6 Days Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour with Club Med Resort

Day 1 Lijiang Arrival & Lijiang

Arrive in Lijiang - Lijiang Old Town

Ni Hao! Welcome to Lijiang, a very impressive ancient city! Upon arrival at the airport or railway station, your guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel in ancient town area with a private car which is comfortable, air-conditioned and non-smoking. 

After a short rest, you’ll 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. (Optional Activity: 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. 

• Rosa's Group from Spain visited Mufu Palace in 2023
• Marcin from USA visited Lijiang Old Town in 2023

Day 2 Lijiang - Club Med Lijiang (B, L, D)

Dongba Culture Museum - Black Dragon Pool Park - Yuhu Village - Baisha Murals - Club Med Lijiang

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures.

Then, transfer to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you’ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a tranquil Yuhu Lake… explore leisurely around the village and then go to explore the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Houses here are arranged on a north-south axis around a central, terraced square. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which depict subjects relating to Buddhism, Taoism and the life of the Naxi people, incorporating cultural elements of the Bai people. (Optional experience: You can have in-depth cultural experience to learn how to make Baisha embroidery instructed by the local masters in Baisha Village.)

After the visiting, be transferred to the nearby Club Med Lijiang, newly open in October, 2021. Your guide will help check in at the hotel. Enjoy your own time exploring around and joining the wonderful shows and parties by the resort and stay over night at Club Med Lijiang!

• Carrie from China visited Black Dragon Pool Park in 2021
• Welcome to Club Med Lijiang
• Club Med Lijiang
• Daisy from Thailand visited Baisha Village in 2018

Day 3 Club Med Lijiang (B, L, D)

Full Day with Diverse Included Activities and Personal Relax at Club Med Lijiang

Good morning! Start your wonderful nice day with magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain against the beautiful clear blue sky in Lijiang! Enjoy the substantial breakfast at the elegant restaurant with fine view outside the window. Then, have a terrific joyous and relaxing full day at Club Med Lijiang with more than 20 interesting entertainment activities, sport items, theme courses, etc. covered. Apart from your family and friends, the professional smiling G.Os (Gentils Organisateurs) will be your best playmates and teachers to immerse into each item in the authentic French flavor with superb fun and mental releasing! Archery, tennis, trapeze, cooking, painting, “Amazing Family!” games and classes, circus, magic, music, dance performances with local Lijiang cultural charm, etc. are all well arranged for your active participation for as more happiness and harvest as possible! The lunch is specially designed for a rich selection of fresh local Naxi ethnic flavor and international tastes in a buffet style. Then, you can spend some personal peaceful time with a glass of drink by the pond / pool or in your room. After the delicate dinner, continue your fantastic time with diverse shows, parties and other night entertainment before your sleeping! Stay overnight at Club Med Lijiang and have a sweet dream!

• Club Med Lijiang Naxi Characters Write Leaning
• "Amazing Family!" Activity at Club Med Lijiang
• Climbing Experience at Club Med Lijiang
• Musical Entertainment at Club Med Lijiang
• Delicate Club Med Lijiang Food

Day 4 Lijiang - Shangri-La (B, L)

First Bend of Yangtze River - Tiger Leaping Gorge

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. You’ll have a look at local market and Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in Shigu Town.

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.

Tiger Leaping Gorge travel tips: 1) This gorge is suitable for most travelers with easy walk. Comfortable shoes are recommended. 2) There are also optional elevators for you to go down from the entrance to the sightseeing platform by the river.

After the hiking tour, you’ll be driven to Shangri-La. With about 1.5 hours' driving, enjoy the enchanting natural scenery along the way. Welcome to Shangri-La (Zhongdian, altitude: 3459meters), the Garden of Eden! Upon arrival, go 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. (Optional experience: If you are interested in making traditional Tibetan Thangka, you can learn at Shangri-la Thangka Institute. Programs here include Thangka painting, chanting, Tibetan language and calligraphy.)

Accommodate in Shangri-la.

• Ana's Group from Belgium and Mexico visited Tiger Leaping Gorge in 2020
• The Panoramic View of Dukezong Old Town
• Daisy from Thailand visited First Bend of Yangtze River in 2018

Day 5 Shangri-La (B, L)

Songzanlin Monastery - Pudacuo National Park - Local Tibetan Family Visiting

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. 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 be 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.

Then, drive about 27 kilometers to Pudacuo National Park. This 1,300-square-kilometer national park is notable as the 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. Throw yourself into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery. There are also many hiking opportunities. (Notes: 1) the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m so you should avoid strong activities to avoid high altitude sickness; 2) part of the national park is currently closed for environment protection and recovery.)

After the merry time in the park, 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. (Optional Experience: If you are interested in the Tibetan people's daily drinks, you can follow the locals to involve in the process of making butter tea.)

• Shudu Lake of Pudacuo National Park
• Magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, Picture Shared by Our Guest Bondny
• Pudacuo National Park

Day 6 Shangri-La/Zhongdian Departure (B)

Airport/train station drop off

Today is free for you to relax until your driver escort you to catch you flight/train to next destination.

Departure ideas: After Shangri-la, you can catch a high speed train to Lijiang, Kunming and other destinations, or directly take a flight to Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, etc.