For those with time and want it all (yes!), this is the ultimate way to experience the best that Lijiang has to offer! From having your own time (and of course provided with our very own hand-drawn maps) to explore the UNESCO sites of Dayan, Shuhe and Baisha, to fully-guided trips to the classic attractions such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lashi Lake Wetland Reserve, Shangri-La, Dali and even visiting off-the-beaten-path treasures such as Shaxi Old Town, Tacheng Yunnan Monkey Reserve and Xizhou, this trip covers everything from great scenery, fascinating cultures and nature to trekking, horse riding and handicraft making. A trip not to be missed!
Day 1: Arrival in Lijiang
Self-guided exploration of UNESCO 1000-year-old Shuhe Old Town using our Bivou hand-drawn map.
Day 2: 1-day Self-Guided Exploration of Dayan
1-day self-guided exploration of Lijiang’s 800-year-old Dayan Old Town using our unique Bivou hand-drawn Explorer map. Alternatively, enjoy a half-day Guided tour of Lijiang Old Town and Market.
Day 3: 1-day Guided trip to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
JDSM stands at 5596 metres and consists of 13 peaks. Up at 4506 metre Glacier park, you will have a chance to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view and view the southernmost glacier in the northern Hemisphere. Descend to watch famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s outdoor performance Impression Lijiang, with a cast of over 500 amateur actors. We will also see the turquoise crystal clear waters of Blue Moon Valley before leaving the park. From there, it is another 30 minutes drive to get to Baisha Village where we will have a late lunch and if you like, visit the fascinating Baisha Naxi Embroidery School.
Day 4: 1-day Lashi Lake Ancient Tea Horse Trail, Tibetan Temple & Farmhouse Visit
Lashi Lake National Wetlands Park offers a great day out for groups of friends, couples or families. We begin with a visit to one of the five most important Tibetan monasteries in Lijiang, Zhiyun Temple. Next, we will have an experience of the historic Tea Horse Road on horseback, riding through pine forests and along ancient paths. We will also see a slice of Naxi village life, such as farmers at work, little children playing and carpenters restoring old Naxi homes. Enjoy the gorgeous view of Lashi Lake, where between the months of November and March, thousands of migratory birds arrive from Siberia to overwinter. Thereafter, enjoy a Naxi lunch at a traditional Naxi farmhouse.
Days 5-7: The 3-day Greater Shangri-La Adventure: Lijiang- Shigu – Liming – Tacheng – Nixi Pottery – Songzanlin Monastery – Shangri-La Old Town – Napa Lake – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang
On this trip, we will visit Stone Drum (Shigu) Town, known for its famous view of the First Bend of the Yangtze River, authentic market day, old chain bridge and The Red Army Long March Memorial. At Liming, part of the Laojunshan National Geological Park, you will climb up to Thousand Tortoise Hill to enjoy one of China’s most stunning collection of red sandstone formations, as well as have a chance to interact with locals at Lisu Minority villages in the Liming Valley. On the second day, we will visit to see one of nature’s most endangered monkeys, the Yunnan Snub-nosed monkey up close, before visiting a Tibetan village located in Tacheng where you will have lunch. We will next drive to the Nixi Pottery Village to visit a local Tibetan home and watch how to make Nixi pottery, before ending the day with a visit to Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La. The next day, we will walk around Shangri-La Old Town and then go to visit the quiet Napa Wetland and Yila Grassland, where we can find livestock such as yaks, horses,the regional black pigs, goats and sheep. We will then leave Shangri-la to head back to Lijiang, visiting the raging waters of Tiger Leaping Gorge along the way
Days 8-10: The 3-day Dali Tour: Lijiang -Shibao Mountain – Shaxi Old Town– Three Pagodas Temple – Cangshan Mountain – Dali Ancient Town – Erhai Lake – Xizhou Old Town – Lijiang
This trip starts with a visit to Shibaoshan, a stunning and important complex of old temples and ancient Buddhist grottoes set in a rocky landscape. Next, we will visit and overnight in time-locked Shaxi Old Town where we will have lunch with a local Bai minority family, visit the local markets, the old bridge, and the surrounding farmlands. The next day, we wil drive to Dali, where we will view the postcard scenic Three Pagodas Temple, go up Cangshan Mountain for a hike, and explore Dali Ancient town. On the last day, we will take a horse-drawn carriage to enjoy a relaxing tour along the lakeshore of Erhai, go to Xizhou Old Town to see its impressive collection of nationally and provincially protected old buildings, and enjoy a visit to a local Bai family to experience the unique Three Course Tea Ceremony. If time permits, we can also experience local crafts first-hand, at the tie dye, woodblock print or goats’ wool felt shop.
Day 11: Depart Lijiang
Includes:
- One Yunnan Farmhouse Dinner for two (with 2 glasses of house wine)
- 6 nights’ accommodation in a Farm/Garden Yard Twin/Double Room at the Bivou, including breakfast for 2
- 2-way Lijiang Sanyi Airport Transfer
- All above tours including the tickets, transportation, English speaking guide, lunch and accommodation.