MORE INFORMATION
Yunnan to Tibet Tour Itinerary
Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.
DAY 1
Welcome to Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, meet your Boundless Journeys guide at the airport and drive to your charming courtyard-style hotel. The afternoon is free to relax or explore on your own the nearby shopping district. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner at the Huajia Yiyuan.
Hao Yuan Courtyard Style Hotel, Beijing
DAY 2
Beijing to Dali via Kunming
Fly to Kunming after breakfast and connect with our flight to Dali in China’s southern province of Yunnan. Once the ancient capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom—and an important trading town on the southern route of the Silk Road—Dali flows across the fertile plains between Erhai Lake and the 13,000-foot Cangshan Mountains. Erhai, China’s second largest high-mountain lake, provides an important source of food for the local minority Bai people, who use the ages-old tradition of fishing with cormorants.
After checking into our courtyard hotel, built in the traditional Bai architectural style, the rest of the day is free to explore the sites of Dali’s Old Town. Stroll through the narrow passage of Yangren Street (a.k.a., “Foreigner’s Street”) and try your hand at bargaining for local goods. Or, have a seat at a streetside café and observe the activities of the busy marketplace. Climb the steps to the top of the ancient wall surrounding the city for a view of the town below and the peaks in the distance. You might also take a taxi to the Three Pagodas, a triangular assembly of brick towers that is characteristic of China’s ancient Buddhist architecture. Later, gather with fellow travelers for dinner.
Dali Landscape Hotel, Dali
DAY 3
Dali
Walking – easy, 1-2 hours.
This morning we take a boat tour across Erhai Lake, disembarking on the eastern shore to explore Shuang Lang, a small Bai fishing village. The Bai people, living mostly in the Yunnan Province, are one of 56 ethnic minorities recognized by the Chinese government, and number around 1.8 million. The Bai wear colorful costumes, which include elaborate headdresses adorned with white and red pompoms. In addition to fishing, the Bai are also farmers, growing rice, millet, wheat, and cotton, among other commodities. We stroll through the village for an introduction to Bai life and beliefs. Singing and dancing are important aspects of their culture. We visit the Penchu, a gigantic tree in the village center and worshipped by many, testament to the Bais’ reverence of natural elements (or Bon) and their Buddhist faith.
After lunch in the village, we’ll drive back to Dali, stopping en route at Zhoucheng village to watch the Bai people make batik crafts. Carry on to Xizhou village, home to some of the most concentrated and best-preserved Bai architecture in the province. Before Mao Zedong’s Communist Party took control in 1949, Xizhou had been a thriving commercial center replete with wealthy merchants’ homes. Today, nearly 90 of these typical Bai houses can be found here, each with a courtyard room on three sides and a screen wall on the fourth. The best preserved is Yan Jia Dayuan, with its seven courtyards, first built in 1899 and added to for the next 40 years. Our guide introduces us to the Bai’s architectural motifs found here, including zouma zhuan gelou—“running horses turning a corner”—a balcony that connects all the rooms on the second floor. A stroll through the village gives us a firsthand look into the daily lives of Bai people.
Later, we return to Dali for dinner and time to explore its shops and homes, perhaps stopping to enjoy tea in one of the old teahouses.
Dali Landscape Hotel, Dali
DAY 4
Dali to Lijiang via Shaxi
Walking – easy, 1-2 hours.
This morning we embark on a scenic drive between the mountains and Erhai Lake, as we head along the old road to the city of Lijiang via Shaxi, situated in the Himalayan foothills. The market town of Shaxi was once a bustling trade station on the southern Silk Road, also known as the Ancient Tea Route, which linked trade between Yunnan and India via Burma, Tibet, and Sichuan Province. Here we’ll visit an ancient theater, guesthouses formerly used by merchants en route to the Tibet High Plateau, a temple precinct, and the town’s ancient protective gates.
Next, we drive to Shibaoshan and discover the intriguing Buddha statues scattered throughout numerous grottos carved into the red sandstone cliffs. We walk through pine forest to find these rare remnants of stone carvings from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). We visit the most beautiful temple of the Buddhist complex here, Baoxiang Temple, originally built as a Taoist temple, carved layer upon layer into the rock cliff. Depending on the season, we may see troops of macaques, monkeys that often hang out at the grottos and temples.
