Eat & Wine Taste Through Shangrila & Yunnan's Tibetan Region
Spend 8 days traveling throughout Yunnan’s Tibetan region wine tasting, feasting on incredible Tibetan and local minority cuisine, and getting up close and personal with some of the highest peaks in China.
Highlights Include:
- The local cuisine throughout Yunnan is just as varied and special as the minorities that make it. Try a huge variety of homemade dishes in small villages and homes, like this cured pork and bean stew.
- Visit villages far off the tourist track filled with local minority groups that live like they have for generations.
- Explore stunning local wineries to taste a variety of locally produced red and white wines and learn about the history behind the winemakers.
- Discover Yubeng Village, known locally as "heaven on earth," which sits below Yunnan's highest peak and is only accessible via a bumpy jeep ride over high mountain passes.
- Climb up to see the largest Tibetan Monastery in Yunnan at the top of a pedestrian-only village outside of Shangrila.
ItineraryDay 1: Arrive in LijiangStop At: Shuhe Ancient Town, 2 Miles North West of Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang 674100 China
Arrive and check into the hotel in Shuhe old town at any time, airport pick up is available on this day until 3pm. Free time to explore the cobblestone streets and boutique tea & coffee shops of Shuhe old-town by foot. We’ll kick things off at a local Naxi minority restaurant to meet your trip leader and fellow travelers, within walking distance of your hotel.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Dinner: Naxi cuisine includes local steamed fish, fried eggplant, hearty stew, fried potatoes, and a lot more surprises!
Accommodation included: A boutique guesthouse in Shuhe old-town
Day 2: Lijiang - Hada Village - Wine Tasting - Tofu MakingStop At: Weixi County, Weixi County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Depart Lijiang and head deep into the mountain canyons to Hada, a beautiful small village nestled inside a green river valley. After a local lunch we’ll visit a winery just up the hill from Hada village, with the best valley views around. Lounge on the patio and sample the only white wine’s we’ll be trying on this trip. At a local home, we’ll be taught by our hosts how their family has made tofu since ancient times.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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• Dinner: You’ll be making your own tofu to enjoy over dinner with a fantastic selection of local seasonal dishes.
Accommodation included: Local Guesthouse in Hada Village.
Day 3: Hada Village - Tongle Village - Cizhong Wine Tasting & CathedralStop At: Cizhong Church, Xiangzi Village, South of Yanman County, Deqin County 674500 China
After breakfast, we’ll depart for a rustic hillside village hidden completely off the tourist track. In fact, it’s the oldest and most preserved Lisu minority village left in Yunnan. We’ll explore the 300 year old houses and see local life like you never have before. The real highlight here is the food, a local cured ham leg porridge that stews for 4 hours before being served. We’ll head further up the canyon into Cizhong village, with one of the oldest cathedrals in China founded by a French missionary in 1867, where locals still practice catholicism. From France, he also brought a type of wine grape that has since died out there – making Cizhong the only place in the world with this grape. Among the cathedral and grape vines deep within the canyon, you’d forget you’re in China. Relax on the patio (with wine), walk the vineyards (with wine), and learn about how grapes are picked, harvested, and processed (with wine), while enjoying their red wine that you’ll literally only find here!
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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• Lunch: A local cured ham leg porridge that stews for 4 hours before being served. One of our favorite meals of the trip!
• Dinner: Dinner at a farmer's winery while drinking their wine.
Accommodation included: Local guesthouse in Cizhong Village.
Day 4: Cizhong - Jeep Ride - Yubeng Village & Meili MountainStop At: Yubeng Village, Yunling Country, Deqin County 674502 China
We’ll make our way toward Meili Mountain and Yubeng village, locally referred to as “Heaven on Earth.” Then we’ll hop in jeeps* for a bumpy ride that climbs to an altitude of 4000m before descending into Yubeng. Yubeng is made up of 23 families who have been largely inaccessible to the rest of the world for most of history. Breath-taking views from all angles take you from lush valleys and glaciated ridges all leading up to the nearby Meili Mountain. You’ll have plenty of time to relax, explore by foot, and experience this unique wonderland. *Due to limited space in the jeeps, you will only be able to bring a small overnight bag/backpack for these two nights. The rest of your luggage will be stored securely in our van.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: A simple guesthouse in Yubeng village, located a 15 minute walk along dirt paths from the jeep drop-off.
