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You are here: Home » Destinations » Yunnan Tours » Shangri-La Tours » 5 Days Lijiang & Shangri-La Best Highlights Tour

5 Days Lijiang & Shangri-La Best Highlights Tour

Discover the Chinese Ancient City & Immersed in Stunning Scenery

In this trip, you will explore two of the most charming places in Yunnan: Lijiang - the Kingdom of Naxi People & Shangri-La - Garden of Eden! Here, you are in a world of minority people, temples, old towns, ancient streets, lakes, rivers, mountains…splendid culture and breathtaking scenery are waiting for you to explore.

In this 5 days Lijiang & Shangri-La best highlights tour, you’ll grasp every second to enjoy yourself on the incredible land - have a panoramic view of Lijiang Old Town, explore the authentic Naxi Village to feel the special Dongba Culture, visit Songzanlin Monastery and Pudacuo National Park, and take a light hike to Tiger Leaping Gorge that is the world's deepest gorge. You will just find the tour fabulous every moment!

Extend Your Trip: If you have one more day for planning your Yunnan vacation, it is a good idea to cover your Lijiang Shangri-La tour with Kunming, the provincial capital city with convenient flights and trains linking with other destinations. Just have a look at our 6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang - Shangri-La - Kunming) with classic discovery in the three destinations. Feel free to select your likes and tell us your ideas.

  • Type : Private Tour
  • Tour Code : CD-LJST-05
  • Price : from $605
    1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
    2. 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
  • Trip Length : 5D/4N
  • Theme : Nature / Culture / Photography

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

  • Have a nice stroll in Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a center of the Naxi people, where you’ll see stunning panorama scenery;
  • Enjoy the charming scenery of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - dominating snow peaks, crystal clear water, wild forest, beautiful valley, etc.
  • Make a transfer to Shangri-La with a stop on the way to view the First Bend of Yangtze River and enjoy light hiking to Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge;
  • Release yourselves both of your body and your mind in the earthly paradise with fairytale scenery and authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture.
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Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)
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Day 1 Lijiang Arrival & Day Tour

Arrive in Lijiang - Lijiang Old Town, Yuhu Village, Black Dragon Pool Park

Ni Hao! Welcome to Lijiang, a well-preserved 800-year-old town of UNESCO World Heritage Site! Upon arrival at the airport or railway station, your guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel in ancient town area with a private car which is comfortable, air-conditioned and non-smoking.

After a short rest, you will be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you will see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing and the tranquil Yuhu Lake. Explore leisurely around the village and then go to explore the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures.

Lastly, return to Lijiang Ancient City to wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars around the Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round. Then go to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town.

Accommodate in Lijiang Ancient City.

Arrival Ideas: There’re direct flights from Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guiyang, etc to Lijiang Sanyi Airport. High speed trains are available from Kunming (about 3-3.5 hours), Dali (about 2-3 hours) to Lijiang Railway Station.

  • Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China Carrie from China visited Black Dragon Pool Park in 2021
  • Lijiang Old Town Waterwheel-20190415-Marcin from USA Marcin from USA visited Lijiang Old Town in 2023
  • Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore Louis from Singapore visited Lijiang Old Town in 2021
  • Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand Daisy from Thailand visited Yuhu Village in 2018

Day 2 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (B)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Baisha Mural Paintings

In this morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The 13 peaks in this mountain area are the sacred mountains among Naxi people. Take the tramway to the Spruce Meadow at 3,000 meters high, and you can both see the fascinating sightseeing and appreciate the gorgeous look of the whole snow mountain at the best place.

After that, you can choose to enjoy the electrifying Impression Lijiang Show (Optional) performed by about 500 local people under the white snow and blue sky with the background of white Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which lasts for about 60 mins. (Note: For the ticket is hard to book in peak season, if you are interested in the show, please tell us your likes in advance.)

On the way back, you will enjoy the charming scenery and the crystal clear water various with the weather in Blue Moon Valley and its White Water River.

After that, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. (Optional experience: You can have in-depth cultural experience to learn how to make Baisha embroidery instructed by the local masters in Baisha Village.)

Please Note:

1. If you want to visit Yak Meadow (with an altitude of 3,500 meters) which offers a good location to appreciate the 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; or go to Glacier Park (at 4,680 meters ) to see the wonder of the Green Glacier Peaks; please tell your like to your travel consultant to adjust the itinerary. Different tramways have different prices. Please pay attention that it will be difficult to book the ticket of Glacier Park tramway, you need to tell your likes to us or book the ticket in advance. Besides, it takes about 1-2 hours to queue up for the tramway to Glacier Park.

