Meili Snow Mountain 8 Days Photo Tour

Detailed Itinerary: Take coach to Dali. The driving time is 5 hours. Visit Dali ancient town, cruise ride on Erhai Lake.

The ancient Dali town: built in 1382 and is one the 24 most famous historical and cultural cities in China. Dali was once a vital communications hub where the population was dense. Many trade caravans gathered here and the markets were prosperous.

Er hai Lake: Erhai Lake, named after its ear-shape, is one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. The beautiful scenery and limpid waters of Erhai Lake are very charming and attractive.

Detailed Itinerary: This morning you will explore The Ancient City of Dali, you will head to Xizhou Village to explore their distinctive culture. After you will visit Zhoucheng Village and the Bai people's Tie-dying cloth workshop where you can take some special souvenirs.

You will then be driven to Lijiang, during your journey you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful farmlands and ethnic villages on the way. After lunch you’ll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.

In the late afternoon, you will explore the Old Town of Lijiang. Lijiang Old Town has a History more than 800 years, it was enlisted as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997.

Xizhou: Xizhou Village is not only a historically famous city but also a typical commercial center of Bai Ethnic Nationality. The old houses and streets are well preserved.

Zhoucheng Village: Zhoucheng is the main village that has the largest percentage of Bai people in Dali. The village is famous for its tie dyeing techniques.

Black Dragon Pool: The Black Dragon Pool Park was built in the second year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1737). The Black Dragon Pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty.

Dongba Museum: Located nearby Yuquan Garden in Lijiang City, Yunnan, Dongba Museum, is a museum which was designed to display the splendid Dongba culture of Naxi (Nakhi) people, it is also known as Dongba Culture Museum.

Lijiang Ancient Town: Lijiang Ancient town was constructed since the turning of Song and Yuan Dynasties and was most prosperous during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Covering 3.8 square kilometers, the town has a history of more than 800 years?

Detailed Itinerary: Today's highlight is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. 2 hours drive to the foot of the mountain, take cable car at Yak Meadow, walk around the summit,

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has 13 peaks of which the highest is 18000 feet above sea level. It is a treasure of wild plants and rare animals. 

Yak Meadow got its name because the local people like to pasture their Yak here. The landscape rises and falls on the meadow. In spring and summer, Yaks with black and white skin wander in grass and all kinds of flowers.  

Baisha Murals: Baisha Mural are preserved among the architecture Colored Glaze Palace which was built by a headman of Mu clan in Hongwu Period of the Ming Dynasty

Detailed Itinerary: Take coach to Shangri-La.  We will stop at the Upper Leaping Gorge for about 1 hour.  Continue our drive to Shangri-La and visit Songzanlin Monastery.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the world's four great gorges - The Tiger Leaping Gorge is 17 kilometers long with a drop of 213 meters. The gorge is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower portion.  

Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in southwest China. You will appreciate a series of precious Buddhism-related objects like scriptures written on palm leaves, the Shakyamuni statues, etc. If you want to deeply experience the Buddhists' life, you can join in the evening class.

Detailed Itinerary: Take coach to Deqin, drive through Baimang Snow Mountain along the Yangtze River Canyon to Deqin, We will stop and appreciate the enchanting views of the Napa Seasonal Lake; overlook the splendid Great Bend of Yangtze River from the steep slope of the canyon.  We will arrive at Feilai Temple in the afternoon.  

Napa Seasonal Lake, at an altitude of 3,266 meters above sea level, is located 8 kilometers northwest of the county of Shangri-La.

Baiman Snow Mountain is at the altituide of 4700M. It is the largest natural reserve in Yunnan Province with a perfectly preserved frigid-zone of primeval forests.   The view along the way is fantastic with different kinds of trees, streams down the valley, prayer flags and stupas, and Tibetan villages. 

Meili Snow Mountain is located west of Shengping Town, Deqin county, Diqing, and its main peak is called Kawagebo. There are 13 peaks with the average elevation above 6000 meters, and known as the “Prince of thirteen peaks”, majestic, extremely spectacular. The Kawagebo peak proudly standing on the top of the thirteen peaks, towering, immense spans 6740 meters above sea level, is one of four Tibetan Buddhism Mountains.

Sunset of Meili Snow Mountain: Find a good place for sunset photo at Feilai Temple.    Ask our tour guide where is the good point for tomorrow's sunrise photo.  An inspection walk to check this place is highly appreciated.  Ask where is the point the sun comes out for this season.

Detailed Itinerary: Get up early in the morning (packing breafast), enjoy the sunrise of the Meili Snow Mountain (if good weather). Then we will take coach to explore Meili Snow Mountain.   After lunch at the mountain foot, start our hiking trip to Mingyong Glacier.   The round trips hiking is 4 - 5 hours.   You can also ride a horse/mule up and down as an alternative choice.   

Meili Snow Mountain: There are 13 peaks with the average elevation above 6000 meters, and known as the “Prince of thirteen peaks”, majestic, extremely spectacular. The Kawagebo peak proudly standing on the top of the thirteen peaks, towering, immense spans 6740 meters above sea level, is one of four Tibetan Buddhism Mountains.

Mingyong Glacier: At the foot of Kagebo Peak lies the 6 km2 large Mingyong Glacier, a rare monsoon maritime glacier that stretches from an altitude of 5,500 meters above sea level.   Today we will hike to Taizi Monastery, a good spot to view the magnificent Mingyong Glacier.   From Taizi Monastery, trails are built along the glacier, many many steps.  Continue upping to the top to enjoy more. 

Detailed Itinerary: Take coach back to Shangri-La Diqing Airport  for your next destination. 

Tips: Diqing Civil Airport, is one of the  biggest airports in the northwest of  Yunnan Province. There are flights
to Lhasa, Chengdu, Beijing(via kunming), Shanghai, Shenzhen (via Guiyang),Guangzhou, Kunming and   Xishuangbanna.