Meili’s Hidden Sanctuaries: 7-Day Cizhong, Tongle & High Peaks Expedition

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.
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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
After breakfast, depart from Lijiang to ​Weixi, the “Hidden Heart of Shangri-La” in the ​Three Parallel Rivers​ region. En route, stop at ​Shigu Town​ to witness the ​First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the mighty river takes a dramatic 180-degree turn. Follow the Jinsha River northward, soaking in views of emerald valleys and terraced fields before arriving in Weixi for a rustic local lunch.

​Afternoon
Explore ​Tongle Village, a 200-year-old ​Lisu ethnic hamlet​ nestled in the Lancang River Gorge. Marvel at its ​UNESCO-listed​ wooden “jinggan-style” houses cascading down the mountainside—129 interconnected households with plank roofs and stone foundations, preserving one of Yunnan’s most authentic architectural traditions. Wander through narrow alleys adorned with prayer flags, learning about Lisu textile arts and animist beliefs.
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Evening
Transfer to ​Cizhong, home to the ​Cizhong Church—a ​National Cultural Heritage Site​ blending Gothic arches, the tibetan murals, and Chinese pavilions. French missionaries planted vineyards here in the 19th century; sample their legacy Rose Honey wine before resting at a local guesthouse.

​Accommodation:​​ Cizhong boutique lodge
​Meals:​​ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
​Distance:​​ 250 km (~5.5 hrs)
​Altitude:​​ 1,800 m

Morning
Trek through ​Peacock Mountain​ (6 km round trip), traversing alpine lakes, meadows, and ​primordial fir forests​ where Himalayan blue sheep roam. In spring (May-June), the slopes blaze with ​rhododendron blooms—over 20 species paint the landscape crimson and gold.

​Afternoon
Descend through ​sacred groves​ used by the tibetan monks for meditation, listening for the calls of blood pheasants and snow finches. Reach ​Feilai Temple​ at sunset, where prayer wheels spin against the backdrop of ​Meili Snow Mountain.

​Highlights
​-Biodiversity hotspot: Spot endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys in old-growth forests.
​-Geological wonder: Glacial moraines and limestone karsts shaped by the Hengduan Mountains.

​Accommodation:​​ Feilai Temple lodge
​Meals:​​ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
​Trekking:​​ 6 km (~3 hrs), 500 m ascent
​Altitude:​​ 1,800–4,180 m

Morning
At dawn, witness the ​​”Sunlight Over Golden Mountains”​—a spiritual phenomenon where the ​Kawagarbo Peak​ (6,740 m) ignites in molten gold for 20 minutes, revered by the tibetans as a blessing from the gods.

Afternoon
Drive past ​Baima Snow Mountain’s autumn foliage to the ​Moon Bend of Jinsha River, where the river carves a perfect ​Ω-shaped loop​ around a pyramid hill—a photographer’s paradise. After lunch in Benzilan, circle ​Napa Lake Wetland, watching black-necked cranes dance among yak herds.
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Evening
Explore ​Dukezong Ancient Town’s cobbled streets and giant prayer wheel, a ​Tea Horse Road​ hub where the tibetan, Naxi, and Han cultures intertwine. Return to Lijiang by night.
​Meals:​​ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
​Distance:​​ 380 km (~6 hrs)
​Altitude:​​ 3,400 m

The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so because there were thousands of bad Commas, wild Question Marks and devious Semikoli, but the Little Blind Text didn’t listen.

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.

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.