【Nov.12-17/Dec.23-28】6 Days Lijiang+Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

# Join upcoming group tour #

from CNY 5280 P.P

Date:

              Nov. 03-08 / 12-17 / 19-24 / 26-01

              Dec. 02-07 / 09-14 / 16-21 / 23-28

Jan. 01-06 / 07-12 / 14-19

Group size: 4-15 pax

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This 6-day classic Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking tour focuses on the highlights of Lijiang.

Stroll through Shuhe Ancient Town, an important part of the World Heritage Lijiang Old Town. Go to explore the magnificent Jade Dragon Mountain Snow Mountain. Hike in the deepest valley in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the world class hiking trails. You will also have the opportunity to experience making Thangka paintings.

01.

Step into the fascinating Lijiang Old Town listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and feel the mysterious Dongba culture of Naxi ethnic group

02.

View the magnificent First Bend of Yangtze River and enjoy light hiking to Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge

03. 

Get awed by the magnificent gorge scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

04. 

Be attracted by the legendary Tibetan paradise - Shangri-La, you will know why it is described as an enduring happy land isolated from the world.

05. 

Take an interesting Thangka painting class and make your own

• Professional: We have been operating inbound tours since 2003.

• Best cancellation policy: Full refund if the tour has to be canceled due to covid-19 before departure.

• Transparency: No shopping detours or hidden costs.

• 24/7 Support: Our customer service is prompt and friendly.

• Tailor-made experience: See, taste, feel and marvel at the hidden charms of China.

• Safety is our priority: Be assured knowing that you'll receive the best of care from both tour guides and drivers.

Day 1: Lijiang Arrival

Visit sites: Zhongyi Market, Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang Old Town

Day 2: Lijiang Tour

Visit sites: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Shuhe Ancient Town

Day 3: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge

Visit sites: First Bend of Yangtze River, Upper Trekking Route, Naxi Family Guesthouse

Day 4: Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La

Visit sites: Halfway Guesthouse, Dukezong Ancient Town, Guishan Hill

Day 5: Shangri-la Tour

Visit sites: Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Thangka Making

Day 6: Shangri-la Departure

Lijiang Arrival

When you arrive at Lijiang airport (please arrive before 13:00), the local driver and the tour guide will pick you up at the exit gate.

Then follow your guide to explore Zhongyi Market. At this largest food and vegetable market in Lijiang, you will find fresh produce, dry goods, street food, and have a glimpse into the old Lijiang.

Next, visit the Black Dragon Pool in Jade Spring Park, which is an iconic site in Lijiang. 

Beside the pool bank are arbors, pavilions, swaying willow trees, a white marble bridge, and ancient temples. Reflected in the water is the marvelous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Lijiang Ancient Town is the famous historical site in China. The top ruler of Naxi minority Mu Family had been in Lijiang since Yuan Dynasty to Qing Dynasty for a total of 470 years and 22 generations of rulers.

During the late Ming Dynasty, the Mu Family was in its heyday. And the elaborate decoration of this palace surprised Xu Xiake, the famous ancient geologist. He spoke highly of this palace in the phrase "as gorgeous as the imperial palace".

Accommodation: in Lijiang

Lijiang Tour

Get up early and drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at 8:30 for the magnificent snow view on this always-snow-capped mountain. It is a sacred mountain of Naxi people highlighting varied and beautiful natural scenery. 

Visit Ganhaizi Meadow, then take the sightseeing bus to visit Baishui River, which is well-known as the Blue Moon Valley from the glacier of the snow mountain. Take chairlift to visit the Glacier Park in the snow mountain.

Follow your guide to the Shuhe Ancient Town which boasts a history as long as Lijiang Ancient Town but sees fewer tourists. Combining beautiful natural scenery and unsophisticated Naxi folk customs, it is a world cultural heritage site in China.

Another local market can be visited before your driver drives you to the hotel.

Accommodation: in Lijiang

Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

In the morning, the local English speaking guide and the driver will pick you up from your Lijiang downtown hotel, and start your exploration.

First, drive about 52 km from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. Then drive further north for about 50km (1 hour) to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world and a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the rest of the day, you will trek this great gorge along its Upper Trekking Route, one of the top 10 classic hiking trails in the world and well known among backpackers around the world.

Your amazing trekking tour starts from paths near a local primary school of Qiaotou Town

(Hutiaoxia Town). The following part of trails will lead you to several rural villages and farms of the Naxi minority people first.

And then you will arrive at Naxi Family Guesthouse in the early afternoon. Treat yourself one cup of cold beer or coffee there if you like before continuing your tour for some trail miles in the warm afternoon sun.

The walk will then wind through pine forests, past waterfalls and snaking along the cliff edge with spectacular views of the muddy churning Yangtze River below and the looming ridges above.