We continue on to Lijiang, arriving late this afternoon. An attractive city laid out across a sweeping mountain valley, Lijiang’s surrounding snowcapped peaks make it one of the country’s most popular travel destinations for the Chinese people. Its name means “Beautiful River,” and water flowing from the mountains is diverted into numerous canals that circulate throughout the city. We check into our Naxi courtyard-style hotel, perfectly situated within Lijiang’s charming Old Town and from which we can explore the labyrinthine cobblestone streets.
Zen Garden Hotel, Lijiang
DAY 5
Lijiang
Walking – easy, 3-5 hours.
Lijiang’s Old Town was constructed 800 years ago, and apart from some of the modern goods for sale, the town has remained largely unchanged since the Ming Dynasty. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site, we are transported back in time and step into a world of narrow cobblestone streets divided by canals of clear, fresh-flowing water. Willows and other trees hang over the water, and arched bridges—as well as simple wooden planks—span the canals, linking the alleyways. The Old Town is a snug collection of shops, cafés, courtyard hotels, and market squares. Many people live above their shops and string red paper lanterns across buildings and trees, which glow warmly at night.
This morning we visit Black Dragon Pool, where snowmelt from the surrounding mountains collects in the small lake to feed the canals of the city. The 18th-century park features a marble arch bridge, flowing gardens, and several small pavilions. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looms in the distance and, when not shrouded in mists, provides magnificent photo opportunities. Later this morning we visit the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture for an introduction to one of Lijiang’s minorities. The term Dongba refers to the Naxi peoples’ priests, culture, and writings. In the afternoon, we head a short distance north of Lijiang to explore Baisha village, the historical capital of the Naxi kingdom and a good place to glimpse local culture. We step inside an ancient temple to view some of the renowned Baisha frescoes, painted during the Ming Dynasty and reflecting the different forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Taoism, and Dongba religions. We may also have the chance to hear Naxi elders playing folk music in front of a temple or visit with a Taoist doctor who specializes in herbal medicine. We return to Lijiang in time for supper and an evening performance of traditional Naxi music, a mix of styles that trace their roots back 500 years.
Zen Garden Hotel, Lijiang
DAY 6
Wenhai hike
Hiking – moderate, 2-4 hours (elevations up to 10,000 feet).
Today we drive to the village of Nguluko (also called Yuhu), where the Austrian-American naturalist Joseph Rock lived from 1922 to 1949, collecting and cataloging the botanical richness of the northern Yunnan and Western Sichuan provinces. We tour his house, which has been converted to a small museum about his life. He also wrote two histories of the Naxi people and their language. After exploring the museum, we set out on a half-day hike to Wenhai village, traversing the high mountain ridge on foot or on horseback, and descending into the Wenhai valley by mid-afternoon. Marvel at the stunning scenery along the trail, featuring picturesque views of Lijiang.
Upon our arrival, we explore the Naxi villages surrounding Wenhai. The Naxi are thought to have come originally from Tibet, and their culture is a mix of Tibetan and Han Chinese influences with some indigenous elements. Naxi dress is typically blue, and the women are distinguished by long, loose-fitting gowns that hang down over their trousers.
Tonight, we are welcomed into a Naxi family’s home to experience an authentic dinner of local dishes. Over a cup of tea, we have the opportunity to discuss life and culture with our host family for a further look into their fascinating history and current lifestyle.
Zen Garden Hotel, Lijiang
DAY 7
Lijiang to Zhongdian via Tiger Leaping Gorge
Walking – easy, 2-4 hours.
Following breakfast, we take an excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge, stopping at Shigu en route, a small outpost named for a tablet erected here in the 18th century by one of Lijiang’s Mu clan to mark a victory over Han Chinese armies. Here also is where the Yangtze River makes its first bend, 180 degrees from flowing south to flowing north, as it snakes from its source on the Tibet-Qinghai border toward Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Red Army forded the Yangtze at this point during the Long March in April 1936. We continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest—more than 6,500 feet high—and sandwiched between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. From viewing platforms on various levels, watch the raging torrent where the wide Yangtze is squeezed to its narrowest point, 82 feet. The name derives from a legend of a fleeing tiger which jumped the gorge to escape a hunter. Acrobatic feats aside, you’ll feel the sheer power of the river thundering in your body as it courses through this narrow gap.