2. For the tickets of Impression Lijiang Snow are hard to book in peak season, if you want to enjoy the show, please tell us your interest and we will help to book the tickets in advance.

3. If time allows today, you can extend a leisure trip to Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route.

4. Lunch is not included because the dining options are limited. You can bring some snacks or dine in the local restaurants in the national park.

  • Magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20181015-Lee's Family from Singapore Lee's Family from Singapore visited Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in 2018
  • Blue Moon Valley at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210726-Ashley from USA Ashley from USA visited Blue Moon Valley in 2021
  • Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan YuSuke from Japan visited Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in 2021
  • Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand Daisy from Thailand visited Baisha Village in 2018

Day 3 Lijiang - Shangri-La (B, L)

First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Tibetan Village

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 52 kilometers from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn. Then it changes the direction and goes to the northeast. You’ll reach the observation deck to catch a panoramic view of the bend, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes. You’ll have a look at local market and Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in Shigu Town.

Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. This steep gorge is situated between the 5596 meters Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and 5396 meters Haba Snow Mountain to the north. Measuring 17 kilometers in length, the whole gorge is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower gorge and you’ll pay a visit to the maturest section - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk about 1,000 stairs along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves.

Tiger Leaping Gorge travel tips: 1) This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended. 2) There are also optional elevators for you to go down from the entrance to the sightseeing platform by the river (CNY 40/pp), and vice versa (CNY 60/pp).

After the hiking tour, you’ll be driven to Shangri-La. With about 1.5 hours' driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way. Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459meters), the Garden of Eden! Upon arrival, go to explore Dukezong Old Town. With a history over 1300 years, Dukezong Old Town is the largest and the best preserved Tibetan community in China. Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill(or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of both the endless snow-capped mountains surrounded the pure land and the large scale of the old town with countless Tibetan dwellings. Join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world in clockwise direction. (Optional experience: If you are interested in making traditional Tibetan Thangka, you can learn at Shangri-la Thangka Institute. Programs here include Thangka painting, chanting, Tibetan language and calligraphy.)

Accommodate in Shangri-la.

  • Guishan Hill  - Juan's Family from Golumbia Juan's family from Golumbia visited Guishan Hill in 2023
  • Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge-202010-Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico visited Tiger Leaping Gorge in 2020
  • The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town, Picture Shared Daisy The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town
  • Sightseeing at First Bend of Yangtze River-2018-Daisy from Thailand Daisy from Thailand visited First Bend of Yangtze River in 2018

Day 4 Shangri-La (B, L)

Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Local Tibetan Family Visiting

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you'll be transferred with 7 kilometers' driving to Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Gompa), reputed as the "Little Potala Palace" for it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 700 monks and lamas. Walk 147 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the three main lamasery buildings where you can not only see the Buddhism treasures, but also enjoy large number of monks of all ages going about their daily routines, praying, chanting, cooking and resting. It should be a nice trip to get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and shoot panorama view of Songzanlin Monastery with reflection in the clear water.

Then, drive about 27 kilometers to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It is renowned for well-preserved primitive landscape, which is endowed with lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, brooks, rare plants and animals. Throw yourself into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery. There are also many hiking opportunities. (Notes: 1) the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m so you should avoid strong activities to avoid high altitude sickness; 2) part of the national park is currently closed for environment protection and recovery.)

After the merry time in the park, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea. (Optional Experience: If you are interested in the Tibetan people's daily drinks, you can follow the locals to involve in the process of making butter tea.)

  • Sarah's Family from New Zealand - Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La Sarah's Family from New Zealand visited Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La, Yunnan in July 2022
  • Songzanlin Monastery in Spring -  Marchin from USA Songzanlin Monastery in Spring, Picture Shared by Our Guest Marchin from USA
  • Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park, Picture Shared by Daisy Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park

Day 5 Shangri-La/Zhongdian Departure (B)

Airport/railway station drop off

Today is free for you to relax until your driver escort you to catch you flight to next destination.

Departure ideas: After Shangri-la, you can return to Lijiang to catch a high speed train to Dali, Kunming and other destinations, or directly take a flight to Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, etc.

The quotation for this trip is from $605 Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

  • Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
  • Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
  • Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
  • Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary;
  • Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
  • Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
  • All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
  • Accident insurance;
  • Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

  • China visa;
  • Personal expenses;
  • Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
  • Single Room Supplement;
  • Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
  • Recommended optional activities;
  • Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
  • Excess Baggage Charges;
  • Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Hi Samantha,

Thanks!

