Listing Description
The six-day, five-night Lijiang-Kunming cultural and natural tour is a feast that travels through the past and present, blending nature and humanity.
The Old Town of Lijiang, Yulonng Snow Mountain, the First Bay of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, each stop is full of surprises and shock. Shangri-La Tibetan style, Songzanlin Temple pilgrimage, Pudacuo serenity, fascinating. The view of Kunming Xishan Mountain, the quietness of Yuantong Zen Temple, and the leisure of Cuihu Park added more cultural flavors to the journey.
This trip is not only a visual and spiritual enjoyment, but also a deep understanding of Chinese diverse culture and natural scenery, you will leave unforgettable memories.
Booking
Lijiang Arrival - Yuhu Village - the former residence of Joseph Rock - Dongba Culture Museum - Heilong Pool Park - the Old Town of Lijiang
4+stars Hotel
When you arrive in Lijiang, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Lijiang Old Town.
After a short rest, you will depart for an ancient village. At the southern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there is a village called “Wuluken”, which means village at the foot of the snow mountain, and this is the Yuhu Village.
Facing a crystal clear lake, the village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with magnificent views. With blue skies, white clouds and fresh air, it is a paradise away from the city.
You can also visit the former residence of Joseph Rock, who lived in the village of Yuhu for 27 years in 1922 as an explorer and photographer for National Geographic and conducted in-depth research on the Naxi people.
Next you will visit the Dongba Culture Museum, a museum focusing on the display and preservation of the Naxi Dongba culture, an important place to learn about the history and culture of the Naxi people and the Dongba culture.
Afterwards, you can walk to the Heilong Pool Park, where you can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on a clear day and make unforgettable memories。
At nightfall, you will return to Lijiang Old Town. This is a World Heritage Site and a magical place where time seems to slow down. You can stroll through the old alleys around Sifangjie Square, browse the specialty stores and bars, and experience the hustle and bustle of Lijiang's Old Town.
If you are interested in the history of Lijiang, you can visit the Mufu Palace, which is the landmark of Lijiang Ancient City and was originally the office and private residence of the Lijiang Tusi. Now it has become an important place to understand the history and culture of the Naxi people.
(Please note that the entrance fee to visit Mofu Palace is at your own expense.
Yulong Snow Mountain - Baisha Town
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
Today you will come to Yulong Snow Mountain, which is not only the nearest equatorial mountain range in the northern hemisphere with year-round snow, but also a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people.
Yulong Snow Mountain is called “Oulu” in Naxi language, which means "Heavenly Mountain". Yulong Snow Mountain has snowy glacier landscape, alpine meadow landscape, primitive forest landscape and snowy mountain water scenery. Among them, the glacier park is the most essential point of view of the whole Yulong Snow Mountain.
You can take a streetcar up to Spruce Peak(3000 meters) If you are curious about the local culture, we recommend you to enjoy a performance of "Impression of Lijiang" by 500 locals with the backdrop of the Yulong Snow Mountain (about 60 minutes).
Afterwards, you will proceed to Baisha Ancient Town to admire the Baisha murals at Dabao and Liuli Monastery, which were painted 500 years ago, showing the fusion of Dongba culture and Tibetan Buddhist style.
Note:
1. If your body permits and you are eager to enjoy the stunning views of the 13 peaks of Yulong Snow Mountain, you can choose to visit Yak Ping (3,500 meters above sea level) or Glacier Park (4,680 meters above sea level). (Please note that it is difficult to book tram tickets for Glacier Park, so if you are interested, please let us know in advance or book on your own. Also, the waiting time in line for the Glacier Park tram may be as long as 1-2 hours.)
2.Tickets for Impression Lijiang are in short supply during the peak season, so if you are interested, please let us know as early as possible so that we can assist you in booking in advance.
3.As local dining options are limited, it is recommended that you bring some snacks or have lunch at one of the local restaurants in the scenic area.
The First Bay of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La Dukezong Old Town - Guishan Mountain Park
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
The first destination of today's trip is: the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It crosses the towering Hengduan Mountains, forming a unique canyon landscape.
