The Tea Horse Route Rêverie
Trace the ancient Tea-Horse Route through misty peaks, where forgotten villages whisper tales of the past, like standing sentinel over emerald valleys and serpentine rivers.
Our Journey along the Tea Horse Road
| FROM | TO | KM | TRAVEL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| DALI | PAILUBA | 234 KM | 4 H 00 MIN |
| PAILUBA | LUMADENG | 150 KM | 2 H 47 MIN |
| LUMADENG | BINGZHONGLUO | 140 KM | 2 H 38 MIN |
| BINGZHONGLUO | YUBENG | 148 KM | 6-7 HOURS |
| YUBENG | BENZILAN | 118 KM | 4-5 HOURS |
| BENZILAN | SHANGRI-LA | 82 KM | 1 H 38 MIN |
| SHANGRI-LA | TIGER GORGE | 118 KM | 2 H 18 MIN |
| TIGER GORGE | LIJIANG | 90 KM | 1 H 34 MIN |
Day 1: Arrival in Dali
- Morning: Arrive in Dali and enjoy a private airport transfer to your hotel nestled in the heart of Dali Old Town or along the serene lakeside.
- Afternoon: Savor a curated lunch featuring local flavors, followed by a horseback ride along the historic Tea Horse Trail foothills.
- Evening: Capture the golden hour at the iconic Three Pagodas with stunning photography opportunities, then relax at your hotel.
Day 2: Dali Exploration
- Morning: Embark on a scenic cycling tour to Xizhou Town, immersing yourself in Bai culture and architecture.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch with fresh regional ingredients, then choose between a relaxing cruise or kayak adventure on the shimmering Erhai Lake.
- Evening: Delight in a lakeside dinner under the stars, then unwind at your hotel.
Day 3: Dali → Pailuba Village
- Morning: Scenic drive through majestic mountains, with an optional detour to Nuodeng Village to taste its legendary century-old salt-cured ham.
- Afternoon: Arrive in Pailuba and visit the inspiring Avant-Garde Library.
- Evening: Relax and soak in the village’s tranquil mountain ambiance.
Day 4: Pailuba → Lumadeng
- Morning: Hike to the eerie Zhiziluo Ghost Town, an abandoned 1960s settlement shrouded in mist.
- Afternoon: Scenic drive to Lumadeng, marveling at the pristine natural beauty unfolding along the way, then check into your hotel.
- Evening: Unwind amid Lumadeng’s serene landscapes.
Day 5: Lumadeng → Bingzhongluo
- Morning: Visit Stone Moon Village to meet tattoo-faced Dulong elders and learn their ancient traditions.
- Afternoon: Take a breathtaking scenic drive along the Nujiang Grand Canyon, then check into your hotel in Bingzhongluo.
- Evening: Enjoy a sunset view at the Nujiang Grand Canyon, or if in the right season, enjoy a walk on seasonal Peach Blossom Island.
Day 6 Bingzhongluo → Yubeng
- Early morning: Scenic drive to Yubeng, to reach your exclusive hotel inside the scenic area.
- Afternoon and evening: Gentle exploration of the surroundings and time to relax.
Day 7: Yubeng Exploration
- Morning: Begin a full-day trek to the glacial Ice Lake tarn at 4,600 m., surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
- Afternoon: Continue your immersive hike, enjoying unparalleled alpine vistas.
- Evening: Return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 8: Yubeng → Benzilan
- Morning: Capture final breathtaking views of Meili Snow Mountain before departing.
- Afternoon: Drive via stunning Mingyong Glacier viewpoints, followed by a visit to the sacred Feilai Temple.
- Evening: Explore the picturesque village of Benzilan in the sunset light, then rest in your hotel.
Day 9: Benzilan → Shangri-La
- Morning: Tour the grand Songzanlin Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist masterpiece.
- Afternoon: Soak in the Tianshengqiao Hot Springs, or visit to the pristine Pudacuo National Park.
- Evening: Relax and savor Shangri-La’s mystical evening atmosphere, before resting in your hotel.
