Six Days Trek in Yunnan’s Tiger Leaping Gorge and Baoshan Stone Town
Taking advantage of the National holiday, we will venture into the depths of the Three Parallel River Region in Yunnan province for an unforgettable trek adventure which allows you to experience the traditional minority cultures in NW Yunnan province!
The trips starts with two days of hiking in the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Located 60KM north of Lijiang, the TLG stretches 16KM along the Jinsha River. The sudden narrowing of the river created huge torrents in both the upper and middle part, which is quite a geographical phenomenon. It is made even more spectacular by the towering peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow mountain which stands at over 5000 meters on each side. Here used to be a daily transportation route for the local Naxi people for the transportation of goods, and getting around to other villages before highways were built in 1959. Today, the stunning scenery, rugged paths, and diverse micro ecosystems have caught the attention of modern day adventurers and hikers alike. We’ll hike the most scenic part of the “high road” and also go down to the bottom of gorge over the two days.
Next, we’ll take the ferry to cross the Jinsha River, and travel to the little village of Wumu, a hidden Naxi hamlet in the Jinsha River Valley. Unlike Lijiang, which is a well-developed tourist town, the towns and villages north of the Jinsha river are scarcely visited by tourists. The village of Wumu has kept much of the old Naxi traditions which is rapidly disappearing in Lijiang and it’s surrounding towns. Here, we’ll take a glimpse into the Naxi Dongba religion by visiting the village Dongba school. We’ll be staying in a beautiful guesthouse owned by a Naxi-Belgium couple who had spent seven years to build. The friendly guesthouse owner will take us around the village to visit.The next day, we’ll take a day trip to the Stone Town, a village built entirely on a stone that perches above the Jinsha River. On the way back to Lijiang, we’ll pass through the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and stop to hike the Yak Meadows before we arrive in Shuhe, where you’ll see the familiar sights of tourist, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. Fly out of Lijiang in the afternoon the next day.
The trips starts with two days of hiking in the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Located 60KM north of Lijiang, the TLG stretches 16KM along the Jinsha River. The sudden narrowing of the river created huge torrents in both the upper and middle part, which is quite a geographical phenomenon. It is made even more spectacular by the towering peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow mountain which stands at over 5000 meters on each side. Here used to be a daily transportation route for the local Naxi people for the transportation of goods, and getting around to other villages before highways were built in 1959. Today, the stunning scenery, rugged paths, and diverse micro ecosystems have caught the attention of modern day adventurers and hikers alike. We’ll hike the most scenic part of the “high road” and also go down to the bottom of gorge over the two days.
Next, we’ll take the ferry to cross the Jinsha River, and travel to the little village of Wumu, a hidden Naxi hamlet in the Jinsha River Valley. Unlike Lijiang, which is a well-developed tourist town, the towns and villages north of the Jinsha river are scarcely visited by tourists. The village of Wumu has kept much of the old Naxi traditions which is rapidly disappearing in Lijiang and it’s surrounding towns. Here, we’ll take a glimpse into the Naxi Dongba religion by visiting the village Dongba school. We’ll be staying in a beautiful guesthouse owned by a Naxi-Belgium couple who had spent seven years to build. The friendly guesthouse owner will take us around the village to visit.The next day, we’ll take a day trip to the Stone Town, a village built entirely on a stone that perches above the Jinsha River. On the way back to Lijiang, we’ll pass through the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and stop to hike the Yak Meadows before we arrive in Shuhe, where you’ll see the familiar sights of tourist, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. Fly out of Lijiang in the afternoon the next day.
Trip Specifics
Dates: 26th - 31st Dec, 2020
Duration: Six days' trip Land Cost: 4700 rmb (double occupancy, pay extra 960rmb for single room supplement) Includes: All land transfer; Meals where indicated on the program; water; guide cost; entry fees to sites mentioned on the program; accommodation |
Level: Moderate- Strenuous
Routing: Shanghai - Lijiang - Shanghai Participants: 6-12 people Registration Deadline: 15th Dec, 2020 |
Detailed Itinerary
D1 (D)
08:20 - Take flight from Shanghai to Lijiang via flight MU9720 from Hongqiao airport
12:10 - Arrive in Lijiang; Grab your lunch at ariport before transfer to the ancient town of Shuhe, a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in Lijiang (+/- 1 hour); check into your hotel.
After brief orientation of Shuhe by your local guide, explore the ancient town on your own
Overnight at Metropark Hotel Lijiang or similar
D2 (BLD)
Check out after breakfast, and transfer to the Tiger Leaping Gorge (+/- 3.5 hrs), and have lunch. Afternoon hike down to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (2-3 hrs); Transfer to your hotel for check in; Free evening to rest and relax.
Overnight at Halfway Guest House or similar
D3 (BLD)
Check out after breakfast; Morning hike on the Upper Trail (3-4 hrs); Lunch at Walnut Grove; Take the ferry across the Jinsha River from Walnut Grove, and transfer to Wumu (+/- 3 hrs); Check into the guesthouse in Wumu, and have a guided walk in the village with your guide.
