Black Dragon Pool

  Day 1 Arrive in Kunming, and tour around Kunming city if time allows.

  Day 2 Visit the Stone Forest, which is about 2 hrs drive from Kunming

city. Then can enjoy the amazing Ethnique Performance called Dynamic

Yunnan in the Grand Yunnann Theatre, at 8-9:30pm.

  Day 3 Fly to Dali. Then Dali Old Town, hike to the Tea Plantation on

Cangshan Mt., then bike along part of the Erhai Lake if interested.

  Day 4 Visit Xizhou morning market, then drive 2 hrs to Shaxi, and

visit the Hnaging Temple and grotos in the Shibao Mt., Shaxi old town

in the evening.

  Day 5 Drive 1.5-2 hrs from Shaxi to Lijiang. Can check out the horse

riding and boating activities around Lashi Lake if interested. Then

visit Lijiang old town and Black Dragon Pool Park.

  Day 6 Explore the interesting villages around Lijiang. Visit a hidden

village where has the best view over Lijiang Basin, with cows and goats

wondering around. Can also visit a local Naxi family here if

interested. Then Baisha Village and Shuhe old town.

  Day 7 Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mt., take cable car up to the Spruce

Meadow, where has the best view of the main peaks of the snow mountain,

and you can take beautiful walks through the forest to the meadow,

where has horses and sheep around. Then Blue Moon Valley where the

glacier water is naturally blue and green. Can also enjoy the show at

the foot of the snow mountain, called Impression Lijiang.

  Day 8 Drive 1.5 hrs to Tiger Leaping Gorge, visit the upper gorge

where most tourists go but also very grand and beautiful. Then hire a

local mini van up to somewhere near Tea Horse G.H., and hike about 1.5

-2 hrs to Halfway G.H., then take the minivan down to visit the tourist

part of the Upper Tiger Gorge, if interested. Then 2 hrs further up to

Shangrila, with a stop for beautiful mountain views.

  Day 9 Visit the interesting villages and temples around Shangrila.

First drive to Dabaoji Palace Temple, where local people still go and

pray even it is a quite small and hidden temple. We can also pay a

visit to some local Tibetan family around here. Then the famous

Songzanlin Lamasery. Then Napa Lake area where has lots of yaks,,

horse, piggs wondering, with lovely Tibetan villages around.

  Day 10 Departure flight from Shangrila (Diqing Airport).

Day 1
In the morning visit the Black Dragon Pool park, and visit the Dongba Culture Museum inside the park. Next transfer to visit Yuhu Village and the Former Residence of Joesph Rock.
--The Black Dragon Pool is a charming and tranquil park and pool system in the north east of Lijinag on the northern edge of Lijiang’s famous Old Town. The Black Dragon Pool is the head waters of the Yushui River that provides water for the Old Town. If you are visiting Lijiang’s Old Town, the Black Dragon Pool is a must see and a great way to relax and enjoy beautiful natural scenery after the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.

--Yuhu Village is the last village in the Lijiang Basin at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The houses were made of a unique stone called "monkey head" by Naxi people.There is a Yuhe Lake beside the village. Water in this lake comes from he melted snow in the mountains. The holy water from this holy mountain of the Naxi makes this small village very mysterious.

After lunch visit Baisha Village and Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute, then drive to visit Yufeng Monastery.
--Baisha Village is a small village near Dayan town. It is also one of the first settlements of Naxi ancestors. The ancestors of the Naxi people crossed the Jinshajiang River, came down from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and finally entered Lijiang Basin. The first place Naxi tribes arrived in Lijiang was Baisha. Here, Naxi Ethnic groups set up the first settlement and created their Dongba culture.

In the evening you can choose to wander around the old town of Lijiang, which is much more charming when night falls.

