Lijiang Shangrila Chengdu 7-Day Tour
7-Day Southwest China Adventure: Begin at UNESCO Lijiang, where Naxi streets, rose pastries, and canals meet Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Blue Moon Valley’s turquoise pools reflect alpine meadows. End in Chengdu, where spicy aromas and teahouse chatter contrast Himalayan monasteries’ tranquility. Blends nature, culture, and cuisine
Book this Tour
Lijiang-Shangrila-Chengdu
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Lijiang Arrival
Arrive in Lijiang
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Free activities
After resting in the hotel, you can take a walk to the city by yourself.
Day 2: Lijiang
Baisha Village-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Blue Moon Valley
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Morning: Baisha Village
Begin in Baisha, the 800-year-old Naxi cultural heartland. Wander quiet lanes where elderly artisans practice Dongba script embroidery, and visit the Ming-era Baisha Murals. Stop by Pure Snow café for Yunnan coffee with snow-mountain views.
Midday: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Drive 40 mins to Yunshanping Meadow. Hike through spruce forests to yak-dotted meadows framing the 5,596m peak. Tip: Rent an oxygen canister if needed.
Afternoon: Blue Moon Valley
Descend to Blue Moon Valley . Stroll along milky-turquoise pools fed by glacial meltwater, with the mountain’s reflection creating unreal blue hues. Capture the best photos near White Water Terrace.
Evening: Return to Lijiang Old Town
Head back by 6pm. For dinner, try Naxi grilled fish at Arro Khampa near Mufu Palace, then climb Lion Hill for lantern-lit town views.
Day 3: Shangri-la Arrival
Transfer to Shangrila by car
First Bend of Yangtze River-Tiger Leaping Gorge
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Morning: First Bend of Yangtze River
Depart early from Shangri-La for the 1.5-hour drive to this iconic geographic wonder. Witness where the Jinsha River (Yangtze’s upper reaches) makes a dramatic 120° turn, creating a stunning horseshoe-shaped vista. Climb the observation deck for panoramic views of terraced fields and snow-capped mountains. Stop at a local café for yak butter tea and tsampa to fuel up.
Lunch
Afternoon: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Continue 1-hour to the gorge’s Upper Section. Walk the paved paths along China’s deepest canyon, where the roaring Yangtze squeezes through 30m-wide cliffs. See the legendary “Tiger Leaping Stone”—where, as myth says, a tiger once leapt across the raging river. Caution: Hold railings—mist from the 200m-drop waterfalls can make paths slippery!
Day 4: Shangri-la
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery – Pudacuo National Park
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Morning: Visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery – Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, hailed as the “Little Potala Palace.” It masterfully blends Tibetan and Han architectural styles. From the 5th day of the 5th Tibetan lunar month, the three-day Horse Racing Festival (or “Heavenly Horse Festival”) transforms Shangri-La. Beyond thrilling races, the event features traditional song-dance performances and local cuisine. Horse traders clad in finest furs or silks gather here, while families camp in tents on the festival meadow.
Afternoon: Explore Pudacuo National Park – China’s first national park on the mainland. Its Tibetan name means “the ferry that delivers all beings from suffering to the shore of liberation.” The park preserves an intact composite ecosystem: alpine lakes, primeval forests, plateau wetlands, and Tibetan cultural heritage.
Day 5: Chengdu Arrival
Transfer to Chengdu Airport
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Free activities
Day 6: Chengdu
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Wenshu Monastery-Chunxi Road-Taikoo Li
4-Stars Hotel
Breakfast
Morning: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Arrive early to see pandas at their most active (feeding time!). Stroll through bamboo forests to spot cubs tumbling in the nursery and adults munching lazily. Don’t miss: The red pandas!
Afternoon: Wenshu Monastery
– A serene Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple with free entry. Sip monastery tea in its courtyard, try vegetarian noodles, and browse antique shops nearby for calligraphy brushes.
Evening: Chunxi Road + Taikoo Li
– Shop at Chengdu’s glitzy fashion hub, snap the 3D giant panda sculpture (IFS rooftop), and dive into Sichuan cuisine at Chen Mapo Tofu (legendary spicy tofu!).
– Nightcap: Cocktails at Jing Bar (hidden speakeasy in Taikoo Li).
Day 7: Chengdu Departure
People’s Park-Jinli Ancient Street
Breakfast
Morning: People’s Park
Join locals at Heming Teahouse—sip gaiwan tea while ear cleaners and mahjong players buzz around. Peek at the infamous matchmaking corne (parents’ posted bios for singles!).
Afternoon: Jinli Ancient Street
Wander this 1,800-year-old street snack paradise: Try zhangcha duck (tea-smoked), sweet water noodles, and Sichuan pepper ice cream. Hunt for Shu embroidery souvenirs.
Departure
