7-Day Shangri-La to Kunming Tour via Tiger Leaping Gorge

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.

Continue along the High Trail towards Tina’s Guesthouse, passing side valleys and waterfall sections on the way. The planned walk takes around two to three hours, depending on pace and conditions. Meet your driver at the road and travel to Lijiang, where the rest of the day is free after hotel check-in. Walking down to the river in the Middle Gorge is an additional, steeper excursion and is not part of this standard day.

Walk through Lijiang Old Town, following its lanes and waterways past the Mu family’s former residence and towards the Lion Hill area. Entry to Mu’s Residence or Wangu Tower can be added if you wish. Continue to Baisha to see its historic murals and learn about Naxi culture, then visit Black Dragon Pool, where clear weather opens views towards Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. End in Shuhe, another settlement associated with the old trading routes, before returning to your Lijiang hotel.

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.

Leave Dali for Kunming, then continue to the Stone Forest near Shilin for a guided walk among the limestone pillars. This combines a long transfer with sightseeing, so departure timing and the available visiting window need to be agreed in advance. Finish at your Kunming hotel or a suitable evening departure point. An extra night in Kunming gives more flexibility if you prefer a slower final day.