2021 Shangrila | 7 Days Daocheng Yading for Lost Horizon Seeking

1

# CET Upcoming trips#

• 2021 Shangrila | 7 Days Meili Snow Mount+Yubeng Village Hiking

Click the links to Get the details!

2021 Shangri-La | 7 Days Daocheng Yading Tour for "Lost Horizon" Seeking

Discover the Real Idyllic Peaceful Dreamland

Where is the “land of idyllic beauty” described by James Hilton in his significant novel “Lost Horizon”?

Shangri-La meaning the “Sun and Moon in Heart” and Daocheng Yading praised as the “Last Pure Land on Our Blue Planet” are the place narrated by James, where to easily appreciate the most idyllic landscape of towering snow mountains, dense ancient forest, shimmering alpine lakes, carpet-like flowery meadows, grazing and playing herds of sheep, cows and horses, temples & monasteries, and so forth. 

Daocheng Yading, world famous for being highly treated as the “Soul of Shangri-La” after the publication of its unbelievable photos by Joseph Jock, is dreamed by countless nature lovers to have a personal admiration of its legendary wonderful views hidden in the alpine area of Southern Sichuan.

All the beauty, brightness, quietness, peace and harmony there is the simple and best thing for your seek of the real “Shangri-La” dreamed by anyone.

Take this 7-day Shangri-La and Daocheng Yading tour to find your own “pure land” and “Shambala kingdom” with the memorable visits to the sacred Sumtseling Monastery, tranquil Pudacuo National Park, mysterious Yading Nature Reserve, and other best essences of both dreamlands.

Highlights of this tour

Yading or Yading Nature Reserve is more often known as Daocheng Yading (稻城亚丁). This mysterious place in Southwest edge of Sichuan Province is highly treated as the “Last Pure Land on Earth”, the “Soul of Shangri-La” and the “Last Shangri-La” by all its global visitors.

Found firstly by Joseph Rock from USA in 1928, Yading has got its name booming by Joseph Rock’s Yading photos published on National Geography and later believed to be the real legendary “Shangri-La” by the inspiring novel of “Lost Horizon” by James Hilton. Hence, Yading cannot hide its charming landscape kingdom surrounded by layers of pure snow-capped mountain for tourists and shutterbugs anymore. 

And yearly, Yading is listed into traveler’s must-visit destinations to marvel at its terrifically mysterious terrain of over 4,000 meters height with holy snow mountains, ancient glaciers, primitive gorges, dense forests, vast grasslands, shimmering lakes and streams, rare gold ores, various colorful plantations, and leisurely livestock. Boasting the sacred mountains, temple and belief of local Tibetan people, Yading is not only for a purification of eyes, but also a fantastic spiritualization paradise for mind and soul during the close to great nature!

Yading being the top popular nature reserve in China and even the whole world holds a lot to please your both eyes, such as the cloud kissing snow mountains, thousands of diverse lakes and rivers, pasture with nice countryside view, village with local people’s life atmosphere, old temple cluster, and more!

Trip Overview

Yading in Sichuan, China is praised as the soul of Shangri-La and photographers’ paradise with stunning authentic landscape of snow mountains, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, flowery pastures, idyllic rural houses and temple for a superb landscape satisfaction!

• Day1 Arrive at Lijiang,  Live in Lijiang Ancient Town and then it is your own time to explore this city.

• Day2 Lijiang-First Bend of Yangtze River-Yila Grassland(Napa Lake)-Songzanlin Monastery-Local Tibetan Family Visiting-Shangri-La, Live in Shangri-la

• Day3 Shangri-La-Daocheng Yading, Live in Daocheng Country

• Day4 Yading Nature Reserve: Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five Color Lake) Live in Daocheng Country

• Day5 Yading Nature Reserve (Chonggu Monastery - Chonggu Meadow - Pearl Lake - Poplar Forest - Benbo Monastery) Live in Daocheng Country

• Day6 Daocheng Yading- Shangri-La Live in Shangri-La

• Day7 Dukezong Old Town-Pudacuo National Park-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang Depature (Arrive at Lijiang around 18:00)

You will explore Yading Nature Reserve to marvel at the three elegant sacred snow mountains (Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong and Xianuoduoji), fabulous clear Milk Lake, Five Color Lake and Pearl Lake, and have more satisfying immersion into the idyllic oil painting with grazing cattle, dancing grassland, varicolored forests, historic temples, chanting streams, and so on! 