We are enjoying China very much. You made us confident that we would have the experience we wanted. That is why we booked with you and we were not disappointed.

We had a good day with Timo. Timo would have exceeded our expectations if Peter had not set our expectations so high. Timo is a very close second place.

Peter is great! Peter suggested we hike this afternoon when it is more clear and we agreed.

Lunch at Bravo Hotel was good; enough left over for dinner. We walked around the lake across from the hotel this afternoon. It is a pretty area.

Having Fun!

We are happy with China Discovery and would recommend them to others.

Joseph

Joseph‚ USA, February 28, 2024

Hi Jack,

All good, hope all is well with you too.

It was an incredible experience for my family as from the start till finish, the itinerary was meticulously planned, a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation suitable for young and old alike. This allows us to fully immerse in the activity and destination without feeling rushed or overwhelmed

I must commend our tour guide, Grace, whose dedication, thoughtfulness and patient truly enhanced our journey. Her enthusiasm for sharing the culture and history of each location made the experience more enjoyable.

Overall, our trip exceeded our expectations, leaving us with only good memories. Thank you again Jack for providing such a wonderful experience and sorry to bother you when you are on vacation. We look forward to the opportunity to travel with your company again in the near future.

Warms Regards.

Debbie

Debbie‚ Indonesia, February 27, 2024

Hi Wonder,

it was such a wonderful trip, giving me a great impression of Chengdu and Chongqing, thanks to the professional guide by Ellen and David.

Thank you Wonder and Benny for arranging the trip. It was fun, food was good and we did enjoy it very much!

Evelyn

Evelyn‚ Hong Kong (China), February 27, 2024

Dear Jack,

Apologies for delayed feedback because we were busy travelling in Jan and Feb. We have just returned to HK yesterday night. Pls find attached our comments.

1. Yes, fast and helpful responses to queries via WeChat and whatapps.

2. The tour arrangements were very professionally delivered as stated in the itinerary by our guide and driver, who were courteous and friendly. The pickup and transport were timely and safe.

3. Yes, willing to recommend. Had mentioned to our relatives and friends who enquired.

4. Very professional and helpful.

Leong

Leong‚ Singapore, February 26, 2024

Hi Rita,

Greetings from Malaysia. Thank you for your email.

We enjoyed the tour very much and are satisfied with all the arrangements from the guide picking us up at the airport, the itinerary, transport arrangements between Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou and the shows recommended. Both Seven (Shanghai, Suzhou) and LuLu (Hangzhou) were excellent guides, very friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.

Definitely will recommend your services to my relatives and friends. We hope we can visit China again.

Nothing to complain about, only that our visit is too short!

Susan

Susan‚ Malaysia, February 21, 2024
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"It was an incredible experience for my family as from the start till finish, the itinerary was meticulously planned, a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation suitable for young and old alike..." read more »
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"It was an incredible experience for my family as from the start till finish, the itinerary was meticulously planned, a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation suitable for young and old alike..." read more »
Reviewed on February 27, 2024
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"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

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After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

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Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

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In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

China Tour

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

  • Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China Black Dragon Pool Park-20210316-Carrie from China
  • Lijiang Old Town Waterwheel-20190415-Marcin from USA Lijiang Old Town Waterwheel-20190415-Marcin from USA
  • Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore
  • Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand Yuhu Village-2018-Daisy from Thailand
  • Magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20181015-Lee's Family from Singapore Magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20181015-Lee's Family from Singapore
  • Blue Moon Valley at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210726-Ashley from USA Blue Moon Valley at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210726-Ashley from USA
  • Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan Spruce Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-20210316-YuSuke from Japan
  • Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand Baisha Mural Paintings-2018-Daisy from Thailand
  • Guishan Hill  - Juan's Family from Golumbia Guishan Hill - Juan's Family from Golumbia
  • Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge-202010-Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge-202010-Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico
  • The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town, Picture Shared Daisy The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town, Picture Shared Daisy
  • Sightseeing at First Bend of Yangtze River-2018-Daisy from Thailand Sightseeing at First Bend of Yangtze River-2018-Daisy from Thailand
  • Sarah's Family from New Zealand - Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La Sarah's Family from New Zealand - Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La
  • Songzanlin Monastery in Spring -  Marchin from USA Songzanlin Monastery in Spring - Marchin from USA
  • Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park, Picture Shared by Daisy Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park, Picture Shared by Daisy

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