Day 1 Various locations → → Lijiang ★ Gathering day
All day
Today is a full-day assembly day. Please proceed to the assembly hotel and check in by submitting your "China-TravelNote+Name" form. After arranging your accommodations, you'll be free to explore Lijiang Dayan Old Town and acclimate to the plateau climate. After dark, the vibrant life of the ancient town is also worth looking forward to.
Day 2 Lijiang → Qingxi Reservoir → Feilai Temple
All day
We woke up early in the morning and headed to Qingxi Reservoir to wait for the sunrise over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, capturing the moment when the first ray of sunlight illuminated the peak of the snow-capped mountain.
We then drove away and arrived at Moon Bay in the afternoon to take photos of the majestic First Bend of the Jinsha River.
We will then pass through the Baima Snow Mountain Tunnel and reach the Wunongding Observation Deck, a breathtaking viewpoint in Deqin County. The Meili Snow Mountain, with its rolling hills, Feilaisi Village at its foot, and the Lancang River Valley are all within sight. We will also photograph the sunset over the Meili Snow Mountain from here.
After the afterglow of the sunset faded away, we continued heading north and stayed at Feilai Temple at night.
Day 3 Feilai Temple → Bingzhongluo
All day
In the morning, we'll head to the observation deck to capture the golden glow of the Meili Snow Mountain. The golden light shone on the Kawagebo and Mentsim peaks, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Afterward, we'll return to our hotel.
Then we left Feilai Temple and arrived at Bingzhongluo along the beautiful Degong Highway, where we had a low-angle view of the First Bay of the Nujiang River and Taohua Island.
Visit the filming location of Tian Zhuangzhuang's documentary "Drum" and experience Wuli Village, a world-renowned green eco-village. The scattered wooden houses and lush green fields here give people a sense of returning to nature.
Then we walked into the village along the ancient Tea-Horse Road built by the ancients, took photos along the way, and photographed Wuli Village from multiple angles.
Day 4 Bingzhongluo → Dulongjiang
All day
After breakfast, we ascended to Gongdang Mountain. Today, we changed our perspective and took a bird's-eye view of the Nujiang River's First Bend (a special China-TravelNote location, accessed through a private forest. Generally, the mornings are filled with clouds, creating excellent light for photos). We then descended, stopping along the way to capture a panoramic view of Bingzhongluo from above. On a clear day, we'll also be able to see Gawa Gap Snow Mountain (5,128 meters), the highest point in Gaoligong Mountain.
Afterwards, we'll depart Bingzhongluo and head for the mysterious Dulong River. Dulong River, recognized by experts as a "natural museum of wild plants," is one of my country's most pristine ecologically preserved areas. It's home to the ancient, reclusive Dulong people. We'll have the opportunity to encounter and photograph the Dulong people's enigmatic "face-tattooed women."
Note:
1. The tattooed women are older and will not accept guidance on movements when taking photos. The tattooed women are old and have weak physical conditions. If the tattooed women near Dulong River are sick or no longer alive during the trip, we will look for them near Bingzhongluo instead. Please understand.
2. The Dulong people are an ancient and closed ethnic group in my country with a small population. The custom of facial tattooing has long disappeared. There are less than 25 Dulong women with facial tattoos alive today. They are distributed in different villages in Nujiang and Dulongjiang, and they are all over 70 years old. It would be a blessing if you can meet them. If not, please treat it with a normal mind.
Drive to Pukawang at the right time. There is a tributary of Nujiang River here. The water is clear and you can see the bottom. The rocks block the water flow and stir up waves. In the deep place, there is a piece of emerald. The natural scenery is very good and it can be called a paradise on earth.
Stay at a Dulong Township characteristic inn at night.
Day 5 Dulongjiang → Zhiziluo → Laomudeng
All day
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Dulong River and pass by the First Roar of the Nu River to feel the "rage" of the Nu River; admire the Stone Moon and listen to the legend of the origin of the Lisu people.
Continuing on our journey, outside the car window are primeval forests, hundreds of peaks, thousands of acres of bamboo forests, and the national first-class protected Gongshan bald cypress. You can also overlook the Biluo Snow Mountain, Danglika Mountain, Nanmowang Mountain, etc.
We arrived at Zhiziluo in time. It is an abandoned county town. Because there are still some residents who are reluctant to leave, this former county town is particularly different. Here everyone can freely sweep the streets and create.
We stayed at Laumdeng in the evening, tasted the special Nu ethnic group's hand-pulled rice for dinner, held a kang-side party, and felt the ethnic enthusiasm.
Organize night photography of the church's starry sky (starry sky photography has high requirements for weather conditions, whether it can be arranged depends on the actual trip).
Day 6: Laomudeng → Liuku → Tengchong Ginkgo Village
All day
When you wake up in the morning, you can move to take pictures of the morning scenery of Crown Peak, Golden Mountain in the sun, and Nujiang Grand Canyon. There is a high probability of sea of clouds, deep canyons and towering mountains, with clear layers and rich artistic conception of Chinese paintings.
The Nu people would light a fire, boil tea in a teapot, and gather around it, eating buckwheat cakes and chatting. The orange glow of the fire reflected on their faces, and the sunlight filtering through the bamboo walls shone through the smoke. Combined with their traditional attire, everything seemed so natural and harmonious. After capturing scenes like cooking and cooking, we moved outside to capture scenes of labor such as drying autumn crops.
Continuing on, we carefully selected a wide and breathtaking section of the Nu River, with a special Lisu zipline photo opportunity. Journey deep into the Grand Canyon, taking in views of Gaoligong Mountain, Biluo Snow Mountain, markets, flowing springs and waterfalls, the homes of the people nestled deep in the white clouds, and Lisu villages. We also admire the Sleeping Beauty of Weilaba in the distance, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the magical Flying Rock, all while enjoying breathtaking canyon scenery.
In the afternoon, we entered Ginkgo Village in Gudong Town. The golden ginkgo trees and quaint houses made it feel like stepping into a golden sea of autumn. Another unique feature of this place is that "the village is in the forest, and the forest is in the village." This naturally beautiful autumn scenery is rare in China.
In the evening, we will gather at a high point to take a bird's-eye view of the sunset at Ginkgo Village. The sky is full of rosy clouds and smoke is curling up, which is very beautiful. (You can also go to take a bird's-eye view of the morning at Ginkgo Village the next day. The tour leader can make flexible arrangements based on the actual weather conditions.)
Tonight we have specially arranged to stay in Ginkgo Village, leaving enough time to enjoy the golden city.
Day 7 Ginkgo Village → Dali ★ Dismissal
All day
In the morning, you can freely take photos of the morning glow in Ginkgo Village. At this time, the smoke from cooking is curling up and the whole city is golden.
Then, I started to create a humanistic work about ginkgo, inviting local villagers as models to shoot the life scenes of local residents in Ginkgo Village and the beams of light leaking through the sparse gaps between the ginkgo leaves.
After the filming was completed, we left and passed by the Longjiang Bridge to take pictures of the spectacular scenery of this super project.
We drove back to the romantic Dali in due time, first dropping us off at Dali Railway Station and then at Dali Huangcaoba Airport. Everyone was reluctant to leave, and we kissed goodbye with tears in our eyes. Don't forget to hand in your homework when you get back!
