Spiritual Pilgrimage in Northwest Yunnan – Unlocking the Healing Wisdom of Civilizations 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.

Lunch: Meals at own expense

Afternoon: Joseph F. Rock Memorial Hall (Lijiang Ancient Town)

His memorial honors Joseph F. Rock, an Austrian-American explorer who lived in Lijiang for 27 years, dedicating his life to studying the language, history, and culture of the Naxi people. His seminal work, The Ancient Na-Khi Kingdom of Southwest China, introduced Lijiang to the global stage.

The exhibition features Naxi Dongba scriptures, botanical specimens, and Rock's original manuscripts, allowing visitors to explore the scholarly legacy of the "Father of Western Naxi Studies." Through multimedia installations, artifact displays, and interactive art, the hall recreates Rock's profound connection with Lijiang.

Awarded the German Design Award and the Muse Creative Award, the memorial serves as a vital platform for international engagement with Naxi culture.

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。

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

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: After the morning itinerary, check in at Songtsam Lodge and enjoy a hotel lunch.

Dinner: Indulge in a local-inspired Western cuisine paired with Ao Yun wine, Shangri-La’s iconic red blend. Revered as China’s first "cult wine," Ao Yun captivates connoisseurs with its "elegant and restrained style," "crisp acidity, full-bodied texture, silky tannins, and exceptional concentration." Hailed as a rising star in global viticulture, this complex and graceful wine is a testament to Shangri-La’s unique terroir—where Himalayan altitude meets ancient winemaking artistry.

Evening: Following dinner, unwind with a spa treatment designed to melt away the day’s fatigue and enhance your evening tranquility.
 

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Morning: 【Potatso National Park】-【Napa Lake】

Potatso National Park, China’s first national park, centers around Bita Lake and Shudu Lake, featuring pristine forests, alpine meadows, and rare wildlife such as the Yunnan golden monkey.

The Tibetan name "Potatso" means "Boat Lake," legendarily regarded as a sacred site of Guanyin Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). Here, visitors can immerse themselves in vibrant azalea blossoms that blanket the mountains and explore the Xiagei Tibetan Cultural Village, where Tibetan agrarian life harmonizes with spiritual traditions. The village showcases intricate craftsmanship in woodcarving, thangka paintings, and yak bone/horn carvings, reflecting the wisdom and artistry of Tibetan culture. Scattered around the park are Mani stone piles and ceaselessly spinning prayer wheels along streams, embodying the faith and aspirations of the Tibetan people. The profound religious ambiance itself stands as a captivating cultural landscape.

Napa Lake, known as the "Tear of the Plateau," is called "Napa Tso" (meaning "lake by the forest") by locals. Its seasonal transformation between a lake and a grassland creates a poetic wonder. During the rainy season, the area becomes Napa Lake, submerging the grasslands, while in drier months, it recedes to form the Ila Grassland. Located along the migratory corridor of the western Hengduan Mountains, Napa Lake serves as a critical stopover and wintering ground for rare migratory birds like the black-necked crane and the black stork ("panda of the birds").

With diverse ecosystems and abundant flora and fauna, Napa Lake offers a destination to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate the soul.

At the Napa Lake Ecological Wetland Park, visitors can search for black-necked cranes, experience horseback riding across the grasslands, admire wetland vistas, and indulge in an exclusive wilderness luxury afternoon tea amidst the serene landscape.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch

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.

Dinner: Enjoy a traditional dinner

Evening: After concluding the day's itinerary, return to Songtsam Green Valley to rest.

Breakfast: Hotel breakfast

Morning: [Guishan Park]

After breakfast, depart for Guishan Park in Shangri-La, enjoying scenic views along the way.

The park’s iconic landmark is the Giant Prayer Wheel, reputedly one of the largest in the world. Requiring at least seven people to rotate, each full turn is said to be equivalent to reciting Buddhist mantras 1.24 million times.

Every rotation becomes a meditative act—the chanted prayers seem to resonate through the mountains, amplifying the serenity with solemnity. The collaborative effort to spin the wheel is not only a gesture of respect for Buddhist rituals but also an immersive way to connect with Tibetan spirituality.

Here, gaze upward to endless snow-capped peaks or look down to panoramic views of Shangri-La City. The radiant sunlight, pristine blue skies, majestic temple gates, and the golden prayer wheel compose a sacred panorama, blending natural grandeur with spiritual devotion.

Note: We offer an optional photography service to help you capture your favorite scenery and joyful moments during your journey.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch in Dukezong Ancient Town, Shangri-La.

Afternoon: Depart for Lijiang and check in at a Lijiang hotel.

Dinner: Hotel Dinner

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