FYI：In case of rain, traffic jam or any other unpredictable situations, CET reserves the rights to adjust the schedule.

Mount Chianrezig (Xiannairi)

Chianrezig (Chinese called Xiannairi,仙乃日) symbolizing the Bodhisattva of Mercy is the No.1 among all three holy mountains in Yading and sits at the north. Being the No.5 highest mountain in whole Sichuan Province, this great mountain reaches up to 6,032 meters with never melting pure snow, and looks like a kind Buddha leaning back on the lotus. 

Every time when it is sunny, the whole mountain body is well dyed into sparkling golden to be more sacred.

Photography Tips: best shooting location is Pearl Lake. Sunny morning is suggested to shoot the snow mountain body, especially before 06:00 in summer, around 09:00 in autumn.

Mount Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong)

Jambeyang (Chinese called Yangmaiyong央迈勇) means Manjusri Bodhisattva and is regarded as the embodiment of wisdom in Buddhist culture. Situated at the south among the three mountains in Yading, Jambeyang towers 5,958 meters high like the sword of wisdom held by Manjusri pointing to the azure sky and also like a holy and noble young lady with pretty appearance. 

Besides, deeply moved by its beauty, Joseph described it as the most beautiful mountain he had seen in the world in his journalist to show people the existing peaceful fairyland scenery of deep valley, leafy forest, nutritious grassland, stream, and more at the foot of the pure snow-covered mountain, just hidden in Daocheng of China.

Photography Tips: best shotting location is Luorong Pasture. Jambeyang under sunshine is best shot around 06:00 in summer and around 07:10 in Autumn. Fairytale night scene is also good with soft moon light.

Mount Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji)

Chanadorje (Chinese called Xianuoduoji夏诺多吉) of 5958 meters high is the east mountain at Yading and represents Vajrapani Bodhisattva. The entire mountain is formed into nearly a pyramid shape with distinct line like cut manually. Looked from a distance, Chanadorje is like a powerful young man protecting its good villagers and defeating the cruel people.

Photography Tips: Best shooting location is Chonggu Grassland. Sunset hour is best for the most beautiful mountain with rocks and colored snow.

Erong Lake (Milk Lake)

Erong Lake (meaning Milk Lake Yading牛奶海) of 4500 meters above the sea and 0.5 acre wide is the No.1 holy lake in Yading Nature Reserve. Being the ancient ice glacier lake, it is the must-see water in whole Yading. 

Stepping into the valley of Mount Jambeyang, you will find this super pure crystal clear lake like a drop of tear and also like a blue gem inset into the surrounding snow mountains, which is really sacred to make no one dare disturb its serine beauty. 

Furthermore, when the mountain wind blows by, the face of the lake shimmers like a gorgeous box of diamond to completely conquer your eyes.

Danzhen Lake (Five Color Lake)

Danzhen Lake or Five Color Lake (五色海) is the highest lake in Yading with an altitude of 4,600 meters. This round shaped lake covers 0.7 acre between Xiannairi and Jambeyang. With the surrounding snow mountain in white, grey, chocolate and ink, alpine plantations under sunshine, the lake in dark blue and green creates naturally a quiet but spectacular oil painting which often exhibits in international galleries. 

However, in cloudy days, you will also be strongly appealed by the deep and serene blue and azure to calm your mind down and marvel at the amazing power of nature.

Pearl Lake

Zhuoma Lacuo Lake (卓玛拉措) is also known as Pearl Lake (珍珠海) in Chinese, which is the lowest holy lake in Yading with 4,100 meters above sea level and 0.75 acre formed by the melting snow on Xiannairi Mountain. This lake of green and yellow is another visual refreshing surprise. Particularly in late autumn when the leaves changing yellow, golden, fiery red, etc., the lake with the fantastic surrounding, white snow mountains, and blue sky easily draws out a dazzling colorful autumn for your superior enjoyment.

Apart from the above, you can also visit Cuolang Lake (Frog Lake) with the grand alpine azalea flowers in Spring and Summer days with the reflection of Xiannairi on its jade like surface, Rese Lake (Wisdom Lake) to see its hidden elegant peace, and more in Yading.

Luorong Pasture

Luorong Pasture or Luorong Cattle Ranch (洛绒牛场) is one of the most idyllic places in Yading. Backing the three holy mountains, this is the best place to appreciate those snow mountains. Furthermore, located at 4150 meters above sea, it is the ideal pasture for local Tibetan villagers feeding their livestock. 

