Incredible Northern Yunnan
Incredible Northern Yunnan
Yunnan means “south of the clouds” and you will discover why as you explore the misty mountains, gaping gorges, and colorful cultures of Northern Yunnan. Located on the threshold of the Himalayas, visitors are treated to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. For centuries this rugged terrain shielded local people from the Han dominated empires of China’s past, resulting in a host of vibrant ethnic minority groups, each with its own language, cuisine, distinctive form of dress, festivals, and belief systems.
Trip Details
- Trip Duration
- 8 day
- Group Size
- 2-15
- Trip Type
- Cultural Trips
- Trip Location
- Yunnan
Yunnan means “south of the clouds” and you will discover why as you explore the misty mountains, gaping gorges, and colorful cultures of Northern Yunnan. Located on the threshold of the Himalayas, visitors are treated to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. For centuries this rugged terrain shielded local people from the Han dominated empires of China’s past, resulting in a host of vibrant ethnic minority groups, each with its own language, cuisine, distinctive form of dress, festivals, and belief systems.
Trip Details
- Trip Duration
- 8 day
- Group Size
- 2-15
- Trip Type
- Cultural Trips
- Trip Location
- Yunnan
CULTURAL IMMERSION
Our adventure will have participants immersed in stunning terrain while interacting with the area’s local communities. Each day, travelers will have the opportunity to participate in carefully designed activities that are sure to bring new challenges, new flavors, new stories, and new friends. From the expansive views of Tiger Leaping Gorge to the friendly villagers around the picturesque Shaxi Valley, participants are sure to experience China like never before and take home a new, unique perspective of the Middle Kingdom.
TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN YUNNAN
Probably the most striking feature of Yunnan’s culture is its diversity. With over 20 different ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, customs, and languages, it is sometimes impossible to pin Yunnanese culture down with broad generalizations. Yunnan’s diversity makes it unique, and the Yunnanese are quite proud of this fact. While Yunnan is diverse, the hub of traditional Tibetan culture is located in Shangri-La. Here you can spend hours roaming through monasteries and watching monks meditate to the slow, melodic flicker of yak butter candles.
Day 1
Pick up at Lijiang airport
Transfer to Hotel
Arrive at Hotel and check in. Settle into hotel and rest
Day 2
8:30am – Eat breakfast at hotel in Lijiang
9:00am – Depart hotel, Drive 97km (1 hour and 40 min.) to Shaxi Old town
11:30am – Check into your historic homestay in Shaxi, eat a local lunch with the Bai people.
1:00pm – Explore Shaxi old town and market, take a relaxing bike ride through the countryside and the cobblestone streets OR explore the many shops and the old stone arch bridge
3:00pm – Bai cultural activities around a restored temple
5:30pm – Travel to the the Old Theatre Inn for a night of local dishes and historic performances
8:30pm – Return to homestay for a great nights sleep
Day 3
8:00am – Eat breakfast in homestay
9:00am – Enjoy the morning to sip coffee in the courtyard of your hostel and find new treasures among the winding alleys of old Shaxi
11:30am – Lunch in Shaxi
12:30pm – In the afternoon, drive back to Lijiang
2:30pm – Explore Shuhe and/or Baisha Old Town and learn about Naxi writing and calligraphy
5:00pm – Experience a local Naxi Shaman dance
6:30 pm – Dinner in Lijiang
8:00pm – Sleep at a hotel in Lijiang
Day 4
8:30am – Eat breakfast in hotel
9:00am – Drive 90km (2 hours) to Tiger Leaping Gorge, along the way you will see the first bend of the Yangtze River.
11:30am – View the Gorge from the road, no hiking is needed
12:30pm -Eat lunch near Tiger Leaping Gorge
1:30pm -Drive 103km (2 hours) from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La
3:30 pm – Arrive at hotel, clean up at hotel.
6:00pm – Tibetan style dinner at a local restaurant
8:00pm – Return to hotel to sleep
Day 5
8:00am – Breakfast at hotel
9:00am- Take the short drive out of town to visit Ganden Songzalin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan Province, aka “The Little Potala Palace”
12:30pm- Lunch in Shangri-La
1:00pm -Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town, an important town own the ancient Tea Horse Trade Caravan.
3:30pm -Walk to the top of Guishan Hill to see the largest prayer wheel in the world and to get a great panoramic view of Shangri-La below
7:30pm – Sleep in hotel in Shangri-La
Day 6
8:30am – Eat breakfast at hotel
9:00am – Spend the day at Bita Lake and Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park. This area contains over 20% of China’s plant species and 30% of its mammal and bird species.
5:30pm – In the afternoon, return to hotel in Shangri-La
6:30pm – Final dinner in Shangri-La
8:30pm – Sleep in hotel in Shangri-La
Day 7
8:00am – Eat breakfast in hotel
9:00am – Spend the morning enjoying old town Shangri-La and walking through the old cobblestone streets and seeing the local markets
12:30pm – Lunch in Shangri-La
1:30pm – Depart hotel to drive 203km, (4 hours) to Lijiang
5:30pm – Settle into hotel
6:30pm – Final dinner in Lijiang
7:30pm- Sleep in hotel in Lijiang
Day 8
8:00am – Eat breakfast in hotel
9:00am -Depart hotel to drive to Lijiang airport
Arrive at Lijiang LJG airport, check in
Depart Lijiang airport
Price Includes
Your Tibetan Trails journey is designed to provide a seamless and authentic travel experience across the Tibetan Plateau. The tour price includes:
- Accommodation in carefully selected Tibetan boutique hotels, guesthouses, or luxury lodges throughout the itinerary.
- For trekking and backpacking expeditions, all camping arrangements including tents, cooking equipment, pack animals (horses or yaks where required), and support staff. Guests are welcome to bring their own sleeping bag and sleeping pad, though these can also be provided upon request.
- Cultural experiences and nomadic activities as outlined in the itinerary.
- All meals during the tour, typically beginning with lunch or dinner on the first day and continuing through the conclusion of the trip. (Many other travel agencies cut out lunch and dinner for guests to make the prices seem lower, but we believe every traveler should experience the true culinary richness of Tibet and include a generous food budget inside our tours).
- One professional English-speaking Tibetan guide throughout the journey. Our guides have over 15 years of experience with foreigners.
- Private transportation in a comfortable van, SUV, or bus, including all ground transportation specified in the itinerary.
- All entrance fees and permits for attractions, monasteries, parks, and sites included in the itinerary.
- Accommodation and meals for guides, drivers, and support staff.
- Local mountain guides where required for specific trekking routes.
- All required travel permits, legal paperwork, and group insurance required for travel within Tibetan regions.
- Unlimited bottled drinking water throughout the tour.
Price Excludes
The following items are not included in the tour price:
- International or domestic flights and train tickets.
- Personal travel insurance. We require all travelers to obtain their own travel insurance for the duration of their trip. We recommend purchasing coverage through World Nomads or a comparable provider.
- Visa fees, passport fees, and any related travel documentation costs.
- Optional activities or excursions not specifically listed in the itinerary.
- Alcoholic beverages, specialty drinks, and personal snacks.
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and support staff (recommended for excellent service).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and telephone charges.
- Costs resulting from itinerary changes, flight delays, weather conditions, altitude-related issues, government restrictions, natural disasters, or other force majeure events beyond our control.
Trip Highlights
- Shuhe old town in Lijiang
- Tibetan nomadic culture + lifestyle
- Tiger Leaping Gorge