Day 1 Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Haba Snow Mountain Forest Hiking (3200m above sea level) → Sanba Township
·morning
Meeting time: 8:30-9:00 AM. During summer vacation and holidays, the departure time may be advanced to avoid traffic jams. The staff will contact you the day before the specific departure time.
Meeting place: Bailong Cultural Square
First sight of Tiger Leaping Gorge and feeling the surging Jinsha River
After gathering, we'll depart for Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of China's deepest canyons. The gorge stretches approximately 20 kilometers, divided into three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower Tiger Leaping. We'll then visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Scenic Area Observation Deck. Here, the Jinsha River cuts through the Haba and Yulong Snow Mountains, creating a gorge with a dramatic 3,900-meter drop. The Yangtze River narrows dramatically, its waters surging and surging, a truly breathtaking sight.
·afternoon
Enjoy a light hike in Haba Snow Mountain Forest and enjoy dinner facing the snow-capped mountains
After lunch, we'll head to Haba Snow Mountain for a light hike (approximately 4 kilometers, about 2 hours, at an altitude of 3050-3250 meters) to experience the Haba primeval forest. We'll follow a stream to the ranch campsite. The azaleas bloom in the mountains from April to May, becoming lush and verdant in summer, and the autumn colors unfold in October. In this unexplored secret, the nearby meadows and forests and the distant snow-capped mountains are reflected in the camp's pond, seamlessly blending into the campsite. Witness the beauty of Haba Snow Mountain up close. Enjoy dinner facing the snow-capped mountains, raise a toast to them, and experience the pristine tranquility and vast beauty.
After dinner, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Autumn Savoring | Colorful Forests Appear in October and November
From October to November, Haba begins to be full of colors. The maple and birch trees in the forest gradually turn yellow, which complements the green primeval forest and the lichen hanging on the trees. In late November, the fir trees in Orchid Terrace begin to turn yellow, which is another kind of flavor. In the autumn batch, we will go to the best autumn areas and explore the autumn of Haba with the guide.
PS: If you do not want to hike to the Dela Ranch Camp on the same day, you can take the car directly to the camp and move freely around the camp.
Day 2 Sanba Township → Baishuitai → Pudacuo (approximately 3500 meters above sea level) → Shangri-La (approximately 3459 meters above sea level)
·morning
Baishuitai geological wonder, Pamukkale of the East
After breakfast, depart for Baishuitai (White Water Terrace). Located at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, Baishuitai is a natural wonder formed by calcium carbonate dissolved in spring water. Its terraced appearance has earned it the nicknames "Immortal's Fields" and "China's Pamukkale." In the Naxi language, Baishuitai is called "Shibuzhi," meaning "growing flower." This area is also the birthplace of the Naxi Dongba religion. Hike to the observation deck to marvel at this breathtaking natural wonder.
·afternoon
Visit Pudacuo and experience the natural beauty of the national park
We'll then proceed to Pudacuo National Park, located in the heart of the Greater Shangri-La Scenic Area and a key component of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site. At the ticket hall, transfer to a scenic shuttle bus to explore the heart of Pudacuo. Scenic area staff will provide a brief overview of the scenery along the way. After a 20-minute drive, you'll reach Shudu Lake, the core area of Pudacuo. From there, you'll hike along wooden plank paths through the tranquil, secluded plateau. Along the way, you'll admire lakes, wetlands, forest meadows, river valleys, and rare flora and fauna. You might even spot a playful squirrel wandering right under your nose, a delightful surprise.
Day 3 Shangri-La (approximately 3459 meters above sea level) → Deqin (approximately 3589 meters above sea level)
·morning
Pilgrimage to the "Little Potala Palace" and the Tibetan Buddhist temple Songzanlin Monastery
After breakfast, we'll gather and head to Songzanlin Monastery. 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." We'll circle the lake around Lhamoyangcuo, the temple's main feature, 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
Take a short drive along the Napahai Ring Road, then head to the Napahai Observation Deck to overlook the entire Napahai & Yila Grassland. In spring and summer, you can see the vibrant plateau meadows with cattle and sheep leisurely grazing; in autumn and winter, Napahai is the habitat of many migratory birds, and you have the opportunity to observe these plateau elves from afar.
·afternoon
G214 crosses the Baima Snow Mountain and witnesses the different topography and landforms
At an opportune time, we'll travel to Meili Snow Mountain, passing through Benzilan, a key town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, and arrive at Moon Bay, overlooking the Jinsha River's sharp bend. Continuing on, we'll take a special section of the old National Highway 214, overlooking the U-shaped valley of Baima Snow Mountain and its main peak, Zhalaqueni. Baima Snow Mountain is the core area of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site, renowned for its biodiversity and unique ancient glacial landforms, the U-shaped valley. Overlooking the Baima Snow Mountain peaks and the U-shaped valley, the vegetation here is vertically distributed. In June, alpine rhododendrons bloom in abundance, while in July and August, verdant wildflowers bloom, and in autumn, the landscape becomes a golden hue.
Special note: Due to the thick snow in winter, vehicles cannot pass the old G214 Baima Snow Mountain Road. After snowfall, the batches will no longer go to the Baima Snow Mountain U-shaped Valley. If there are force majeure factors such as landslides on the old national highway, the trip to the Baima Snow Mountain U-shaped Valley will be cancelled. The fee will not change. Please understand.
First sight of Meili Snow Mountain, facing the Meili Thirteen Peaks
Arrive at the Wunongding Snow Mountain Observation Deck, nestled against the Baima Snow Mountain. This spot offers the most expansive views in Deqin County, offering breathtaking views of the majestic rolling snow-capped mountains, Feilaisi Village at its foot, and the Lancang River valley. Continue on to the Feilaisi Snow Mountain Observation Deck, which faces Kawagebo, the main peak of the Meili Snow Mountain, making it a prime photo spot. Afterward, check into your hotel, where you'll be provided with a room offering a view of the Meili Snow Mountain.
Day 4 Deqin (approximately 3589 meters above sea level) → Shangri-La (approximately 3459 meters above sea level) → Lijiang ☆ Dismissal Day
All day
Watch the sun shine on the golden mountain in Meili and feel the holiness of the snow-capped mountains
In the morning, head to the Feilai Temple Observation Deck to view and photograph the sunrise over the Meili Golden Mountain. If the weather is ideal, the golden light shimmering over Kawagebo and Mencimu for 20 minutes is breathtaking. (Autumn and winter, when rainfall decreases, the chances of sunrise over the Golden Mountain are higher.) You can also admire the Mingyong Glacier, a rare modern marine glacier, and take in the breathtaking aerial views of the Meili Grand Canyon on the Lancang River, as well as the breathtaking Tibetan dwellings perched on the cliffs.
The tour will depart for Lijiang around 10:00, with two disbanding points:
1. Arrive at Shangri-La Station or Shangri-La Airport around 14:00. Tourists returning from Shangri-La will disband here. For return trains, please book flights after 15:00 or after 16:00.
2. Arrive in Lijiang city around 5:00 PM (near the Blue Sky Hotel, the airport bus departure point). For tourists returning on the same day, please book a train after 6:00 PM or a flight after 8:00 PM. For those staying in Lijiang, you can book a hotel through China-TravelNote or make your own reservation.
