Authentic Northern Yunnan
Lijiang, Tacheng, Benzilan, Meili & Shangri-La
based on 8 nights & daily experiences
Price Guide:
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* Pricing is a guideline only and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
Price includes:
Accommodation
Private transfers
Daily experiences
Daily Breakfast
per person based on two people sharing.
Please note that the cost of the itinerary will be higher during peak periods of travel, over Chinese National Holidays.
At a Glance
Dig beneath the surface into the outskirts of Lijiang as you learn about minority culture in Longquan, Baisha and Yuhu
Hike on the backdrop of majestic Meili mountains, Kawagebo peak and Mingyong glacier
Learn about the arts behind Tibetan wooden bowl painting or how traditional Tibetan incense sticks are made
Get back to nature with an overnight glamping at a hidden valley just outskirt of the mythical Shangri-La
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Best time to Visit
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From the subtropical lowlands in the south up to glacier-capped mountains in the north, Yunnan is a province of extremes. The climate varies so much across this vast and diverse area, that it has given rise to an ancient Chinese saying: “You can enjoy all four seasons on the same mountain, with each just a few miles from the next”. Generally speaking, most of Yunnan province is mild in winter and cool in summer, with large variances in temperature occurring across the day. Mornings can start with a wintery chill, and warm up to 25°C by lunchtime. Spring and Autumn are mild and pleasant and the best times to visit Yunnan, despite May being the rainiest month of the year. For snow-capped mountains and dramatic alpine scenes, the winter months of November to January can be spectacular.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. To start planning your holiday
Itinerary
We leave the standard tourist trail to bring you an in-depth cultural immersion into the life of Yunnan and the Shangri-La scenic region. We will visit often-overlooked villages in the outskirts of Lijiang, hike around the pristine natural beauty of Meili in addition to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, search for snub-nosed golden monkeys, as well as learn the makings of Tibetan wooden bowl and incense stick.
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Days 1-3: Lijiang
Arriving into the quaint old town of Lijiang, we explore the off-the-beaten villages of Longquan, Baisha and Yuhu. In the evening, you will be serenaded by the majestic Impressions of Lijiang Performance.
Accommodation: Jinmao Hotel Lijiang, The Unbound Collection By Hyatt (2 nights)
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Days 3-5: Tacheng
From Lijiang, we drive out to embark on a short hike at the iconic Tiger Leaping Gorge with its famed mountains and river canyons.
Afterwards, we continue into Tacheng. Here, you will explore the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. If you are lucky enough, you may stop the rare snub-nosed golden monkeys! Afterwards, we continue into the Lisu Village named Bazhu.
Accommodation: Songtsam Tacheng (2 nights)
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Days 5-6: Benzilan
Next day, we drive into Benzilan. We will visit Dongzhulin Monastery, known for its many cultural relics such as the Maitreya Buddha, statue of White Drolma, and Buddhas of Three Worlds.
Afterwards, you get the chance to enjoy a Tibetan Bowl Painting Workshop at Gonjo village. Alternatively, we can also arrange a visit to Shuibianhe Valley to learn about the process of making traditional Tibetan incense sticks.
Accommodation: LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan (1 night)
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Days 6-8: Meili
We continue into Meili. Here, you have two hiking options:
Option A: Kawagebo Peak Hike - Visit Qudengge and Feilai temples to appreciate the beauty of the mountain. Afterwards, we drive to Kala mountain for 2 hours of hiking to Mingyong Glaciers.
Option B: Mingyong Glacier Hike - You will hike from Mingyong Village to Taizi and Linahua temples where you can enjoy fantastic views of the Mingyong Glacier.
Accommodation: Sunyata Hotel Meili (2 nights)
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Days 8-9: Shangri-La
Finally, we drive into the mystical Shangri-La. Here, you will visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, which is Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards, we will walk around Shiga Mountain and explore the local villages. We have included an overnight glamping in a hidden valley to experience a sight rarely seen by typical Shangri-La tourists.
Accommodation: The Hidden Valley Resort (1 night)
Location
Lijiang, Tacheng, Benzilan, Meili & Shangri-La
- 100% financial protection
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator
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