Day 1 Various locations - Lijiang★Assembly Day
All day
Today is a full-day gathering day. Please proceed to your hotel on your own. After arranging your accommodations, you'll be free to explore Lijiang's Dayan Ancient Town to acclimate to the plateau climate, or enjoy a sunset at Qingxi Reservoir. After dark, the vibrant life of the ancient city is also worth looking forward to.
Day 2 Lijiang → Lugu Lake
All day
Lugu Lake, the Pearl of the Plateau, a Romantic Daughter Kingdom
Meet up and head for Lugu Lake. After passing through Ninglang, you'll soon arrive at the Lugu Lake Observation Deck, overlooking the lake with a view of Mount Gemu. Then, enjoy a classic lakeside photo-taking tour. You'll pass by popular and lesser-known spots like Lover's Beach and the Rige Observation Deck, where you can take in the magical beauty of Lugu Lake. Finally, head to Sanjia Village Wharf for a ride on a unique Mosuo watercraft, the Pig Trough Boat. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Lugu Lake as the boatmen sing their songs. Then, ascend to Liwubi Island and follow a winding path to the island's summit.
After dinner, we will go to a Mosuo Bonfire Party and sing and dance with the handsome Mosuo men and women (this is a free activity and there will be no refund if it is cancelled due to force majeure).
Day 3 Lugu Lake → Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
All day
Traveling through the beautiful National Highway G227, Mana Tea Gold meets the Three Sacred Mountains
Get up in the morning and arrange your morning freely. Stroll to the lakeside pier and wait for the unmissable sunrise over Lugu Lake. Wait quietly for the sun to slowly rise from behind the golden clouds.
Leaving Lugu Lake at an opportune moment, we followed the original Lugu-Yadong Line towards Daocheng Yading. The opening of the G227 Muli to Daocheng Yading section has replaced the bumpy gravel roads of the Lugu-Yadong Line with smooth, paved roads, significantly improving comfort. We passed through Wujiao Mongol Township and arrived at Wachang Town, weaving through primeval forests and pastures, with towering fir trees lining the road. After a quick meal, we headed to Muli Grand Temple. Originally built during the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt after damage to its present-day appearance. This temple was the political and religious center of the "Muli Kingdom" described in Locke's travelogue. American explorers visited the area numerous times and received assistance, leaving behind numerous photographic records that showcase this enclosed area.
Then we continued our journey, crossed the Bahen Pass and headed for the Mana Chajin Viewing Platform, which is only 25 km away from Xianuoduoji. Looking west in good weather, the three sacred mountains of Aden appear in the same frame, and the other large and small peaks are lined up in a row, which is quite spectacular.
Arrive at Shangri-La Town (Riwa Township), Sichuan Province in the evening and check in to prepare for entering the Yading Scenic Area tomorrow.
Special note: If the Luya East Line (G227) is impassable due to force majeure such as landslides, the Luya West Line will be used to go to Daocheng Yading, and the itinerary will be changed to: Lugu Lake - Oya Dazhai - Ochu Mountain - Shangri-La Town, with similar mileage and time, and the cost remains unchanged; if the Luya East Line and Luya West Line are interrupted at the same time due to force majeure when departing from Lijiang, the backup plan will be activated: D2 Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area - Tiger Leaping Gorge High Road Light Hiking (Tea Horse Inn - Halfway Inn) - Stay in Shangri-La City, D3 Shangri-La - Bottomless Lake Ring Road - Shangri-La Town (Riwa), the cost remains unchanged, please understand.
Day 4 Shangri-La Town (Riwa) → Daocheng Yading Long Route (over 3,000 meters above sea level) → Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
All day
Long hike in Daocheng Yading, facing the snow-capped mountains and lakes
Depart early today and arrive at the Yading Scenic Area as soon as possible. Purchase a battery-powered electric car ticket at your own expense (80 RMB round-trip, or hike to Luolong Cow Farm, approximately 2-3 hours). Head to Luolong Cow Farm, the core area of the Yading Scenic Area, where you'll get a close-up view of the sacred mountains Yangmaiyong and Xialuoduoji. If your physical condition allows, continue hiking to the beautiful Five-Colored Sea and Milk Lake deep within Yading. (These two lakes are over 4,600 meters above sea level, and weather conditions are unpredictable. The entire hike is at high altitude, so please exercise caution.)
