdu or Xian
• You may travel from Lijiang to Dali by car (Approximately 180km/112 miles, 2 & half hours driving)
• Please feel free to contact your GGC service staff if you want to book discount flight & train tickets