This is frontierland, China ! Yunnan is like the last bastion of Han China, before merging into Tibetan China on its west, and Indo-China on its south and east. The result is a land where myriad cultures thrive; from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lijiang, to Tibetan Zhongdian and Deqin, the latter marking the route proper into Tibet . But culture aside, Yunnan also abounds in adventure, with the Mingyong Glaciers outside Deqin, horsing around in the pastures of Yak Meadow and surely the highlight, a 4 days trek onto the Tiger Leaping Gorge—a walk of wondrous sights, scents, and senses!
This trip involves travel by some public buses and an 8 days
bus or jeep hire. We stay in a mix of 2 star hotels with
attached bathrooms in bigger towns and guesthouses with common or shared bathrooms
in smaller places. As with most Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals, entrance
fees, bicycle hire and other activities.
Tea Horse Trade Guesthouse on TLG / Autumn leaves on Mingyong Glacier walk
Note on the TLG Trek - We leave our main luggage with the vehicles and carry only what is needed on the 3 days trek. The last group used the horses to carry the luggage at a cost of Rm30 per luggage for the duration of the trek. This is recommended because it was much easier walking without the backpacks. We'll enjoy the scenery and photo-taking much better. Participants can also opt to ride all the way or part of the way. The cost is Rm50 for a day hire. A few past participants decided on this for the "steep" 28 bends on day 2 and all walked the rest of the way after hitting the top. Another option is for 2 pax to share one horse i.e. taking turns riding and walking.
Day
1 KLIA to Kunming: We fly Thai Airways TG420 to Bangkok at 8AM arriving 910AM , follow by TG612 to Kunming at 1050AM arriving 205PM. We have a few hours to freshen up a spa, before dinner and the overnight sleeper bus 10hr to Lijiang. This overnight trip saves us precious touring time but may be uncomfortable for some. Overnight (ON)
sleeper bus to Lijang.
Day 2 Lijang: We arrive in Lijiang 2400m in the early morning and
spend the rest of the day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage town. In the late morning we bicycle to a nearby Baisha Naxi minority village. ON Lijiang.
Day 3 Zhongdian: We hire a bus for 8 days, first taking us through the Tiger Leaping Gorge lower roads, then to Baishutai or White Water Terraces, only one of three places with travertine terraces in the world. Total drive will be about 8 hr and we expect to arrive in Zhongdian aka Shangri-La at about 7pm. ON Zhongdian.
Day 4 Deqin: We do a dawn visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the largest
Tibetan temple in Yunnan. Then its off to Feilaishi Deqin 168km 6hr. The population from Zhongdian onwards are 80% Tibetan. ON Felaishi.
Day 5 Minyong Glacier: We wake up early to catch the sun as it rises over
the Meili Snow Mountains peaking at 6740m. It will take us two hours to get to nearest village
for Minyong Glacier climb, 2-3 hours trek one-way. Optional horse rides are available to
take "non-climbers" up near the top. These mountains are a place of pilgrimage for Tibetans and also another UNESCO Site. ON Felaishi.
Day 6
Zhongdian: We return to Zhongdian, stopping along the way to enjoy the spectacular views of the Meili & Baimang Snow Mountain, as well as the first bend in the Jinsha River, commonly known as the Omega Bend. In Zhongdian, we spend the evening in the Old Town and also to catch the locals at their dance/exercise routine every evening at the Old Square. ON Zhongdian.
