Journey to the Sky: 9-Day Meili Glacier Exploration & Remote Tibetan Heritage Tour（Eastern Slope of Meili Snow Mountain）

Upon your arrival in Kunming by flight, our dedicated team will be there to greet you with personalized airport transfer services. From the moment you land,you will enjoy the ease and comfort of having our professional staff assist you with hotel check-in, ensuring a seamless and pleasant start to your trip.

Morning:
After breakfast, take a bullet train to ​Lijiang (approx. 3.5 hours). Check in at your Lijiang hotel upon arrival.

Afternoon:
​Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Naxi cuisine lunch at a local restaurant.

​Shuhe Ancient Town Exploration:
Visit ​Shuhe Ancient Town (a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Old Town of Lijiang”). This well-preserved trading hub along the ancient ​Tea Horse Road offers a quieter alternative to the bustling Lijiang Old Town. Wander freely through cobblestone lanes, admire traditional Naxi architecture, and browse handicraft shops.
​Jade Water Village (Yushuizhai):
Travel to this ​4A-rated scenic area at the foot of ​Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (15 km north of Lijiang). At an altitude of 2,700 meters, the village combines pristine natural beauty with profound ​Naxi Dongba cultural heritage. Highlights include:
Crystal-clear mountain springs and terraced ponds reflecting the sacred snow peaks.
Interactive cultural experiences: Participate in a hands-on workshop to learn writing ​Dongba hieroglyphs under the guidance of a local Dongba master.
Evening:
Return to your hotel for dinner and rest.

Morning
Depart Lijiang with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looming in the rearview mirror.
Stop at Snow Mountain Viewpoint for panoramic vistas of Haba Snow Massif.
Wind through Xionggu Slope to the roaring Jinsha River (Upper Yangtze).

Afternoon
Lunch in Benzilan, a historic tea-horse trading town. Try the tibetan tsampa (roasted barley flour).
Marvel at Moon Bend Grand Canyon – where the Jinsha River carves a perfect Ω shape through crimson cliffs.
Ascend through primeval forests to White Horse Snow Mountain Pass (4,292m) – our highest point. Feel on top of the world amidst 5,000m+ peaks!

Evening
Arrive at Feilai Temple. Your view? The sacred Meili Snow Mountain Range – all 13 peaks framed by your hotel window. Sip butter tea as the last light turns glaciers pink.

Cultural Insight
This route follows the ancient “Tea-Horse Road” – where caravans traded Pu’er tea for the tibetan horses 1,300 years ago.

Logistics
Distance: 375km (~7hrs drive)
Altitude: 3,300m

Pre-Dawn Magic
If blessed by Kawagarbo (Meili’s main deity), witness the legendary “Golden Sunrise” – the peaks glowing like molten gold.

Morning
Descend through the Mekong River Canyon, where terraced barley fields cling to vertical slopes.
Arrive at Rongzhong Village (2,200m), home to Khampa horsemen.

Afternoon Trek (5km, 3-4hrs)
Hike through old-growth forests alive with Himalayan blue poppies and blood pheasants.
Reach Nanzhu Pasture (3,400m) – our glamping site beneath Meili’s glaciers.

Evening
Gather around the campfire as guides share tales of Kawagarbo’s wrath (this unconquered peak has claimed all climbing attempts).

Included
Luxury dome tents
Camp dinner (think: yak stew with morel mushrooms)

Morning Spectacle
Wake to second-day sunrise on Meili – statistically your best chance for clear views!

Full-Day Adventure (5-6km, 5hrs):
Traverse the Dragon’s Back Ridgeline, with Mingyong Glacier tumbling 4,000m below your feet.
Spot Himalayan griffons circling above – these 3m-wingspan vultures are sacred to the tibetans.

Evening Reward
Camp at Bengge Ding Pasture, directly facing Kawagarbo Peak (6,740m). As stars emerge, the Milky Way mirrors the glacier’s icy rivulets.

Did You Know?
Meili’s “Glacier No.1” is the world’s fastest-moving (500m/year), earning it the nickname “The Galloping Glacier”.

