5-day Hiking Adventure
Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Trek
Overview
Have a brief encounter with the City of Eternal Spring, trace the ancient caravan route through Yunnan, cycle through Lijiang’s old town and marvel at the beauty of snow-capped mountains on the Tibetan plateau.
- Ride a horse down the ancient Tea Horse road
- Get up close and personal with Naxi minority culture
- Experience a rich botanical wonderland
- Trek around a sacred snow-capped mountain
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Day 1: Kunming
Settle into your hotel in Kunming. Take an evening walk around Kunming’s old streets or wander around Cui Lake before going to watch the Dynamic Yunnan show. Choreographed by a famous Chinese dancer, this is your introduction to the 25 ethnic minorities in China who live in Yunnan province, their song, dance and culture.
Day 2: Kunming - Lijiang Dayan Old Town
Take a morning flight from Kunming to Lijiang, a beautiful UNESCO heritage old town and home to the Naxi ethnic minority.
We start our tour from Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang’s primary water source and are guided on a walk through Dayan old town. Learn more about traditional Naxi architecture and the waterways that flow by every household, sample authentic Pu’Er tea, or just enjoy a stroll through the cobbled streets. We will end up at Lion’s Hill, the best place to get a bird’s eye view of the old town.
Day 3: Lijiang Shuhe and Baisha Old Towns Cycling
Embark on an in-depth cultural exploration of Lijiang’s old town on two wheels. Our experienced cycling guide is of Naxi descent and is well-versed in the history and hidden attractions of Lijiang’s towns.
Over 6 hours and more than 20km, you will cycle through the well-preserved Shuhe and Baisha towns and be immersed in the local Naxi way of life.
Day 4: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Trek
Today we go off the beaten track on a long 18km nature walk around the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants, and a quarter of all plant species in China can be found here.
Learn more about the unique flora and fauna of Jade Dragon on our botanist trail, while admiring the mountain and its glaciers from afar.
Day 5: Lijiang - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Finally, after admiring Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from afar, we get up close by visiting the national park. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has 13 peaks, the tallest Shanzidou stands at 5,596m. Here, we can take a cable car to the glacier park to get a better view, and also visit the Blue Moon Valley and its jewel toned lakes.
Your private transportation will be waiting to take you back to the airport to catch your flight home.
Optional add-ons: For an unforgettable experience
While less well-known than nearby attractions like Tiger Leaping Gorge or Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Liming in Laojunshan National Park offers some of the most remarkable Danxia (red sandstone formations) in China. Travel on via ferrata (a climbing route made up of metal steps) to scale the heights of its sheer cliffs without the exertion of rock climbing.