Day 10: Shangri-La → Tiger Gorge
- Morning: Scenic drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, arriving to admire the roaring waters.
- Afternoon: Explore the dramatic trails and capture spectacular photos of the gorge’s majesty.
- Evening: Unwind with sweeping gorge views from your hotel.
Day 11: Tiger Gorge → Lijiang
- Morning: Depart for Lijiang, immersing yourself in the UNESCO-protected ancient streets, flowing canals, and traditional Naxi architecture.
- Afternoon: Continue your cultural exploration visiting the Mu Fu Mansion and close the day with a visit to the charming Black Dragon Pool Garden.
- Evening: Free time to stroll in the old city before a well-deserved rest.
Day 12: Lijiang Departure
- Morning: Enjoy a leisurely visit to one of Lijiang’s nearby ancient towns, cherishing Yunnan’s timeless beauty.
- Afternoon: Private transfer to Lijiang Airport for your departure, concluding your unforgettable Yunnan adventure.
Recommended 12-day itinerary. We handcraft each experience to match your style and budget.
Start designing your exclusive China journey today.
Dali Ancient Town (大理)
Nestled between Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountains, Dali is home to the Bai minority with architecture dating to the Tang Dynasty. Its Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and marble craftsmanship showcase the rich heritage of the former Dali Kingdom. Visitors enjoy local markets, Bai cuisine, and landscapes that have inspired artists for centuries.
Highlights:
Three Pagodas
Explore this iconic 9th-century landmark among southwestern China’s oldest structures.
Erhai Lake
Experience Bai fishing culture and island temples on China’s seventh-largest freshwater lake.
Old Towns
Ride through ancient streets, nearby villages and scenic countryside
Pailuba Village (排路坝村)
Tucked in Yunnan’s mountains, Pailuba preserves authentic ethnic minority culture, with its remarkable “Avant-Garde” library serving as a cultural cornerstone for locals and visitors. Surrounded by terraced fields, the village offers a glimpse into rural life where ancient customs and modern education harmoniously coexist.
Highlights:
Library Avant-Garde
Established in 2007 by artists and architects, the library features a striking contemporary design using local materials that harmoniously blends with the landscape.
Terraced Fields
Trek through stunning agricultural terraces and learn about traditional farming techniques.
Lumadeng (鹿马登)
Nestled in the Nu River valley, this remote region remains largely untouched by mass tourism, preserving traditional ways of life and pristine natural beauty. Dramatic mountain scenery with steep cliffs and lush forests creates a breathtaking backdrop for scattered Nu minority villages that have maintained their unique customs for generations.
Highlights:
Scenic Hiking
Trek ancient mountain paths with panoramic valley views.
Zhiziluo Village
Capture unique Nu and Lisu traditional lifestyle in the isolated village of Zhiziluo.
Authentic Cuisine
Sample distinctive Nu dishes with foraged mountain ingredients.
Bingzhongluo (丙中洛)
Nestled in northwestern Yunnan near the Tibetan border, Bingzhongluo sits where the Nujiang River curves in a dramatic “Ω” shape. This remote township is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and deep gorges, home to Nu, Lisu, and Tibetan peoples who maintain their unique cultural traditions along the ancient tea horse route.
Highlights:
Hiking
Explore spectacular trails through one of the world’s deepest gorges.
Village Exploration
Discover traditional villages perched on mountainsides with terraced fields.
Yubeng (雨崩村)
Nestled deep in the Meili Snow Mountain range, Yubeng is a sacred Himalayan village perched at 3,000 meters, accessible only by foot or 4WD. Known as “the Last Shangri-La,” this remote sanctuary is revered by Tibetan Buddhists for its holy waterfalls and untouched alpine wilderness, where prayer flags flutter between towering peaks and glacial streams.
Highlights:
Holy Waterfall
Trek through ancient forests to this Sacred Waterfall, where glacial waters crash down 50 meters.
