An Insider's Yunnan | Journey Along the Tea Horse Road

August 4-11

8 days • From 9,600 RMB per person

Lijiang • Shaxi • Shangri-La

Here at WildChina, we’ve been pioneering sustainable travel in China for the last 20 years. Our mission remains the same as it did when we first started: to connect people through travel and to change the Chinese travel industry for the better. This year, we remain more dedicated to that mission than ever. We're here to support our local communities and to get you off the beaten path in a safe and responsible way. 

This August, we've created an unparalleled journey deep into the heart of tea country. The world drinks over 6 million cups of tea every day, but how much do you know about the beverage's 3,000 years of history? Follow the trail back to tea's roots in Yunnan on this journey along its most ancient trade roads. Discover how tea has woven itself into the historical fabric of the three-dozen cultures found along the pathway to Tibet and learn which Tea Horse Road traditions are still alive today.

What we love:

• Starting your journey in Lijiang with a traditional Naxi dinner party

• Sitting down for the famous Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony, a tradition of the Bai ethnic group all about leading a balanced life

• Discovering the fringes of Tibet alongside Napa Lake

If you're interested in booking this journey, get in touch with us via our WeChat account or send us an email at [e-mail].

Day 1-2: Lijiang 

• Explore the small paths and canals that weave through Lijiang Old Town and come across Naxi people, an ethnic minority group who were integral to the success of the Tea Horse Caravan Road 

• Join a welcome dinner party in a traditional Naxi courtyard 

• Hike in the Wenhai Valley (4-5hr hike) 

• Meet a local shaman along the way who will bless our future travels 

• Learn about farm-to-table dining in its most authentic form over dinner in a local restaurant

Day 3-5: Shaxi  

• Stroll along the cobbled streets of Shaxi, one of the last remaining market towns on the Tea Horse Road 

• Visit Stone Dragon Village where 'Those who can walk, dance; and those who can talk, sing.' Meet the region's Folk Music King and watch a captivating musical performance full of longing and lust, wantonness and excitement

• Admire Shibaoshan Grottoes' ancient stone-carved Buddhist figurines and learn about the dissemination of Mahayana Buddhism from Tibet to Yunnan province along the Tea and Horse Road

• Participate in a Bai three-course tea ceremony. Feel removed from the rest of China's tea culture as you reflect with a bitter, sweet and lingering tea

• Join the owner and founder of Aoding Guesthouse for dinner and listen to his adventures along the tea & horse caravan trail.

• Pass by Shigu Old Town and the mythical First Bend of the Yangtze on your way to Shangri-La 

Day 6-8: Shangri-La  

• Wander through the gilded pillars and incense-filled rooms of Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan lamasery in Yunnan

• Follow the narrow, winding lanes of Shangri-la Old Town and join the locals for a cup of Tibetan Butter Tea 

• In the evening, join the locals in the square for a glass of Shangri-La beer and circle dancing

• Reach the fringes of Tibet as you continue along the Tea and Horse Caravan Road to ephemeral Napa Lake

• Visit a nearby village and watch local craftsmen knead, fashion, and fire their famous black clay products

• End your journey with a festive Tibetan-style farewell dinner party

Where You'll Stay 

The Bivou, Lijiang

The Bivou, which derives its name from the old Swiss word for ‘temporary encampment’, is located at the foot of the Yulong Mountain and everything from the interior bamboo floors to the solar-powered heating system is a testament to the establishment’s sustainability pledge. Wake up every morning to an array of fresh fruit and homemade granola, complimented nicely with seasonal jams and local honey.

Shaxi Aoding Courtyard

In the heart of the town, Shaxi Aoding Courtyard is just 200 meters from the market town’s historical Sideng open-air theater. The hotel was built by local craftsmen in the traditional Bai architectural style and features a number of courtyards and carefully designed gardens. Your morning cup of local tea will be served on the terrace where you’ll be treated to incredible views of surrounding rolling hills.

Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge

Sitting at the foot of the temple that lends the hotel its name and dominates the skyline, the Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge is housed in a traditional Tibetan dwelling. Upon retiring to your room, admire the hotel’s collection of handpicked furniture and intricately woven carpets, effortlessly combining both modern comfort and Tibetan style in a delicate balancing act. 

Learn more  

Download the full itinerary, along with booking conditions and payment details, by scanning the QR code below.

Get 999 RMB Off Your Journey  

Refer-a-friend deal

If number 9 is the closest to heaven, then this offer is positively divine. 

Book your spot on a WildChina small group journey this summer and refer two friends to do the same. If they reference your name when booking, you’ll all get 333RMB off your journeys - a total of 999RMB off combined. 

Terms and conditions apply. Contact us on [e-mail] for more information.

Join our Q&A WeChat Group 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our summer journeys. Scan the QR code below to join our WeChat group.

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WildChina was born on the sacred slopes of Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. Since WildChina’s first-ever trip in 2000, we have helped thousands of travelers enjoy life-changing experiences in every corner of this vast and endlessly inspiring nation. We never crop out reality or cocoon our travelers in a tourist bubble. We believe in the power of travel to transform, inspire, and bring people closer together, and we work tirelessly to perfect every detail for our guests. It’s this dedication, expertise, and passion for travel in China that makes us an award-winning industry leader.