Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge
Description
Discover the natural beauty of the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain, and Baishui Terrace on a full-day scenic drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La. Start your tour with pickup from your hotel in Lijiang and head to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Pass the Haba Snow Mountain, the main peak of which is 5,396 meters above sea level. See the Baishui Terrace, a natural limestone terrace that resembles a frozen waterfall. Finally, visit the Songzanlin Monastery and the Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La. Choose to return to Lijiang via highway or stay over at Shangri-La City. Please take note that this is a private tour with flexible itinerary. You will need to choose the attractions you wish to visit and depending on how long you spend at each location, you may not cover all attractions within 1 day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
At the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Stand on the observation deck and see the towering peaks on both sides of the canyon reaching high into the clouds, steep and precipitous. Watch as the river surges in the narrow canyon, stirring up huge waves.
Pass the Haba Snow Mountain, the main peak of which is 5,396 meters above sea level.
See the Baishui Terrace, a natural limestone terrace that resembles a frozen waterfall.
Nestled amidst majestic mountains, the town features traditional Tibetan architecture with stone houses and sloping roofs. As you wander through its cobblestone streets, be greeted by prayer flags fluttering gently in the breeze, filling the air with a sense of spirituality.
Songzanlin Monastery is also known as 'the little Potala Palace '. In 1679, Dalai Lama chose this place by divination, and it went on to become the uppermost public place in Yunnan which features the particular local characteristics. Annually, the Gedong Festival is celebrated here by the Tibetans. Pious believers, with their knees and foreheads knocking the ground at every step, come here to pray. The monastery is full of treasures. There are a lot of golden figures of Buddha josses, golden lamps, Tibetan lections, silver censers and so on. All of these are wonderful collections accumulated from each dynasty. They are precious productions made by people of both Tibet nationality and Han nationality.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you from the hotel lobby
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(21)
Great customer service! Flexible with the itinerary. Nice vehicle and courteous driver. A better way to travel if you want to pack several locations into an one day tour. Highly recommend!
It is a long journey but a great way to sightsee while getting from Lijiang to Shangri-La. The driver was patient. Nice to be on our own pace on a private tour
On the dot pick up and smooth journey. The driver was good and helpful since i can really speak mandarin. He helped me to buy tickets at the counter if the area requires purchasing of entry tickets. The team contacted me all the way through wechat and reminded me of the timing etc.
We are travelling with China Highlights. We have arrived in Lijiang and our tourguide Alice picked us up from the train station. She was our guide for one day and showed us all the highlights of Lijiang like the old city center, Tiger Leaping Gorge. It was a great experience. Very informative. She did a great job, was super friendly, informative and socialable, very patient, good organized and answered all our questions. She is very knowledgeable about the culture. We had a great time with her. If I need to recommend a tourguide for Lijiang it is her, Alice!
Via Trip.com, we joined the Lijiang to Shangri-La scenic drive tour by Aether Tours via Lijiang, Shangri-La, including a stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge and White Land. The journey was scenic and well-paced, and our guide Colin was outstanding - bilingual, informative and engaging throughout the trip. He shared many interesting stories and historical insights that added depth to the experience. Overall, a highly recommended tour for anyone wanting to enjoy the stunning landscapes with great guidance.
This transfer service from Lijiang to Shangri-la with a few stops for sightseeing along the way was very practical. It saved us time. Each stop was worth our while especially Baishuitai. Beautiful! And the service provided by the company was above and beyond what we expected. Highly recommended.
Absolutely pleasant experience. The team added us to a group chat with so many of their team members! They even had the driver in the chat and made sure the driver picked us up on time. They checked in time to time to make sure we were doing well with the itinerary, very good service! No regrets booking with them. Highly recommend!
Travel organisation was flawless. The team was in constant communication and always ready to answer and provide updates. Will definitely book with them agaij when visiting Yunnan
I had a wonderful one-day tour in Yunnan. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made everything smooth and stress-free.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world, where the landscape feels immediate and powerful. The Jinsha River cuts between steep cliffs, and the scale becomes clear the moment you arrive. It’s a place you experience through movement, whether a short visit or a longer hike. Start your day early around 8:00 AM from Lijiang or Shangri-La. The drive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours from either direction. The most convenient option is to arrange a private car or join a small group tour, as public transport is limited. Most visitors choose the Upper Gorge (Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge) for a one-day trip. After arriving at the entrance, walk down the steps toward the river. The path is short but steep, leading you closer to the roaring water. At the bottom, you’ll see the narrow section of the river rushing between rocks, giving a direct sense of the gorge’s power. Plan to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring this area, including time for photos and rest. If you want a slightly deeper experience without committing to a full trek, you can walk short sections of the high trail nearby. Even a brief hike offers wider views of the canyon and surrounding mountains. Always check your time and energy, as some sections involve uneven paths.
