15 Days Three Parallel Rivers Overland Tour with Biluo and Meili Snow Mountains

In the morning, drive about 86km to Stone Forest, a notable set of limestone formations and two parts of which have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the South China Karst. Besides, Stone Forest is also famous for the ethnic culture of the Sani People (a branch of the Yi ethnicminority).

After lunch drive back to Kunming and visit the Guandu Ancient Town which is a famous historical & cultural town in Kunming, which keeps the main architectural style of Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.

After dinner, have an option to enjoy the large-scale dance drama "Dynamic Yunnan" which has been an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years directed by Yang Liping.

Today, take a morning flight to Dali. After airport-hotel transfer, head to visit Erhai Lake Park, the best place to appreciate the beautiful Erhai Lake scenery. Then move on to Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple, a symbol of the Dali City. The last stop is Dali Old Town. Wander around the streets to experience the local culture and have some local snacks. Located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Dali Old Town is a historic town with rich culture, which attracts many visitors every year.

In the morning, pay a visit to the Bai Minority Traditional Houses in Xizhou, which is the place where the best and most of Bai Minority Traditional Houses are preserved. Then move on to Zhoucheng nearby and visit the traditional hand-made Tie Dyeing.

Drive to Shaxi Ancient Town. (Optional: take a small boat to visit the Little West Lake). Arrive in Shaxi in the afternoon, walk around Shaxi Ancient Town and explore the local ethnic life. Then drive to Lijiang and visit Lijiang Old Town.

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.

Today, drive about 4-5 hours from Lijiang to Shangri-La. Along the way, visit the First Bend of Yangtze River, the Iron Chain Bridge and Stone Drum. Continue the trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the deepest gorges in the world.

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.

In the morning, drive 6 to 7 hours to Deqin County (3400m), 187km away from Zhongdian through Baimang Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. View Baimang Snow Mountain if the weather is clear.

After traversing mountain ranges, make a short stop and have lunch at Benzilan town. Take some shots on the first bend of Jinsha River, Dongzhulin monastery and Baima Snow Mountain. Stay at Feilaisi for overnight.

Early in the morning, enjoy the magnificent sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain from Feilaisi, then drive to Mingyong Village. Hike from Mingyong village to Mingyong Glacier (2600m) which is the low altitude glacier of the lowest latitude in the world.

After lunch at Mingyong Village, trek down directly to the edge of Meikong River. Walk along the Mekong Grand Canyon and arrive in Xidang Village where you can visit some scattered Tibetan houses in the village. Drive along the Lancang-Mekong River to Cizhong Village in Yanmen Town.

Drive south along the Mekong Grand Canyon to Cizhong Village in Yanmen Town with some Tibatan villages en route. Visit the Tibetan Catholic Church built by French missionaries in 1867, which is used by Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu people. They still have the grapes planted by missionaries and old the traditional way of making wine.

Drive to Gongshan. On the way, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Nujiang Grand Canyon. The 316-kilometer-long Nujiang River Gorge is flanked by two 4,000-meter-high mountains. The mountain peaks on the two sides have an average altitude of over 3,000 kilometers. The gorge is located in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, an area rich in ethnic minority culture. It is now a first choice for many domestic and foreign travelers.

One full day excursion to Bingzhongluo. Sightseeing includes the first bend of Nujiang River (Salween River), the stone house of the Nu Nationality, Peach Island, the Tibetan Puhua Temple. Then have the chance to visit a minority household and experience the life of the local people.

Leave Gongshan and drive 110 km through the fascinating mountain areas to Fugong. Sightseeing includes a visit to a suspension bridge and a glide cable. Special Lishu food will be served during dinner. In the evening take part in a party with the local people.

Enjoy the last day at Nujiang Grand canyon and visit Laomudeng Village and the bathhouse of Lishu Nationality. It is a tradition to welcome new year that all people take a bath together in the open hot springs by the banks of the river.

Drive to Tengchong County, visit Nujiang River Bridge in Lujiang Basin, drive along the Gaoli Gongshan Mountain and arrive in Tengchong at noon. After lunch, visit Heshun Ancient Town including the Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War, Heshun Library, the Archway, Dragon Pool, the Wanlouzi Museum of Native Residence, Wenchang Daoist Palace, Clothes-washing Pavilions, Yuanlong Daoist Pavilion, the Philosopher Ai Siqi's Former Residence, Guanyin Ancient Spruce Trees an so on. Enjoy the Lisu Ethnic Show and Lisu Family visiting in Jade Spring Garden at night. Dance and sing with Lisu ethnic people as well have some snacks.

Visit Liafeng Mountain National Forest Park in the early morning, climb up to the half mountain, pay a visit to Laifeng Temple built in Tang dynasty; Climb to the top of the mountain, visit Wenbi Pagoda and the panoramic view of Dianyue Town of Tengchong County.

Visit the Graveyard of the National Heroes, and Dieshuihe Waterfall Park in the town, then drive to Beihai Wetland Park, take a small boat to the lake for a nice view. After lunch, drive back to Tengchong, and visit Rehai hot spring Park. Have an option to enjoy the hot spring in the park.

Departure from Tengchong.