Sunrise Finale
Watch dawn ignite the “Cordyceps Line” – where the tibetan harvesters hunt “Himalayan Viagra” (the prized caterpillar fungus).
Challenging Trek (14km, 7-8hrs):
Cross a 4,500m pass with 360° views of Meili’s lesser-known peaks:
Mianzimu (6,054m): The “Goddess Peak” resembling a reclining woman.
Jiazi Peak: Its knife-edge ridge defies gravity.

Evening
Return to Feilai Temple’s glass-walled hotel – toast with qingke barley beer to conquered trails.

Altitude Alert
Today’s pass (4,500m) equals halfway up Everest Base Camp – pace yourself!

Farewell to the Gods
One last chance for sunrise over Meili – The Tibetans believe seeing it ensures 10 years’ good fortune.
Scenic Return (400km, 6.5hrs):
Stop in Shangri-La to visit Songzanlin Monastery (Yunnan’s largest the tibetan Buddhist temple).
Arrive Lijiang by dusk – celebrate with Naxi hotpot in the ancient town’s lantern-lit alleys.

Morning
After breakfast,journey to ​Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred 5,596m peak revered by the Naxi people. Ascend via the ​Glacier Park Cableway (2,914m long, 1,150m elevation gain), one of China’s highest-altitude cableways. Witness dramatic ecological shifts from lush forests to snow-capped granite as you soar to ​Glacier Park at 4,680m. Included: Oxygen bottle & thermal jacket.
Note: If the cableway is unavailable, explore ​Yunping Meadow (2,950m) or ​Yak Meadow (3,600m) with a price adjustment.

Afternoon
Descend to ​Blue Moon Valley, where glacial meltwater carves turquoise pools through limestone cliffs. Ride the eco-friendly electric car to hidden viewpoints like ​White Water Terrace and ​Jade Dragon Mirror Lake. Pro tip: Visit before noon for mirror-like reflections of jagged peaks.

Take a scenic high-speed train from Lijiang/Dali to Kunming (approx. 2-3hrs). Relax at your hotel, reflecting on a day blending alpine grandeur and living heritage.

Key Tips for Foreign Visitors:

​Altitude Precautions: Sip water frequently and avoid strenuous activity at Glacier Park.
​Photography: Capture Blue Moon Valley’s mirrored waters at ​Mirror Lake or ​Jade Dragon Mirror Lake for postcard-perfect shots.
​Cultural Etiquette: Remove hats during the Impression Lijiang blessing ceremony.
This itinerary balances adrenaline-pumping alpine adventures with immersive cultural encounters, crafted for an unforgettable Yunnan experience.

Travel Arrangements:
After the day’s activities, board a ​scenic bullet train from Lijiang/Dali to Kunming based on your scheduled departure time. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for rest.

Special Notes:
In extreme cases where train tickets are unavailable or delayed due to ​force majeure (e.g., holidays, peak seasons, operational adjustments, traffic congestion, or quota limits), we will arrange alternative transportation via ​private coach/bus. The original train fare will be ​deducted from the bus fee to ensure no additional cost to you. We appreciate your understanding for such unavoidable adjustments.

Floral Grand Finale​
Morning
After breakfast, dive into the vibrant ​Dounan Flower Market , Asia’s largest fresh-cut flower trading hub and a UNESCO-listed “Flower Kingdom”. Witness over 1,600 floral varieties – from velvety roses to exotic orchids – priced as low as ¥10/bouquet. For early-morning flights departing before 12:00 PM, note that the market’s peak trading hours (8:30 PM–2:00 AM) may require independent exploration if group timing conflicts.

Highlight Activities

​Bargain Like a Pro: Engage in lively haggling with vendors (¥15-¥25 for tulips, ¥10-¥23 for carnations).
​DIY Floral Souvenirs: Craft your own indigo tie-dye scarf at Zhoucheng-inspired stalls.
​Auction Thrills: Observe high-speed flower auctions at the ​Kunming Flower Auction Center (3:00 PM daily).

Key Reminders

Hotel check-out: 12:00 PM. Double-check passports/flight details.
For missed market visits, explore airport’s floral boutiques or redeem free “Birthday Month” flower vouchers.
This finale blends sensory feasts and cultural gems, ensuring your Yunnan journey blooms with lasting memories.