Special note: If the King Kong Challenge Line (i.e. the Yading Long Line, from Gonggar Co to Milk Lake and Five-Colored Lake) in Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is closed due to force majeure, you will play in Luolong Cow Farm and its surrounding areas on that day. The fee will not increase or decrease. Please understand.
Day 5 Shangri-La Town (Riwa) → Daocheng Yading Short Line → Xiangcheng
All day
Second short hike into Aden, meeting with Xiannairi
After breakfast, we'll continue our journey to Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. We'll ascend the winding mountain road, where the occasional glimpse of sacred mountains will thrill us. Arrive at Zhaguanbeng, the scenic bus terminal. A ten-minute walk will take you to the Chonggu Temple Service Station. Continue along the wooden plank road for about 3 kilometers to admire Zhuoma Lacuo, the peak at the foot of Xiannairi, one of the three sacred mountains of Yading.
Wandering in the Tibetan countryside, passing through your world
After leaving the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, we'll drive to Xiangcheng, a quiet town nestled between Litang and Shangri-La. It's said to have been named after the scattered Dusong Qimba Buddhist beads, known in Tibetan as "Qiacheng," meaning "to hold the beads in one's hand." It was a filming location for the TV series "Passing By Your World." Upon arrival in Xiangcheng, we'll head to Zhongde Village and admire Xiangcheng's distinctive white Tibetan houses from afar. Nearly 6,000 white Tibetan houses dot the banks of the Shuoqu River valley, resembling jade-like lotus flowers scattered across the valley. Step inside the village and visit the radio station, featured in the TV series, to experience the secluded Tibetan countryside.
Day 6 Xiangcheng → Shangri-La (3459 meters above sea level)
All day
Cross the snow-capped mountains and drive to Shangri-La
After setting off, we crossed the Greater and Lesser Snow Mountains and headed for Shangri-La. These mountains were the route the Sixth Corps of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army took from Zhongdian to Xiangcheng. Today, this Long March route has been transformed into a smooth asphalt road. The car journeyed through the forests flank the snow-capped mountains. The seasonal bluestone cliffs of the snow-capped mountains towered over the horizon, intertwining with the forest. Green in summer, the larch trees on the mountain turn yellow in autumn. The autumn colors, snow-capped mountains, and the road formed a colorful painting.
Ancient temples on the snowy plateau, seeking inner love and peace
Next, we'll visit Songzanlin Temple. Built into the mountainside, the temple resembles the Potala Palace in appearance. Its unique five-story carved Tibetan architecture embodies the essence of Tibetan plastic arts and is known as the "Tibetan Art Museum." Visitors can circle the lake around Lhamoyangcuo in front of the temple before entering the temple to experience the profound culture of Tibetan Buddhism.
Napahai Essence Surrounds the Lake and Experiences the Ecological Beauty of the Plateau Wetlands
Upon arrival in Shangri-La, we'll first visit the Napahai Observation Deck for a panoramic view of Napahai and the Yila Grassland. We'll then take a short drive along the lakeside road (note: during the rainy season, some sections of the Napahai road can be flooded, so we'll choose a safer route around the lake). Above this vast grassland, rolling mountains rise in the distance, above them a clear blue sky, and beneath that, scattered herds of livestock.
Dream of Shambhala, free stroll in Dukezong Ancient Town
After checking in, we'll proceed to Dukezong Ancient Town for a self-guided tour. You'll have free time to stroll around the area and enjoy dinner. This ancient town boasts over 1,300 years of history. High atop Dukezong, we'll visit Guishan Park, home to a massive, gilded copper prayer wheel (21 meters tall, weighing 60 tons, and a Guinness World Record entry). Join us for a chance to spin the wheel, chant sutras, and participate in the local Guozhuang dance in the ancient town square.
Day 7 Shangri-La → Lijiang ★ Dismissal
All day
Experience the world's wonder, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and feel the surging Jinsha River at the bottom of the canyon.
After breakfast, we'll drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Jinsha River, originating in the Tanggula Mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, travels thousands of miles to this point. Suddenly blocked by the Yulong and Haba Mountains, the once peaceful river becomes a raging rage. We'll visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge observation deck and experience the striking power of the Jinsha River up close. This narrow section of the gorge is home to a massive rock, lying midstream like a cascading waterfall, splitting the rapids in two. The torrent is deafening.
The group is expected to arrive in Lijiang city around 14:00 and disband (Civil Aviation Blue Sky Hotel, the airport bus departure point).
Tourists returning on the same day, please book flights after 17:00 or high-speed rail/train after 15:00.
