12 Days Three Parallel Rivers Circle Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour

Originating in the Tanggula Mountain on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nu River flow parallel along the Hengduan Mountains for several hundred kilometers. During this tour, we will visit the highlights of Lijiang city, then enjoy the trekking at Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng village, and also have a close observation on Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkeys at Tacheng.

Highlights:

• Visit the World Cultural Heritage Site - Lijiang Old Town.
• Enjoy a trekking at Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng village.
• Have a close observation on Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkeys.

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Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Lijiang Arrival
• Day 2: Lijiang
• Day 3: Lijiang - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Day 4: Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangrila
• Day 5: Shangrila
• Day 6: Shangrila - Benzilan - Feilaisi
• Day 7: Feilaisi - Yubeng Village
• Day 8: Yubeng Village
• Day 9: Yubeng Village - Ninong - Cizhong
• Day 10: Cizhong - Weixi - Tacheng
• Day 11: Tacheng - Shigu - Lijiang
• Day 12: Lijiang Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Lijiang Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals:

Arrive in Lijiang, our guide and driver transfer you to the hotel .

Day 2 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Former Residence of Dr. Joseph Rock, Yufeng Monastery, Baisha Old Town
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, enjoy the sunrise of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. About 15 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost snowcapped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and visit the scenic spots of Ganhaizi Meadow, White Water River and the famous Yak Meadow.

After lunch, pay a visit to the Former Residence of Dr. Joseph Rock in Yuhu village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, who traveled to Lijiang in 1922 and was known for his study on Dongba culture of Naxi minority group. Then visit Yufeng Monastery, one of the Scarlet Sect lamaseries in Lijiang. Later stroll through an enchanting traditional Yunnan old town – Baisha Old Town and visit Baisha Mural – one part of Lijiang World Cultural Heritage.

Day 3 Lijiang - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge

Sightseeing and Activities: trekking
Accommodation: Halfway Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

At 6:00 am, drive about 2 hours to Qiaotou Town. Your hiking trip starts from the Qiaotou Primary School, trek two hours to Naxi Family and have lunch there.

The 28 zigzagging turns will be a real test. From the top of “28 turns” on the high path further uphill to a place of altitude above 3000m, have a view of the panorama of the entire Gorge. The go pass Tea Horse Guest House (5 hours) and arrive at Halfway Guesthouse (2500m) to finish today’s trekking. The total trekking route is 26 km, and it takes about 6-8 hours.

Day 4 Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge - Baishuitai - Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities: Shangrila old town, Guishan park
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the early morning, hiking about 2 hours to Tina’s Guesthouse. Continue the trekking down the steep cliff to the bank of Jinsha River to the Middle Gorge (Middle Hutiao or Middle Rapids). Then climb up the gorge to Walnut Grove (Woody’s Guesthouse) throughing either the Tianti or Yixiantian route(about 2-3 hours). The total for the day from Halfway Guesthouse to Walnut Grove will be about 5 to 6 hours.

Drive to Baishuitai to see the beautiful terrace,then continue the drive to Shangrila. After arrival, visit Shangrila old town and Guishan park.

Day 5 Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities: Songzanlin monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Dabao Monastery, Napa Lake
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Monastery), reputed as the “Little Potala Palace”. Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug sect of Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province with around 600 monks.

Then, drive to the first national park in China – Pudacuo National Park which is mainly comprised of Shudu Lake, Militang Grassland, Bita Lake. Shudu Lake is a famous pasture, herds of yak and goat grazing beside the lake. Militang Grassland is located between Shudu Lake and Bita Lake with lush grass in meadow. Bitahai Lake, regarded as a pearl of the Plateau, is an intact natural attraction with outstanding landscapes.

Visit Dabao Monastery on the way back from Pudacuo National Park. Drive around Napahai Lake and visit some Tibetan villages and families.

Day 6 Shangrila - Benzilan - Feilaisi

Sightseeing and Activities: The First curved of YangTse River, Benzilan Town, Dongzhulin Monastery
Accommodation: Feilaisi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, drive about 5-6 hours to Feilaisi. On the way, see The First curved of YangTse River, Which looks like a flying dragon. Have a local lunch in Benzilan Town and visit Dongzhulin Monastery. Drive through the Baima Snow Mountain range and Deqin Town, arrive and overnight at Feilaisi.

Day 7 Feilaisi - Yubeng Village

Sightseeing and Activities: trekking
Accommodation: Yubeng village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early in the morning, enjoy the sunrise from the golden mountain. After breakfast, drive along Mekong River to reach trail head, then hike up to and over a mountain pass to Yubeng. Have a picnic lunch. Continue the trekking to Yubeng village and have dinner in a traditional Tibetan living room, followed by lively singing and dancing with local villagers.

Day 8 Yubeng Village

Sightseeing and Activities: trekking
Accommodation: Yubeng Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today enjoy breakfast with breathtaking views of Mt. Kawagebo, if weather permits. Then hike to Yubeng waterfall and enjoy picnic lunch on the way (5-6 hours roundtrip, steep hike); visit sacred sites, such as the local Tibetan Buddhist temple; return to the village in late afternoon, sip traditional Dri( a female YAK) butter tea with a farmer in Upper Yubeng village, while chatting about local life.

Day 9 Yubeng Village - Ninong - Cizhong

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Cizhong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Trek along the Ninong Grand Canyon from Yubeng Village to Mekong River, then drive to Cizhong.

Day 10 Cizhong - Weixi - Tacheng

Sightseeing and Activities: Cizhong Catholic church
Accommodation: Tacheng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Cizhong Catholic church and the villages around, then drive to Tacheng.

Day 11 Tacheng - Shigu - Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: the first bend of Yangze river, Stone Drum
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, explore wild Yunnan golden monkeys, one of the most endangered primates in China. Then drive to Shigu town and visit the first bend of Yangze river, Stone Drum. Continue the drive to Lijiang.

Upon arrival, visit Lijiang Old Town. With a history of more than 800 years, Lijiang Old Town was listed as the World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1997.

Day 12 Lijiang Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Departure from Lijiang and see you off at the airport.

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

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Included & Excluded

Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;

Meals as listed in the itinerary;

Accommodations: hotels based on twin occupancy as specified(Except day tours);

Sharing English-speaking tour guide;

Sharing vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;

Service charge & government taxes;

Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;

Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;

Chinese visa fees;

Excess baggage charged by Airlines;

Single room supplement;

Tips to guides and drivers;

Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;

Personal travel accident insurance;

All optional programs.