Later you will pass by the famous 24 Bends, where trails ascend with 24 swirling twists await your challenge. With every step upwards, the rugged terrain will introduce you a new perspective of the depths that make up the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Once complete the 24 Bends, you will be rewarded with the broadest view of the gorge. Look up to see the awe-inspiring Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Snow Mountain, then down to see the lingering rays dancing on the rippling waters a thousand meters below.

Congratulations! You are embracing Tiger Leaping Gorge on the highest point of this route! Take plenty of breaks to enjoy the gorgeous views.

And then continue on for an hour or so, you'll descend a few hundred meters to Tea Horse Guesthouse for your night stay.

Accommodation: Tea Horse Guesthouse

Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking - Shangri-la

After breakfast, you'll set off for descent. About 2 hours later, you will arrive at your first

stop - Halfway Guesthouse, which marks the halfway point of the entire journey.

Make a short stop at their top deck of "Star Lavatories", where you will feast your eyes with an unbeatable view of the surrounding towering snow-capped mountains.

Next, wind your way down the path dug out from the cliff, enjoying the beautiful small waterfalls until you reach the Tina's Guesthouse on the main driving road. Meet your driver there for a 2-hour drive to Shangri-La, a sacred place full of Tibetan culture where you can see magnificent monasteries, snow-capped mountains, yaks, and ancient Tibetan dwellings.

Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town. It's the largest and best-preserved Tibetan population in China and also a very important station along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Besides, walking up to the top of Guishan Hill to appreciate the typical Tibetan style view - Prayer Wheel. From there, you will have a bird-view of Shangri-La county and Duzekong Ancient Town.

Accommodation: Shangri-La

Shangri-La Tour

Shangri-La has a different appearance of the past places, where you will start to meet Tibetan element.

The first site will be Songzanlin Monastery, which is the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan and famed as "Small Potala Palace". It was built along hillside, looking like an old castle, showing the brilliant construction technology of Tibetan.

In the afternoon, come to Pudacuo National Park, a main highlight of Shangri-La. The park is a priceless gift from nature: with altitude between 3,500 meter and 4,159 meters, it does collect rich natural resources including geology and landform, lake wetland, meadow, river and valley, rare plants and animals.

After that you will get a chance to experience the process of Making Thangka. A dedicated teacher will be arranged to teach you how to make a Thangka from the basics.

Accommodation: Shangri-La

Shangri-la Departure

Free on your own for today.

At the confirmed time (according to your flight), the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and see you off at Diqing Airport for your departure flight.

Note: NO English tour guide for today. Will be only the driver to pick you up and transfer to the airport.

2022 All-year

* Above prices are for 2 people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no person in the group looking for sharing room, there will be a single room supplemental fee occurs.

What's included:

• 5 nights' accommodation in well-selected hotels (one daily breakfast for one single room);

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers; 

• Excellent local English-speaking tour guides services as mentioned in the itinerary; 

• Round way cable car for Yulong snow mountain;

• Scenic battery car in Blue Moon Valley of Lijiang;

• Entrance tickets as mentioned in the itinerary;

• 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day;

• China Travel Insurance.

What's not included:

• Any optional golf car/battery car/shuttle bus/camel ride/boat cruise etc. inside attractions; 

• Lunch or dinner;

• Gratuities are highly appreciated if you think we did a great job;

• Flights or trains;

• Single supplement;
  

• Any item not mentioned in the itinerary.

Joy Travel highly appreciates your tour inquiry and promises to offer excellent services at the best price. This itinerary can also be tailor-made according to your interests, tastes, and budgets...

Notice for Reservation

① 4 Pax Min, 12 or 15 Pax Max in a group.

② We take CNY 1,000 as a deposit when you sign up.

③ Full trip fee needs to be paid 7 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

If you have to cancel your reservation for some reasons

more than 10 days prior to departure date, the deposit would be fully refunded;

if you cancel 4 to 10 days prior to departure date, we'll keep 50% deposit as cancellation fee;

if you cancel 0 to 3 days prior to departure date, you'll NOT get a refund.

In case meet with severe weather that poses a risk to people's safety or any government restriction (due to the COVID-19 pandemic for example), JoyTravel could cancel the trip up to 1 day in advance, and the deposit would be fully refunded. Please note that we are NOT responsible for any flight cancellation fees. You should contact the airline company directly to deal with this issue.

We will book a similar hotel if the ones listed are full for your dates.

Hotel in Lijiang

Hotel in Tiger Leaping Gorge

Hotel in Shangri-La

  Have any different ideas about this route? 

Please feel free to contact our expert consultants who will tailor an itinerary to your satisfaction based on your interests & preferences.