Home to over half of China’s minority groups, and more than its fair share of stunning landscapes, Yunnan is a must on every traveler's bucket list. But if you want to make the most of it, you need to go with an Insider. Experts in off-the-beaten-track expeditions, enjoy the benefit of their knowledge of the country’s most diverse province in this five-day adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Lijiang
Make your way to the last village of the Lijiang Valley, situated in the shadows of the 5,600m tall Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and visit the former residence of eccentric American explorer, geographer, linguist and botanist, Joseph Rock, who lived here in the first half of the 20th century. Spend the night in a restored 18th Century theater temple. The wooden structure served as village school after the Communist victory in the Civil War.
Day 2: Cliffside Temples on the Tea Horse Road
Today, Shaxi’s cobblestone streets are refreshingly peaceful, but during the heyday of the old Tea Horse Road the place was buzzing with activity. Get a feel for what it used to be like when the town came to life as the ethnic Yi and Bai came to sell their produce and stock up on supplies.
Later, head to remote Shaxi Valley and explore Shibao Shan, home to a collection of hidden Buddhist temples and curious Bai minority carvings, that survived the Cultural Revolution thanks to the remote location.
Day 3: Hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Experience Geographical Tibet in Style
Drive north to the brutal-yet-stunning Tiger Leaping Gorge, a natural wonder carved out by the rushing waters of the mighty Yangtze River over the course of millennia. Leave the masses behind as you enter the gorge and hike one of the lesser known trails criss-crossing the picturesque hillsides.
In the afternoon climb higher still, ascending curvy mountain roads to 3,300 meters and the eastern edge of the Himalayas, the inspiration for the mythical Himalayan utopia Shangri-La. Part of geographical Tibet, the area provides the perfect backdrop for your Insider to give you an insight into Tibetan culture.
In the evening you will reimagine the days of early foreign explorers and sleep under canvas in elegantly decorated canvas tents, an experience complemented by a candlelit, three-course European dinner in a beautifully renovated Tibetan house.
Day 4: Get a Taste of Local Specialties at the Eastern Himalayas
Watch the sun rise above the mountains while you indulge on a scrumptious breakfast served on the farm’s balcony. Visit a small hilltop temple, frequented by local Tibetans who come to pray for their children’s well-being. Have a traditional yak hot pot for lunch, followed by a beer tasting at a Tibetan brewery before you take the scenic route along the Yangtze River and make your way to a hidden oasis near Benzilan.
Spend the night in a renovated eco lodge, whose architect-owner insisted on only using traditional materials and building methods to create a homey atmosphere.
Day 5: Local Interactions with Tibetan Buddhism and Customs
Get up early and drive to the last village in the valley before setting out for a pleasant hike amid sacred oaks and bushy rhododendrons. Visit a lesser-known Yellow Hat Monastery, founded in the late 1600s. When the timing is right, you can witness the monks chanting their daily prayers or have a quick chat with them during one of their breaks. Head back to Shangri-La where your Insider guide will take you to the Shangri-La airport for your onward flight back home in the late afternoon.
Book Now!
The five-day, four-night adventure is priced at under RMB10,000 per person and is all-inclusive, but does not include flights. Arrive at noon on day one and leave the evening of day five to get nearly five full days of Insider's service. Although this trip is recommended to adults, families are welcome and trips can be tailored to their specific needs. There are seven dates to choose from:
• Thursday August 16 (Day 1) to Monday August 20 (Day 5)
• Thursday August 23 (Day 1) to Monday August 27 (Day 5)
• Thursday September 20 (Day 1) to Monday September 24 (Day 5)
• Thursday October 11 (Day 1) to Monday October 15 (Day 5)
• Thursday October 25 (Day 1) to Monday October 29 (Day 5)
• Thursday November 8 (Day 1) to Monday November 12 (Day 5)
• Thursday November 15 (Day 1) to Monday November 19 (Day 5)
To book or for more details email marketing@ur
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