Heading north, we continue through the stunning mountain scenery, past the multiple peaks of Yulong Xueshan and skirting an old airstrip remnant from the WWII days of “flying the hump,” when U.S. forces flew supplies into China after the Japanese closed the Burma Road. On our two-hour drive, enjoy the passing countryside, as we head through Lisu and into the land of the Yi, where horses roam freely, boys herd goats, and wildflowers scatter across mountain meadows. The road traverses the vast Lijiang valley into a topographical maze of verdant ridges, lavishly textured wheat fields, and massive gorges punctured by waterfalls and sienna rivers, colored by the rich red earth of the surrounding hillsides. This afternoon, we arrive in Zhongdian, the center of Tibetan culture that was renamed Shangri-La County in 2001 for the region described in the James Hilton novel Lost Horizon. Surrounded by rangelands dotted with grazing yaks and ponies, the city’s outdoor billiards tables, classical Tibetan and monastic architecture, and Chinese karaoke restaurants create a place of startling contrasts.
Tonight, dine at the cozy Gyalthang Dzong Inn, styled after a traditional Tibetan lodge and featuring a variety of Chinese, Tibetan, and Western cuisine.
Songtsam Hotel, Zhongdian
DAY 8
Zhongdian
Walking – easy, 2-4 hours.
After breakfast, we visit the Buddhist Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, also called the Songzanlin Monastery, painted in royal colors of gold and ochre and built in 1681 by the Fifth Dalai Lama. It’s the largest in Yunnan and has 108 columns, an auspicious number for Buddhists. This Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat Sect monastery, is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in southwest China. We explore the complex and become acquainted with Shakyamuni Buddha, Song Khapa, the creator of the yellow hat sect which the Dalai Lamas belong to, and the local guardian deities. We discover many treasures, including exquisite frescoes, Buddhas, and other relics accumulated over the centuries.
Next, we are guests in the home of the local pottery master of Nixi village, who invites us to watch him work. He specializes in creating the Chinese kitchen essential—hot pot. After lunch in his home, and possibly a cup of yak-butter tea, we return to Zhongdian where the afternoon is free for further exploration or relaxation.
Tonight we’ll experience Chinese hot pot at our hotel, a local specialty in which a crockery pot sits over a flame set in the middle of the table. In the light, boiling broth, a mixture of local vegetables and meat sizzle for us to enjoy.
Songtsam Hotel, Zhongdian
DAY 9
Zhongdian to Lhasa
This morning we take a spectacular flight above the Himalayan Plateau into Tibet. On arrival, we meet our local guide and head to our hotel in Lhasa for check-in. At nearly 12,000 feet in elevation, the city is one of the highest in the world. The rest of the day is free to acclimatize, and if energy permits, we may explore the lively and colorful Barkhor market near the Jokhang Monastery.
Lhasa is the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama, and Tibetan Buddhists regard this city as the holiest center in Tibet. Both the Potala and Norbulingka palaces, two renowned landmarks, were once residences of successive Dalai Lamas until the Chinese took control in 1959, forcing the 14th, and current, Dalai Lama to flee to India, where he remains in exile. Today, the Potala has been turned into a museum, and locals often picnic in the park setting of Norbulingka.This evening, we have a relaxing supper at our hotel.
Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa
DAY 10
Lhasa and the Potala Palace
City walking – easy, 2-3 hours.
Today, we visit the awe-inspiring Potala Palace, an imposing complex stacked atop Marpo Ri (Red Hill) high above the Lhasa valley. Since its construction in 1645 on the site of a destroyed 7th-century palace, the Potala has served as the main residence for successive Dalai Lamas and headquarters of the Tibetan government. The massive fortress-like structure, comprised of the secular White Palace and the sacred Red Palace, as well as ancillary buildings, provided dormitories for the large staff. It also included schools, chapels, a printing house, and tombs. The palace features more than 10,000 shrines, 200,000 images, and 1,000 rooms. After lunch, we explore the Drepung Monastery, situated at the foot of Mount Gephel in the Gambo Utse Mountains and considered one of the three great Gelukpa university monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism. At one time it housed as many as 15,000 monks. Discover its many religious relics, including wood carvings, bronze statues, and colorful murals.