So take a roam at the pasture to see the cattle and goats grazing by Gongga River and on the slope fully decorated by seasonal colorful wild blooms.

Chonggu Monaster

Chonggu Monastery (3,880m) stands at the foot of Mount Xiannairi and enjoys the great position to glut your eyes on the three sacred mountains, meadows full of wild flowers, precipitous Yading Valley, etc. This ancient Buddhist temple is the start for local’s Kora pursuit and also seems a guardian to safeguard the heaven of Shambhala.

Yading Village

Yading Village of 4,060 meters high means “place facing the sun” in Tibetan for its abundant sunshine. 30 kilometers away from the ticket center, this village with around 30 households makes the holy fairyland no more a legend out of reach but a real place existing on earth.

Songzhangling Monastery

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery(Songzhangling Monastery), known as the Littile Potala Palace, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Yunnan.

Lijiang Ancient Town

Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town is ancient town for Naxi ethnic group. It is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world, making it a world-famous hiking destination. It consists of Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge.

Dukezong Old Town

With a history of 1300 years, it’s the well-kept and the largest Tibetan community in Yunnan. You can climb to Guishan Park for a panoramic view of the old town.

Pudacuo National Park

Pudacuo National Park is the first national park in China with the most breathtaking natural view. It consists of Shudu Lake, Bita Lake and Militang Pasture.

First Bend of Yangtze River

Yangtze River makes a giant turn of a “V” shape and then flows toward the northeast, which is the famous view of First Bend of Yangtze River.

Yila Grassland

Napa Lake is a plateau lake at 3800-4449 meters. Its Yila Grassland is the largest spring pasture where you can ride a horse or travel around the lake for sightseeing.

Napa Lake

Napa Lake is a state-designed wetland area, situated about 3270m above sea level. The lake fills up a valley surrounded on three sides by mountains. This wetlands area is a true paradise for all types of birds, most especially for water fowl like black-necked crane.

Basic Tour Information

Activity Place: Lijiang City Yunnan Province

Activity Date:  2021 Group Tour Dates

• Every Saturday (Holiday price is different)
  

Trip Length: 7D/6N

Meeting point: Lijiang Hotel(Pick up and drop off service is available)

Group Trip fee: Local Traveling bus+Meals+Accommondations+Guide+Insurance

• Normal Price: 3685RMB/pax, pay the deposit 885RMB/pax when you book the trip.

• Group Discount: 3635RMB/pax if 3 or more than 3 seats booked together, pay the deposite 835RMB/pax when you book the trip.

• VIP Price: 3635RMB  ( Buy CET VIP on our wechat offical Menu ),pay the deposit fee 835RMB/pax when you book the trip.

• Kid Price: Children are less than 1.2m and the kids doesnt need beds and tickets is 1685RMB. Children above 1.2m are the same as adult.

• Single Supplement: 960RMB for the Singleroom supplement if you live alone.

Participants: The Group trip fee is for at least 4 people, if only two people the price will 780RMB/pax more to make the trip confirmed.

Driver and Vehicle: Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of the group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses.

Travel Advisor:  Monica 18514204169 (English & Mandarin) if you have any question, please call us.

Please Note: If you are interested in our trip but not in beijing,  please feel free to contact our travel advisor

Book Your Tickets Online

Press this QR Code and Extract it to book your seat.

Recent News: Tiger Leaping Gorge has 3 parts:Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge. The Upper one is Tiger Leaping Gorge Tourist Area which is going to be closed from November 1st, 2020 to April 30th 2021 due to the road construction. 

Statement about the Trip Fee

What is includes in the cost?

• Guide for the whole trip.
  

• Travelling bus with experienced driver.

• Pick up service and Drop off service

• Drivers' accommadations and meals for the whole trip.

• Accommodation: 6 Nights Hotel, 3 Nights in Daocheng Country, 1 Nights in Lijiang Ancient Town, 2 night in Shangri-la.

• 7 Days outdoor insurance.
  

What is not included in the cost?(The trip fee doesnt include the tickets fee)

• About Daocheng Yading: Entrance Ticket: 150RMB; Sightseeing bus: 120RMB.

