Details
Arrival in Shangri-La
Welcome to Shangri-La — the legendary “Heaven on Earth”!
Your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport’s Baggage Claim Area according to your flight schedule and transfer you to your carefully selected hotel in downtown Shangri-La. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or begin exploring this enchanting highland town at your own pace.
Meals: Customizable
Accommodation: Customizable
Songzanlin Monastery – Potatso National Park – Tibetan family home
After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and often called the “Little Potala Palace.” Built against the hillside like an ancient fortress, the monastery houses precious Buddha statues, palm-leaf scriptures, thangka paintings, and ceremonial vessels that have been used for generations.
The journey continues to Potatso National Park, a pristine nature reserve whose Tibetan name means “a lake where all beings find happiness.” Forests, meadows, wetlands, and tranquil lakes unfold along the walking paths, creating a peaceful retreat surrounded by unspoiled ecology. With some luck, you may encounter wildlife that shows no fear of human presence—a quiet moment where the boundary between people and nature seems to disappear.
In the evening, visit a local Tibetan family home. Enjoy traditional singing and dancing, taste butter tea and a hearty Tibetan hot pot, and experience genuine local hospitality. It’s a warm, immersive cultural encounter that leaves lasting memories.
Meals: Customizable
Accommodation: Customizable
Songzanlin Monastery
Potatso National Park
Shangri-La – Meili Snow Mountain – Jinsha River Great Bend – Feilai Temple
Today, we head to Deqin to admire the stunning Meili Snow Mountain. On the way, we’ll view Nixi Village from a distance. If you spot chickens along the road, don’t be surprised—local free-range chickens live on insects, herbs, and wild fruits, and drink meltwater from 3,000-meter (9,843-feet) snow mountains. You can try one at lunch to taste the difference.
Next, we’ll visit the spectacular Jinsha River Great Bend, where the river curves gracefully in an “Ω” shape around the pyramidal Rizhui Peak. Afterward, we stop at Dong Zhulin Temple, the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism in western Yunnan. Please note that photography is not allowed inside.
We will then continue driving to Deqin. After checking in and resting at your carefully selected hotel, we will visit the 400-year-old Feilai Temple. Facing Kawagebo, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, this is the perfect spot to photograph the “Sunshine Golden Mountain.” If weather permits, we will enjoy a magnificent sunset over the peaks.
Meals: Customizable
Accommodation: Customizable
Meili Snow Mountain
Feilai Temple
Meili Snow Mountain – Mingyong Glacier – Shangri-La
Today, we’ll rise early to watch the sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain. The wake-up time varies by season, usually between 6:00 and 8:00. Getting up early may feel tough, but once you see the sunrise and the glowing “Golden Mountain,” you’ll know it’s worth it. Meili Snow Mountain is not only one of the most beautiful peaks in China but also one of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual atmosphere.
Next, we’ll visit Mingyong Glacier, the longest and largest of Meili’s four glaciers. Stretching 11.7 kilometers (7.27 miles), it descends in a dramatic arc from 6,740 meters (22,112 feet) down to the lush virgin forest at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet).
After the visit, we will drive about 4.5 hours back to Shangri-La.
Meals: Customizable
Accommodation: Customizable
Sunshine Gold Mountain
Mingyong Glacier
Dukezong Ancient Town – Departure from Shangri-La
This morning, we will visit our final stop—Dukezong Ancient Town, one of the largest and best-preserved Tibetan residential complexes in China. Here, you’ll also have the chance to create your own Tangka, a traditional Tibetan art form that reflects the region’s history, culture, and spiritual life.
After the visit, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your onward flight. We truly hope you enjoyed your journey with us. Bon Voyage!
Meals: Customizable
Fee Description
Cost Includes:
Can be customized with customer service
Cost Does Not Include:
Can be customized with customer service