After lunch we visit a Tibetan carpet factory, where weavers still use old-style vertical looms to create carpets in the traditional style. At the Dropenling Handicraft Development Center, we discover a workshop and gallery that showcase other locally made handicrafts. Established by The Tibet Poverty Alleviation Fund, Dropenling provides economic incentives to preserve traditional Tibetan crafts and culture.
Tonight we dine in one of our favorite Lhasa restaurants.
Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa
DAY 11
Lhasa
Hiking – moderate, 3-6 hours (elevation gains up to 1,200 feet).
After breakfast, we drive a short distance to the ancient and seldom-visited Pabongka Monastery. Local legend claims that the surrounding land was home to two divine tortoises—a male and a female—which now take the form of two granite boulders here. Carved into a rock at the entrance to the temple, you’ll see the mantra Om mani padme hum, or “Hail to the jewel in the lotus,” referring to the Buddhist belief that all people inherently possess the qualities necessary to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Then we set out on a hike that may vary in difficulty depending on the option we choose. Our challenging option leads us to the Sera Monastery, following a trail up to the Tashi Chöling hermitage for fantastic views of the Lhasa valley. Continue up the ridge and along the flanks of Phurbu Chok to the Sera Tse hermitage and then to the Dode Valley. The trail reaches a maximum elevation of 12,300 feet, with a 1,200-foot elevation gain overall. An easier, less strenuous option is available from the first hermitage, from which those who wish can descend the hill and take a bus to the Sera Monastery. The hike will be tailored to suit the abilities of the group. The Sera Monastery was founded in 1417 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa on a site where the teacher and his foremost students had established hermitages. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. Inside the monastery, you’ll find vast temples and college complexes. We mingle freely with monks going about their daily duties, and visit the printing center, where sutra texts are still printed by hand on traditional paper. Here you can try your hand at making your own print. We will time our arrival so that we can watch the monks during their mid-afternoon debate, an ancient tradition. In the courtyard, nearly a hundred monks hone their debating skills in an elaborate clapping ceremony—a lively, entertaining affair.
For those who didn’t have the chance to visit the Jokhang monastery on day nine, we return to this holiest of temples, to which pilgrims journey each day from all across Tibet. Some even prostrate with each step throughout their trek until they reach the monastery’s threshold. The pilgrims then recite sacred mantras, kindling the continuously lit chömay (butter lamps) and honoring deities with white scarves and spinning prayer wheels. With a 1,300-year-old history, Jokhang was built by King Songsten Gampo to house two Buddha images belonging to his two wives. One wife chose the site at Lake Wothong, where she believed the lake to be the heart of an evil witch in need of purging. The lake was filled in, but according to some, a deep pool still exists beneath the temple. One of the temple’s two original Buddha images, the pure-gold statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, is Tibet’s most precious Buddha image and depicts the Buddha at age twelve.
Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa
DAY 12
Lhasa to Shigatse
After breakfast we’ll head to Shigatse (approximately 4.5 hours), Tibet’s second largest city, stopping for a picnic lunch by the Yamdrok Tso Lake, a pincer-shaped expanse of turquoise water. Beyond, Mt. Donang Sangwari rises 17,520 feet on the peninsula, with the glacier-clad peak of 23,000-foot Nojin Gangzang in the distance. Take a stroll along the lake shore, one of three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest freshwater lake at the south end of the Himalayas. It is believed to be the female guardian of Buddhism in Tibet, which blesses and protects the people. On our drive to Shigatse we we have plenty of chances to stop and stretch our legs. After checking into our hotel, if time permits we’ll explore the local market. The 600-year-old city is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, second to the Dalai Lama in spiritual leadership.
Tonight we enjoy a final celebratory dinner at our hotel.
Shigatse Hotel, Shigatse
DAY 13
Shigatse to Shanghai via Lhasa
After breakfast, visit the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447 and later presented to the Panchen Lama, the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is the largest in the region and is part of the Gelukpa university system, at one time housing nearly 5,000 monks. Here we’ll find the tomb of the first Dalai Lama and those of successive Panchen Lamas. Though nearly two-thirds of the monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, most of the buildings that were razed were monks’ residences, and much of the more impressive halls, courtyards, chapels, and galleries have been preserved.
After visiting the Tashi Lunpo Monastery we return to the Lhasa airport (approximately 3.5 hours) for our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai we say farewell, and from here you may connect with international flights home or spend additional time in this modern city.