• About Songzanlin Monastery: 115RMB

• About Pudacuo National Park: 180RMB (including 100RMB admission fee and 80RMB sightseeing bus fee)

• About Tiger Leaping Gorge: Entrance ticket 35RMB

• Lijiang old town maintenance fee: 50RMB( for Black Dragon pool park)

• Meals and drinks for the whole trip

• Horse riding fee inside the senic spots(Optional Choice)

• Single room Supplement

Please Note: We want to have a positive effect everywhere we go, we don’t take commissions or kickbacks, and we don’t take you on detours for shopping.

Statement about the Refund

• If you cancel this trip more than 7 days before depature, we will fully refund

• If you cancel this trip within 7 days before depature, no refund of the deposit fee

About Insurance: Our trip leader will collect your insurance information 3 days before this trip happens, if you didnt fill the form when he collects the informations or gave the wrong information, it means you give up this trip's insurance and the accident compensation.

Full Itinerary Day by Day

Day1 Arrive at Lijiang,  Live in Lijiang Ancient Town and then it is your own time to explore this city.

Transfer: By Flight or train, it is up to you. Berth train tickets is really difficulty to buy.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lijiang Ancient Town, 3-Star Hotel.

Please Note: The rest day is your own time to explore the lijiang ancient town.

Ni Hao! Welcome to Lijiang, a very impressive ancient city! Upon arrival at the airport or railway station, your guide will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel in ancient town area with a private car, then we will help you check in the hotel. Then the rest day is your time to explore this wonderful city!

Early Arrival Option: You can start a memorable tour in Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial center, Lijiang Old Town is a well-preserved 800-year-old town for Naxi ethnic group, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. 

Walk to the central area of the old town and visit Mufu Palace. A saying goes “there is Forbidden City in the North, Mu’s Residence in the South”. Mu’s Residence was called the miniature Forbidden City. 

Looked from a far distance, it likes a grand imperial palace and it is famous for the grandness and architectural buildings. Getting into the palace, you can know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. 

Then, wander through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round. 

Take a leisure walk up to the Lion Hill and climb up the 33-meter-tall Wanggu Tower - the landmark building of Lijiang to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town and overlook the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.

Arrival Ideas: There’re direct flights from Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guiyang, etc to Lijiang Sanyi Airport. Trains are available from Kunming (about 3-3.5 hours), Dali (about 2-3 hours) to Lijiang Railway Station. 

Day2 Lijiang-First Bend of Yangtze River-Yila Grassland(Napa Lake)-Songzanlin Monastery-Local Tibetan Family Visiting-Shangri-La, Live in Shangri-la

Transfer: By bus, From Lijiang to Shangrila 180km, around 3 hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shangrila city

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 52 kilometers from Lijiang to view the First Bend of Yangtze River. The upper reach of the Yangtze River is Jinsha River coming down from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and when it arrives at Shigu Town, it is obstructed by Hailuo Mountain and forms a V-shape turn. Then it changes the direction and goes to the northeast. You’ll reach the observation deck to catch a panoramic view of the bend, an extraordinary turn nearly about 180 degrees with beautiful and marvelous views like a wonderful landscape painting unfolding before your eyes.

After then, you’ll be driven to Shangri-La. With 2 hours' driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way.  When we get closed to Shangri-La, we will passby Yila Grassland and Napa lake. Napa Lake is a seasonal lake. In dry season, the lake area turns to a swamp that provides open ground for horse riding and an ideal location for migrant birds. In rainy season, with a backdrop of green mountains in a distance and blue sky, it offers quite a few photogenic opportunities. There are a number of small to medium-sized Tibetan villages in the vicinity of Lake Napa. You can get a close-up view of life as it is lived today in a Tibetan village.

Then Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459meters), the Garden of Eden!First, you’ll be transferred with 7 kilometers’ driving to Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Gompa), reputed as the “Little Potala Palace” for it was built according to the complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. 

Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 700 monks and lamas. Walk 147 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the three main lamasery buildings where you can not only see the Buddhism treasures, but also enjoy large number of monks of all ages going about their daily routines, praying, chanting, cooking and resting. 

It should a nice trip to get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and shoot panorama view of Songzanlin Monastery with reflection in the clear water.

After the merry time in the Monastery, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people and taste some special Tibetan snacks and butter tea. 

Day3 Shangri-La-Daocheng Yading, Live in Daocheng Country

Transfer: By bus, From Shangrila to Daocheng Country, 335km, around 7.5hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Daocheng Country

After breakfast, our guide will meet you at your hotel and then transfer you from Shangri-La to Daocheng Yading by our private car by driving for about 7-7.5 hours.