Overnight at Huahuase Lodge in Wumu or similar
D4 (BLD)
Transfer from Wumu to the Stone Town (+/- 1.5 hrs) and explore the Stone Town on foot
Take the ferry back to Wumu
Overnight at Huahuase Lodge in Wumu or similar
D5 (BLD)
Morning hike around Wumu village; depart for Lijiang after breakfast; en-route stop at the Yulong Snow Mountain, go up to the Yak Meadows by cable car, and explore the Yak Meadows on foot; Free evening in Shuhe Old Town
Overnight at Metropark Hotel Lijiang or similar
D6 (B)
06:45- Early morning check out and transfer to the airport; airport check in
09:25 - 12:20 Take flight from Lijiang back to Shanghai Hongqiao via MU9719
Program ends.
Please Note: This cost excludes the flight tix, you can book by yourself or we can help book for you for free. And please let us know in advance if you’d like to extend your stay in Lijiang for one more night.
08:20 - Take flight from Shanghai to Lijiang via flight MU9720 from Hongqiao airport
12:10 - Arrive in Lijiang; Grab your lunch at ariport before transfer to the ancient town of Shuhe, a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in Lijiang (+/- 1 hour); check into your hotel.
After brief orientation of Shuhe by your local guide, explore the ancient town on your own
Overnight at Metropark Hotel Lijiang or similar
D2 (BLD)
Check out after breakfast, and transfer to the Tiger Leaping Gorge (+/- 3.5 hrs), and have lunch. Afternoon hike down to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (2-3 hrs); Transfer to your hotel for check in; Free evening to rest and relax.
Overnight at Halfway Guest House or similar
D3 (BLD)
Check out after breakfast; Morning hike on the Upper Trail (3-4 hrs); Lunch at Walnut Grove; Take the ferry across the Jinsha River from Walnut Grove, and transfer to Wumu (+/- 3 hrs); Check into the guesthouse in Wumu, and have a guided walk in the village with your guide.
Overnight at Huahuase Lodge in Wumu or similar
D4 (BLD)
Transfer from Wumu to the Stone Town (+/- 1.5 hrs) and explore the Stone Town on foot
Take the ferry back to Wumu
Overnight at Huahuase Lodge in Wumu or similar
D5 (BLD)
Morning hike around Wumu village; depart for Lijiang after breakfast; en-route stop at the Yulong Snow Mountain, go up to the Yak Meadows by cable car, and explore the Yak Meadows on foot; Free evening in Shuhe Old Town
Overnight at Metropark Hotel Lijiang or similar
D6 (B)
06:45- Early morning check out and transfer to the airport; airport check in
09:25 - 12:20 Take flight from Lijiang back to Shanghai Hongqiao via MU9719
Program ends.
Please Note: This cost excludes the flight tix, you can book by yourself or we can help book for you for free. And please let us know in advance if you’d like to extend your stay in Lijiang for one more night.
Important items to bring
Passports; towel; toiletries; hiking footware; Water bottle; Sun protection; Rain gear; Mosquito repellent; Energy snacks; Prescribed medication (if any)
Trip feedback
" I can not express my gratitude enough for all of your care and attention to details on this trip. I am a frequent traveler with high standards and you both exceeded my expectations in many ways. I was impressed with your regular communications before and during the trip to ensure that everything was going well.
The arrangements in Yunnan were superb. Our guide was wonderful and so helpful; the driver was fantastic in carefully navigating the winding mountain roads; the accommodations were very comfortable, clean, beautifully located and had character. We explored areas off the beaten track and experienced nature that was awe-inspiring. The pace and amount of activity was perfect, allowing us to get plenty of exercise yet also relax." - Rhonda Gutenberg
"So much to see and so many different aspects of China to live - it felt as if we had been away for weeks. And yet it was no hurrying, we had time to enjoy most impressive landscapes and got insight in the living in rural Yunnan. We could also get some historical flashlights in small exhibitions. Amazing the jourey from touristic centers with Luxury and 21st-Century chinese lifestyle to pure village-life which does´t seem to have changed within hundreds of years. Perfect organization and very comfortable hostels with european standard made it easy to enjoy every second of the trip" - Wibke Stegemeier
The arrangements in Yunnan were superb. Our guide was wonderful and so helpful; the driver was fantastic in carefully navigating the winding mountain roads; the accommodations were very comfortable, clean, beautifully located and had character. We explored areas off the beaten track and experienced nature that was awe-inspiring. The pace and amount of activity was perfect, allowing us to get plenty of exercise yet also relax." - Rhonda Gutenberg
"So much to see and so many different aspects of China to live - it felt as if we had been away for weeks. And yet it was no hurrying, we had time to enjoy most impressive landscapes and got insight in the living in rural Yunnan. We could also get some historical flashlights in small exhibitions. Amazing the jourey from touristic centers with Luxury and 21st-Century chinese lifestyle to pure village-life which does´t seem to have changed within hundreds of years. Perfect organization and very comfortable hostels with european standard made it easy to enjoy every second of the trip" - Wibke Stegemeier