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Days
7
Accommodation
7 nights selected hotel
Cities
Lijiang, Shangri-La, Feilai Temple
Transportation
Train, Car, Hike
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, bottled water
Experiences
Culture, Nature
Group size
4-12 ppl
Team
Local Guides, Trip Manager
South by Southwest is a journey into Yunnan’s highlands, where cultures converge, mountains rise, and traditions endure. Not behind glass, but in living homes, smoky kitchens, and paths still walked today.
In 7 days, wander through the canals of Lijiang’s old town, hike beneath the cliffs of Tiger Leaping Gorge, share barley liquor beneath the sacred peaks of Meili Mountains, and walk quietly among yaks and prayer flags in Shangri-La’s wetlands. From Naxi rituals to Tibetan monasteries, from glacial valleys to highland feasts.
This is Yunnan, not as a postcard, but as a pulse. This is Yunnan, one quiet encounter at a time.
About this Journey
What does the edge of the Himalayas smell like? Sound like? Or even taste like?
This isn’t a race from one viewpoint to the next. It’s a slow unfolding—like watching prayer flags dance in the wind, like waiting for sunlight to touch the tip of a snow peak, like sharing warm yak butter tea with a stranger who might not speak your language, but still understands.
You’ll walk with yaks across a silent plateau. Trek beneath mountains once worshipped as gods. You’ll bike along alpine lakes, wander through stone alleys where Naxi script flows like a pictograph poem, and taste barley wine strong enough to remember. Here, every village has a name, and every name has a legend.
This is more than “Southwest China”, Here is South by Southwest, where Tibetan prayer meets Naxi rhythm, where snow meets tea, where cultures don’t collide, they braid.
You’ll feel altitude in your breath, fire in your food, and calm in your pace.
Somewhere between the gorge and the glacier, the old town and the lake, it won’t matter what China means, only what it makes you feel.
Route Map
Itinerary
Arrival in Lijiang. Transfer to hotel and take time to rest if needed
Afternoon stroll through Lijiang Old Town, where cobbled alleys and murmuring canals bring the ancient Dongba Naxi culture to life
Dinner with local special: grilled Naxi-style fish or black goat hotpot, paired with local homemade green plum wine
After breakfast, drive to Shigu to view the breathtaking First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the mighty Jinsha River curves sharply between mountains
Head further north into Tiger Leaping Gorge and enjoy a ~2-hour easy/moderate hike along a scenic section of the trail, experiencing dramatic cliffs and roaring river views
In the evening, drive uphill to Shangri-La (alt. 3300m), arriving by evening. Settle into a guesthouse near the Dukezong Old Town, with time to wander its lantern-lit alleys
Morning visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often called the “Little Potala Palace”. Walk through nearby monk quarters and Tibetan homes to better understand local customs and spiritual practices
Afternoon visit a Tibetan Culture Museum, take part in a hands-on workshop making Tibetan incense or hands-on Thangka painting experience
Enjoy a Tibetan-style hotpot dinner or yak butter tea with snacks in the charming old town
Drive across Baima Mountain Pass (alt. 4200m), traversing alpine forests and gorges in the heart of the Hengduan range
Arrive at Feilai Temple in the afternoon, directly facing Meili Mountain. Watch the setting sun illuminate the sacred peaks
Sip barley liquor at a view deck while admiring the glaciated summits of Kawakarpo and Mianzimu. Stayed in Feilai Temple area
Morning hike through lush forests to the base of Mingyong Glacier, fed by the sacred Meili Mountain
Horseback ride to Upper Temple for panoramic glacier views
Return in the afternoon. Relax in a traditional teahouse and enjoy the highland calm.
Depart Feilai Temple after breakfast. Drive about 4.5 hours back to Shangri-La, arriving before noon
Spend the afternoon exploring Napa Lake Wetland Reserve, a highland basin of migratory birds, seasonal wetlands, and yak pastures. Cycle or walk leisurely through the meadows
Return to Dukezong Old Town for a relaxing evening. Enjoy Tibetan-style dinner with butter tea, tsampa, and air-dried yak meat
Full-day hiking in Pudacuo National Park, from Bita Lake to Shudu Lake, through alpine forests, meadows, and wetland ecosystems
Walk along wooden boardwalks, ideal for photography, birdwatching, and picnic stops
Return to Shangri-La town in the late afternoon and board an evening high-speed train to Lijiang (~1.5 hours)
Experiences Included
Details
The following items are included in your trip package unless otherwise stated:
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7 nights of accommodation in selected hotels.
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All meals during the trip – daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring local specialties.
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All transportation during the tour, including high-speed trains, airport/train station transfers, and private vehicles for local travel.
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All entrance fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary.
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Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip, online trip manager where applicable.
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Bottled water and travel support materials.
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Pre-trip support, including travel briefing and packing suggestions.
Scenes from the Journey
How It Works
Perfect trip in 6 simple steps
01 | Tell us what you're looking for
Browse our curated itineraries and click "Get a quote" on the top right to tell us your preffered tour, travel dates, group size, and any special requests. We'll answer questions, confirm details, and discuss any adjustments if needed.
02 | Receive a free draft itinerary & quote
Get a personalized draft travel route and estimated cost, tailored to your needs.
03 | Pay deposit to confirm your booking
Secure your trip with a USD300 deposit — we'll begin crafting your detailed itinerary with refined routes, hotels, and experiences, and work with you until everything is finalized. This fee goes toward your total trip cost and will be deducted from your final balance.
04 | Confirm booking
After finalizing the plan, pay the full payment — we’ll handle all bookings and logistics from there.
05 | Get your pre-travel kit
Receive your pre-departure guide with everything you need to know — routes, contacts, tips, and support.
06 | Travel with full support
We’ll greet you at the airport or designated point — and your journey starts from there, seamlessly.
