Remote and remarkable cultures in the Nujiang Valley
Take a 7-day journey through some of Yunnan’s most remarkable landscapes and cultures. Start your journey westwards in Dali, and travel to the picturesque Nujiang Valley where you will spend your first night in the tranquil village of Laomudeng.
Continue deeper into the mountains with stops at Longyuan Village and Gongshan, before reaching the secluded Dulongjiang area, home to the Dulong people. Here, you’ll encounter Dulong women with traditional facial tattoos, a fading tradition that tells powerful stories of identity and resilience.
Then head to Bingzhongluo, where you’ll visit Wuli Village and Qiunatong Village, located in the northern tip of the Nujiang Grand Canyon.
The journey continues to Feilai Temple, where a viewing platform offers a prime view of Meili Snow Mountain. The journey continues through highland scenery to Mingyong Glacier, before ending in Shangri-La, a town known for its Tibetan cultural heritage.
Highlights
- Meet Dulong women with facial tattoos.
- View the First Bend of the Nu River.
- See traditional wooden houses perched on a farmed hillside at Bingzhongluo.
- Visit Feilai Temple with a stunning view of Meili Snow Mountain.
Itinerary
Morning
Our English-speaking guide and experienced driver will meet you at your hotel in Dali. The drive from Dali to Laomudeng Village takes about 6 hours, offering a scenic journey through mountainous landscapes. This region is known for its ethnic diversity and rich cultural heritage, with a blend of Nu, Lisu, Dulong and Bai cultures. You can enjoy views of the Nu River Grand Canyon, one of the most impressive natural beauty spots in the mountain range.
Afternoon
Upon arrival at Laomudeng Village, take time to visit the Cliff Church. This is the largest Christian church in the Nu River Basin, perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff. Standing at its viewing platform you can listen to the sunset prayer, a serene experience that amplifies the sense of tranquility as you watch the sun set over the mountains.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1800 m
Traveltime
5.5 hrs (345 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven
Morning
Start the day with breakfast while enjoying the sunrise at Laomudeng Village. Take a 3.5-hour drive to Gongshan, located in the heart of Nujiang.
This area is perfect for hiking, with trails for all levels. Photography enthusiasts can capture snow-capped peaks, serene lakes and vibrant vegetation. Gongshan is rich in Lisu culture, and visitors can experience traditional festivals, village life, and local customs.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1800-2025 m
Traveltime
Laomudeng – Gongshan 3 hrs (166 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven
Morning
Visit Longyuan Village. This is a village of the Dulong ethnic group, where you can appreciate the distinctive Dulong architectural style. Longyuan Village is known for its unique cultural heritage of elderly Dulong women with facial tattoos – once applied to make the women appear less attractive to prevent them from being kidnapped.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1200 m
Traveltime
1 hr (25 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven
Morning
After breakfast, depart to Bingzhongluo, passing through the scenic First Bend of the Nu River. From the observation deck you will see views of the river winding in a U-shaped arc through the steep valley.
Afternoon
Continuing to the Bingzhongluo scenic area, explore a region with multiple ethnic groups, including the Nu, Dulong, Tibetans and Lisu. As you stroll through the village, you may hear the soulful Lisu folk songs or join in a lively Tibetan bonfire dance. Delve into the rural life, learn traditional crafts such as weaving hemp cloth, bamboo weaving, baking stone slab rice cakes, and the art of brewing butter tea. The landscape here shifts with the season: Spring brings blooming peach blossoms and snow-capped mountains, summer offers rushing rivers, autumn is perfect for pastoral views, and winter unveils a picturesque snowy scene.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1430-1760 m
Traveltime
3 hrs (123 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
Morning
In the morning, visit Wuli Village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in China. Nestled at the foot of Biluo Snow Mountain and overlooking the Nu River, Wuli Village is perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, adding to its allure. This village was a stop along the ancient Tea Horse Road and is a hidden gem along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway.Next, head to Qiunatong Village, located at the northern end of the Nujiang Grand Canyon. Known locally as “the place where people and gods coexist”, Qiunatong is a tranquil village surrounded by dense forests and featuring distinctive Nu ethnic dwellings.
