Depart from Lijiang: Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong, and Napahai (Yila Grassland) Day Tour

▲ Shangri-La Day Tour Route A: Play only, departing from Lijiang, visiting the Jinsha River Observation Deck, Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La section), Dukezong Ancient Town, Napahai (Yila Grassland), and returning to Lijiang (return on the highway)

▲ 1. Fee includes: entrance fees to all scenic spots, lunch, return highway tolls, round-trip transportation, and travel insurance (free gift items are non-refundable if not used). 2. Fee excludes: Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area elevator, grassland horseback riding (horseback riding package optional), and other personal expenses.

▲ The Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area is flanked by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the south bank and Haba Snow Mountain on the north bank. Tightly bounded by the mountains on both sides, the river's width after entering the gorge is only a little over 50 meters. At its narrowest point, tigers and leopards could easily leap over it, hence the name Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge boasts steep slopes and sheer cliffs, forming a juvenile "V"-shaped canyon. The scenic area enjoys a temperate to cold temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 4.7°C to 16.5°C. The canyon is divided into three sections: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. Located 80 kilometers from Lijiang City, the gorge lies on the upper reaches of the Jinsha River. It stretches 17 kilometers, with a 25-kilometer winding path. With a vertical drop of over 3,900 meters, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Landslides once blocked the river, leaving behind massive boulders that exacerbate the currents.

▲ The Jinsha River flows straight down from north to south, paralleling the Lancang and Nu Rivers. At Shigu, Lijiang, the "First Bend of the Yangtze River," the Jinsha River turns left and heads east, passing between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain, carving out one of the world's deepest canyons: Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge, a vibrant blend of snow-capped mountains, canyons, and rivers, is a key component of the "Western Yunnan Shangri-La Ecological Tourism Area," one of Yunnan Province's six major tourist areas, and the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers Natural Heritage Site. The scenic area boasts a vibrant mix of snow-capped mountains, canyons, rivers, and the Huaquan Terrace.

▲ Before the Yuan Dynasty, Tiger Leaping Gorge was known as Yuemiegen Pass. It was called Xueshanmen Pass during the Yuan Dynasty, Tiger Leaping Stream during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and Tiger Leaping Beach during the Republic of China. Because the narrow part was so narrow that tigers and leopards could easily leap over it, it was named Tiger Leaping Gorge. In 1958, when the People's Commune was established, the name was changed to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a name that has remained to this day. The scenic area opened to the public in 1992.

▲ Tears of Shangri-La - Napahai Yila Grassland Napahai Nature Reserve is known as the "Tears of Shangri-La". It is the largest spring pasture in northwest Yunnan. It is the plateau lake Napahai in the rainy season and the Yila grassland in the dry season. It is a rare seasonal plateau lake. Napahai is called "Napacuo" in Tibetan, which means "the lake behind the forest". It is 3,266 meters above sea level and has a water accumulation area of ​​660 square kilometers. It is a seasonal lake and grassland landscape on the plateau. It is also an ideal habitat for the black-necked crane, a national first-class protected animal. In late summer and early autumn, the amount of water is large. In winter and spring, the water surface shrinks, and the rippling lake water turns into a large swamp meadow. In autumn, the grassland is golden, and the snow-capped peaks are reflected in the lake, like a paradise. You can ride a horse on the Napahai Yila grassland to view the lake and see "the wind blowing the grass low".

▲ During the rainy season, the lake overflows the ring road, merging with the lake itself. Start your journey by driving along this road, enjoying the freedom of the lake's center and soaking in the beauty of the lake and mountains. The car races through the water, creating a white dragon, while you savor the thrill of the breeze and the water. Strolling barefoot along the water road with family and friends, a moment of leisurely enjoyment is truly a relaxing experience. September at Napa Lake, a vibrant season between summer and autumn, is a vibrant blend of red, yellow, and green. As autumn and winter arrive, the grasslands blaze with golden color, the distant mountains dark blue, and their snow-capped peaks reflected in the lake. During this season, black-necked cranes, yellow ducks, and bar-headed geese flock here, frolicking among the grass and roaming on the water, lending the vast, ethereal grasslands a poetic quality.

▲ Napahai Nature Reserve is world-famous for its black-necked cranes. In addition to black-necked cranes, there are also provincially protected animals such as grey geese, bar-headed geese and grey cranes, as well as a large number of waterfowl. It can be called a "bird watching paradise". The villagers and the birds living in the lake are photographed together. This is a beautiful home shared by humans and birds. In the severe winter, the mountains dance like silver snakes and the plains gallop like wax elephants. In the wetlands of Napahai, a group of heroic black-necked cranes are particularly eye-catching and stand out. Now, about 300 black-necked cranes overwinter here every year. Napahai is an important wintering ground for white-tailed sea eagles in Yunnan. The number has gradually increased in recent years. In the early morning, they rest on the pine trees in the lake bay. When the temperature rises, they prey on fish and geese and ducks in the swamp wetlands. In the picture, a white-tailed sea eagle flies over the head of a merganser.

▲ Located in the central part of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, within Jiantang Town in the Zhongdian Basin, Dukezong Ancient Town was a historically important town and military garrison in Shangri-La (Jiedi, Jietang, and Zhongdian), and a crucial post station along the Yunnan-Tibet section of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Radially centered around Dagui Mountain, Dukezong Ancient Town covers an area of ​​1.5 square kilometers. "Dukezong," an ancient Tibetan place name, is also known as "Zongrao Dangapo" and "Daweizong," meaning "Moonlight City." Facing Niwangzong, the "Sunlight City" where the sun rises first, on the banks of the Nazi River, the town shares a common radiant brilliance, earning it the nickname "the sun and moon in one's heart."

▲ The entire layout of Dukezong Ancient City is based on Sifang Street, which is divided into four areas in the east, south, west and north. Each area leads to a different place. The terrain is like a blooming eight-petal lotus, with 3 streets (Beimen Street, Jinlong Street and Cangfang Street) and 33 alleys crisscrossing each other. The ancient city has a long history, dating back more than 1,300 years. In the eighth year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty (634), Tubo Songtsen Gampo sent troops to occupy Jiantangbazi and built an official village on the Big Turtle Mountain. During the Yifeng and Tiaolu years of the Tang Dynasty (676-679), Tubo established a village on the top of the Big Turtle Mountain, named "Dukezong". In the Ming Dynasty, the Mu chieftain of Lijiang occupied the Tibetan area in southern Kang and moved a large number of Naxi people to Diqing. "Dukezong" became a military fortress of the Naxi people. In the 21st year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1756), Zhongdian Hall was built.