7-Day Colorful Yunnan Private Tour of Lijiang, Dali and Shangri-La

Attractions: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

Morning our English speaking tour guide pick you up from your hotel then drive about 40 minutes to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, enjoy the scenery of the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. We will take cable car to the Yak Meadow, the best place to view the panorama scenery of it, then have a nice hiking at there, then we will take the shuttle bus to Blue moon valley which consists of 5 different blue lakes.

After that, we will back to Lijiang city and finish our tour.

Attractions: Mt. Shibaoshan, Shaxi Old Town
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Shuanglang

Drive about 92 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) to Mt. Shibaoshan. Shibao Mountain is 70 kilometers to Lijiang city and just on the way to Dali. Here, evergreen trees, elegant temples, superb and exquisite grottoes and the scenery in general are attractive. The grottos here were listed into the first batch of China’s historic and cultural sites in 1961. A total of 16 grottos and 139 sculptures were open to the public so far, the earliest carvings date back to the Tang and Song Dynasties while the latest ones are carvings of the Ming Dynasty.

Continue to visit Shaxi Old Town. Shaxi Old Town has (aka Shaxi Ancient Village) a long history that can be traced back to the the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods (770BC -221BC), and it is the only one surving market town in the ancient Tea Horse Road.

It is around 1.5 hours driving from Shaxi to Shuanglang village and we can overnight at there.

Attractions: Shuanglang, Erhai Lake, Dali Old Town
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Dali

Shuanglang, a fishing village with a history of over one thousand years, facing the Erhai Lake and connecting with the Jizu Mountain, Shuanglang always offer people with its most charming scenery. Wondering through the cobblestone-paved streets filled with old dwellings of Bai people, tourists can not only be treated with pristine scenery but also a sense of peace.

Erhai Lake: Covering an area of 251 square kilometers, the second largest lake in Yunnan. The peaks of Cangshan Mountain are often mirrored in the lake, making majestic scenery. It would be a great pity if people traveling to Dali without going for a boat ride in the lake.

Dali Old Town is one of Dali’s Three Ancients-ancient city, ancient pagoda and ancient steles. History of Dali can be dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty and it has been listed among the top historic cities of China.

Attractions: Xizhou Old Town, Baisha Old Town
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Dali Ancient Town, the first stop on the way is Xizhou old town, where you can see Bai-style traditional architecture. Wander through the town and visit exquisitely well preserved old Bai-style traditional courtyards and feel in a different world as you explore the Bai minority’s distinctive culture. 

After Xizhou, we will drive to Lijiang and visit Baisha Old Town. Baisha Old Town: One of the 3 famous old towns in Lijiang, it i also the heritage site place, the old architecture here reflects the Naxi civilization, it is the culture town of Lijiang, travelers may visit the local embroidery school, the last Black Smith’s working house and walk around at there.

Attractions: First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Ancient town
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Shangrila

You will be picked up from your hotel in the early morning and be transferred to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, where you can see fatanstic landscapes as well as important historical stories. Then you will continue the journey further north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, 16 km long with a sheer 3900 meters between the wild waters and the top of the snow-capped Haba Snow Mountains next to it. 

After lunch, you will continue to Shangri-La, and on the way, you will notice that the landscapes and architecture gradually changes as you go further into the Tibetan cultural areas, with barley fields and yaks scattered across the valleys. Then you will arrive at your final destination: Dukezong Ancient town, a key stop on the old Tea-Horse road. You can enjoy your free time and relax in the ancient town.

Attractions: Songzanlin Monastery, Potatso National Park
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Shangrila

Today, first you will visit the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery. As the largest-in-scale Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan, Sonzanlin is reputed as the Little Potala. Nestled on a hill slope, the whole temple complex is just like a giant and imposing castle with fabulous mural paintings. Delving into the monastery, you can check out the abundant cultural relics such as Buddhist scriptures, Tangka works and Buddha statues.

After visiting the monastery, the guide will take you to the Potatso National Park. which is the first national park in mainland China.  All major spots in the park are connected by walkable plank which offers a closer distance for travelers to experience the natural environment.The scenery at this park was simply breathtaking. Once you step into the park it feels like you’re in a completely different world, kind of like Middle Earth. A must visit place in Shangri-La.

Take you back to your hotel in the afternoon

Attractions: Napa Lake, Tibetan Family Visit
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Not included

Today, we will visit Napa Lake. Napa Lake(Napahai Natural Reserve) is 3,270m above sea level and covers 660 square kilometers. It is both an ideal field for herdsmen and a paradise for many species of birds. We will hike for a while on the side of the lake and then visit a local Tibetan family to learn about their life.

After that, drive another 2 hours to Lijiang and finish our 7 days tour.