17-Day Shangri-La to Guilin Tour via Yunnan & Guizhou

Begin at Songzanlin Monastery, where your guide introduces the Tibetan Buddhist traditions reflected in the assembly halls and courtyards. Continue to Napa Lake and Yila Grassland: their balance of open water, wetland and pasture changes through the year. Back in Shangri-La, walk through Dukezong Ancient Town and visit Guishan Park for views over the rooftops and the large prayer wheel. The hill involves steps; a shorter walk through the town is available. Return to your Shangri-La hotel after sightseeing.

Drive from Shangri-La to Qiaotou to begin the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Trail. Walk towards the Naxi Family Guesthouse area, then tackle the steep switchbacks known as the 28 Bends. Continue along the hillside towards Halfway Guesthouse, with views across the Jinsha River valley to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This is a demanding walking day, with roughly six hours on foot; allow extra time for rests and photography. Stay overnight in a gorge guesthouse. The walking section is subject to trail and weather conditions.

Walk from the Halfway area towards Tina’s Guesthouse, allowing around two to three hours for the trail and photo stops. Meet your driver and continue to Shuhe for a walk through its old streets before checking in at Lijiang. Keep the evening free after the hike and transfer. Any descent to the river itself is a separate, steeper addition to the standard walking route.

Leave Lijiang for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Spruce Meadow cable car. Visit Blue Moon Valley and, when running, the Impression Lijiang performance at the mountain’s foot. Continue by road to Shaxi for the night. This is a full day with a substantial onward drive, so the order of the mountain visits follows the available cable car and performance times. Spend the evening around Shaxi’s old market square if arrival time allows.

Begin with a walk around Shaxi’s old market square and its surrounding lanes before continuing towards Dali. Stop in Xizhou to look at Bai courtyard architecture, then visit the Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple complex. Continue to the Erhai lakeside for a change of scenery and end in Dali Ancient Town. Stay in Dali overnight, with the evening free to explore the streets near your hotel.

Travel from Dali to Kunming, allowing much of the day for the road journey. On arrival, visit the Western Hills above Dianchi Lake and the Dragon Gate area, whose narrow paths and stone carvings follow the cliff. There are steps and uneven sections; your guide can suggest a shorter route if needed. Finish at your Kunming hotel.

Make a day trip from Kunming to the Stone Forest near Shilin. Walk between limestone pillars with your guide, using the main paths and quieter connecting sections according to your energy and the time available. Return to Kunming for a stroll around Green Lake, where waterside paths offer a gentler end to the day. Stay in Kunming overnight.

Drive east from Kunming into Guizhou and continue to Xingyi. Explore Wanfenglin, a landscape of closely spaced limestone peaks around farmland and villages. Use the established sightseeing route and stop at viewpoints to see how the fields sit between the hills. Check in to your Xingyi hotel after the visit. The transfer makes this a full travel day.

Visit Maling River Gorge near Xingyi, following the paths into the canyon for views of its cliffs and waterfalls. Expect steps and damp surfaces; waterfall volume varies with rainfall. After the visit, continue by road to Anshun and settle into your hotel for the night, ready for Huangguoshu the following day.

Start with Huangguoshu Waterfall, using the visitor paths and viewing platforms to see the falls from different angles. Continue to the Dragon Palace cave area for its limestone scenery and, when operating, the underground boat section. Access behind the waterfall and to particular cave sections can change with water levels. Drive on to Guiyang for the night.

Leave Guiyang for the Kaili area and visit the Miao villages of Lanhua, Jidao and Langde along the route. Walk among wooden houses, riverside paths and village squares with your guide, leaving time to discuss local craft traditions. Welcoming ceremonies, singing and other gatherings follow local arrangements and are not guaranteed daily events. Ask before photographing residents. Stay in Kaili overnight.

Travel south from Kaili, stopping at Shiqiao to learn about its traditional papermaking. Continue towards Congjiang and Basha Miao village, where wooden houses and village paths form the setting for a guided walk. Cultural demonstrations depend on the village programme. End the day in Zhaoxing Dong village, with time after check-in to see its drum towers and streets. This day visits Shiqiao, Basha and Zhaoxing.

Take the local shuttle from Zhaoxing towards Tang’an, then explore the village and its hillside setting. Choose between walking back through the terraced landscape and returning by shuttle, depending on weather and walking ability. Continue to Zhanli for a village visit before returning to Zhaoxing for the night. Huanggang can be considered as an extra stop only if the day’s driving and visit times allow.

Cross into Guangxi and stop at Chengyang’s wind-and-rain bridge and surrounding Dong villages. Look at the covered bridge, drum towers and timber architecture before continuing towards the Longji Rice Terraces. En route to Ping’an, stop at a local Yao village as arranged, then walk towards the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers or Seven Stars with the Moon viewpoints. Stay in Ping’an; the uphill paths and steps require comfortable walking shoes.

Leave the rice terraces after breakfast and drive to Guilin. Visit Reed Flute Cave to follow a walking route through its illuminated limestone chambers, then continue to Elephant Trunk Hill beside the river. Check in to your Guilin hotel after sightseeing. The afternoon pace can be adjusted after the previous day’s terrace walks.

Drive from Guilin towards Yangshuo and climb the steps to Xianggong Hill’s viewpoint for a panorama of the Li River bends. Continue to Xingping for the planned short river excursion, subject to water conditions and the boat service available. Spend time around Yangshuo’s West Street, then attend Impression Liu Sanjie when scheduled. Return to Guilin after the evening performance; an overnight stay in Yangshuo can be arranged to avoid the late drive.

Enjoy free time until your arranged transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or the agreed railway station. Your pickup time is based on the actual departure and the hotel location. No sightseeing is scheduled for this final day.