【First Encounter with Yunnan】Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Pudacuo , etc

Activity Details

Group Size: Minimum 2 participants to depart; maximum 12 participants per group.

Schedule for Open Groups: Departures every Tuesday and Saturday in 2026; available year-round.

Meeting Point: Designated hotel in Lijiang (includes complimentary 24-hour airport/high-speed rail transfer).

Drop-off Point: Dali or Lijiang (choose one).

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lijiang (from various locations) → Airport/Station Pickup → Hotel Check-in

Accommodation: 4-Diamond standard hotel or distinctive guesthouse in Lijiang

Meals: Self-arranged | Altitude: Approx. 2,400m

Driving Distance: Approx. 25km | Drive Time: Approx. 0.5 hours

Guests arrive in Lijiang independently by flight or high-speed train. Our dedicated transfer team will meet you and escort you to the designated hotel in the city center, after which you are free to enjoy your time at leisure. You may spend a relaxing period exploring the Ancient Town. Stroll casually into Lijiang Ancient Town with a leisurely mindset, immersing yourself in a living tapestry of ancient architecture and a showcase of ancient civilization. Walk along the smooth, multicolored stone-paved streets—much like the horse-driving travelers of the ancient Tea Horse Road—and shake off your fatigue and the dust of the journey amidst the bustling atmosphere of Sifang Street. Relax and encounter the most beautiful side of Lijiang; a single glance is all it takes to fall in love with the place.

Day 2: Lijiang → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping) → Blue Moon Valley → Baisha Ancient Town → Shuhe Ancient Town

Accommodation: Highly-rated 4-diamond standard hotel or distinctive local inn in Lijiang

Meals: Breakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense | Elevation: 2,400m

Driving distance: Approx. 80km | Driving time: Approx. 2 hours

After breakfast, head to the 5A-rated Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area (arrival in about 1 hour). Visit the high-altitude meadow of Ganhaizi, followed by lunch within the scenic area. After lunch, take the cable car up to Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping)—also known as the "Valley of Lovers' Suicide" or the "Third Kingdom of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain" by locals. Situated at an altitude of approximately 3,240 meters, this vast meadow nestled amidst a virgin spruce forest offers one of the best vantage points for viewing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Afterward, tour the attractions of Blue Moon Valley, including Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, Tingtao Lake, and the White Water River—all must-visit spots within the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area.

After exploring the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area, you will head to Baisha in the afternoon. Nestled at the foot of the snow-capped peaks lies the small, serene, and beautiful Baisha Ancient Town—a place where joy replaces worry, allowing you to escape the city's hustle and bustle, soothe your soul, and savor a slower pace of life. Next, you will visit Shuhe Ancient Town. As one of Lijiang’s three major ancient towns and a key trading hub on the Southwestern Tea Horse Road, it offers picturesque scenery at every turn and is steeped in an artistic, bohemian atmosphere. Here, you can find a quiet spot to enjoy a pot of authentic Pu'er tea and relish the leisurely pace of the ancient town before returning to your hotel in the evening.

▷ Important Note:

This itinerary includes the Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping) cable car for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain visit (not the Glacier Park "Big Cable Car"). If you wish to upgrade to the Glacier Park "Big Cable Car," please notify customer service at least one week in advance.

Day 3: Lijiang → Xiaozhongdian Highland Pasture Scenery → Dukezong Ancient Town → Pudacuo National Park

Accommodation: 4-Diamond rated hotel in Shangri-La

Meals: Breakfast included; other meals at your own expense | Altitude: 3,350m

Driving Distance: Approx. 200km | Driving Time: Approx. 3 hours

Today, we head to Shangri-La—the place famously described in the novel Lost Horizon. After breakfast, we depart from Lijiang and travel via the Lijiang-Shangri-La Expressway, arriving at Xiaozhongdian in about two hours. We then join National Highway 214, enjoying the highland pasture scenery along the way. Next, we arrive at Dukezong Ancient Town. Here, you can stroll freely through the town, soaking up the atmosphere of this historic hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road. You can visit the Red Army Long March Museum and wander through Sifang Street. Finally, climb Guishan Park to spin the world’s largest prayer wheel (a Guinness World Record holder), offering prayers for the safety and good fortune of your family and friends, as well as for national prosperity and peace. Tashi Delek (Good luck and blessings).

After enjoying lunch at your leisure in the ancient town, you will head to Pudacuo National Park (a 5A-rated scenic area). Upon arrival, you will transfer to the park's shuttle bus, passing by an ethnic eco-village and highland pastures before arriving at Shudu Lake. You will take a leisurely 3.3 km stroll along the lakeside boardwalk, admiring the crystal-clear blue waters set against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds. The lake is surrounded by dense forests and highland pastures dotted with herds of cattle and sheep, offering a glimpse into authentic Tibetan life. Afterward, the shuttle will take you to Bitahai Lake, where you will walk a 2 km trail to explore the area. Known as the "Pearl of the Plateau," Bitahai is famous for its pagoda-shaped hill and its serene, limpid waters. In the early morning, the water is dark and ink-like, reflecting the surrounding peaks; by midday, it turns a jade-like blue, shimmering with the interplay of clouds and ripples—a truly exquisite sight. In the evening, you will return to the city center to check into your hotel. For dinner, you are free to dine in the ancient town, or you may choose to visit a local Tibetan family for an authentic "Tusi" (Chieftain-style) banquet. Here, you can enjoy yak meat hotpot, highland barley wine, and butter tea while watching enthusiastic Khampa men and beautiful Tibetan women perform the lively Guozhuang dance.

