7 Days Shangri-La Hiking Tour: Abuji Cuo Lake, Thousand Lakes Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 7-day hiking journey through the wild beauty of Shangri-La, a land where Tibetan culture and breathtaking landscapes merge into an inspiring adventure. This itinerary is...

Length of Travel: 7 Day

Destinations of Tour: Shangri La-Abujicuo Lake-Qianhushan Mountain-Benzilan-Feilaisi-Meili Snow Mountain-Shangri La

Departure City: Shangri-La

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour: Hiking tours

More Map & Picture

Embark on an unforgettable 7-day hiking journey through the wild beauty of Shangri-La, a land where Tibetan culture and breathtaking landscapes merge into an inspiring adventure. This itinerary is designed for travelers eager to immerse themselves in pristine highland nature and spiritual heritage.

You’ll spend your days trekking along remote trails to sacred alpine lakes like Abuji Holy Lake and Lamo Yangtsok (Qianhushan) Lake, surrounded by carpets of wildflowers, towering snow peaks, and tranquil meadows.

Beyond the trails, you’ll discover Shangri-La’s most iconic cultural sites, including the grand Songzanlin Monastery, the diverse ecosystems of Pudacuo National Park, and the timeless charm of Dukezong Ancient Town. One of the most unforgettable moments awaits you at Meili Snow Mountain, where the rising sun bathes its sacred summit in golden light.

👥 Who This Tour is For

• Culture Explorers who love learning about Tibetan heritage

• Nature Lovers seeking pure mountain landscapes

• Adventurers eager for off-the-beaten-path trekking experiences

• Photographers looking for spectacular sunrise and sunset scenes

🌟 Tour Highlights

✅ Trek to Abuji Holy Lake
Journey deep into high-altitude forests and meadows to discover this hidden turquoise lake, revered by locals as a sacred site.

✅ Hike around Lamo Yangtsok (Qianhushan) Lake
Walk scenic circuits along the lake shore, with uninterrupted views of snow-capped ranges and lush valleys.

✅ Explore Songzanlin Monastery
Step inside the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often called the “Little Potala Palace,” and learn about centuries-old spiritual traditions.

✅ Discover Pudacuo National Park
Experience the untouched wilderness of Shudu Lake, Bita Lake, and thick coniferous forests that are home to diverse wildlife.

✅ Stroll Dukezong Ancient Town
Wander cobbled alleys, admire traditional Tibetan houses, and spin the giant golden Prayer Wheel, believed to bring good luck and blessings.

✅ Witness Sunrise Over Meili Snow Mountain
Rise early to see the sacred Kawagebo Peak illuminated in warm hues — a once-in-a-lifetime photography experience.

✅ Marvel at Mingyong Glacier
Visit Yunnan’s largest and longest valley glacier, descending dramatically from Meili Snow Mountain’s slopes.

Day By Day Itinerary

🟢 Day 1 | Arrival in Shangri-La

🌄 Touchdown in the Himalayan Foothills

Arrival & Transfer:

• Your private driver will greet you at Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG) holding a personalized sign.

• Enjoy a smooth transfer to your selected boutique hotel (4-star Tibetan-style property).

Acclimatization:

• Altitude here is ~3,200 meters (10,500 ft).

• Rest, hydrate well, and avoid strenuous activity on arrival day.

Optional Activities (Easy Walking):

• Dukezong Ancient Town:
  Meander cobblestone lanes past Tibetan homes with hand-carved window frames. In the evening, the town glows with lanterns and fire pits.

• Local Teahouses:
  Taste yak butter tea and sweet milk tea while watching locals spin prayer wheels.

Dinner Tip:
Try a traditional Tibetan hotpot or Shangri-La barley pancakes in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Shangri-La

🟢 Day 2 | Shangri-La Cultural Highlights Tour

🕌 Sacred Monasteries & Alpine Landscapes

After breakfast, your guide will lead you through a full day of Shangri-La’s top sights:

✅ Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling):

• Founded in the 17th century under the Fifth Dalai Lama.

• Still an active monastery, home to ~700 monks.

• Admire vast assembly halls, golden stupas, and murals depicting Tibetan Buddhist cosmology.

✅ Pudacuo National Park:

• China’s first national park to meet IUCN standards.

• A haven for black-necked cranes, musk deer, and rare orchids.

• Walk scenic boardwalks around Shudu and Bita Lakes.

• Optional short hikes available if you wish.

✅ Dukezong Ancient Town & Guishan Hill:

• The oldest Tibetan settlement in Shangri-La.

• Climb to Guishan Hill, home of the world’s largest prayer wheel (21 meters tall, 60 tons). Turning it clockwise is believed to bring blessings.

• Take in panoramic views across town rooftops and snow-capped mountains.

