Civilization Exploration in Northwestern Yunnan | Decoding East Asia’s Last Multifaith Corridor in the Land of Coexisting Deities

Accommodation: Songtsam Lijiang Lodge — China’s premier Tibetan-style boutique hotel.

Songtsam, China’s most unparalleled hospitality brand, pioneered the concept of a "boutique lodge circuit" and remains the only hotel group that flawlessly integrates local natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and refined mountain retreat experiences.

For two decades, Songtsam has transformed from an obscure gem to a globally acclaimed legend, crafting ethereal sanctuaries beneath snow-capped peaks and redefining China’s most breathtaking vistas. Every detail—from site selection and architectural aesthetics to interior design—is a masterstroke of artistry.

Spanning the UNESCO World Heritage-listed "Three Parallel Rivers" region, the mythic National Highways 214 and 318, the ancient Tea Horse Road, and the "Third Pole" Tibetan Plateau, Songtsam has elevated Tibetan travel with unprecedented luxury and cultural immersion. Its lodges are not mere accommodations but living museums, where guests dwell within an ambiance so authentically Tibetan, it feels like stepping into a curated cultural tapestry.

Evening: We have arranged a pre-departure briefing session tonight. Please note the time and arrive promptly.

Note: The briefing will cover:High-altitude health precautions、Safety guidelines、Team introductions and emergency contact details、Overview of the itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast: On your own | Lunch: On your own | Dinner: Welcome Dinner.

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Morning: After breakfast, head to Sha Xi Ancient Town.

Tucked away in the mountains, Shaxi Ancient Town stands as the sole surviving millennium-old settlement along the ancient Tea Horse Road. It has been successively honored with titles including "Yunnan Provincial Historic and Cultural Town," "National Historic and Cultural Town," and "Yunnan Tourism Town." The Sideng Street of Shaxi, the only surviving marketplace along the Tea Horse Road, evolved into a quadrilateral trading district centered around Xingjiao Temple and the Kuige Pavilion with its stage during the Ming Dynasty, following the commercial prosperity of Shaxi's Tea Horse Road economy. This formed a characteristic trading settlement featuring front shops and rear warehouses architecture.

Once a crucial post on the Tea Horse Road, Shaxi Ancient Town gradually faded from public memory after the decline of this historic trade route. Yet this obscurity preserved the town's authentic charm perfectly. The bluestone-paved paths, white-walled and black-tiled houses, and lingering echoes of hooves all combine to narrate its ancient stories through every element of this timeless setting.

Lunch: Special Lunch

Afternoon: Tongle Village - Cizhong Church

Tongle Village, the most representative and ancient Lisu ethnic settlement in Weixi County, is acclaimed as the "oldest living fossil of the modern era". Situated along the historic Tea-Horse Road that ascends against the Lancang River from Yunnan to Tibet, it lies at the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers" (Jinsha, Lancang, and Nujiang rivers) region. The torrential river carves through gorges, nurturing age-old Lisu communities along its banks. This area preserves pristine ecosystems, unspoiled natural landscapes, and enduring cultural traditions. The village boasts northwestern Yunnan's sole Catholic church – Cizhong Church, renowned for its harmonious fusion of Chinese and Western architectural elements.

In the backyard of Cizhong Church stand two luxuriant trees, beneath which stretch expansive vineyards. Here, grape varieties introduced by French missionaries centuries ago have taken root. We've arranged a special wine-tasting experience featuring wines crafted from these unique grapes, allowing you to savor flavors that preserve the viticultural traditions and winemaking techniques inherited from those French.

Evening: Check in at Songtsam Hotel after the itinerary.

Dinner: Hotel dinner.

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Morning: [Nanjiluo Hiking]

Nanjiluo, hailed as "God’s Forgotten Tear," hides seven interconnected glacial lakes and ancient Tibetan ecological reverence. Circle the lakes, watch herders toss barley into the water and call to mountain deities. Add a white stone to lakeside Mani piles, sensing Tibetan animistic devotion.

Classic Route: Start at Lake 3, traverse Yin Lake, Yang Lake, Island Lake, and more. Local guides lead through primeval forests and meadows, unveiling untamed wilderness.

Lunch: Trail Lunch

Evening: After concluding the itinerary, check into Bodu Hotel .

Podu Hotel embraces sublime naturalism and local culture, crafting a harmonious connection between people and the world through exceptional value experiences. It stands as a convergence of nature and humanity.

The architecture blends seamlessly into the mountainous landscape. The guestroom design achieves an ingenious synergy between the exterior scenery and interior experience, ensuring every room faces the snow-capped mountains. Angled relative to the building facade, each space features a triangular outdoor area that enhances immersion in the surroundings.