Ice Lake Challenge
Hike to the glacial Ice Lake (4,600m), a jewel-toned tarn cradled by the Meili glaciers.
Feilai Temple
Visit this Buddhist temple, with its distinctive white stupas, offering spectacular views of Meili Snow Mountain.
Benzilan (奔子栏)
A picturesque Tibetan trading post along the Jinsha River at an altitude of 2,100 meters, Benzilan served as a crucial link on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Its culture blends diverse architectural styles while offering stunning views of the Baima Snow Mountain range.
Highlights:
Baima Snow Mountain
Trek through alpine meadows and forests with stunning views of sacred peaks revered in Tibetan Buddhism.
Dongzhulin Monastery
Visit this significant 17th-century monastery housing precious Buddhist relics and impressive Tibetan architecture.
Jinsha River
Enjoy spectacular vistas of the upper Yangtze from overlooks that showcase the dramatic gorges below.
Shangri-La (香格里拉)
Named after the paradise in James Hilton’s “Lost Horizon,” Shangri La Yunnan China sits at 3,200 meters on the Tibetan plateau. This cultural crossroads features the impressive Songzanlin Monastery, Napa Lake wetlands, and traditional Tibetan architecture throughout its historic Old Town.
Highlights:
Songzanlin Monastery
Tibet’s largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet, with golden roofs and extensive artifacts.
Pudacuo National Park
UNESCO-recognized alpine meadows, forests and lakes between 3,500-4,159m elevation.
Horseback Riding
Enjoy traditional riding experience across vast grasslands with mountain views.
Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡)
This dramatic gorge features cliffs rising 3,900 meters above the Jinsha River. Hikers can enjoy the spectacular trail while staying in traditional Naxi guesthouses along the way. Legend says the gorge was named after a tiger that escaped hunters by leaping across the narrowest point of the rushing river below.
Highlights:
Hiking
Experience the famous two-day trek with breathtaking panoramic views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Naxi Homestays
Enjoy authentic hospitality and local cuisine at family-run guesthouses along the trail.
Tiger Leaping Stone
Visit the point of the gorge where the legendary tiger made its leap across the turbulent waters.
Lijiang (丽江)
Nestled beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at an altitude of 2,400m, Lijiang’s UNESCO-protected Old Town features a network of canals, bridges, and cobblestone streets. As the cultural center of the Naxi people, it showcases their unique Dongba pictographic script and traditional music. At night, red lanterns illuminate the waterways, creating the magical atmosphere that has drawn travelers for centuries.
Highlights:
Dayan Old City
Explore the UNESCO-protected ancient streets, flowing canals, and traditional Naxi architecture.
Black Dragon Pool
Visit this iconic park for the perfect view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in its clear waters.
Ancient Towns
Explore nearby ancient towns of Baisha and Shuhe, offering an authentic glimpse of local life and historical charm.
Table Of Contents
Your Journey Includes:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. What will be included will ultimately be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Private Transfers & Transportation
- Private airport transfers at the start/end of the trip
- Private vehicle and driver for all major overland journeys outlined in the final itinerary / Rental vehicle for self-drive trips, including insurance coverage
- Major train journeys
- Domestic flights and related taxes
- Guide/Coordinator & Activities
- Dedicated English-speaking guide/coordinator
- All entrance fees and activity costs per itinerary
- Accomodation
- Hotels based on availability and your preferred travel style (double occupancy)
- Daily breakfast
- Travel Support & Equipment
- In the case of an independent trip, remote support from the Ink Voyages Team throughout the duration of your journey
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags) where applicable
- Support for setting up the main Chinese apps required for traveling in China
Your Journey does not include:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. Anything not included will be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Chinese tourist visa (can be required for some foreign passport holders – See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – VISA Guidelines”)
- International flights and related taxes
- In the case of a self-drive itinerary, fuel costs and tolls
- Excursions/activities beyond the planned itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Travel/medical insurance (See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – Travel Insurance)
- Meals and dining expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (at your discretion)
- Any items/services not specified in “Your Journey Includes”