▷ Optional Activities (Not Mandatory):

1. Pudacuo Shudu Lake boat ride: 50 RMB/person; Mountain biking: 90 RMB/person;

2. Tibetan "Tusi" Banquet: 120–160 RMB/person (reference price).

PS: Dukezong Ancient Town has a unique charm at night. You might want to visit the town to try on traditional Tibetan costumes for a photoshoot—a wonderful way to capture memories of your time on the Tibetan plateau.

Day 4: Shangri-La → Songzanlin Monastery → Yila Grassland (Napa Lake) → Dali

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel or guesthouse in Dali

Meals: Breakfast included; other meals at your own expense | Elevation: 2,052m

Driving distance: Approx. 288km | Driving time: Approx. 4 hours

After breakfast, we depart for the Songzanlin Monastery scenic area. We take the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Lamuyangcuo Lake, enjoy a walk around the lake, and then enter the monastery for a tour. Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (Songzanlin Monastery) is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province. Known as a "Museum of Tibetan Art," it holds a pivotal position across the entire Tibetan region; its architectural layout bears a striking resemblance to the Potala Palace, earning it the nickname "Little Potala Palace." After visiting the monastery, we head to Yila Grassland (Napa Lake)—a filming location for the series Rattan (Si Teng)—where grasslands, lakes, and pastures blend to showcase the quintessential scenery of the Tibetan region, complete with herds of cattle and sheep.

After lunch, we will travel to Dali—the ancient capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom, renowned for its "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon." After a three-hour drive via expressway, we will arrive at Dali Ancient City and check into a hotel nearby, followed by free time. In the evening, you are free to explore the ancient city at your leisure. Stroll along the flagstone streets and experience landmarks that have thrived for a millennium, such as the Ancient City Gate Tower, Wuhua Tower, and Foreigner's Street. Visit Renmin Road and Yeyu Road to immerse yourself in the authentic daily life of the local Bai people; gather a few friends, find a street stall or a cozy tavern, and fully enjoy this relaxing, leisurely time.

▷Important Note:

Due to regulations governing tourist vehicles and to ensure passenger safety, drivers require adequate rest and cannot operate the vehicle at night except in special circumstances. If you wish to continue exploring the ancient city after the scheduled activities, please arrange your own taxi back to the hotel. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Day 5: Dali – Erhai Lake Loop Tour (Erhai Ecological Corridor, Panxi Village, Xizhou, Shuanglang) → Tour concludes in Dali or Lijiang

Accommodation: Not included | Meals: Breakfast included; other meals at your own expense | Altitude: 2,400m

Driving distance: Approx. 240km | Driving time: Approx. 4 hours

Today, we embark on an immersive tour around Erhai Lake to experience the romantic charm of Dali. After breakfast, we depart for the Erhai Ecological Corridor—a must-visit destination in Dali. We will stroll to the famous "S-Curve" in Panxi Village to take stunning photos. You may choose to rent a bicycle to ride along the corridor or take a sightseeing electric cart to enjoy the boundless scenery of Erhai Lake—an experience that is sure to be memorable. Along the corridor, every spot is a picturesque photo opportunity, so there is no need to linger at just one location. Afterward, we continue along the lakeside road to Xizhou Ancient Town. Here, you can soak in the soothing atmosphere and pastoral landscapes, visit the iconic "Corner Building," and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the ancient town.

After lunch, we will travel along the Erhai Lake loop road to Shuanglang Ancient Town, a premier destination for enjoying the scenery of the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. Here, you can take in the breathtaking vistas—featuring pristine blue skies and the crystal-clear waters of Erhai Lake—while facing the majestic Cangshan Mountains and feeling the romantic breeze. After exploring Shuanglang in the afternoon, the tour concludes: you may choose to head to the Dali High-Speed ​​Railway Station or Dali Ancient City, or return to Lijiang with us. The return drive to Lijiang takes approximately two hours, with arrival around 6:00 PM, marking the end of a delightful journey.

▷ Note:

Bicycle rentals by the lakeside cost approximately 30–50 RMB per bike, while sightseeing shuttle prices range from 30 to 60 RMB (depending on the route section).

All good things must come to an end. We will travel along the Erhai Lake loop road to the Dali High-Speed ​​Railway Station or Dali Ancient City to conclude the tour, or return to Lijiang with us. The return drive takes about two hours, arriving in Lijiang around 6:00 PM. Let us cherish the wonderful memories of this trip and look forward to welcoming you back again. Take care, goodbye, and Tashi Delek!