Afternoon
After exploring these picturesque villages, take a 4.5-hour drive to Feilai Temple, continuing your journey through the mountain landscapes of the region.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1760m – 3400 m
Traveltime
4.5 hrs (155 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
Morning
In the morning, experience the sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain, weather permitting. From the temple, you’ll have a view of Kawagebo, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, as it is bathed in the golden light of dawn. After breakfast, visit Feilai Temple, which has a history of nearly 400 years. The temple has a unique architectural design, particularly the intricate sculptural art in Haichao Hall. Surrounding the temple are beautiful natural landscapes such as the Lancang River Grand Canyon.
Later, continue your journey to Mingyong Glacier, one of the world’s lowest-altitude glaciers. Hike through ancient forests with spectacular views of Meili Snow Mountain. The Glacier Observation Deck offers views of the magnificent glacier stretching down from the mountain.
Afternoon
After the tour, take a 4.5-hour scenic drive to Shangri-La. Upon arrival, you will be brought to your hotel, where you can relax and unwind after the journey.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
3300 m
Traveltime
4 hrs (210 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
Depending on your time of departure
For breakfast you can sample typical Tibetan fare such as yak meat and fried mushrooms. You can spend some time exploring Shangri-La’s historic streets and markets before transferring to Shangri-La airport.
We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Yunnan with us and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Pick-up time
Depending on your time of departure
Drop-off time
/
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
3300 m
Traveltime
15 mins (5 km)
Accommodation
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Inclusions & Exclusions
- 6 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
- Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
- Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: 6 breakfasts
- 2 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
- Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
- Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
- 24/7 English-speaking customer service
- Government taxes
- Chinese visa
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
- Dynamic Yunnan Show discount tickets (please mention which category you prefer if you are interested: VVIP = USD 100, VIP = USD 77, Luxury = USD 59, Standard = USD 44, Budget = USD 33)
- Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
- Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
- Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
- Anything not listed in inclusions
Frequently asked questions
The best seasons to take this tour are Spring and Autumn, offering mostly sunny days and mild weather. Summer is the rainy season with lush scenery, however higher rainfall increases the chance of landslides occurring on the mountain roads. Winter offers clear blue skies and bright sunshine but there may be heavy snowfall.
The mountain roads are winding. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing suitable medication.
The destinations on this tour are accessible for children and older travellers, however the long drives can be challenging for young children.
Shangri-La has an airport with domestic flights to some major cities including Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing and Guangzhou. Shangri-La also has high speed rail connections to cities in the region including Lijiang and Kunming.
Important information
- Single Supplement. The price listed is for two people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no one else in the group to share a room with, a single room supplement will apply. The single supplement fee is outlined in our price list.
- Driver and guide working hours. The daily working time for driver and tour guide during this tour is maximum 10 hours per day. Overtime working hours will be charged extra.
- Tipping drivers and tour guides is custom in China. We recommend giving 50-80 RMB (7 – 10 USD) per day to the driver and 80-130 RMB (10 – 15 USD) per day to your tour guide.
- Weather. During the summer months (June to September) Yunnan has a rainy season. It won’t be raining 24/7, but we recommend bringing a small umbrella that fits in a backpack.
- Accommodation. The hotels in the itinerary are the recommended hotels, if they are fully booked during your travel period, we will book alternative hotels in the same price/quality range. We book different hotels on request too, but a surcharge might be needed.
- Children & Accommodation. Please note that except for luxury hotels, in many hotels family rooms only have space for one child, but it could be possible to book an extra mattress in some hotels. Please contact us for more information when travelling with a family.
- Meals. Lunches at authentic, quality local restaurants are not included. Your guide can recommend quality authentic places for you. If you have preferences or dietary requirements such as vegetarian, halal, kosher, vegan or gluten-free, please tell your tour guide in advance. Your tour guide will normally not order spicy food or meat/fish with bones unless asked for.
