5 Days Lijiang City Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Adventure

Upon arrival at Lijiang airport or railway station, your guide is ready to pick you up at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel with a private car which is comfortable, air-conditioned and non-smoking.

After a short rest, you’ll start your memorable Lijiang tour from Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town). Take a leisure walk up the Lion Hill and climb up the 33-meter-tall Wanggu Tower - the landmark building of Lijiang to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole old town and countryside scenery, as well as overlook the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance. Later, follow a trip to Ming-dynasty style Mufu Palace, the “Forbidden City” of Lijiang to know Tusi’s ruling history and appreciate Naxi people’s brilliant culture and fine arts. Then, walk through the old alleys, old bridges, featured shops and bars to Sifang Street Square, a meeting place of sorts and a mingling ground to enjoy lively atmosphere and unwind yourself. If time permits, join the Naxi people and tourists to dance happily in a round.

Sightseeing and Activities:Yuhu Village, the Former Residence of Joseph Roc, Baisha Mural Paintings, Shuhe Ancient Town, Dongba Culture Museum, Black Dragon Pool Park

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll be transferred out of Lijiang Old Town to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. When walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you’ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a tranquil Yuhu Lake…Explore leisurely around the village and then get to the Former Residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian-American Botanist came to Lijiang and stayed in Yuhu Village for 27 years and made huge research work on Naxi minority.

Later, head to Baisha Old Town and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Then, it is followed by a trip to Shuhe Ancient Town- one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route.

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings. If weather permits, get to the best spot to overlook the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and shoot some amazing pictures.

In the morning, drive for 2 hours from Lijiang to Qiaotou. Stop on the way for a dramatic view of the First Bends of Yangtze River.

Departing from Qiaotou (Hutiaoxia Town), buy the ticket, then walk a few minutes to the High Road which refers the hiking paths on the upper region of mountains. You will hike about 1.5 hours to Naxi Family Guest House. Keep hiking from Naxi Family Guest House, then you need to climb up some steep narrow paths, such as the challenging hiking section of Tiger Leaping Gorge – the 28 Bends for distant view of gushing river deep below and Jade Dagon Snow Mountain. Keep hiking until you reach Tea & Horse Guest House.

If possible, you can try to get up early to enjoy the breathtaking view of sunrise, then go to have a breakfast. Today, you will hike from Tea & Horse Guest House to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Firstly, take a 2-hour hiking to get to Halfway. Then start to hike downhill to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, which will take about 3 hours. Many hikers regard this part as the best highlight of all hiking in the gorge during which you can get vivid views of the sweep deep gorges, furious Jinshanjiang River, huge rocks, etc.

Climb up the hiking paths back to the highway where your driver will pick you up, and drive to back to Lijiang.

be free until your tour guide escorts you to the airport or train station for your flight / train to your next destination.