From shangri-la to Daocheng, this is a challenging and little-known route, climbing mountains, entering the inaccessible areas, enjoying the scenery of the original forest, driving through groups of flocks and herds, shepherd singing in alpine meadow, climbing two waves over 4500, 4900 meters above sea level snow mountain pass, arrive in Kasi village  and then climb over Echu mountain  and then arrive the RIwa town (shangri-la).

Along the way, we will enjoy infinite scenery, beautiful sea canyon, mountain road winding in the mountains. From a distance, there are folds of mountains and lakes. The foot of the mountain is green meadow and dark brown slope of waste rocks,  as well as those graceful pines from the valley extends to half empty tall,  It feels like the clouds in the sky have never been so close to you.

After your arrival, you will be sent to your hotel at Daocheng Town (2,950m). The rest of the day is on your own to discover Daocheng Yading and the surrounding. Have a good rest for the following hiking experience!

Tips: Since the altitude of Daocheng Yading area is mainly over 3,000 meters, you are highly suggested not do strenuous exercise to release or avoid altitude sickness.

Day4 Yading Nature Reserve: Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five Color Lake) Live in Daocheng Country

After an early breakfast, start your exploration of Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve, the Last Pure Land on Earth first found by Joseph Rock in 1928 and then be widely treated as the “Soul of Shangri-La” with extremely dreaming wonderland.

Take the sightseeing bus from the tourist center to Zhaguanbeng for about 1-1.5 hours and enjoy the 2-2.5 hours’ hike to Luorong Pasture (4,150m) via Chonggu Monastery (3,900m)(you can also choose to walk 20 minute to Chonggu Monastery and take the 0.5 hour battery car to Luorong Pasture if you want to save energy). 

Enjoy your relaxing roam at the idyllic pasture with those carefree grazing cattle and goats, layers of multicolored dense alpine forest, clear winding stream, etc. backed by the three holy snow mountains, namely Xiannairi (Mount Chianrezig), Yangmaiyong (Mount Jambeyang) and Xianuoduoji (Mount Chanadorje). You will appreciate the most beautiful appearance of Xianuoduoji snow mountain like a powerful man!

Next, take the challenging 5 km’s hike for 3-3.5 hours up to the fabulous Milk Lake (4,600m) (horse riding is available to Milk Lake and needs extra payment) and marvel at the unbelievable charm of such a holy lake like a precious blue gem that even can move one to drop tears. Continue to walk another 0.5 hour to visit Five Color Lake (4,500m) 0.3 km away to savor the impressive sightseeing with beautiful snow rock mountain in white, grey, silver and chocolate, blue and green water, various alpine plantations, clear sky backdrop, etc. particularly like an world-class oil painting.

After the visiting, walk down and take the car and bus back to the entrance. And our guide and driver will send you back to your hotel at Daocheng Town. Have a good rest!

Day5 Yading Nature Reserve (Chonggu Monastery - Chonggu Meadow - Pearl Lake - Poplar Forest - Benbo Monastery) Live in Daocheng Country

Today after breakfast, go to Chonggu Monastery as the same way on Day 2 by sightseeing bus and hike. Have a stop at the temple to admire the sacred Gelug Buddhist temple architecture in white, red, yellow and black and learn the interesting story about the temple and Joseph Rock’s stop by. 

From such unbeatable location, you will easily take the excellent photo of the brilliant temple and the three pure white holy snow mountains. After some short walk, embrace the lovely Chonggu Meadow (4,020m) that can be paralleled with the fairyland on earth. Stroll on the vast grassland like a thick and soft carpet in yellow and green in each season. 

Play along the particularly appealing transparent chanting river with clearly visible little stones like countless grains of gold sank to the bottom. Do not miss the best angle to admire the Xianuoduoji snow mountain like a powerful man.

Then, continue to hike for 30 minutes to visit Pearl Lake (4,120m) that is super fascinating to admire the picturesque landscape of surrounding snow peaks, green and orange dense forest, iridescent prayer flags, and their dazzling reflection in the shimmering clear lake. Also, it is the best location to admire the holy Xiannairi snow mountain.

After that, go back and be transferred to Bang River to appreciate the ten thousand acre of poplar forest (3,740m) from the best location. The wide spread of poplar trees are so charming in pure green in spring and summer and orange and golden in autumn under the frequent azure sky in Daocheng. Then, go to visit Benbo Monastery (3,940m) to have a close look at the striking claret-red Kagyu Buddhist temple cluster of over 900 years old, learn the interesting story of its establishment and the creator, and feel the sincere Buddhist pursuit and persistence of local Lamas.

