It is said that there is a fairyland beneath the colorful clouds of southern China. A place blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow-capped mountains, and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. Life in this fairyland is so peaceful, a fairyland called Lijiang, located at the hub of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

While the geographical position of Lijiang City is remote, it has the advantage of ensuring a pleasant year round climate and a wide variety of tourist resources in the 20,600 square kilometers area. The earliest recorded history of Lijiang can be traced back to the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC) but with the advent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the local economy reached a peak with the development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road which made a great contribution to both commercial and cultural communication between Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

Old Town Lijiang has the best preserved ancient town in China - the Old Town which has been listed in the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1997. The Old Town was once the center of Lijiang and continues to maintain the original flavor of the local lifestyle, the typical groups of buildings and the profound cultural heritage of the region. Around Lijiang, there are a number of splendid natural beauty spots that will certainly astonish you. If you like to see superlative natural scenery, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which provides a majestic backdrop to the Moon-Embracing Pavilion at Black Dragon Pond will fulfill your desire.

Program Details

20 Jul 2008   Arrive at Kunming   Depart Singapore Changi Airport to Kunming by China Eastern Airlines in the early morning flight. Upon arrival at Kunming, you will be welcomed by the English-speaking guide and taken to your breakfast. After breakfast, we will proceed with the half-day city tour with late lunch. We will visit the West Mountain Dragon Gate and Green Lake. After Tour, you will be transfer back to Kunming Airport for your connection flight into Diqing, departing at 1735hrs. Upon arrival at Diqing airport, our representative will be greeting you at the airport and transferring you to Gyalthang Dzong for the night’s stay. After check-in, dinner will be served in the resort restaurant.

21 Jul 2008   Gyalthang Dzong   Rise and shine with your morning Yoga activities. After breakfast, we will visit the Old Town of Gyalthang Dzong with lunch. After Lunch, we will return back to resort to rest and participate in Yoga activities. Tonight, we will have the famous Hot Pot dinner with a cultural show.

22 Jul 2008   Songzanlin Lamasery visit   Rise and shine with your morning Yoga activities. After breakfast, we will visit Songzanlin Lamasery (~04hrs), the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province and one of the 13 famous monasteries of Tibetan Kham. The monastery was built in 1674 with the support of the Fifth Dalai Lama and Emperor Kangxi. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng gave it a Chinese name – Guihua Lamasery. Occupying an area of 33.3 hectares, Songzanlin was built in the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa and hosts many precious cultural treasures. This tour includes a visit to the Main Prayer Hall and a chance to receive blessings from the High Lama, who occasionally bestows Tibetan Blessing Scarfs – Khada – to pilgrims and visitors. After lunch, we will return to the resort for rest and your afternoon Yoga activities. You may choose between having dinner inside the resort or at a local restaurant (with return transfer).

23 Jul 2008   Gyalthang Dzong to Lijiang   Rise and shine with your morning Yoga activities. After breakfast, we will checkout and proceed with our tour to Lijiang. This scenic drive takes us about 8-9hrs, through the villages of the Yi people who are synonymous with their signature large black hats. Visit the world’s deepest gorge, Tiger Leaping Gorge, which lies between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. The drop from its peak to the bottom of the river valley is over 3500meters, which is 1800 meters deeper than the drop from the Grand Canyon in the United States. Drive along the Yangtse River through magnificent valleys of wheat fields, tobacco and haystacks. Bring this journey back in time to a close with a delicious packed lunch and walk to the famous waterwheel entrance of the town. We will check into Banyan Tree Lijiang for the night’s stay. Dinner will be served inside the resort restaurant. The rest of the evening is free for your own leisure.

24 Jul 2008   Lijiang   Rise and shine with your morning Yoga activities. After breakfast, we will visit the famous Dayan Old Town (~04hrs). Explore its fascinating alleyways and evocative labyrinth of cobblestone paths - a well-preserved UNESCO site. Walk through the atmospheric old streets, where stately canals, flowering willow trees and Naxi-styled houses jostle for space with travelers in search of sheer architectural splendor. We will sample the local delicacies for our lunch today. After Lunch, return to Resort to rest and for Yoga Activities until dinnertime. We will have a local dinner in Lijiang Town restaurant

25 Jul 2008   Lijiang - Kunming - Singapore   Rise and shine with your morning Yoga activities. After breakfast are free activities at own leisure till your airport pick-up transfer around 2.45pm. We will first fly into Kunming before changing to another flight connecting back to Singapore. Home Sweet Home.