Day 1 - Shangri-La ★ Assembly Day (approximately 3459 meters above sea level)
All day
Today is a full-day assembly day, so team members please go to the hotel on their own.
After checking in, you'll have free time at Dukezong Ancient Town and dinner. You'll be free to stroll through the ancient city of Dukezong, which boasts over 1,300 years of history. At Guishan Park, perched high above Dukezong, you'll find a massive, gilded copper prayer wheel (21 meters tall, weighing 60 tons, and a Guinness World Record entry). Join us in turning the wheel and chanting prayers.
You can also freely go to the Tibetan Buddhist temple [Songzanlin Temple] in Yunnan. Built on the mountain, Songzanlin Temple looks very similar to the Potala Palace. The unique five-story Tibetan carved architecture is a culmination of Tibetan plastic arts. It is also known as the "Tibetan Art Museum" and allows you to appreciate the profound Tibetan Buddhist culture.
How to get to Shangri-La
The meeting hotel is located in downtown Shangri-La, approximately 9km away from Shangri-La Airport and Shangri-La Station, a 20-minute drive away.
1. Direct flight to Shangri-La: For tourists with limited time, you can choose direct flight;
2. Transfer in Kunming: You can choose to transfer in Kunming, which saves both time and cost;
3. High-speed train from Kunming/Dali/Lijiang to Shangri-La: High-speed trains have been launched from Kunming/Dali/Lijiang to Shangri-La, with frequent departures daily. Please check the specific fares in real time.
Day 2 Shangri-La City → Bottomless Lake (approximately 3,800 meters above sea level) → Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
All day
Take a light hike around the bottomless lake and get lost in the beautiful scenery.
After gathering, we'll depart for Daocheng Yading, where we'll reach Bottomless Lake. The lake is graceful and elegant, its waters flowing freely. Surrounded by expansive pastures and forests, horses leisurely graze, occasionally glancing up at passersby – a perfect reflection of the idyllic setting. In May, the pastures begin to turn green, and in June and July, small wildflowers like primroses and goldenrod begin to bloom in the meadows. After arriving at Bottomless Lake, we'll hike along the trail around the lake, weaving through forests and wetlands. Strolling through tall fir trees and soft moss will soothe you. At the end of the hike, we'll return to the starting point, where a delicious afternoon tea awaits. We'll take some time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, then relax and unwind by the lake, enjoying a few minutes of leisurely play time and a few shouts.
Stay two nights in Shangri-La Town and explore Daocheng Yading
Continue to head towards Daocheng Yading, stay in Shangri-La Town (now Riwa) tonight, have a good rest and recharge your energy for the next two-day trip to Daocheng Yading.
[Record filing instructions] If the road to the Bottomless Lake is interrupted due to force majeure such as landslides, the record filing will be activated: Shangri-La City - Maowu Grand Canyon - Xiangcheng Baizangfang - Shangri-La Town (Riwa). The driving time will be slightly increased, the subsequent itinerary will remain unchanged, and the cost will not increase or decrease. Please understand.
Day 3 Shangri-La Town → Daocheng Yading (Luorong Cattle Farm → Five-Colored Lake → Milk Lake) → Shangri-La Town
All day
Long hike in Daocheng Yading, facing the snow-capped mountains and lakes
Rise early today and arrive at the Yading Scenic Area as soon as possible. Once inside, purchase a battery-powered electric bus ticket (at your own expense, 80 RMB round-trip). Alternatively, hike to Luolong Cow Farm, which takes about 2-3 hours. Arrive at Luolong Cow Farm, the heart of the Yading Scenic Area, where you can get up close to the sacred mountains Yangmaiyong and Xialuoduoji. If your physical condition allows, continue exploring 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 can be unpredictable. The entire hike is at high altitude, so please exercise at your own discretion.
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 4 Shangri-La Town → Daocheng Yading (Zhaguanbeng/Chonggu Temple → Pearl Lake) → Litang
All day
Second short hike into Aden, meeting with Xiannairi
After breakfast, transfer to the scenic sightseeing bus at the ticket office to Yading Scenic Area. The gentle ascent along the winding mountain road, with the occasional glimpse of sacred mountains, will thrill you. Arrive at the scenic sightseeing bus terminal, Zhaguanbeng, and walk ten minutes to the Chonggu Temple Service Station. Continue walking along the wooden plank road for about 3 kilometers to admire Zhuoma Lacuo, located at the foot of Xiannairi, one of the three sacred mountains of Yading.
Heading to Litang, the world's tallest city, you'll encounter lakes and grasslands along the way
After leaving Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, you will drive to Litang. There are endless beautiful scenery along the road. Passing the Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve, a relic of ancient glaciers, huge rocks were pushed all over the ground by ancient glaciers, and at the same time, a large number of plateau lakes were formed. It seems like you have come to an alien planet, desolate and rugged. Then you cross Tuer Mountain, drive into Maoya Grassland, and finally arrive at Litang, the "City in the Sky".
If it's still early after arriving in Litang, you can go to Letong Ancient Town or Changqingchun Khor Temple on your own to experience the rich and unique culture of Tibet.