After the visiting, our guide and driver will send you to your hotel in Daocheng County (3,700m) and help you check in. Have a good rest!

Day6 Daocheng Yading- Shangri-La Live in Shangri-La

Transfer: By bus, From Daocheng Country-Shangrila, 335km, around 7.5hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shangrila

In the morning, we will start to go back to Shangri-la from Daocheng, passing through Sangdui town, across the unknown mountain (4723 meters), across the Ma Xiong ditch, then arrive at Xiangcheng Town. Xiangcheng town is known as "Kangba Jiangnan," here often has green mountains, blue sky and white clouds all year round. 

The three rivers of Shuoqu, Mayi and Dingqu runing through the forest and valley, muddled along the Tibetan villages (white) scattered along the roads, like three strings of pearls strung together by three silk threads. The name "Xiangcheng" (meaning Buddha beads in Tibetan) is derived from this. 

Follow the Shuoqugang River Valley to enjoy the clear water and the scenery along the way, climb over the large snow mountain (altitude: 4196m), come to the Shangri-La Grand Canyon. Climb over the small snow mountain (altitude: 3906m), enjoy the magnificent scenery: rivers, forests, valleys, snow mountains, blue sky setting off each other, forming a wonderful and strange picture.

After we arrive Shangri-La, then check in the hotel and have a good sleep.

Day7 Shangri-La-Dukezong Old Town-Pudacuo National Park-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang Depature (Arrive at Lijiang around 18:00)

In the morning, cherish your time in Shangri-La to explore Dukezong Old Town. With a history over 1300 years, Dukezong Old Town is the largest and the best preserved Tibetan community in China. Climb up to the top of Guishan Hill (or Tortoise Hill) to have a panoramic view of both the endless snow-capped mountains surrounded the pure land and the large scale of the old town with countless Tibetan dwellings. Join in the tourists to turn the largest Prayer Wheel in the world in clockwise direction. 

After the tour, drive about 27 kilometers to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the first first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It is renowned for well-preserved primitive landscape, which is endowed with lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, brooks, rare plants and animals. 

Visit the spots by clockwise and throw yourselves into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery of Shudu Lake (hike 3.3 km, about 1 hour). (Note: the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m and you should avoid strong activities. There’s no problem to hike in the park.)

Important Notice: Militang Pasture (弥里塘草场) and Bita Lake (碧塔海) in Pudacuo National Park are closed for tourists due to maintenance from 3th September, 2017. The administrative office of Pudacuo National Park hasn't confirmed when they will be open exactly. Shudu Lake Scenic Area (属都湖) is still open for tourists. 

Later, be transferred to visit the one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyon in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site called Three Parallel of Yunnan Protected Areas. This steep gorge is situated between the 5596 meters Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and 5396 meters Haba Snow Mountain to the north. 

Measuring 17 kilometers in length, the whole gorge is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower gorge and you’ll pay a visit to the maturest section - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk about 1,000 stairs along the plank road from the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the magnificent gorge view and rolling waves. (Travel tip: This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended.)

Recent News: Tiger Leaping Gorge has 3 parts:Upper, Middle and Lower Gorge. The Upper one is Tiger Leaping Gorge Tourist Area which is going to be closed from November 1st, 2020 to April 30th 2021 due to the road construction.

After the hiking tour, you’ll be driven to Lijiang. Service ends!

Additional Information:

• Please be advised that there will be approximately 10-45 travelers per group

• The above itinerary is for reference only, and is subject to change due to the weather conditions

• Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and allergies if you booked our tour. Please remember to bring any medication that you need with you

• Pregnant women, guests with heart attacks, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, severe colds, and those who are not suitable for outdoor hiking are advised to carefully decide whether or not to travel according to their own conditions or doctor's advice

• We will contact you between 8:00pmto10:00pm a day before you travel to reconfirm the pick up time and place. Please keep your contact lines or channels available. If you have not received any confirmation after 10:00pm, please contact customer service.

• In case of severe inclement weather or other environmental problems beyond control that causes the tour to be unable to proceed, participants can opt for a reschedule.

CET (Culture Exchange Trip) is a student self-organized service platform focusing on intercultural communication and aimed to create more opportunities for young people from all over the world to have more chances to communicate in more fantastic way like outdoor activities.

- GO HIKING -  

- MEET THE WORLD -

CETtrip to Explore China