5-day Scenic Holiday
Lijiang
Overview
Have a brief encounter with the City of Eternal Spring, trace the ancient caravan route through Yunnan, go bird-watching at a peaceful lake 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
- Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Lijiang’s old town
- Explore one of the world’s deepest gorges
- Wander around a sacred snow-capped mountain
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Drop us a message and let us customise something just for you.
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 - Lashi Lake
Lijiang’s UNESCO heritage old towns comprise three towns – Dayan, Shuhe and Baisha. We will spend the morning exploring the two other towns which are quainter and more pastoral, and learn more about the Naxi way of life. Baisha also contains some of the few remaining Naxi murals painted in the Ming Dynasty that survived destruction during the cultural revolution.
In the afternoon, drive out to Lashi lake to soak up some nature. Lashi Lake is a wetland nature reserve just out of the city, a haven for migrant birds in winter and also the origin of the ancient Tea Horse Road.
Day 4: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge
We drive north towards Tiger Leaping Gorge today, passing by the first bend of the Yangtze River. Some of the most beautiful scenery in Yunnan is found here, where the Jinsha river is flanked by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on one side and Haba Snow Mountain on the other.
Once at the gorge, you can take a short walk down to Tiger Leaping Rock. Legend says a tiger jumped onto this rock to cross the Yangtze while being chased by a hunter, hence the name Tiger Leaping Gorge. For the keen hiker, there are various hiking options to choose from.
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
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.
