Once your flight lands in Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, our professional guide and driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel. There is no sightseeing arranged today so you can rest to recover from jet lag or do some expedition on your own.
Morning, you will have a tour in this UNESCO Lijiang Ancient Town, home to Naxi ethnic minority groups. You'll visit the Old MarketSquare-the core area of the town and once the haunt of local traders, and walk into the maze of cobbled alleys featured with plenty of arterylike canals and small stone bridges. Then you'll pay a visit to Mu Family Mansion-the “Forbidden City” of Lijiang with abundant fine arts inside. Afterwards, climb up to the top of Lion Hill & Wangu Tower where you can overlook the entire old town with panoramic view. You'll also have a chance to enjoy night life at delicate cafes and bars, and appreciate street artists, local snacks, etc. Overnight in Lijiang.
Old Market Square
Wanggu Tower
In the morning, you'll have a climbing tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain about 35km from downtown. Cable cars are available that ascend the mountain to an elevation of 4506m, from where you can walk uphill to view the glacier peak. Prepare warm clothes for the temperature can be cold up there. Afterwards, we head to the northern edge of town to visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool Park, built in 1737. This lovely park also houses a Naxi Dongba Culture Museum, which is a good introduction to traditional Naxi lifestyle and religion. Overnight in Lijiang.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Black Dragon Pool Park
Today, travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La. En route, you'll visit the marvelous Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the world's deepest gorges and also famous as a classic trekking trail. The rushing water from the imposing Jinsha River flows into the narrow valley with a stone in the center. There is an old saying that the gorge is so narrow that a tiger was able to jump over to the other side of the river, so there the name came. Afterwards, continue another 2-hour drive to Shangri-La. Have a good rest after check in hotel to acclimatize the high elevation of 3200 meters.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Jinsha River
Today, first visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, which was built in 17th century with around 600 monks residing inside and is notable as the “Little Potala Palace”. And then you'll go and visit Pudacuo National Park. It's the first national park in China, which consists of alpine Bita Lake and Shudu Scenic Area with intriguing view of three parallel rivers and the well preserved virgin forests. Afterwards, drive back to the Old Town of Shangri La and have a tour to Guishan Temple. Stay overnight in Shangri-la.
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Pudacuo National Park
Take a morning flight to Lhasa, and you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide once you arrive in Lhasa airport. From airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around one hour and half drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa. Afterwards, free time for relax, have a good rest and drink more water to acclimatize the high altitude on the plateau. Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Gonggar Airport
Barkhor Street
Today, you'll have a tour to Lhasa's cardinal landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site-Potala Palace. Renowned as one of the great wonders on earth for its elaborate architecture built at an elevation of 3700m, this awe-inspiring palace will not disappoint you. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most respected shrine in Tibet. Thick with the smell of incense and yak butter, you'll witness a throng of prostrating pilgrims cramming out there. The temple is the masterpiece of Tibetan, Chinese and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then take a stroll around the Barkhor Street, the oldest bazaar in the city. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner gathering with all travel mates in the group after the sightseeing activities. Overnight in Lhasa.
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Morning, you'll visit Drepung Monastery, whichlocates about 8km west of central Lhasa and was once one of the world's largest monasteries with the population of around 10,000 monks in its heyday. Climb uphill through the whitewashed intersecting alleyways as well as the medieval chapels, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city on top of the mountain. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to witness the famous 'Scriptures Debating' session at Sera Monastery, spectating their featured way of Buddhist dialectics and hand slapping in a landscaped courtyard with lush trees. Overnight in Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery
Sera Monastery
Be prepared for your flight back to home. Your guide and driver will be on time to transfer you to the airport. Thanks for traveling with us. Hope to be at your service next time.
※What is a Private Tour?
A Private Tour Package means you will have your own private guide, driver, and vehicle for your own disposal. You don't have to share the vehicle with others even if you are a single traveler. You would have full attention of your guide and driver. Our professional guide would love to share local culture, knowledge and stories.
Your private guide would also help you make an easier, comfortable, flexible and enjoyable tour. You can stop on the road to get a rest or take pictures during the drive. You have the flexibility of changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time at some tourist sites.
We will arrange the private airport or train station pick-up and see-off for you. Upon your arrival, you can find our guide waiting at the pick-up area, holding a name sign, welcome you with a warm smile. You will be transferred to hotel.
When traveling with your family or friends, a private tour would be your first choice.
※Accommodation Choices
For private tour, we can arrange hotels according to your requirements. There are options of budget guesthouse, 3 star hotel, 4 star hotel, high-end luxury hotel or bouquet heritage hotel. If you have your own preferred hotel, just let us know, we will help you with the booking, everything would be arranged as per your interests.
※Meal Choices
Our tour packages generally include breakfasts. Meanwhile, lunches and dinners are optional to be arranged either by yourself or by us.
It's easy to find nice restaurants in China, and you could also ask for suggestions from your guide. They always know where you can find something tasty.
The price would be different according to different food:
1. If you choose noodles, around RMB 15-30 per person.
2. If you like some fast food like KFC, around RMB 25-40 per person.
3. If you prefer some food at a decent restaurant, around RMB 70-150 per person.
