Dali-Lijiang-Lugulake-Shangrila

9 days tour

D1, Dali Arrival

Hotel: Overnight in Dali

Welcome to Dali, the Kingdom of Bai ethnic group! Upon arrival, your private tour guide and driver will meet you at airport and escort you to your hotel. After check-in, you will explore this old city with your tour guide or enjoy your afternoon tea in your hotel.

Remarks:

You can arrive at either Dali airport or Lijiang airport then 2 hours driving to your Dali hotel.

D2,   Dali

Dali Attractions:

Erhai Lake cruise, Chongsheng Monastery, Dali Ancient City

Hotel: Overnight in Dali

Your private guide and personal driver will meet you in your hotel lobby and then drive to the Erhai Lake to take a boat. Our tour of Dali begins with a cruise on Er Hai Lake, visit Haishe park.

Haishe Park is located in Jinhe Village, Xizhou Town, on the west bank of the Erhai Lake. Due to the Wanhua River in Cangshan flowing into the sea here, combined with the slow flow and compression of the Erhai Lake seawater, this long sandbar with three sides facing water has been formed, which is recorded as "Qingsha Island" in local historical records. The sandbar is 3 miles long, ranging from wide to narrow and deep, resembling a tongue, hence the name "Sea Tongue".

On one side, leaning against the Erhai Lake, various elements such as blue sky, white clouds, forests, wetlands, and fishing boats create a stunning landscape that leaves people lingering and unable to leave. on another side are farmland and houses, vast fields of rapeseed flowers, and the famous couple tree, shining brightly in the sunlight, warming our hearts.

"S" bend of Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China.The surrounding islands, temples and villages are worth visiting too. Then explore the Three dazzling pagodas in Chongsheng Monastery, which faces Erhai Lake and has a history of over 1,800 years.

A visit to the pagodas should not be missed by any visitor to Dali City.

Enjoy the authentic food in a local restaurant. After lunch and a short rest, we will wander around in Dali Ancient City, which is one of the 'Three Ancients' (Ancient Cities, Ancient Pagodas and Ancient Steles) of the Dali Scenic Spot. The city layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the city, which has remained unchanged to this date. The traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses give the city distinctive feel, unlike any other Chinese city. The delicacy, freshness and elegance of their construction may be called first-class among folk residences in Southwest China.

When people walk along the cobble-paved streets in the ancient city, a sense of primitive simplicity and elegance will be invoked. After enjoying the feeling of walking through the tranquil town, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

D3, Dali - Lijiang

Attractions:

Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhoucheng Village, Old Town of Lijiang, Romance Show Song City

Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

Today a 3-hour drive will take you to Lijiang. On the way, you will pay a visit to the Bai Minority Traditional Houses in Xizhou. The layout of these houses is distinctive with the features of wood and stone carvings and paintings on lime powdered walls. Xizhou is the place where the best and most of Bai Minority Traditional Houses are preserved. Over there, you will also get a chance to learn cooking a special local delicacy, call Baba, a scone-like baked bread mainly made of wheat flour.

Then you will continue to the nearby Zhoucheng Village, where you will visit the traditional hand-made Tie Dyeing, in the local people's home.

Upon arrival at Lijiang, you will first check in at your hotel. After a short rest, your tour guide will take you to visit the Square Street of Lijiang Old Town. The street is paved by the local bluestones, with numerous souvenir shops, unique bars, and delicate restaurants scattered around.

The most charming part of the street is at night. When red lanterns along the street are all lit up, all people here including tourists will enjoy relaxing but exciting nightlife.

On the evening, it is stronly suggest you watch a nice show"Romance Show Song City" to learn about the local culture.

D4, Lijiang - Lugu Lake

Attractions:

Eighteen bends viewpoint, Lugu Lake, Mosuo people Museum and evening bonfire-party.

Hotel: Overnight in Lugu lake scenery area.

It is 4.5 hours driving roughly although only 200 kilometers away from Lijiang to Lugu lake due to the mountain roads.

Lugu is called "mother lake" by the local Mosuo people. The Mosuo are one of China's unusual ethnic groups. They've sometimes been described as the last matriarchal society in the world. The Mosuo people have been living relatively isolated lives around the lake for generations, and they have retained their ancient traditions and customs.

