| Day 6 Zhongdian ( B,L ) |
Thrilling Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking starts today! On this day you will hike from Qiaotou Town to Halfway Guesthouse (19km, about 7 hours).
First hike 2 hours to Naxi Family Guest house where you will have lunch break and get close touch with local people. Then continue hiking another 2 hours up the steep 28 Bends before the next break, which is a real challenge. The amazing landscapes will feast your eyes. After another 2 hours' hiking, you will arrive at Halfway Guesthouse which boasts a great view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and overlooks the Jinsha River Valley. Sitting out on a deck, you will wonder at the magnificent scenery in front of you. Tonight you will stay at Halfway Guesthouse. |
| Starriness | The most narrow part of the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is a big rock and an area of dangerours shoal. The old people say this is the place where a tiger can easily jump over the Jinsha River. It is the reason why the Tiger Leaping Gorge was orriginally named after. |
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| [ Optional ] Haba Snow Mountain: The Haba Snow Mountain, its main peak 5,396 metres in height, stands 120 kilometres to the southeast of the seat of Zhongdian County. The attraction of the Sanba Tourist Area is attributed to the towering peaks of the Haba Mountain and its alpine morainal lake, endless tracks of azalea flowers, and cluster of waterfalls cascading down snow-covered cliffs. |
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| Day 7 Zhongdian ( B,L ) |
In the early morning, continue your trekking to reach Tina's Inn. On the way you will pass through some pretty waterfalls and canyons. After lunch break, walking for 1 hour down the steep cliff to the bank of Jinsha River to worship the dangerous shoal of "Starriness" and could see the "One Line Sky". It is the most narrow part of the gorge, where a tiger can easily jump over the Jinsha River. Spending one more hour to climb up the gorge. You can enjoy the wild, isolated nature along the treking way.
Stay overnight at Tina's Inn. It is the best hotel located at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain. |
| Baishui Terrace | Baishui Terrace (Baishuitai) is at the foot of the Haba Snow Mountain in Shangri-la is the mysterious White Field, birthplace of the Naxi ethnic minority Dongba Culture. Baishuitai Terrace is widely accepted as the Holy Land of the Dongba Religion. |
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| [ Optional ] Dukezong Old Town: a 1300-year-old Tibetan town located in Shangri-La, which it has experienced both the flames of war and prosperity of frontier trade. Dukezong Old Town's authentic Tibetan dwellings, majestic prayer halls and pagodas, winding lanes offer sanctuary to all those seeking refuge from the bustle city.
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| Day 8 Zhongdian ( B,L ) |
Go on with your 3-hour hiking towards Xincun Village through Walnut Grove, Huashiban Landslide and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. Along the way, you will enjoy the view of the Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains from different levels. There are thousands of photo opportunities. Just enjoy!
After lunch, you get on your coach for Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and later explore Baishui Terrace (White Water Terrace), the largest area of sinter terrace in China. In addition to the spectacular view itself, it is the place where the Naxi Culture originated, and now the holy place for Naxi ceremonies. You can also learn about the ethnic Naxi minority and folklore in the nearby Baidi village. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Zhongdian. |
| Bitahai Lake | Bitahai Nature Reserve, located 35 kilometers east of the county seat of Zhongdian, it is an intact natural attraction with outstanding flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes.In the reserve itself, century-old pines and cypresses grow around Bitahai Lake, in which the water is crystal clear. | | Songzanlin Monastery | Songzanlin Monastery, or 'Little Potala' as it is affectionately known, is a spiritual place that invites you to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhism monastery in Yunnan Province. Such a sacred place seems to purify the soul. |
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| [ Optional ] Yak Meat Hot Pot Dinner: Better than any dishes in your hotel. Easily be found in local district of Zhongdian. Fresh meat and vegetable, local entertainment of Tibetan Music. An expreience can not be missed in Zhongdian. |
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| Day 9 Zhongdian ( B ) |
In the morning you will take 2 hours to visit the fascinating Puda Tso National Park (including Napahai Lake, Shudu Lake & Bita Lake). You will appreciate a grand area of peaceful lake surrounded by snow mountains. In the dry season, you have chance to see the precious black-necked cranes, of which only 6,000 remain in the world. You can hire a horse from local people with a reasonable fare.
After lunch visit the ancient Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in southwest China. You will appreciate a series of precious Buddhism-related objects like scriptures written on palm leaves, the Shakyamuni statues, etc. If you want to deeply experience the Buddhists' life, you can join in the morning class or evening class.
On the way back, explore a local village and visit a Tibetan family with a taste of Tibetan specialities such as yak butter tea, yogurt & Tibetan barley.Then you head for the ancient Gyalthang Town, which was established in Tang Dynasty (618-907). You can find many Tibetan cultural facts such as Buddhist paintings and Tibetan residences side by side. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Zhongdian. |
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| [ Optional ] Dynamic Yunnan: A night show in Kunming, known for her original characteristics of ethnic folk songs and dances, 68 drums with the original ethnic beats and rhythms, 120 unique masks in Yunnan minorities style, genuine Yunnan ethnic minorities who left their villages to participate in the troupe.
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| Day 10 Zhongdian ( B ) |
| After breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to Shangrila Airport for your flight. Wish you a thoroughly happy tour! |
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