Day 2
A whole day tour of holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain begins
In the morning visit Ganhaizi Meadow, take the sightseeing bus to visit Baishui(White Water) River, which is a green water river because water from the Glacier Park of Yulong Snow Mountain; After that, take the chairlift to visit the Yak Meadow(3700M) in the Yulong Snow Mountain. You will enjoy Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show in the outdoors theater infront of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Impression Lijiang is directed by Zhang Yimou who is one of the most famous director in the world.Then return to Lijiang city.

Day 3
In the morning, dive 6 hrs on the spectacle mountain road to visit the mysterious Lugu Lake. On the way, enjoy the beautiful view among the huge mountains and rivers. You can start your walking halfway from Jin’anqiao Bridge to Shudi along the road at the bank of Yangtze River for you will see the beautiful canon and Yi ethnic people’s villages in the steep mountains. After 1 hour walking in the canon, you can continue the driving and  stop in many Yi villages.

Late afternoon, take the canoes to visit Liwubi Island and Snake Islet in Lugu Lake.

In the evening, take part in Mosuo Bonfire Party with ethnic dance and singing performance.You will dance and sing with Mosuo boys and girls around a big bonfire in the outdoors theatre.
Day 4
A full day Luguhu Lake tour.Enjoy the sunset wonder of Luguhu Lake in Luoshui Village. Then drive back to Lijiang.

Day 1  Take direct flight to Lijiang, or transfer from Kunming to Lijiang. Day 2  Tour around the Old Town, including the Sifang Square, Lion Hill and Zhongyi fruit and vegetable market; Black Dragon Pool; Luch in beautiful leisure Shuhe Old Town, then drive 1/2 hrs to Lashi Lake for horse riding around Naxi villages and boating on the peaceful lake. Dinner in a Naxi family. For culture lovers, you may check out the Naxi Antient Music Concert at 8pm..  Mr. Xuanke, the conductor of the band, who stayed 29 years in prison as a high scholar in last century, has amazing stories sharing with you. Day 3  Drive 40 kms to the Jade Dragon Snow Mt., watch the show  Impression Lijiang, which is something you can not miss coming to this area ( 70 munites long). Then take cable car to the Glacier Park ( altitude at 4500 meters), or Yak Meadow ( 3800 meters high), or Spruce Meadow ( 3300 meters high); Blue Moon Valley, where the water is naturally blue and green; Yufeng Lama Temple and Baisha Fresco on the way back. In Lijiang, 10 percent of population is Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism came to Lijiang and Naxi people in 700 A.D.. Day  4  Drive 2.5 hrs to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Due to your health and energy level, we can either go to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the most beautiful part, or just the normal tour spots for 2 hrs walking along the river. Drive back to Lijiang.  Day 5  Take a morning flight to your next destination.

Stroll on Huangpu River Bund and view modern constructions at Shanghai. Cruise along beautiful landmarks of Li River and enjoy local market shopping at Yangshuo. Feel the holly sightseeing at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Step into the largest Royal Palace in the world.

Guilin Attractions: Li River Cruise ▶ Elephant Trunk Hill ▶ Reed Flute Cave ▶ Terraced Field in Longji area

Beijing Attractions: Great Wall at Mutianyu ▶ Forbidden City ▶ Temple of Heaven ▶ Summer Palace ▶ Tian'anmen Square ▶ Xiushui Market

Lijiang Attractions: The Fresco in Baisha Village ▶ The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ▶ The Black Dragon Pool ▶ Spruce Meadow ▶ Lijiang Ancient City

Shanghai Attractions: The Bund ▶ Oriental Pearl TV Tower ▶ Yuyuan Garden

To check the details of this tour please go to our website below

The Silk Road connecting  the cultures of  the East and West  is probably one of the most well-known and significant trade routes in all of history. Tucked in the verdant landscape of southwestern China, however, the Tea Horse Trail is a lesser-known route that parallels the Silk Road in cultural and historical importance.  
 
Today, although the Tea Horse Road is no longer used as a trade route, we can  still  see  the evidences of many years of  cultural exchange and prosperity. You will find the regions of the Tea Horse Road to be incredibly rich, diverse and full of natural beauty.
 