Next you will see the stunning view of the Yangtze River rushing down from the Tibetan Plateau and making a sudden turn to form a spectacular U-shaped bend near the town of Shigu, which is known as the "First Bay of the Ten Thousand Mile Yangtze River". This scene is rare in the world and is a paradise for photographers.
Afterwards, we will visit the Red Army Long March Monument and other attractions.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a section of the upper reaches of the Jinsha River and one of the deepest gorges in China. The width of the river at its narrowest point is only a few dozen meters, and it is said that a tiger can leap over it, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Gorge".
Today, we will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge - one of the most famous attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along the trestle for about 1,000 steps and feel the shock of the tumbling river.
(Tips: Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for most travelers with good physical strength. To ensure the comfort of your journey, it is recommended that you wear comfortable hiking shoes.)
After the hike, we will depart for Shangri-La, which is known as the Garden of Eden on earth. Shangri-La has magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast meadows, and clear seas will bring you endless surprises.
You will continue to explore the old town of Dokuzong, one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complexes in China. Located in the heart of the old town is Guishan Mountain Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will overlook the snow-capped mountains.
Songzanlin Temple - Potatso National Park - Visit to a Tibetan Family
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery. This magnificent temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace" because it is modeled after the architectural style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Visitors can experience the strong religious and cultural atmosphere here and observe the real scenes of monks' daily life - praying and chanting. You will feel the unique charm of Tibetan culture.
If you have enough time, you can also take a walk along the shores of Lake Lamyangtso, where the clear waters of the lake reflect the panoramic view of the Songzanlin Monastery.
Next, you will go to Pudacuo National Park. It has a comprehensive natural landscape of highland lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, meadows and pastures.
There are also many hiking routes to choose from in the park, allowing you to explore this natural wonderland more deeply.
Tips: Pudacuo Park is at an altitude of 3500m-4150m, please avoid strenuous exercise to avoid plateau reaction. In addition, some areas may be temporarily closed due to environmental protection needs
After a pleasant day in Pudacuo, we will visit a local Tibetan family. You will experience the life of the Tibetan people, taste the authentic Tibetan snacks and buttered tea, and learn the process of making buttered tea with the locals.
Shangri-La - Flight to Kunming - Kunming Xishan Mountains
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
Early in the morning, you will take a flight to Kunming, known as the "Spring City of China". You will arrive in this charming city in just about one hour's flight time.
After a short rest at the hotel, you will be able to visit Kunming's Xishan Mountain, which is known as “Sleeping Beauty Mountain”, which offers a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake.
In
addition to the natural landscape, there are also ancient sites such as the Dragon Gate(Longmen)where you can enjoy the art of grottoes.
If you are interested, we recommend you to visit HuatingTemple and Taihua Temple. Both temples are included in the entrance fee, where you can enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture and feel the peace of mind.
Note: You can choose to take a high speed train from Shangri-La to Kunming, which will take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Compared with airplanes, high-speed rail fares are usually more affordable. However, due to the longer travel time, you may miss visiting the famous attractions in Kunming (e.g. Xishan. You can choose by yourself after consideration.
Yuantong Temple - Cuihu Park - Stone Forest - Departure
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
In the morning you will first come to Yuantong Temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kunming, with a history of more than 1,200 years of founding. It is also the largest temple in Kunming.
Next, you can take a leisurely walk to the nearby Kunming Cuihu Park. From November to March, black-headed gulls from Siberia migrate here, where they spend the warm winter months and become a unique sight in the park.
Afterwards, we will come to the Stone Forest, which is regarded as “the essence of the world's karst landscape” and listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Taking a sightseeing bus, we will go deep into the Boulder Forest Scenic Area, as if entering a labyrinth of giant boulders. Along the way, you'll see towering concentrations of rocky peaks and unique panoramas of rocky forests.
Next, we will continue by bus to the Little Stone Forest. Here you will have a chance to see the iconic stone “Asima”, a realistic boulder that resembles a graceful young lady.
While you are visiting the Stone Forest, you can also experience the unique charm of Yi ethnic minority culture, enjoy the traditional songs and dances of the Yi people, and taste the authentic Yi cuisine.
After today's tour, you will be transferred to the airport or train station for your flight or train to your next destination.
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