【Record filing instructions】
If National Highway 227 Liya Road (Litang-Yading) is impassable due to force majeure such as construction or the access time window is narrow, the filing will be initiated:
Day 4 Shangri-La Town - Daocheng Yading (Zhaguanbeng/Chonggu Temple/Pearl Lake) - Qingde Baizangfang - Stay in Xiangcheng;
Day 5 Xiangcheng - Laozhelongba Pass - Redi River Valley - Eye of Genyen - Genyen Peaks Viewing Platform - Stay in Zetong Village or Zeba Village
The subsequent itinerary and fees remain unchanged. The tour leader may make minor adjustments to the tour sequence based on actual conditions, but no attractions will be omitted. Thank you for your understanding.
Day 5 Litang → Genyen Peaks Viewing Platform → Eye of Genyen → Xiazetong Village or Zeba Village
All day
Crossing the Blacksmith Mountain Pass, we first saw the Genyen Peaks
After breakfast, we'll depart Litang and take a short stretch of National Highway 318. Passing through the Litang West Gate, we'll turn off the main road and officially enter the southern section of Genyen. Along the way, we'll cross the Tiejiangshan Pass. This area, still part of the Haizishan Nature Reserve, features glacial remains, with boulders and lakes of varying sizes covering the ground. Paired with the distant snow-capped mountains, the scenery evokes a sense of desolate grandeur. We'll then reach the Yilaka Pass, offering a panoramic view of the Zhongna River Valley, with views of the Cameroon, Xiaoza, and Genyen Mountains. The surrounding meadows create a breathtaking spectacle. Finally, we'll reach the Ranrikka Hot Springs, where we'll witness the gushing waters and feel the warmth of Mother Earth.
Hiking on the Genyen Peaks Scenic Area Trail, you will enter the heart of Hengduan
After lunch, we'll see the Genyen Peaks from a different perspective. We'll walk along the plank path to the Genyen Peaks Observation Deck. If the weather is clear, looking back, you'll see the seven main snow-capped peaks of Genyen lined up above the meadows, their soft lines outlined by the sunlight. Below the snowline, the austere rocks look like ice cream, and wild rabbits scurry across the meadows near the plank path. From July to August, a vibrant array of wildflowers blooms across the grasslands. In early October, the birch trees in the distant forest begin to turn red. The scenery is breathtaking, reminiscent of Xinjiang and Switzerland. If you have the stamina, you can continue along the plank path to overlook the Eye of Genyen and the Bend River Valley, transforming the path into a truly stunning photogenic landscape.
Finally, we went to the Eye of Genyen, a natural pool with a circle of water plants growing in it, like a pupil, embedded between the mountains of Genyen, gazing at the earth and the sky.
Day 6: Zetong Village or Zeba Village → Lao Leng Temple Hike → Genyen South Line → Derong
All day
Take a light hike to Lao Leng Ancient Temple and trace the origin of Baijiao along the river
Today, we'll rise early to watch the sunrise over the Golden Mountain. After breakfast, we'll drive along the Hupi Dam to the new Lenggu Monastery. We'll then ascend along the river between Genyen and Xiaozha, weaving through the forests. The dark blue cliffs of the snow-capped mountains will appear before us. Once we emerge from the forest, the old Lenggu Monastery suddenly comes into view, facing the main peak of Genyen and backed by the Xiaoba Snow Mountain. Lenggu Monastery, dedicated to Lama Tsongkhapa, is surrounded by stone huts for practitioners, most of which are abandoned and rarely seen. Currently, there's only one monk within the monastery, but you might occasionally encounter the blue sheep that live near the monastery, creating a truly ethereal and unique experience.
Special note: The round-trip distance of the Lao Leng Ancient Temple hike is about 8KM (Xinleng Ancient Temple 3881m-Laoleng Ancient Temple 4063m-Xinleng Ancient Temple 3881m), and the reference time is 4 hours. The hike is a round-trip line, and you can turn back halfway or play around the Xinleng Ancient Temple and wait for the group.
Crossing the southern line of Genyen, you will unexpectedly encounter snow-capped mountains and forests
After returning from Laoleng Temple, we continued westward along the Diqu River Valley [Crossing the Southern Line of Genyen]. Along the way, the snow-capped Genyen Mountains accompanied us, with forests occasionally standing on the grasslands. Rivers flowed peacefully, and horses and yaks lazily grazed on the meadows. In July and August, the meadows were in full bloom with wildflowers, and in October, the forests were ablaze with color, creating a paradise on earth. We occasionally stepped into the sea of flowers along the roadside, stopping along the way until we arrived at the Redi River Valley to fully experience the beauty of Genyen. We then crossed the Laozhelongba Pass, where we paused to gaze back at the snow-capped mountains.
Then we went south along the river valley, and the scenery on the road began to gradually change. Halfway through, the villages on the roadside began to consist of white Tibetan houses. Willow branches fluttered by the river, and the white Tibetan houses were hidden in the green fields. Smoke rose from time to time, which fits people's imagination of the Tibetan countryside.
Day 7 Derong → Shangri-La★ Disbandment Day
All day
Napahai Essence Surrounds the Lake and Experiences the Ecological Beauty of the Plateau Wetlands
After breakfast, we will depart for Shangri-La at an appropriate time. Upon arrival in Shangri-La, we will take a short drive along the Napahai Ring Road, then head to the Napahai Observation Deck to overlook the entire Napahai and 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, giving you the opportunity to observe these plateau elves from afar.
The meeting will then end at Shangri-La, with several disbanding points set up:
The tour will arrive at Shangri-La Station at approximately 13:00, Shangri-La Airport at 13:30, and will be dispersed near Dukezong Ancient Town at 14:00. Tourists returning on the same day are advised to book flights after 15:30 or trains after 14:00.
