6-Day Dali Shangri-La Mystique Tour

Dali Ancient Town--Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple

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Breakfast & Lunch

Dali Ancient Town is nestled between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, blessed with a spring-like climate all year round. From artsy bars and lively night markets to starlit folk music and Bai ethnic group dance gatherings, there is always something that suits your interest. You can climb the city gate tower for a panoramic view, try your hand at traditional tie-dye to create a one-of-a-kind piece, or explore the vibrant night market for local delicacies.

A visit to the iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is a must. Built in the 9th century during the Nanzhao Kingdom, this architectural complex consists of one large pagoda flanked by two smaller ones. Facing Erhai Lake and backed by the Cangshan Mountains, it served as an imperial temple and is believed to be the inspiration for the "Tianlong Temple" in Jin Yong's martial arts novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

Evening Option:

Wander the lantern-lit alleys of the ancient town and watch or join in the traditional Bai ethnic group circle dance at the town square, accompanied by live folk music under the stars.

Xizhou Ancient Town--Erhai Lake--Shuanglang

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, join IntoExplore on a journey to Xizhou Ancient Town, one of the best-preserved Bai ethnic villages with over 1,400 years of history. Quieter and more pastoral than Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou is known for its swaying wheat fields, fluttering tie-dye fabrics, and timeworn residences. It served as a major filming location for the drama Meet Yourself.

Later, visit Erhai Lake, Yunnan’s second-largest freshwater lake. Shaped like an ear, it stretches 42 km from north to south at an altitude of 1,972 meters. Famous for its moonlit beauty, Erhai integrates Bai culture, wetland ecology, and modern travel hotspots, making it a healing destination in Dali.

On the northeastern shore lies Shuanglang, considered the most scenic town around Erhai. It’s a place of contrasts: by day, a dreamy blue world of shimmering water and white walls; by night, a warm haven of bar lights and fishing boat lanterns. If the main Dali town feels too busy, this is the perfect escape. You can bike or walk along the lakeside path and enjoy the sunset at your own pace.

Recommended Activities:

Take a tie-dye workshop with a local artisan in Xizhou, or join a lakeside café poetry and music gathering in Shuanglang as the sun sets over Erhai.

High Speed Train to Shangri-La--Dukezong Ancient Town

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Breakfast & Lunch

Travel to Shangri-La by high speed train and explore Dukezong Ancient Town, known as the "City of Moon and Heart." It is rich in ethnic minority culture, and a stroll down Huaxiang Street will introduce you to Tibetan-style painting, wood carving, and traditional crafts such as Nixi black pottery and Dongba paper.

Climb to the top of the hill on the west side of the town to visit Baiji Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple surrounded by ancient cypress trees, offering sweeping views of the old town and the Napa Lake Grasslands.

At the town’s heart lies Sifang Street, a spiritual hub for locals. Every evening from 6 to 9 PM, both residents and visitors gather here to dance the traditional Guozhuang circle dance.

Evening Option:

Join the locals at Sifang Street for the vibrant Guozhuang dance, or sip on Tibetan milk tea at a local teahouse while enjoying traditional music performances.

Ganden Songzanlin Monastery--Pudacuo National Park

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Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace.” It blends Tibetan and Han architectural styles. Every year on the 5th day of the 5th Tibetan lunar month, it hosts the three-day Horse Racing Festival—a major local event featuring not only horse races but also folk dances and feasts. Traders dressed in their finest furs or silks gather on a meadow 3,288 meters above sea level for camping and celebration.

Visitor Tips: Turn prayer wheels clockwise; no photography inside temple halls; do not point at Buddha statues.

In the afternoon, head to Pudacuo National Park, China's first national park. Its name in Tibetan means "the boat that ferries all beings across the sea of suffering." The park preserves a unique ecosystem of alpine lakes, virgin forests, wetlands, and Tibetan cultural heritage.

Each season paints the park differently: rhododendrons bloom in May, wildflowers cover the grasslands in July, golden forests appear in October, and it becomes a snowy fairyland in December. Take the sightseeing bus to visit the three main areas: Shudu Lake → Militang Meadow → Bita Lake. This saves both time and energy.

Recommended Activities:

Take a peaceful walk around Shudu Lake’s wooden trails or join a Tibetan incense-making workshop at a nearby village in the late afternoon.

Balagezong Grand Canyon Scenic Area

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Breakfast & Lunch

Located at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet, Balagezong is part of the "Three Parallel Rivers" UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features the majestic Gezong Snow Mountain, the highest peak in Shangri-La at 5,545 meters, revered as a sacred mountain.

The Shangri-La Grand Canyon stretches 154 km and is known for its dramatic terrain, with gorges within gorges and cliffs forming a massive U-shape. It's a spectacle of nature’s grandeur.

Midway up the slope is a thousand-year-old Tibetan village, said to be founded over a millennium ago by Sna Dorje and his people who migrated from Batang. The village preserves its traditional Tibetan architecture, including thick stone walls and watchtowers, offering a glimpse into ancient life and customs.

In addition to the stunning landscapes, the scenic area offers several optional activities (at your own expense). Our IntoExplore consultants are happy to recommend the best experiences for you:

Recommended Activities:

Shangri-La Grand Canyon Rafting – Glide down the Gangqu River in a raft, marveling at the magnificent canyon scenery up close.

Zipline Adventure – Soar through the canyon on a 425-meter-long zipline with an 800-meter drop for breathtaking views.

Tibetan Culture Experience – In Bala Village, make Nixi pottery, read at the hilltop book bar, sing at the music lounge, and try butter tea, yak meat, or hotpot in a full Tibetan immersion.

Shangri-La Departure

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Breakfast & Lunch

Today marks the end of your unforgettable journey through the highlands of Yunnan. Depending on your travel schedule, we will arrange a private transfer to Shangri-La Diqing Airport or the train station.

If time allows, take a final stroll through Dukezong Ancient Town in the early morning, when the streets are quiet and filled with the aroma of yak butter lamps and freshly steamed Tibetan buns. Stop by a local teahouse to enjoy one last cup of Tibetan milk tea or barley porridge while chatting with friendly locals.

For those interested in culture, you can also visit a small Tibetan art workshop to pick up handmade souvenirs such as thangka paintings, carved prayer wheels, or incense blends prepared with local herbs. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on your trip and take a piece of Shangri-La’s serenity home with you.

Recommended Activities (optional for early risers):

Wake early to visit the panoramic viewpoint at Guishan Park, where you can spin the world’s largest prayer wheel and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the town under the rising sun.

Explore the morning bazaar near the temple, where locals trade yak cheese, wild mushrooms, Tibetan herbs, and handmade crafts.

As you leave this land of sacred mountains, deep valleys, and timeless traditions, may the blessings of Shangri-La stay with you wherever you go.