You  will meet  only  a  few  tourists  on  the  way  due  to  the  low popularity of regions along the route. We pass by many minority villages  and  get  the  impression  of  unique  lives  and  culture  of different minority people.  
 
There are many  complex  feeling when you  retrace  this ancient trade route in modern times.  

Kunming to Dali
 

 
 
Take morning flight from Kunming to Dali. Arrive in Dali, take cable car to Cangshan Mountain. After one-hour’s hiking in the mountain, we visit Xizhou village to experience Bai minority culture.  
 

Overnight at Landscape Hotel Dali (3*)
 
Dali
 

Day 2 
 
Drive 1.5 hours  to Weishan County.  In  the morning, we visit Weibao Mountain,  where  the  Taoist  Temples  located(including  Nanzhaoben Temple, Wenchang Palace, Lingguan Temple, Changchun Cave). In the afternoon, we visit the Weishan Old Town and a Mosque in Lotus Village.
 
Drive back to Dali, overnight at Landscape Hotel Dali (3*)
 
Dali to Yunlong
 

Day 3 
 
Drive 5 hours to Yunlong County. On the way, we visit Lisu and Yi minority village.
 
Overnight at Yunlong Hotel(3*)
 
Drive to Shaxi
 

Day 4 
 
Day trip to Nuodeng Village, a Bai people village. Nuodeng Village was an important stopover of the ancient Tea-Horse trail. A salt mine was also inside the village. After one hour walking and exploring in the village, we drive 5.5 hours to Shaxi.  
 
Overnight at Shaxi Guesthouse  

Shaxi to Lijiang
 

Day 5 
 
In the morning, we visit the ancient village of Shaxi, is a culturally diverse town and to the Bai and Yi minority peoples. The dramatic mountainous landscape and beautiful weather, combined with Shaxi's unique history and culture, make for a complete and enjoyable experience. After lunch, we trek 2 hours to Shibao Mountain and visit Shibao Shan 7th Century Buddhist Cave Rock Carvings. Then we drive
 

3.5 hours to Lijiang
 
Overnight at Qianshuilou Hotel(3*)
 
Lijiang Day Trip
 

Day 6 
 
In the morning, we take a bike ride near Lijiang. We ride on the flat road with mountains on the left and right. Our ride ends at Baisha Village, where the ground was paved by white sand. In the town there are many ancient buildings built during the Ming Dynasty, including Dabaoji Palace, Liuli Temple, and Wenchang Palace. The well-known Baisha Frescoes are located in Dabaoji Palace. We visit Black Dragon Pool in the afternoon. Stroll along the narrow canals at night, with red lanterns lit
by stone bridge.
 
Overnight at Qianshuilou Hotel (3*)  
 
Lijiang to Shangri-la
 

Day 7 
 
In the morning, we drive 45 kilometers, have short stop to take a bird view of the first bend of Yangtze river, then drive 55km or 1 hours, along Yunnan-Tibet highway to Tiger Leaping Gorge (1850 meters), visit gorge and have lunch in qiaotou town. After lunch drive 2 hours to Zhongdian, visit old town of Shangri-la.  
 
Overnight at Longxiang Hotel (2*)

Visit around Shangri-la
 

Day 8 
 

Sightseeing’s to Songzanlin Monastery, or "Little Potala" as it is affectionately known, is a spiritual hub for people to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Sectional Napa Lake is a well known freshwater lake. In summer the water melting from surrounding mountains flows in and forms a vast lake, in dry season, the water recede and grassland appears--the best time for herding sheep or cattle. September is paradise of migratory birds like bar-headed geese, wild ducks, and cranes. Wander in natural wonderland Pudacuo National Park, China's first national park.  
 
Overnight at Longxiang Hotel (2*)
 
Shangri-la to Home
 

Day 9 
 
Depart Shangri-la and fly home via Kunming. End of our journey.