Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Keep the rest of the day quiet, with no strenuous sightseeing. This first overnight provides a gentle start before the monastery visit and the later road journey toward Deqin.
9-Day Shangri-La, Meili & Lijiang Tour
Shangri-La - Deqin - Meili Snow Mountain - Shangri-La - Lijiang
Private planning around your dates and interestsTOUR OVERVIEW
A route that works on the ground
Travel from Shangri-La to Meili Snow Mountain and Lijiang in 9 days, with two Feilai Temple nights, scenic gorge stops and time in Naxi villages.
- Start
- Shangri-La
- Finish
- Lijiang
- Travel rhythm
- Balanced sightseeing with time to slow down
- Best time
- Clearer mountain views are common in late autumn, winter and spring; all itineraries remain weather-dependent and avoid unsafe trail conditions.
Meili mountain views followed by a slower Lijiang stay
A highland journey built around scenery and cultural visits rather than a demanding trek. Begin with two nights in Shangri-La, continue to the Meili viewing area for two more, then break the return before descending toward Lijiang. Two mornings near Feilai Temple improve flexibility for mountain viewing, while the final three nights give Lijiang room for a slower finish. Compare this itinerary with our wider collection of Yunnan tours.
9 days / 8 nights Itinerary at a Glance
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Route
- Shangri-La - Deqin - Meili Snow Mountain - Shangri-La - Lijiang
- Long-distance travel
- Private road transfers
- Tour format
- Customizable private tour
Trip Highlights Code: YN-08-09
- Allow a relaxed start in Shangri-La before the Meili road journey.
- Stay two nights in the Feilai Temple viewing area.
- Explore river-valley scenery on the return route.
- Finish with Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang and Baisha.
Plan with Confidence: Clear inclusions, confirmed travel arrangements and a personalized itinerary before booking.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
INTERACTIVE ROUTE MAP
9-Day Shangri-La, Meili & Lijiang Tour
Drag to explore, use + / − to zoom, and select a numbered stop for details.
Visit Songzanlin Monastery at a comfortable pace and enjoy a short walk in Dukezong. Choose a light afternoon outing or rest at the hotel. The day avoids combining too many stops before the higher mountain-road stage.
Drive toward Deqin with a meal break and selected river-valley viewpoints. Continue to accommodation near Feilai Temple. Arrival timing depends on road and weather conditions, so the evening is reserved for settling in and checking the next morning’s outlook.
Watch for morning views of the snow peaks if conditions allow, then return for breakfast. Explore suitable nearby village and valley areas with your guide. This route does not include Yubeng trekking or a glacier approach.
A second morning offers another opportunity for mountain views before the return drive. Travel back to Shangri-La with regular stops. Stay overnight in town so the day does not extend into a further journey to Lijiang.
Drive south via Tiger Leaping Gorge for a scenic visitor-route stop. Continue to Lijiang and settle into your hotel. The gorge visit can be shortened or adjusted if weather or access makes the original timing impractical.
Explore the old town’s canals, bridges and Naxi architectural details. Add Black Dragon Pool at a comfortable pace, leaving time for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Remain in Lijiang for a second night.
Visit Baisha Village and the scenery beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Focus on village lanes and accessible viewpoints. Any cable-car excursion is a separately confirmed change; the base day keeps the walking moderate after the longer journey.
Enjoy breakfast before a private transfer to Lijiang airport or railway station. There is no long drive on departure day. Extra nights can be added if you would like independent time around the old town.
Private Tour Reference Prices
Estimated starting prices in USD per adult for the full 9-day / 8-night itinerary, sharing twin or double rooms.
2 adults traveling togetherUSD 2,290from / person
4 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,690from / person
6 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,490from / person
Headline price basis: Four adults traveling together, using two twin or double rooms. City stays use comfortable 4-star hotels; village and remote stays use selected local guesthouses or boutique accommodation. The Accommodation tab shows the overnight bases.
Transport included in the estimate: Private highland road transfers through Shangri-La, the Feilai Temple area and Lijiang.
For this route: Monastery visits, standard Meili viewing areas and the gorge viewpoint are budgeted. Yubeng trekking and Jade Dragon cable cars are extra.
Single-room supplement: From USD 400 per person for the full itinerary, added to the applicable twin-sharing group price. Solo private tours, odd-numbered groups and children receive a separate quote.
Dates and confirmation: These are planning estimates for standard-season travel, excluding Chinese public holidays, peak summer dates and major local festivals. Hotel and transport availability, room upgrades and itinerary changes can affect the price. Your dated quotation confirms the final total and inclusions before booking.
Get a Quote for My DatesTypical Overnight Bases
Only places used by this itinerary are shown below. The final hotel list follows confirmed transport, season and room availability; upgrades and room preferences can be customized.
Shangri-La
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteFeilai Temple area
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quoteLijiang
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteFeilai Temple area
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quoteLijiang
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
✓ Price Includes
- The reference price budgets for the following services; your dated quotation confirms the final arrangements
- 8 nights in twin or double rooms: comfortable 4-star city hotels and selected local boutique or guesthouse stays; cruise cabin where specified
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Private arrival, departure and sightseeing transfers on the base itinerary
- English-speaking local guides on scheduled sightseeing days; no full-time escort on independent leisure or rail/flight sectors
- Standard admission and mandatory scenic transport for the base sightseeing program, as specified in Prices
- Private highland road transfers through Shangri-La, the Feilai Temple area and Lijiang.
⊘ Price Excludes
- International flights and transport to the first city or from the final city; domestic flights except any allowance expressly listed in Prices
- Lunches, dinners and drinks except the meals specifically included above
- Optional activities, alternative excursions and upgrades identified in the route-specific price notes
- Single-room supplements, extra nights, upgraded rooms and changes to the base itinerary
- Personal travel insurance, entry-document costs, personal purchases and discretionary gratuities
Who Is This Tour For?
This route suits travelers interested in lakes & highland scenery who want 9 days to explore Shangri-La, Deqin, Meili Snow Mountain, Shangri-La, Lijiang.
Hotel standard, walking pace and optional experiences are agreed before confirmation. Share your priorities so the final route remains practical for your group.
Travel Tips for This Itinerary
- Meili views depend on cloud and weather; sunrise colors cannot be guaranteed.
- This is a scenic highland road itinerary, with substantial driving days.
- Confirm your comfort with the elevations and road conditions before choosing this route.
- Review our guide to China high-speed train travel before any rail sector.
- Check current entry requirements early with the China visa guide.
- Read our practical China travel tips for packing, payments and daily preparation.
- Daily hotel breakfast is included in the estimate. Other meals are included only where specified under Prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the itinerary include Yubeng?
No. Yubeng requires a different access and hiking plan with additional time. This journey focuses on Meili viewpoints and cultural stops.
Why spend two nights near Feilai Temple?
Two nights provide a full local day and two possible mornings for mountain views, while avoiding an immediate turnaround after the drive from Shangri-La.
How many nights does this itinerary include?
The published 9-day route includes 8 overnight stays. The Accommodation tab lists the actual bases and night counts. Extra arrival or departure nights can be quoted separately.
What does the starting price mean?
The estimated starting price is USD 1,690 per person for four adults traveling together and sharing twin or double rooms in standard season. The Prices tab also shows estimates for two and six adults, the single-room supplement and route-specific inclusions. Send your dates for a confirmed quotation.
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