Moderate
Lijiang to Shangri-La: 2-Day Snow-Land Escape
Songzanlin Monastery · Dukezong · Pudacuo National Park
2 days / 1 night2–12 peopleFrom $320 pp
Trip Highlights
- Songzanlin Monastery, the 'Little Potala Palace' of Yunnan
- Spin the world's largest prayer wheel at Dukezong Old Town
- First Bend of the Yangtze and distant Haba Snow Mountain
- Pudacuo National Park — Shudu Lake and Bita Lake
- Optional Tibetan home visit with butter tea and barley wine
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Lijiang → Shangri-La
Shangri-La- Depart Lijiang by coach (approx. 180 km / 3.5 hrs)
- Stop at the First Bend of the Yangtze; view Haba Snow Mountain
- Songzanlin Monastery — Tibetan Buddhist grandeur
- Dukezong Old Town: giant prayer wheel and Moonlight Square
- Optional evening Tibetan home visit
Breakfast included
Stay: Hotel in Shangri-La
2
Pudacuo National Park → Lijiang
Pudacuo- Pudacuo National Park (approx. 22 km / 40 min from town)
- Shudu Lake, Bita Lake, primeval forest and alpine meadows
- Return to Lijiang (approx. 200 km / 4 hrs), optional Tiger Leaping Gorge en route
Breakfast included
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What's Included
- Comfortable private vehicle throughout
- 1 night hotel (twin-share) in Shangri-La town
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Excellent English-speaking guide service
- First-gate tickets: Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park
- Driver/guide allowance, bottled water
Not Included
- Lunches and dinners (self-arranged)
- Park shuttles: Pudacuo ¥138, Songzanlin ¥25, Tiger Leaping Gorge ¥65 (optional)
- Tibetan home-visit fee (optional), oxygen, personal spending
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get altitude sickness?
Some travellers feel mild effects above 3,000 m. Move slowly, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and consider rhodiola in advance. Bottled oxygen is available locally and the pace is kept gentle.
Is the Tibetan home visit worth it?
It's optional and paid separately, but offers a warm, hands-on taste of Tibetan hospitality — butter tea, barley wine and Guozhuang dancing. Recommended if you enjoy cultural immersion.
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