5 Days Shangri-La Tour with Meili Snow Mountain

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shangrila Arrival

   Please make your own way to Shangri-la. When you arrive at Shangri-la Diqing Airport, the local driver will pick you up from the airport by holding a welcome board with your name, and transfer you to a local hotel.

   Free and easy on your own for the rest of the day.

   Tips:

   1. Shangri-La is at a rather high altitude region (~3,200 meters), it is common for visitors to struggle with minor altitude sickness (however, some may get serious symptoms). So for the consideration of your health, avoid strenuous activities (such as running), especially on the arrival day.
   2. The weather is super unpredictable here, and it’s likely for you to see a large temperature difference between day and night (nights can be rather cool even in summer). So don’t forget to bring a light layer.

   Note: No tour activities or English tour guide service for today.

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   4-Star Guesthouse in Shangri-La
2. Day 2: Shangri-la Highlights
   Explore Tibetan Cultural Treasures and National Park

   After breakfast, head to Songzanlin Monastery. This is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. It is built in a similar layout as the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Inside the monastery, there are a lot of vibrant murals and Buddha statues, which together give the site a sacred and peaceful vibe. Have a close look of these constructions, and you’ll understand more about Buddhist history and the monastery’s former prosperity by listening to their whispers.

   

   Next, move to Pudacuo National Park. It is the first national park in mainland China. Within its vast stretches of untouched natural scenery, you can encounter a lot of stunning works of nature at the same time (e.g. dense forests, alpine meadows, diverse wildlife and more). Take a walk along the wooden boardwalks, the relaxing air will pull you out of the tired and busy life running in bustling cities.

   Then, take a leisure stroll around Dukezong Ancient Town. This 1,300-year-old town was once a key stop on the Ancient Tea-horse Road. You can experience authentic Tibetan culture and customs here, especially when exploring traditional Tibetan dwellings and ancient temples, alleyways. Besides the beautiful souvenirs like jewelry, thangka paintings, and incense, you will also meet the Guishan Park where you can have a bird's view of the ancient town and see the world’s largest prayer wheel.

   

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   4-Star Guesthouse in Shangri-La
3. Day 3: Shangri-La to Feilaisi via Deqin
   Drive to Deqin Via Pottery Village, Scenic Bends, Ancient Monastery

   After breakfast, drive around 5 hours to Deqin County (3400m altitude). You won’t be bored since there are many amazing views on the way!

   You will pass by Nixi Pottery Village which is famous for its long history of pottery-making techniques and well-made black potteries. Continue driving along G214, you will visit Benzilan, the First Bend of the Jinsha (Yangtze) River, and Dongzhulin Monastery.

   

   Benzilan: You will take a break from the hectic driving at Benzilan Town, a beautiful town on the riverbank of Jinsha River. Once an important station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Benzilan will catch your eyes with many charming traditional houses and lodges, orchards, and cultivated fields.

   The First Bend of Jinsha River (aka Moon Bay): Located about a 20-minute drive from Benzilan, this scenic viewpoint offers a breathtaking panorama of the Jinsha River forming a dramatic Ω-shaped curve through the mountains. From the viewing platform, the vast river and surrounding valleys create one of the most iconic natural landscapes along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

   Dongzhulin Monastery: Established in 1667, Dongzhulin Monastery sits peacefully along the ancient route between Shangri-La and Deqin. It is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism in the region, so you can expect to see exquisite Buddhist statues, Thangka paintings, stupas, and ceremonial instruments. Local religious traditions and spiritual life express themselves perfectly here.

   In the late afternoon, you will finally arrive at Feilai Temple in Meili Snow Mountain. Check in at the hotel and have a good rest. A gorgeous sunrise view will be waiting for you the next day.

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   4-Star Guesthouse in Feilaisi
4. Day 4: Meili Snow Mountain to Shangri-La
   Catch Sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain and Witness Stunning Mingyong Glacier

   Get up early in the morning to catch the best highlight of Meili Snow Mountain - the marvelous sunrise view. And as dawn breaks, the peaks will gradually emerge from the darkness with their shining white snow. Hold your breath as when the first rays of sunlight touch the summit, the mountains can immediately get lit up by some dream-like layers. Golden, pink, and fiery orange, nature’s magic falls in front of you without any reservation and they together make the scene more dramatic in a sacred sense. This fleeting moment is one of the most unforgettable natural spectacles that you can see in Yunnan, and don’t forget to record it in your camera.

   

   After breakfast, we shall drive about 1 hour to Mingyong Village, where you can visit Mingyong Glacier. From Mingyong Village, we’ll take a 2-hour walk to reach Taizi Temple. This site has been standing here throughout a long passage of time. Nothing seems to have changed even in its surroundings, the forests, prayer flags, and snow-capped peaks along the trail are all look like how they used to be.

   And when you look outside the Taizi Temple, the magnificent Mingyong Glacier is just there and unfolding its beauty before you. Unlike many glaciers hidden deep in remote regions, you can appreciate its powerful presence up close.

   Among the many glaciers in China, Mingyong Glacier is quite notable one, as it has the lowest latitude and lowest elevation. It stretches downward toward the Lancang River with a shape of shimmering silver dragon, forming one of Yunnan’s most accessible and popular glacier hiking routes.

   After the hiking, drive around 4.5 hours back to Shangrila.

   Friendly tip: You will hike for around 2-2.5 hours to visit Mingyong Glacier.

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   4-Star Guesthouse in Shangri-La
5. Day 5: Shangrila Departure

   At 12 pm, the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and see you off at the airport ( please depart Lijiang airport after 3 pm). This is the end of your 5 days Shangri-La tour to Meili Snow Mountain. Thank you very much for choosing China Xian Tour.

   Note: no English tour guide or tour activity for today

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