Day 5: Yubeng Village - Waterfall HikeStop At: Yubeng Waterfall, South of Kawagebo Peak, Deqin County China
After a leisurely morning, you’ll have plenty of time for a hike to the Sacred Waterfall above Yubeng. From many miles around, Tibetan pilgrims venture to visit this Sacred Waterfall, pray, and be blessed by its waters. It is one of the most culturally significant landmarks in Tibetan culture. The waters are said to cleanse your soul, wash away your sins, and shower you in blessings for the year to come. This strenuous hike climbs 300m at high altitude. It’s a 15km round trip journey, which has been made accessible with a paved trail and stairs. Good walking/hiking shoes and layered outdoor clothing are necessary in this alpine environment. Or, stay back and explore Yubeng village, relax by the fire or rooftop depending on the weather, and take in the mesmerizing views.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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• Dinner: Dinner with the best mountain views in town. Spend the evening sitting by the fire and relaxing.
Accommodation included: A simple guesthouse in Yubeng village (same as previous night)
Day 6: Yubeng Village - Jeep Ride - Wine Tasting - Shangrila Old TownStop At: Shangri-La County, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
After breakfast, we’ll hop back in the jeeps to our van and enjoy a local lunch. Stretch your legs and take in the view of the Jinsha river and its 360-degree bend, a stunning high-altitude landscape. Wine tasting at our 3rd winery with more incredible mountain views. Free Time in Shangrila: There’s a lot to do here, and we’ll let you follow your curiosity. Window-shop for local handicrafts, or check out the local tea and coffee scene. Before dinner, we’ll visit the biggest Tibetan prayer wheel in the world. This is all walking distance from your hotel. After dinner, explore the Shangrila old town – where you’ll be staying for two nights.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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• Dinner: Tibetan “Pizza”, highland barley yogurt, yak meat, and Tibetan craft beer.
Accommodation included: Shangrila Boutique Guesthouse within the old-town.
Day 7: Shangrila Old Town - Shangrila Grasslands - Songzanlin MonasteryStop At: Shangri-La County, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Take in the ultimate views of the incredibly vast Shangrila grasslands where you’ll see horses and yak graze and local Tibetan villages skirt the mountains. For lunch, we'll BBQ on large slabs of white stone that are heated up and brought to your table where we’ll grill a selection of local meats and veggies, plus melt-in-your-mouth tofu, directly on the stone.
Duration: 1 day
Stop At: Songzanlin Scenic Area, RPW3+G89, Ni Wang Lu, Xiang Ge Li La Shi, Di Qing Zang Zu Zi Zhi Zhou, Yun Nan Sheng, China, 674400
Songzanlin Monastery rests above a pedestrian-only village that features a handful of authentic Tibetan temples. We’ll climb up to see the largest Tibetan Monastery in Yunnan, dating back to 1679. Its grand appearance, full of frescos, sculptures, and immaculate architecture offers sweeping views of the nearby highland landscape from a viewpoint 3300 meters high.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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• Dinner: Enjoy dinner with a side of culture in a Tibetan restaurant that features a local performance.
Accommodation included: Shangrila Boutique Guesthouse (same as previous night).
Day 8: Shangrila Old Town - Airport Drop-off & DepartureStop At: Shangri-La County, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Enjoy your last moments in Yunnan before you depart. Feel free to explore Shangrila old-town for some last minute shopping or cafe hopping. Airport drop-off is included any time today. For those departing later, we’ll be happy to make some recommendations for the day. Or, if you’re heading back to Lijiang we can help you with bus schedules or private car service.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"No heart problems or other serious medical conditions"
"Most travelers can participate"
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability"
Start Time:
12:00 AM
Duration: 8 Days
Start location: Traveler pickup is offered
We provide airport pickup and drop-off if your arrival and departure time are within our
recommended hours. We suggest you arrive on the first day before 3PM. Departure on the
last day can be anytime, depending on your personal preference.
Airports- Lijiang Airport, Lijiang China
Cancellations and refunds:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
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