5-Day Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lijiang Arrival & City Exploration
   A Leisurely Walk in Lijiang Old Town

   Welcome to Lijiang! Upon arrival at Lijiang Airport or the railway station, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel to check in.

   No tight sightseeing is planned for today, giving you time to adjust to Lijiang’s elevation of around 2,400 meters. After a short rest, follow your guide to explore Lijiang Old Town.

   Stroll along the flagstone path and the canals, passing by Sifang Street and the traditional Naxi houses. Along the way, your guide will lead you through the buildings, waterways and alleys and share insight into the life and culture of the old town and local Naxi people.

   

   For dinner, have a bowl of local rice noodles, a simple and authentic taste of Yunnan cuisine. Enjoy your free time in the evening. You can continue to wander around the town and take in its night view.

   Note: It is recommended to rest early today to prepare for tomorrow's trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
2. Day 2: Lijiang Mountain Adventure
   Snow-Capped Peaks, Turquoise Lakes, and Naxi Heritage with a Live Performance

   After breakfast, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby to go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

   Take the Glacier Park cable car up to around 4,500 meters, where you'll see close-up views of the snow-capped peaks and glacial landscape.

   If your fitness level permits, walk along the wooden plank road to the viewing platform at 4,680 meters, the highest point tourists can reach. As it is at high altitude, please take your time exploring and adjust your pace flexibly to avoid high-altitude sickness.

   

   Descend the mountain and watch the large-scale live performance Impression Lijiang, set against the natural backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and offering you a glimpse into the local life and culture through ethnic songs and dances.

   Move to the Blue Moon Valley for a walk along the turquoise lakes and streams.

   After lunch, walk through Baisha Ancient Town's old streets, look at traditional Naxi houses on both sides, and see the centuries-old Baisha Murals.

   

   Warm Tips: The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cableway may be affected by weather, wind and park operations, so arrangements are subject to the conditions on the day. As the Glacier Park is at a relatively high altitude, it is not advised to continue walking to higher elevations if you experience obvious discomfort.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
3. Day 3: Lijiang to Shangri-La by Private Vehicle
   A Light Hike in a Deep Gorge and Tibetan Old-Town Life

   This morning, leave Lijiang and travel by road to Shangri-La.

   En route, stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River rushes down in the canyon between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain with steep mountains on both sides.

   Follow the trails to see the gorge and the Jinsha River from different viewpoints. No strenuous or long-distance hiking is involved, so all tourists can fully appreciate its raw beauty at a relaxed pace.

   

   Continue driving to Shangri-La. As the altitude increases, the scenery gradually changes from river valleys and terraced fields to pastures dotted with yaks.

   After arrival, check into the hotel first and rest. In the late afternoon, stroll through the old streets and alleys in Dukezong Ancient Town, where you can see Tibetan houses, pagodas and a museum. Climb up to Guishan Park to admire the giant prayer wheel, which is 21 meters high and weighs 60 tons.

   After nightfall, the town is lit by warm golden lights. At about 8:00 pm, locals dance the Guozhuang dance on the square.

   Note: Shangri-La sits at an altitude of around 3,300 meters. For your safety, slow down, avoid strenuous physical activity and allow enough time to rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
4. Day 4: Shangri-La Highlights
   Tibetan Buddhism and Alpine Scenery

   Today, start your tour to Songzanlin Monastery, reputed as “Little Potala Palace”. Explore its Tibetan architecture and main halls while learning about Tibetan Buddhism.

   Zhacang Hall is the largest hall, where you can see a huge butter lamp, thangka paintings and murals. Outside the Zongkeba Hall is a super-long prayer wheel corridor. Spin the wheels clockwise to pray for blessings.

   

   Head to Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in Chinese mainland. As it covers a large area, you’ll take the sightseeing bus to see its alpine lakes, forests, and meadows. Shudu Lake and Bita Lake are the two iconic sights.

   Given the high altitude, no long-distance hikes are arranged. Just take a short walk along the walkways and enjoy the surrounding fir forests and lake views leisurely.

   

   In the evening, have a Tibetan-style dinner and sample local specialties, such as yak meat, barley pancake, butter tea, etc.

   Travel Tips: Both attractions are at high altitudes, so please adjust your walking pace based on your condition and take breaks as needed.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shangri-La
5. Day 5: Shangri-La Departure
   Thangka Painting and Napa Lake Visit

   Take part in a Thangka painting experience after breakfast. Under the guidance of a local teacher, learn about the common motifs, colors, and painting techniques used in thangka art, and try painting a small section yourself.

   If time permits, visit Napa Lake, the scenery of which changes with the seasons, from grasslands and wetlands in summer and autumn to migratory birds in winter. Along the way, stop by and snap photos of the highland meadows, villages and distant mountains.

   

   At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you to the airport or train station. If you plan to continue to Kunming, Dali, or another city in China, your travel consultant can also help arrange onward transportation.

   Departure Ideas: To ensure enough time for the Thangka painting, it is recommended to choose a flight or train departing after 3:00 PM. If you’d also like to visit Napa Lake, aim for an even later departure.

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