HANOI – LIJIANG – SHANGRI-LA

06:00: The tour guide and vehicle will pick you up from the designated meeting point and transfer you to Noi Bai Airport for check-in for flight QH801 (10:15 – 13:15) from Hanoi to Lijiang. A light lunch (rice or sticky rice) will be provided during the flight.

13:15: Arrive in Lijiang, where you will be met by the guide and begin your sightseeing:
- Black Dragon Pool Park: A scenic area where water from the glacier-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain nourishes the Lijiang region. From the park, you can enjoy majestic views of the snow-capped mountain in the tranquil setting of the lake.
- Lijiang Old Town: Built at the end of the Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, the ancient town sits on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. Its unique architecture blends Han, Bai, Tibetan styles with traditional local Naxi culture. Lijiang Old Town was a bustling commercial center on the legendary Tea Horse Road, where traders exchanged Tibetan horses for Chinese tea. The Old Town, often called the "Venice of the East," was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Here, every house has a stream flowing through it, with willow trees hanging over doorsteps and charming small bridges.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Lijiang. After dinner, you may explore the Sifang Street in the old town at your leisure.

Breakfast. Depart from Lijiang for Shangri-La, the “immortal land” mentioned in James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon. In Tibetan, Shangri-La means a place of destiny and fortune, located at the confluence of the Yangtze, Lancang (the upper reaches of the Mekong), and Nujiang rivers.

Arrive in Shangri-La, have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit:
- Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling Monastery): Often considered a miniature version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, founded in 1679 by the Fifth Dalai Lama. The monastery is home to over 700 monks and features magnificent Buddhist statues, colorful banners, intricately painted ceilings, and exquisite carvings reflecting Tibetan culture.
- Dukezong Old Town: The best-preserved Tibetan settlement in China, with a history spanning over 1,300 years. Here, you can explore ancient Tibetan-style houses and learn about the unique culture and daily life of the Tibetan people from the locals.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Shangri-La.

reakfast. Explore:
- Pudacuo National Park: Known as a paradise for nature lovers, featuring snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and rich flora and fauna. Pudacuo is China’s first national park meeting international conservation standards. Its scenic beauty changes with the seasons: spring blossoms, summer greenery, autumn foliage, and winter snow. Highlights include Bita Lake, grasslands, flower meadows, and pristine forest areas.
- Yak Museum: Learn about the significance of yak in local culture and economy.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, travel back to Lijiang.

Upon arrival in Lijiang, dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, you can optionally attend the “Impression Lijiang” performance, directed by the renowned Zhang Yimou (optional, at your own expense).

Breakfast. Depart for a visit to:
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: Take a cable car ride to the scenic area of Yunshan Ping at 3,200 meters to admire the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which stands at 5,596 meters and is covered in snow year-round. The area is known for its untouched beauty and is often referred to as the "virgin mountain" due to the challenges climbers face.
- Baishui River (White Water River): Formed by melting glaciers from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the scenic Camphor Lake, and explore the Ngoc Thuy Village, showcasing the customs and beliefs of the Naxi people and their Dongba culture.
- Blue Moon Valley: Located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, featuring four stunning lakes: Yuhai, Jingdan, Blue Moon, and Tingdao. The valley’s name comes from the moon-like shape of the lakes and their emerald blue color.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, attend the "Impression Lijiang" outdoor performance, featuring a stage set against the backdrop of the sky and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (optional).

Explore Ngoc Thuy Village, known for its unique Dongba script and the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity.

Dinner at a local restaurant. In the evening, you can explore the vibrant Lijiang nightlife and enjoy local music and dance performances in the Old Town, often referred to as the "Street of Ethnic Music and Dance."

After breakfast, enjoy free time for shopping and exploring Lijiang Old Town.

10:00: Check out of the hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, transfer to the airport for the return flight QH801 (14:30 – 15:20) from Lijiang to Hanoi.

15:20: Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, where a vehicle will pick you up and transfer you back to Hanoi. The trip concludes.