9 Days to Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri La & Deqin and Mt. Meili

upon your arrival in Kunming, meet your personal guide at the arrival hall of the airport. The guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. After check-in, take a stroll in the flower and bird market.

• Hotels: Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime, Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre, Intercontinental Kunming

Kunming Lake in Cuihu Park

Early rise for the 1.5 hours ride to the Stone Forest, a large forest of black limestone standing through winds and rains of millions of years. After lunch nearby, head back to the city to take a leisurely walk around Cuihu Park (Green Lake Park), a free park for the public and it also attract tens of thousands of black-headed galls in winters. Walk a few minutes to Yuantong Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Kunming city.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Stone Forest

Morning flight to Lijiang, meet your guide and driver in Lijiang upon arrival. Stroll around Lijiang ancient town, hike up Lion Hill to have a bird’s eye view of the town.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Lijiang Ivy Garden Resort, Grand Hyatt Lijiang, Banyan Tree Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town

Drive about an hour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Yak’s plateau is chosen to see the face of the highest peak – Shanzidou. Two way shuttle bus and cable car are included. After a late lunch, explore the small but interesting Baisha Village for its beautiful murals.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Drive about 3 hours to Shangri-la, en route you will take great pictures of the Yangtze’s first bend near Shigu Town. After lunch keep driving to get to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most magnificent valleys in the world with a vertical drop of 3790 meters.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Resort, Songtsam Linka Shangri-La, Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge

First Bend of Yangtze River

The whole morning is for a visit to Pudacuo National Park for its two fresh water highland lakes – Shudu Lake and Bita Lake, the pastures and wetlands are great for photos too. After a late lunch, visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in the province, it finished construction in the year 1681. At night, attend the bonfire party held in the ancient town with the local people in colorful traditional costumes.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Songzanlin Monastery

Drive about 6 hours to Deqin, en route, you will see Baimang Snow Mountains, farm lands and local houses. The roads wind up and down in mountains and woods. Lunch is arranged in Benzilan down the mountain. Flying Temple sitting by the main road awaits you for a view of the highest peak of Meili Snow Mountain.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Songtsam Lodge Meili

Stupa at Flying Temple with Meili Snow Mountain in the backdrop

Drive about an hour to the foot of Mingyong Glacier, the longest and largest valley glacier with the lowest tail end altitude. A horse ride will take you up along the ice tongue. You will also visit Taizi Monastery and Mingyong village upon request.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Mingyong Glacier on Meili Snow Mountain

drive back to Shangri-La for 6 hours to catch your flight to next destination.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Local flower market