Public spaces channel natural light through vertical circulation, unfolding from the sunken reception area upward to the restaurant, teahouse, and infinity pool. Each zone aligns with varying scenic vantage points, creating visual dialogues with the snow peaks, cliffs, and valleys.

Here, you’ll discover tranquil spaces of belonging amid life’s hustle and reconnect with your most authentic self in nature.

Dinner: Hotel Party & Reception

Morning: 【Sunlit Golden Mountain of Meili Snow Mountain】Awaiting the miraculous spectacle of "Sunlit Golden Mountain" at the hotel. As the morning light ascends, the moment when the main peak Kawagarbo of Meili Snow Mountain is gilded with golden rays becomes breathtaking, revealing the harmonious blend of spirituality and nature.

Meili Snow Mountain is hailed by "China National Geography" as "China's Most Beautiful Snow Mountain" and revered by Tibetan people as the foremost sacred peak. Its renowned "Sunlit Golden Summit" presents a rare and magnificent spectacle. When golden rays descend from the heavens to illuminate the mountaintop, it resembles a glowing "Potala Palace," creating an awe-inspiring vista.

In ancient China, the Sunlit Golden Summit symbolized enlightenment, hope, and auspiciousness. In modern times, this natural phenomenon retains profound significance, commonly regarded as an emblem of good fortune and happiness. In some ethnic minority regions, the Sunlit Golden Summit carries religious and cultural importance. For instance, in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, it is considered one of Tibetan Buddhism's sacred sites.

This landmark serves not merely as a tourist destination but stands as a cultural icon of the Chinese nation. Its spiritual essence elevates the Sunlit Golden Summit to a revered sanctuary in people's hearts. Local inhabitants believe that through pilgrimage and prayer here, they may receive divine blessings and spiritual empowerment.

Breakfast: After admiring the sunrise glow on the Golden Mountain, enjoy a tranquil breakfast at the hotel.

Next, journey to Tangdu Village in Nixi Township (northwest Shangri-La), where an ancient craft—Tibetan Black Pottery—has been preserved as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Nixi, a Tibetan village along the historic Tea Horse Road, has been the cradle of black pottery for over 1,000 years. Here, humble Tibetan artisans continue to forge the "song of earth and fire," using techniques passed down since their ancestors crafted ritual vessels and daily utensils. As the Tea Horse Road thrived, these lustrous black treasures crossed mountains on caravans, spreading Tibetan culture worldwide.

In this mystical land, the wisdom and creativity of generations endure, weaving a unique cultural legacy from fire, earth, and faith.

At a century-old workshop in Tangdu, meet a master potter who will unveil the secrets of Nixi pottery: from clay preparation and hand-molding to open-fire kiln rituals. Participate in a hands-on pottery session, shaping raw clay into timeless artifacts, and glimpse the ancient rhythms of Tibetan life.

Lunch: Specialty Free-Range Chicken Soup

Afternoon: Check into Songtsam Hotel after lunch and indulge in their signature afternoon tea.

Dinner: Savour a specialty Yak Hot Pot meal.

Evening: After dinner, unwind with a soothing spa treatment to ease the day’s fatigue, followed by a tranquil and restful night.

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Morning: [Pilgrimage to Songzanlin Monastery]

As the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province and a major Gelugpa sect center in the Kham region, Songzanlin holds immense religious significance across Tibet. Often called the "Little Potala Palace," its fortress-like structure cascades down a mountainside, embodying the pinnacle of Tibetan architectural artistry. The monastery is also revered as a "Tibetan Art Museum" for its exquisite murals, sculptures, and sacred relics.

To deepen your understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, we’ve arranged an exclusive guided tour led by a monastic scholar from Songzanlin.

Lunch: Meals at own expense

Afternoon: [Intangible Heritage Experience: Thangka & Tibetan Incense]

Visit the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center to delve into Tibetan culture through hands-on Thangka painting and incense crafting. Learn about Shangri-La’s history, traditional Tibetan home design, and the meticulous process of creating Tibetan incense.

Thangka, a sacred Tibetan art form, dates back to the 7th century under King Songtsen Gampo’s reign and was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006. These intricate scroll paintings, crafted with gold, silver, and natural mineral pigments on specially treated canvas, are celebrated for their spiritual depth and vibrant hues. Renowned as "art closest to the divine," Thangka embodies Tibet’s religious devotion and artistic mastery.

Beyond religious themes, Thangka art vividly portrays Tibetan history, culture, and daily life, blending bold ethnic motifs, rich spiritual symbolism, and a distinctive aesthetic style. Each stroke carries centuries of wisdom, transforming the canvas into a living chronicle of Himalayan civilization.

Evening: After today’s activities, check in at Songtsam Retreat

Dinner: Meals at own expense

After breakfast, transfer to Lijiang Airport per flight schedule. Conclude your journey and return home.