Dotted with islets and surrounded by high mountains, Lugu Lake is an idyllic beauty spot not yet overrun by tourists. The water is clear and clean and the surroundings are peaceful and beautiful. You can just relax and slow down there.

D5 Sightseeing around Lugu Lake,back to Lijiang.

Attractions: Loves Beach, Lige Penisula view point, Visiting Marriage bridge, Grass sea (caohai).

Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

It is a fantastic tour driving around Lugu Lake with a distance of 83 kilometer and 3 hours visiting. We will drive to Lijiang after this lake driving around.

D6, Lijiang

Attractions:

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Glacier Park, Mimpression Lijiang show, Blue Moon Valley, Baisha Village

Hotel: Overnight Lijiang

Your private guide and personal driver will meet you in your hotel lobby and then visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You will take cable car up and down the mountain.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a famous scenic spot for sightseeing,mountaineering, skiing, exploration, scientific research and taking holiday. Besides, widespread legends and myths of the Naxi ethnic minority and the unclimbed Shanzidou are all important attractive spots for those who come here.

We will take a cable way to the altitude of 4506 meters to enjoy the views of light green glaciers.

Lijiang Impression Show is a one hour show that is performed in an open air theatre. It was designed by acclaimed film director Zhang Yimou. The show is performed against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at an altitude of over 3100 meters (10,170 ft). Unlike other Impression Shows in China, which are performed at night, Lijiang Impression Show is presented during the day, which provides a different experience, still on a grand scale that relies on a precision performance and presentation rather than using lights for effect.

Impression Lijiang Show

After Lunch, the guide will take you to Baisha Village. Baisha Village is much quieter because it is not commercialized. If you want to witness the authentic life of the Naxi People and appreciate their culture, but are tired of overcrowded Lijiang, here, at Baisha Village, you can experience the Naxi people’s peaceful daily life. At about 4pm, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

D7, Lijiang - Shangrila

Attractions:

First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Old Town, Tibet Dancing and Songs dinner in Tibetan House

Hotel: Overnight in Shangrila Banyan Tree Ringha.

You will be picked up from your hotel in the early morning, and be transferred to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, where you can see fatanstic landscapes as well as important historical stories.

Then you will continue the journey further north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, 16 km long with a sheer 3900 meters between the wild waters and the top of the snow-capped Haba Snow Mountains next to it.

We will have a 3 hours hiking at the middle gorge with the beautiful scenery.

After lunch, you will continue to Shangri-La, and on the way, you will notice that the landscapes and architecture gradually changes as you go further into the Tibetan cultural areas, with barley fields and yaks scattered across the valleys. On the way to Shangri-La,you will visit a local Yi Minority Village. Then you will arrive at your final destination: Dukezong Ancient town, a key stop on the old Tea-Horse road. You can enjoy your free time and relax in the ancient town.

Dinner will be arranged as local food with Tibetan dancing and songs accompanied.

D8, Balagezong Grand Canyon

Attractions:

Balagezong Mountain, Bala Village, Glass Deck View Point, Echo Wall

Meal: Not included

Hotel: Overnight in Lijiang

Balagezong Scenic Area, located about 31 miles (50km) northwest of Shangri-la County. It earns very high admiration for the mysterious ancient Bala Village, hospitable villagers, holy snow mountains, plank road over Gangqu River, and precipitous gorges, especially Shangri-la Grand Canyon. It is a pure land isolated from the outside world, waiting for visitors to discover its unique beauty with rich Tibetan culture.

D9, Shangri-la half tour, tour end.

Attractions:

Songzanlin Monastery, Tibetan Family Visit, Napa Lake

Hotel: Overnight in Shangrila

After breakfast, your driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel, then take you to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and most beautiful Tibetan monastery in Yunnan, with a rich history and Tibetan culture.

Afterwards, you will visit a local Tibetan family to experience the real Tibetan life.

Then you will go to Napa Lake, a beautiful highland meadow full of yaks, horses and birds, which looks different in every season. At the end of the day the 9 days tour ends, then you can arrange your own time to your next stop of your trip.