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Embark on a culturally rich, visually stunning 5-day journey through Lijiang's ancient towns, snow-capped mountains, and Tibetan Plateau landscapes. This itinerary blends immersive cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and local cuisine, offering a deep dive into Yunnan's Naxi and Tibetan heritage.
1. UNESCO Lijiang Old Town
- Wander through cobblestone alleys, admire Naxi woodcarvings, and visit the iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
- Stay in a restored Ming-era courtyard home for an authentic cultural immersion.
2. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Ride cable cars to Shuanglang Peak (4,506m) for panoramic views of glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks.
- Hike the Blue Moon Valley Trail to Yuanyuan Pool, a turquoise lake mirrored by autumn forests.
3. Pudacuo National Park (Shangri-La)
- Trek through Shudu Lake Trail amid autumn foliage, Tibetan prayer flags, and yak herds.
- Visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple, to witness monks' butter sculpture rituals.
4. Naxi Culture & Cuisine
- Participate in a Naxi embroidery workshop and enjoy traditional dishes like Hutou Guo (mushroom hotpot) and Lijiang Ham-stir-fried noodles.
- Experience Naxi nightlife at Cube Café with live pipa music and yak butter tea.
5. Practical Adventures
Mao'erping Grassland Hike: Sunrise trek to Qinghai Lake (4,680m) with altitude acclimatization tips.
Hot Springs Relaxation: Unwind at Hongyuan Hot Springs after a day of hiking.
6. Cultural Gems
Baisha Village: Explore secluded Naxi temples and ancient rock carvings.
Songshan Cultural Museum: Learn about the historic Tea Horse Road and ethnic fusion.
Fly into Lijiang Sanyi International Airport. Transfer to your boutique hotel in the UNESCO-listed Dayan Old Town (30-minute drive). Check in and acclimate to the altitude (2,400 meters) with a cup of Tibetan butter tea offered by your Naxi-style courtyard hotel.
Afternoon: Explore Dayan Old Town
Wander cobblestone lanes lined with Ming-era wooden houses and canals fed by the Yu River. Visit Mu Family Mansion, a restored Qing Dynasty aristocratic residence showcasing Naxi Dongba script carvings. Stop at Sifang Street for walnut cakes and Yunnan coffee at a traditional tile-roof teahouse.
Evening: Naxi Ancient Music Performance
Attend a concert at Dongjing Music Hall, where elderly Naxi musicians play Tang Dynasty tunes on antique instruments like the pipa (lute) and guzheng (zither). Dinner features Lijiang Baba (savory buckwheat flatbread) and Yak Hotpot with wild mushrooms.
Hotel: Banyan Tree Lijiang.
Key Features for International Travelers:
Altitude Adaptation: Gradual acclimatization with Day 1 in lower Lijiang Old Town.
Cultural Immersion: Dongba rituals, Tea Horse Road history, and multi-ethnic interactions.
Active & Relaxed Balance: Hikes, workshops, and spa experiences.
Culinary Diversity: Yak dishes, foraged mountain herbs, and Yunnan coffee.
Logistical Ease: Private transfers, bilingual guides, and premium lodges with oxygen amenities.
Drive 45 minutes to this sacred 5,596-meter peak. Ride a cable car to Yak Meadow (3,600m) for alpine vistas, keeping an eye out for rare Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. Visit Baishui Glacier, a tongue of ice accessible via boardwalks, and learn about the Naxi people's mountain worship traditions.
Afternoon: Blue Moon Valley & Yuhu Village
Hike around Blue Moon Valley's turquoise pools, framed by spruce forests and snowy peaks. Then explore Yuhu Village, a stone-built Naxi hamlet where botanist Joseph Rock once lived. Participate in a Dongba paper-making workshop using local hemp and herbal dyes.
Evening: Impression Lijiang Show
Watch Zhang Yimou's outdoor spectacle at 3,100 meters, featuring 500 ethnic performers (Yi, Naxi, Tibetan) singing, horseback riding, and reenacting Tea Horse Road caravans against the mountain backdrop.
Hotel: Banyan Tree Lijiang.
Drive 1.5 hours to the Yangtze River's fiercest section. Hike the High Trail from Qiaotou Village, passing terraced farms and walnut groves. Reach Guanyin Waterfall, where the river narrows to 20 meters, creating thunderous rapids. Learn about local legends of hunters and tigers leaping across the gorge.
Afternoon: Tea Horse Road Village
Visit Walnut Garden Village, a Tibetan-Yi settlement along the ancient trade route. Savor Yak Butter Tea with barley flour tsampa and watch villagers weave horsehair into saddles. Trek to Halfway Guesthouse for panoramic views of Haba Snow Mountain.
Evening: Return to Lijiang
Relax with a Naxi herbal foot bath using medicinal plants like snow lotus and rhododendron. Dinner: Lijiang Cured Pork Ribs with fermented purple cabbage.
Hotel: Lux* Tea Horse Road Lijiang.
Stroll this quieter Tea Horse Road outpost, visiting the Shuhe Museum's horse caravan artifacts and the 400-year-old Dajue Palace. Try Bingfen Liangfen (jelly noodles with chili and vinegar) at a canal-side café. Join a Naxi embroidery class to stitch floral motifs symbolizing love and longevity.
Afternoon: Baisha Village & Frescoes
Cycle 30 minutes to Baisha, the original Naxi capital. Study 600-year-old Baisha Murals blending Taoist, Buddhist, and Tibetan Bon motifs at Dabaoji Palace. Meet a Dongba shaman who demonstrates ritual dances and oracle bone divination.
Evening: Black Dragon Pool Park
Photograph the Moon Embracing Pavilion reflecting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at sunset. Dine on Jidou Liangfen (chickpea jelly) and Yunnan Rose Petal Pancakes at a lakeside restaurant.
Hotel: Aman Lijiang.
Paddle a wooden canoe through reed marshes teeming with migratory black-necked cranes and egrets. Visit a Yi Minority Village to taste Torch Festival barley wine and watch traditional fire-jumping rituals (seasonal).
Afternoon: Departure
Transfer to Lijiang Airport (45 minutes). Last-minute shopping for Dongba script scrolls or handmade silver jewelry at Old Town Market.
| Adult(Age:8-80) Price/p.p | Child(Age:4-7) Price/p.p | Infant(Age:0-3) Price/p.p |
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Private transportation through out the itinerary. Linkedtours will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight or train info.
Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.
All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary.
Domestic flights and 2nd class express train listed in the itinerary.
Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request).
Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.
Travel and health insurance when travelling with us.
Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.
8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.
International and domestic flights not indicated.
Food, Lunch or dinner not specified
Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned
Transportation
We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and trains.
All the hotels we selected are 4-5 star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.
Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from Linkedtours.
