07:00 AM: Guests gather at the meeting point (Central Circus Theatre). Our vehicle and tour guide will transfer the group to Noi Bai International Airport for departure procedures. Take flight QH802 from Hanoi to Lijiang, scheduled from 10:15 AM to 01:15 PM.

A light lunch with rice or sticky rice will be provided.

01:15 PM: Upon arrival, the group will be welcomed by the local guide and transferred to visit the ancient city of Lijiang.

Visit Black Dragon Pool – where water flowing from the Jade Dragon glaciers nourishes the land of Lijiang. From the park, visitors can admire the magnificent snow-capped mountains reflected peacefully on the calm lake surface.

Continue exploring Lijiang Old Town, a historic town built over 800 years ago and recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997. Often referred to as the “Venice of the East,” the town is famous for its charming canals, graceful willow trees, traditional houses, and picturesque stone bridges.

The group will have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Lijiang.

After breakfast at the hotel, the group departs for the scenic area of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The tour includes a visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where guests will take a small cable car to Yunshanping at an altitude of 3,200 meters to admire the breathtaking scenery of the mountain range. Rising 5,596 meters above sea level and covered with snow all year round, the mountain’s glaciers shimmer with a jade-like color. It is also known as the “Virgin Mountain” because no human has ever successfully conquered its summit. Many climbers have attempted and failed before its mysterious and untouched beauty, making it one of Yunnan’s most spectacular natural wonders.

Guests may also choose to take the large cable car to an altitude of 4,568 meters (optional, at personal expense), where snow remains year-round. The mountain range consists of 12 peaks over 5,000 meters high, appearing like a giant silver-white dragon across the sky, which is why it is called “Jade Dragon.” It is ranked among the world’s highest mountain peaks.

Continue visiting Blue Moon Valley and Baishui River, both formed by the melting glaciers of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Lunch will be served at a restaurant inside the tourist area. After lunch, the group continues the journey with the following activities:

Guests may join the famous outdoor performance “Impression Lijiang”, directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou. The musical show is staged at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, with the sky and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain serving as the spectacular natural backdrop — an unforgettable experience that truly must be seen in person.

Visit Yushuizhai Village, an ancient village of the Naxi ethnic people. The Naxi are indigenous people with a unique culture centered around the worship of the Goddess of Nature. They believe that humans and all living things are deeply connected, which is why they live harmoniously with nature in a peaceful environment. Surrounded by lush landscapes and terraced ponds inhabited by black and golden sturgeon fish, visitors can also explore the fascinating Dongba culture, including its ancient pictographic script displayed along the sacred temple entrance. The Naxi village remains home to thousands of residents, where traditional culture blends harmoniously with modern life.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Lijiang.

After breakfast at the hotel, the group departs for Shangri-La — the legendary “Land of Immortality” featured in the novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. In Tibetan language, Shangri-La means “the place of destiny and happiness,” and it is also considered the meeting point of three great rivers: the Yangtze River, the Lancang River (upper Mekong River), and the Nu River.

Shangri-La is a famous valley located in the northwest of Yunnan Province near Tibet, widely known through the novel Lost Horizon. Its breathtaking landscapes, Tibetan culture, and peaceful atmosphere make it one of the most fascinating destinations in China.

The group will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue the journey with the following attractions:

Visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and most important Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, China. Located at an altitude of over 3,300 meters and about 5 km from Shangri-La, the monastery was built in 1679 under the direction of the 5th Dalai Lama, modeled after the famous Potala Palace in Tibet. The monastery was completed after two years of construction and once housed more than a thousand monks during its peak period.

Continue exploring Dukezong Ancient Town, a well-preserved Tibetan ancient town with a history of over 1,300 years. Here, visitors can admire hundreds of traditional Tibetan houses, learn about the local culture and daily lifestyle, and experience the warm hospitality of the Tibetan people.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Shangri-La.

After breakfast, the group will visit:

Pudacuo National Park — one of China’s most beautiful natural attractions and the country’s first national park to meet the standards established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The natural scenery of Shangri-La truly deserves the title of a fairyland, featuring snow-capped mountains, lush forests, golden sunlight, and mist-covered landscapes with rich biodiversity. Pudacuo is a paradise for photography lovers, offering stunning scenery throughout all four seasons: blooming flowers in spring, lush green mountains in summer, vibrant layered forests in autumn, and magical snowy landscapes reflected on crystal-clear lakes in winter.

The group will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, depart back to Lijiang. Upon arrival, guests are free to explore:

Lijiang Old Town — an ancient town built during the late Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. The town’s architecture is a harmonious blend of Han, Bai, and Tibetan styles combined with the traditional culture of the indigenous Naxi people. Lijiang was also once a bustling trading center along the legendary Ancient Tea Horse Road, where Tibetan horses were exchanged for Chinese tea.

After dinner, guests may optionally enjoy the famous performance “Lijiang Eternal Love”, one of the four most renowned shows in Yunnan Province (optional tour at personal expense). Lasting over one hour, the performance vividly recreates the history, legends, and romantic stories of Lijiang, including the touching love stories of the Naxi people.

Overnight stay in Lijiang.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests are free to explore Lijiang at their leisure.

10:00 AM: The group checks out of the hotel. Our vehicle and tour guide will transfer the group for lunch before heading to the airport for the return flight to Hanoi.

Estimated Flight Schedule:
Lijiang – Hanoi: Flight QH801 | 02:45 PM – 03:45 PM

04:45 PM: The group arrives at Noi Bai International Airport. Our vehicle and tour guide will transfer guests back to the original meeting point. The tour guide bids farewell and looks forward to welcoming you again on future journeys.

End of the 5 Days 4 Nights Lijiang – Shangri-La Tour.