Yunnan Shangri-la Tour (4N5D standard)
Kunming -Lijiang-Zhongdian
The unique geographical location and the complex ethnic situation created by 26 nationalities and their interaction have made Yunnan an exotic place to visit. The beautiful natural landscape, the colorful ethnic diversity, the long history and splendid cultures contribute to more than 60 scenery sites in Yunnan. Kunming is historically and culturally renowned throughout the country. With an annual average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, it is well known as the City of Eternal Spring without bitter cold in winter and intense heat in summer. A gathering place of rugged mountain people with the Naxi forming the majority, Lijiang is a small mountain town of stone and tile, laced with swift canals, which has been recently listed as an UNESCO world monument. Zhongdian (or Gyalthang in Tibetan, and approved by State Council to be renamed Shangri-La County) lies in a landscape of rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, virgin forests of spruce, pine and meadow dotted with wild flowers and tranquil lakes.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Lijiang-Arrival
After airport formalities, meet the local guide in Lijiang and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 Lijiang
In the morning, visit the Black Dragon Pond with the Wufeng Temple and Dongba Research Institute. Then, drive out to the Yak Meadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains. Take chairlift (roundtrip) ride up with superb views over the mountains and valleys. In the afternoon, visit Yuhu, a simple village of Naxi minority with the former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock. Dr. Rock, an Austro-American botanist and explorer who lived here off and on from 1922-1949, is best remembered for the introduction of innumerable plant species to the West and his rigorous works on Naxi ethnology. Visit also the Naxi village Baisha. North of Lijiang Country finds the Liulidian Temple and Daobaoji Temple at Baisha village. Rest of afternoon is at leisure for one’s own discovery of the old town of Lijiang.
Day 3 Lijiang -180km-Zhongdian
After breakfast, overland drive of 120 kilometers, or 2 hours, to the Tiger Leaping Gorge with visit in the way, the First Bend of the Yangzi River and the Stone Drum village. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is the Yangzi's best-known gorge after the Three Gorges in Sichuan and Hubei. Wedged tightly between titanic cliffs, the river is so narrow here, as legend tells us, that a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side in a single bound. Here, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and the Haba Snow Mountains lean close to each other and a large volume of torrent moving between them, cutting deeper and deeper into the bottom of the gorge. In some places there is a drop of 3,000 meters to the water. Then drive 2 hours along the Yunnan-Tibet Road to Zhongdian in the afternoon or early in the evening.
Day 4 Zhongdian
Today, visit the Ganden Songzanglin Monastery, the Bita Lake, the Ringha Lamasery, the old town quarter, a Tibetan household, and the local market. Founded in the 17th century during the reign of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama and nicknamed as Lesser Potala Palace by the locals, Ganden Songzanglin Monastery is one of the thirteen Tibetan monasteries in the Kangba Region, where Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan join. Holding about 700 monks and one living Buddha, the monastery is a must-go in the region. Bita Lake is a plateau lake that provide ideal habitat for birds and animals. Rhododendrons are so plentiful in the lake area that in April and May, that the Lake is surrounded by flowers in colors of red, pink, white and purple.
Day 5 Lijiang---Kunming-Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Lijiang Airport for morning flight Lijiang to Kunming.Upon arrival in Kunming, proceed to a day excursion to the Stone Forest. An extremely rare geological phenomenon dating back to 270 million years ago, the Stone Forest is 80 hectares of Karst limestone pillars in fantastic shapes that resemble a forest viewed from a distance some 85 kilometers, or 1.5 hours one way, southeast of Kunming. The Stone Forest is also home to the Sani tribe, a branch of the diverse and scattered Yi minority renowned for their diligence, embroidery and dancing.On the way back to Kunming, visit also a Sani tribe village Qi Xin. Transfer to airport for departure flight in late afternoon. Trip ends.