Lijiang Extension

Day 1
Gyalthang / Tiger Leaping Gorge / Naxi Village / Lijiang

Depart Gyalthang and drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River, tucked between high mountain ranges. With more than 10,000 feet of vertical rise between the summits and the river gorge, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a spectacular site. After visiting the gorge, head to the Naxi village of Shigu, where traditional life has remained unchanged for centuries. Continue to Lijiang, a beautiful and ancient city nestled below the inspiring form of Jade Dragon Mountain, an 18,000-foot snow peak. Lijiang is the cultural capital of the Naxi, a unique minority descended from Tibetan nomads who settled here in the 10th century. Dinner tonight is a special preparation of Naxi specialties in the home of Naxi family.

Day 2
Lijiang / Naxi Culture

Within Lijiang’s Old Town is a world of narrow cobblestone streets criss-crossed with narrow ancient canals unchanged since the time of the Ming Dynasty. Visit the Black Dragon Pool and surrounding park, where the snowy form of Jade Dragon Mountain rises majestically as a backdrop, and enjoy lunch with local farmers in nearby Baihua village. This afternoon, visit the small Naxi village of Baisha, north of Lijiang, with its old frescoed temples and traditional musicians.

Day 3
Lijiang

Today you have two activity options:

Cultural Option
Take the cable car to the 12,000-foot level on Jade Dragon Mountain and enjoy a brief hike with spectacular views. This afternoon, enjoy an optional performance (at extra cost) of Impression Lijiang, an outdoor folk musical created by famed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, with over 400 actors portraying stories from Naxi culture against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Mountain. Time permitting, visit the traditional yak-herding village of Yuhu, nestled on the slopes of the mountain, where the government and NGO organizations are developing a sustainable ecotourism project.

Hiking Option
Drive on a rugged mountain road to Xuehua Yi, a delightful village of some 30 families of the Yi minority. Here you can visit the Bimo, a shaman of the Dongba animist religion of this region, who will offer insights into the importance of the Dongba religion in the daily life of this village. After lunch at the Bimo’s home, descend on foot through the Winhai Valley along a beautiful trail that offers views of Lijiang.

This evening enjoy an optional visit (at extra cost) to a Naxi village for a performance by of traditional Naxi music and dancing.

Day 4
Kunming / Depart

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Kunming, where you can connect with homeward flights.

Extension Costs

Prices are for 2012

First Class Option (Zen Garden Hotel)

$1145 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $265
Internal airfare: $465 (subject to change)
Discounts available for groups of 6 or more

Deluxe Option (Banyan Tree Lijiang)

$1685 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $675
Internal airfare: $465 (subject to change)
Discounts available for groups of 6 or more

Optional Naxi Music Concert: $325 per group
Optional Lijiang Impression Show: $40 per person

All costs subject to change