Overnight: Shangri-La

🟢 Day 3 | Abuji Holy Lake Hiking

🏔️ Sacred Trails and Hidden Alpine Beauty

Morning Transfer:

• Drive 30 minutes to Dejilin Monastery.

  • Unique because it houses statues from all 8 major Tibetan Buddhist sects.

  • Locals consider it a place of powerful blessings.

• Continue along the Serchu (Golden) River, framed by green meadows and snowy peaks.

Your Hike:

• Distance: ~7.5 km round-trip.

• Elevation Gain: Moderate.

• Trail Highlights:

  • Cross meteorite sinkholes.

  • Follow clear mountain streams.

  • Walk through larch and spruce forests rich in medicinal herbs.

  • Reach Abuji Holy Lake, a turquoise gem set among circling peaks and drifting white clouds.

  • In summer, wildflowers paint the meadows in every color.

Practical Tip:
Bring trekking poles, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and a rain jacket.

Return:
Hike down to meet your driver and transfer back to Shangri-La.

Note: Not recommended for children under 12 or guests with cardiac/respiratory conditions due to altitude and terrain.

Overnight: Shangri-La

🟢 Day 4 | Thousand Lakes Mountain Trek

🌲 Hidden Alpine Wonderland

Destination:
Thousand Lakes Mountain (Lamo Dongtso)—famous for hundreds of hidden lakes in every shape imaginable.

Morning Transfer:

• 1-hour drive to Xiagei Village, a classic Tibetan hamlet with stone houses and barley fields.

• The river encircling the village shines jade green in the morning sun.

The Hike:

• Distance: ~9 km round-trip.

• Route:

  • Ascend through alpine pastures where yaks graze freely.

  • Cross high meadows bright with rhododendrons.

  • Rest for a picnic lunch at Lazaha Nomadic Pasture (bring your own lunchbox).

  • Climb gently through ancient larch forest.

  • Arrive at Lamo Yangtsok Holy Lake, a hidden mirror of blue sky and white peaks.

Afternoon:
Return the same route to the village and drive back to town.

Overnight: Shangri-La

🟢 Day 5 | Drive to Deqin & Meili Snow Mountain Sunset

🛣️ Scenic Highland Roads & Monasteries

Morning Departure:

• Drive ~5 hours from Shangri-La to Feilai Temple.

• Stops along the way:

✅ Nixi Pottery Village:

• Famous for black pottery fired with pine needles.

• Watch artisans shape clay into teapots and cooking pots.

✅ Dongzhulin Monastery:

• Founded in 1667, a significant Gelugpa institution.

• Richly decorated assembly hall with butter sculptures and thangka paintings.

✅ First Bend of the Yangtze River:

• At Shigu, the mighty Yangtze curves in a perfect Ω shape.

• A classic photo stop.

Late Afternoon:
Arrive at Feilai Temple, set high on a ridge facing Meili Snow Mountain (Kawagebo).

• Sunset bathes the glaciers and peaks in brilliant pink and gold.

Overnight: Feilai Temple Guesthouse

🟢 Day 6 | Mingyong Glacier Trek & Return

❄️ Glacier Adventure

Sunrise:

• Wake early to catch sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain—a sacred moment for local pilgrims.

Morning Transfer:

• 1-hour drive to Mingyong Village, trailhead for today’s trek.

The Hike:

• Duration: ~2–3 hours round-trip.

• Elevation: 2,700–3,000 m.

• Trail:

  • Ascend through pine forests to Taizi Temple, a shrine where locals burn juniper branches for blessings.

  • Reach the Mingyong Glacier Viewing Platform, gazing down on the glacier’s icefalls and seracs.

Return:

• Walk back to the village and transfer ~5 hours to Shangri-La.

Overnight: Shangri-La

🟢 Day 7 | Departure from Shangri-La

🙏 Farewell to the Land of Snows

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
At the scheduled time, your driver will transfer you to Diqing Shangri-La Airport for your onward flight.

Tip:
Allow at least 2.5 hours between your hotel pickup and flight departure.

🌟 Why Choose This Adventure?

✅ Exclusive Hiking Routes: Abuji & Thousand Lakes are rarely visited by mass tourism.
✅ Deep Cultural Experiences: Monasteries, pottery villages, and prayer wheels.
✅ Flexible Pacing: Active days balanced with restful evenings.
✅ Authentic Local Guides: Knowledgeable about Tibetan customs and natural history.

• Skilled driver and experienced English-speaking tour guide;
• Private transportation;
• Entance tickets and activities mentioned in the itinerary;
• Tibetan lunch;
• Two bottles of water each day each person.

Service Excluded:

• Accommodation with breakfast and dinner;
• Air tickets or train tickets to Yunnan;
• Personal comsuption;
• Optional activities or programs;
• Chinese visa;
• Personal travel insurrance.