Booking Terms

As the initiator and operator of this tour, our company reserves the right to use all photos, videos and other footage captured during the trip.

This tour involves outdoor hiking, long-distance coach rides, thrill rides and other strenuous activities. All participants must be in good physical condition suitable for travel. Persons suffering from hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, mental disorders, severe anemia, those recovering from major surgeries, people with limited mobility, and pregnant women are not permitted to join. If registering on behalf of another person, you must accurately confirm whether their physical health meets the requirements of this itinerary.

In accordance with the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China, minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by their legal guardians throughout the tour, who shall be fully responsible for their care at all times.

This tour strictly prohibits unregistered individuals from participating, including infants without bookings. For the health and experience of all participants, pets are not allowed on the tour.

You must submit accurate and complete personal information as required by the booking system at the time of registration to avoid booking errors that may disrupt your travel. Any losses incurred due to incorrect information provided by you shall be borne solely by yourself.

Room allocation will be arranged by our staff based on hotel reservations, with shared rooms allocated to tour members of the same gender by default. If you wish to share a room with family or friends, please notify our staff after completing registration. Solo participants requesting a private single room must contact staff to confirm availability; if arranged, the single room supplement shall be paid by the participant.

If you hold preferential certificates including military ID, press card, disability certificate, senior citizen card, student ID, medical staff certificate, etc., please inform our staff and submit relevant supporting documents within one day after registration. All ticket discounts will be refunded based on the discounted group rate obtained by our travel agency, rather than the official scenic spot listed price.

Some scenic spots require advance ticket reservations with participants’ personal information. The ID carried during travel must match the information used for ticket issuance. If a scenic spot becomes unavailable due to objective factors such as sold-out tickets, our company will arrange an alternative attraction. Any price difference arising from the adjustment will be refunded or charged accordingly.

The scenery of attractions along the itinerary may vary due to weather and seasonal changes. By completing registration, participants acknowledge and accept this condition.

The tour guide/leader displayed on the activity page may not be the final staff member in charge of the trip. Our company reserves the right to adjust tour leaders according to operational arrangements, which all participants acknowledge and agree to upon booking.

During the actual trip, the tour leader may make reasonable adjustments to the itinerary (such as reordering scenic visits or revising assembly times) subject to participants’ consent, to ensure a smooth journey, in response to weather, traffic and other practical conditions.

If the tour is affected by force majeure events including traffic delays, strikes, adverse weather, aircraft/train malfunctions, flight cancellations or schedule changes, airport closures, scenic spot closures, or other unavoidable incidents despite reasonable precautions taken by our company and service providers, we will make every reasonable effort to assist with itinerary changes. Any price difference incurred shall be settled by refunding surpluses or collecting shortfalls.

If the tour is cancelled before departure or terminated mid-journey due to force majeure, in accordance with the Tourism Contract, tour fees will be refunded after deducting non-refundable payments already disbursed to service providers, with the remaining balance returned to the original payment account.

Participants who voluntarily leave the tour midway due to personal reasons must sign a tour departure agreement. All safety liabilities and expenses incurred after leaving the group shall be borne solely by the participant. Refunds will be issued for unused, refundable portions of the tour fee (tickets, accommodation, etc.), calculated based on the travel agency’s discounted rates. Any non-refundable payments already made to service providers cannot be reimbursed.

Shopping venues at scenic areas, restaurants, rest stops and other locations are not arranged by our company. We remind all participants to consume rationally and retain purchase receipts. Any consumer disputes shall be resolved directly between the participant and the merchant.

One complimentary travel accident insurance policy is provided upon registration, effective throughout the tour period. For insurance claims, please refer to the policy document for the claims hotline.

Lijiang Government Service Hotline: 0888-12345

Service Agreement

After completing registration and full payment, participants requesting to amend or cancel the tour due to personal reasons (excluding force majeure, defined as but not limited to natural disasters, wars, terrorist acts, riots, strikes, public emergencies, traffic blockages, vehicle breakdowns, scenic spot closures, flight cancellations, local government mandates and other related incidents) shall be subject to the following cancellation policy.

Note: Airfare for group bookings is non-refundable except for airport taxes if tickets cannot be rescheduled; pre-purchased accommodation, meals and attraction tickets are non-refundable once issued.

Cancellation submitted 5 full days or more prior to departure: Full refund.

Cancellation submitted 4 to 3 full days prior to departure: 30% of the total tour fee will be deducted, with the balance refunded.

Cancellation submitted 3 to 2 full days prior to departure: 50% of the total tour fee will be deducted, with the balance refunded.

Cancellation submitted 2 to 1 full days prior to departure: 70% of the total tour fee will be deducted, with the balance refunded.

Cancellation submitted on the scheduled assembly day: 80% of the total tour fee will be deducted, with the balance refunded.

Termination of the contract mid-tour: Only unused attraction tickets and accommodation fees will be refunded.