3 Days Yunnan Shangri-La Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shangri-La Arrival

   Welcome to Shangri La, a beautiful town located at the foothills of the Himalayas. A local driver will pick you up at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

   Shangri-La appeared in the novel "Lost Horizon" by a famous British author in the 1930s. Since then, Shangri La has been desired by people. Soon after, the novel was made into a film of the same name and won several Oscars, making it even more well-known to the world. You can explore the town on your own for the rest of today.

   Meal: N/A

2. Day 2: Shangri-La Highlights Tour
   Understand Unique Tibetan Culture through Temple, Black Pottery, Thangka Painting

   Shangri-La has a different appearance from the last places where you will start to meet Tibetan elements. The first site will be Songzanlin Monastery, which is the largest Tibetan monastery in the Yunnan area and is famed as the "Small Potala Palace". It was built along the hillside, looking like an old castle, showing the brilliant construction technology of Tibetan. If time permits, take a walk in the nearby Lamuyangcuo Lake to photograph the reflection of the temple in the water

   

   Next, head to Nixi Pottery Village where you will feel unique black pottery art. The tour guide will take you to visit a small workshop owned by a Tibetan family. Understand how craftsmen shape clay into exquisite pottery. If you are interested, you can even try making your own pottery under the guidance of a local master (30-40 minutes, additional charge).

   After that, return to Dukezong Ancient Town. Walk up to the top of Guishan Hill to appreciate the typical Tibetan-style view - Prayer Wheel. From there, you will have a bird-view of Shangri-La County and Duzekong Ancient Town.

   

   In the evening, you can explore the ancient city of Dukezong on your own. Between 19:30 and 21:00, you can appreciate local Tibetan dance performances in the main square.

   Optional activities:

   If you are interested, you can visit the Shangri la Thangka Institute. Here you can pay extra to take courses to make Thangka painting or learn simple Tibetan language.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

3. Day 3: Departure from Shangri-La
   Make Your Photography Dream Perfect at Pudacuo National Park

   In the morning, drive about 30km to the picturesque Pudacuo National Park. The park is definitely a priceless gift from nature: with an altitude between 3,500 meters and 4,159 meters, it collects rich natural resources including geology and landforms, lake wetlands, meadows, rivers and valleys, and rare plants and animals. The amazing scenery here will make you can't stop the camera in your hands and marvel at this wonderland.

   Walk along the plank road, meander through meadows, you will arrive at Shudu Lake. Here you will find herds of cattle, yaks, and sheep grazing around the lake. The lush forests surrounding the lake are home to many rare animals such as musk deer, bears, leopards, and golden cats.

   Keep exploring by visiting Bita Lake, which is famous for its gorgeous emerald waters. A legend goes that Bita Lake was once a piece of mirror belonged to a goddess in heaven. It is surrounded by lush forests, century-old pines and cypress, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Also note the colorful Tibetan prayer flags on the sides, adding a touch of spirituality to the moment.

   

   Afterwards, you will be guided to a Tibetan family and enjoy some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea there. With the help of your private guide, you will have a brief conversation with the families to learn about their customs and traditions and gain insight into the daily lives of the Tibetan people.

   Finally, you will be escorted to the airport for your onward flight. It is suggested to book a flight departing after 17:00 to allow ample time for the day's activities. Thanks a lot for joining our 3-day Yunnan tour in Shangri-La!

   Meal: Breakfast