Discover the Best-Kept Secrets of Shangri-La
Where is the mystical Shangri-La? The answer is hidden in the wrinkles of the Hengduan Mountains in the northwest of Yunnan Province.
Shangri-La can be found in the chanting of the monks and lamas of Songzanlin Monastery. It can also be seen at the top of the Meili Snow Mountains, which have never been summited. You may find it in the valley of the Three Parallel Rivers or in the forest where the Yunnan golden monkeys live. This 7-day Shangri-La adventure tour will take you off the beaten path and help you find a hidden door to paradise.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Make a Wish by the Sacred Meili Snow Mountain
Indulge in the incredible view of 13 snowcapped peaks. Let the icy mountain and white pagodas purify your heart.
Discover the Tibetan Lifestyle in the Wrinkles of the Mountains
Drive alongside the Lancang River (Mekong River) and Jinsha River (Yangtze River) to discover untouched natural beauty and Tibetan people.
Get closer to Tibetan's life and learn about their beliefs in Shangri-La.
Visit the only Gothic-style Catholic church with Tibetan features.
Taste a glass of wine made from rose honey grapes, which are an extinct species in Europe.
Encounter the Only Primates Living at an Elevation of 4000 Meters.
Meet an incredible protected animal - the Yunnan golden monkey - in an old-growth forest.
Paint Your Own Tangka
Learn how to paint a tangka and take the good luck and energy from Shangri-La back home with you.
Enjoy a Moderate-Level Hike in the Forest
Hike along the stream in the forest up to a small meadow. In spring and summer, lovely flowers blossom and birds sing in the forest.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Yunnan tour with China Highlights
This visit to Yunnan was 10 days long with stops at Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Kunming. We had 4 different guides - Dali with Daisy, Shangri-La with Peter, Lijiang with Li and Kunming with Doyle. Our guides, Daisy, Peter and Doyle was outstanding in their service. They were sensitive to our needs, flexible when we wanted any changes and did their job with enthusiasm and pride. The measure of how good a travel agency provides their service is not only in the planning of the itinerary but the follow through with good guiding service. Daisy, Peter and Doyle were exemplary in this regards! Well done, China Highlights for having guides of this quality. more
Mar 2025, Michel Siew Ngo... F
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Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
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Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
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Tour Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Meet your guide at the airport. A private vehicle will transfer you directly to your hotel where your guide will help you to check-in. Relax for the rest of the day.
Visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province — Songzanlin Lamasery — which was built in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Explore Shangri-La Old Town in the afternoon. Learn to paint a thangka('sacred tapestry') and bring the self-made souvenir and the good luck back home. Don't miss the Tibetan dancing on the central square in the evening.
Visit Pudacuo National Park in the morning. It retains the well-preserved ecosystem of the virgin forests. The must-see scenery in this park is Shudu Lake. Drive from Shangri-La to Tacheng in the afternoon. The beautiful countryside along the way is impressive.
Visit Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park after breakfast. This area is the hometown of the Yunnan golden monkeys. They are the only primates living at an altitude of 3,000–4,500 meters (10,000–15,000 feet) above sea level, apart from humans. The national park's staff feed the monkeys in the forest every morning. The monkeys appear suddenly when hearing the staff whistling.
You will drive alongside the Lancang River (the Mekong River) from Tacheng to Deqin. As the altitude gradually decreases, the landscape, vegetation, crops, and villages will change.
Stop at Cizhong Village. There, you will discover a Catholic church, which was built in 1921. It was built in a Gothic style, but combines features of Tibetan architecture.
Enjoy an incredible view of the Meili Snow Mountains at sunrise. When the sunlight shines on the snowy peaks and turns them sparkling golden, it is a magical moment when the chaos and routines of life can be forgotten.
Visit Mingyong Glacier to get close to Kawagebo, the main peak of the Meili Snow Mountains. As one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Yunnan Tibetan area, Kawagebo is still a virgin peak, which none have conquered due to the complicated terrain and fickle weather (not to mention respect for Tibetan beliefs and a government climbing ban from 2001).
Depart Deqin and go up to Wunongding Viewing Platform for a last panoramic view of the Meili Snow Mountains before saying goodbye. Drive along the Jinsha River back to Shangri-La.
Stop at a platform for a great view of the big bend of the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
Visit Niding Tibetan village to get close to the daily life of the local Tibetan people. Enjoy an authentic Tibetan meal in a local family's house and a moderate hike in the forest nearby to a meadow with a fantastic view.
Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: zd-2