• The Best Tour of Yunnan: Lijiang and Shangri-la

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 450 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2413

    Destination:Lijiang, Shangri-La

Duration

5 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

Spotlight the diverse cultures of Southwest China on this captivating 5-day journey through Yunnan. Discover the charming old town of Lijiang, experience Naxi homelife, and gaze upon the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge. Wander Dukezong’s alleys, and gain insights into Tibetan Buddhism at Songzanlin Monastery and a nomad’s home.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1LijiangArrival
2LijiangShuhe Ancient Town, Baisha Village, Yuhu Village with a Naxi Family Visit
3Lijiang – Shangri-LaTiger Leaping Gorge, First Bend of the Yangtze River
4Shangri-LaGedan Songzanlin Monastery, Potatso National Park, Tibetan Family Visit
5Shangri-LaDukezong Old Town, Departure
Quick Question

Itinerary

Arrive in Lijiang by air or high-speed train and then be transferred to your hotel. After settling in, explore the vibrant ancient town of Lijiang at your leisure. Roam through ancient alleys and savor the distinctive Yunnan flavors by indulging in local delicacies like flower cake, rice noodles, and liangfen.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start the day by exploring the charming cobblestone streets and the well-preserved architecture of Shuhe Ancient Town. Continue towards Baisha Village, admiring its ancient Mural Paintings dating back five centuries ago and overlooking the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Head to the picturesque Yuhu Village, where your host awaits in a traditional Naxi costume. Savor homemade delights, including warm tofu, nutritious soy milk, and juicy plums straight off the branch. Upstairs, centuries-old artifacts are beautifully arranged alongside the elder’s rich tales of years past.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, on the way to Shangri-la, tremble with a start when the First Bend of the Yangtze River envelops you in its scenic embrace. Then comes the climax of today’s journey- the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Here, the rushing river plays a chorus as it carves through the landscape, with magnificent mountains providing an awe-inspiring backdrop. Gaze upon sweeping vistas, taking in the sheer cliffs before winding roads escort you to your hotel in Shangri-La.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Pay a visit to the revered Songzanlin Monastery, once home to over 2,000 monks within its ornate halls and temples housing sacred artifacts. Engage in discourse with a venerable lama and learn more about their lives over cups of tea and simple victuals.

Venture to the Potatso National Park next. The varied terrain, from grasslands to woodlands to lakes, provides stunning natural scenery in a pristine high-altitude environment. Then, step into a Tibetan home. As the yak-butter tea steams and aromatic roasted barley pops, learn about their daily lives and hear folk tales passed down through generations.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, spend a few hours immersed in the well-preserved Dukezong Town. Wander through the labyrinthine alleys lined with centuries-old Tibetan architecture, soak up the historical charm, and marvel at the gigantic prayer wheel in Guishan Park.

In the afternoon, bid farewell to picturesque Shangri-La for your return flight, reflecting on the rich cultural experiences of your Tibetan-themed Yunnan adventure over the past few days.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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