May Day Reverse Tour: Drive along the Shangri-La East Loop, see snow-capped mountains and seas of flowers, and enjoy a breathtaking hike

Number of days: 4 days
Time: April
Average cost: 3000 yuan
With whom: and friends
Tour kinds: Photography, self-driving, free travel, hiking
Updated: 2024.05.05

Foreword

"Spring in Tibet is like a poem, and I am a wandering poet who happened to pass by.
The lakes on the plateau reflect the light of the sky, and the songs in the moonlight city echo all night long.
All things are quietly resurrected, and the rivers are quietly flowing."

The wheels slowly passed by in the sunshine, and we embarked on the eastern loop line to Shangri-La, a journey in search of poetry and the distance.
We walked through the forest beside the snow-capped mountains, where the hidden spring was ready to burst forth,
We walked through the village beside the lake, where the rhododendrons were blooming all over the pass,
We walked through the canyons in the high mountains, and the majestic rapids carried us forward courageously.
This route this spring is like a ribbon carefully woven by God, connecting countless enchanting beautiful scenes.

Itinerary

Day 1 Alpine Botanical Garden - Napa Lake at the Gate of Heaven - Flower Sea at the Pass - Jiuxian Peak Observation Deck Accommodation: Baishuitai Hotel

Day 2 Baishuitai - Lower Tiger Leaping Leap - Overlooking Haba Snow Mountain - Middle Tiger Leaping Leap - Upper Tiger Leap Accommodation: Shangri-La Lexi B&B

Day 3 & 4 Shangri-La Old Town Accommodation: Lexi B&B

Visit the Alpine Botanical Garden for a Rendezvous with Tulips and Napa Lake

I seem to have a special connection with Yunnan lately. I've been here three times in the past three months, and this time it's the Shangri-La of my dreams. After five years, I'm back here again. This time, I'm here for the Tibetan spring and the sea of flowers on the plateau. The world's "Shangri-La" Flower Tour and the 10th Open-air Globe Flower Exhibition opened at the Shangri-La Alpine Botanical Garden. Yaya was fortunate to be there and experience the vibrant atmosphere. Grandmas and young girls, young and old, clutched flowers, their faces beaming with smiles.

Walking along the forest path draped with prayer flags leading to the event site, I quietly savored the beauty of this place. Here, you can do a lot of things, such as conducting research on the protection, reproduction and domestication of alpine plant germplasm resources, carrying out environmental monitoring and management of the habitats of rare wild animal and plant species, conducting research on the rescue and protection of rare plant species, collecting and analyzing basic data on rare wild animal and plant species, introducing and domesticating Tibetan medicinal plants and building GAP industrialized production, and conducting research on the introduction, breeding and domestication of wild flowers with characteristics of northwest Yunnan... src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf4b12000dvvc5h34390_W_671_0_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" />

But this time I just want to quietly go on a romantic flower journey. Flowers have an appointment, spring is not late, and it is the beautiful season for tulips to bloom, so let's start from here. Afterward, you can overlook the beautiful Napa Lake from the Sky Gate next to the botanical garden. Don't miss the cafe next to it. The view is excellent, and you can enjoy the beautiful lake view while sipping coffee. If the weather is good, this is also a great place to watch the sunset.

This beautiful sea of rhododendrons, the first wave of people to chase flowers in Shangri-La successfully

We are probably the first wave of people to come to Shangri-La to chase the sea of flowers! Starting from May, rhododendrons in various parts of Shangri-La have bloomed one after another, including big rhododendrons, small rhododendrons, alpine rhododendrons, forest rhododendrons, tree rhododendrons, dwarf rhododendrons... They are blooming in patches on the roadside, in the woods, and by the streams. It is so beautiful that it is "indescribable"!

It is said that the scenery along this highway is very nice, with canyons, snow-capped mountains, colorful forests, and villages. The key is that there are very few people, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery alone. There are also many viewing platforms on the roadside, so you don’t have to worry about parking problems.

Immortal Land, the Beautiful Baishuitai

Baishuitai is located just above the hotel, so the next morning we headed straight for it. It's said to be one of the birthplaces of the Naxi Dongba religion.

Aerial photography is a must. Baishuitai is truly stunning from a bird's-eye view. I immediately understood why it's called "The Immortal's Relics."
It's a white wonderland, layer upon layer of calcium carbonate terraces shimmering in the sunlight. Like countless pieces of white jade, stacked together, they form a spectacular spectacle. Each terrace resembles a work of art meticulously crafted by nature, each distinct yet harmoniously unified. When I first saw Baishuitai, I was shocked by its purity.

Overlooking Haba Snow Mountain from a Distance

Continue along Huxiang Highway and take in the majestic Haba Snow Mountain reaching into the sky and the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge. Haba Snow Mountain stands quietly in the distance. "Haba" means "flower of gold" in the Naxi language. Haba Snow Mountain faces Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across Tiger Leaping Gorge. Its highest peak reaches 5,396 meters, while its lowest point, at the river level, is 1,550 meters above sea level. The mountain's upper reaches are relatively flat, while its lower reaches are steep and sheer, creating a scene of precarious majesty, beauty, and mystery. That towering peak, like a guardian of the earth, stands between heaven and earth, protecting this pristine land. Gazing upon the snow-capped mountain, a feeling of respect and awe wells up in my heart. From the Haba Observation Deck, one can unwind in unison over the pristine white Haba Snow Mountain, which echoes with the quaint villages at its foot, creating a fairyland on earth.

Tiger Leaping Gorge—the very name sounds brimming with mystery and excitement! As a major attraction in Yunnan Province, it's definitely worth a visit! After years, I returned to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a place I'd longed for. Unlike previous visits, this time I opted for a combined drive and hike, starting from Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, continuing to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, and finally reaching Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, experiencing breathtaking canyon scenery along the way.

Arriving at Middle Tiger Leaping, we find a completely different scenery. Find a restaurant with a view overlooking the canyon and enjoy lunch. The magnificent canyon scenery and the satisfying food are intertwined. It's nice.

Then I headed to Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. Upon arriving at the scenic area, I chose a less strenuous route—taking the escalator down to the canyon directly for a hike.
Tips: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge now has an escalator leading directly to the canyon bottom. This is undoubtedly a great news for those who just want to enjoy the canyon scenery without having to hike too far!

I heard that a reservoir is planned for Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the scenery may no longer be as magnificent as it is today. So hurry up and cherish the beautiful scenery before your eyes, and hurry up and have a look if you haven’t been here yet

I haven’t been out for three days, and I feel very satisfied living here overlooking Dukezong Ancient Town

After walking along the Shangri-La East Ring Road, I was so tired and overworked that I just wanted to stay quietly in Dukezong Ancient Town for two days to relax. I was fortunate to have chosen the right homestay this time. The moment I stepped foot inside Lexi, I was immediately captivated by its rich Tibetan charm. Rough stone walls, exquisite carvings, vibrant colors, a hearth, musical instruments, a fireplace, solid wood furnishings, soft fabrics, warm lighting, and meticulously detailed decor—every corner reveals the owner's thoughtful attention to detail, making you feel right at home. The large rooftop terrace is truly stunning, offering a commanding view of the entire Dukezong Ancient Town. Distant mountains, ancient temples, and bustling streets unfold like a painting. The adjacent sunroom is also quite nice. I spent half a day there, enjoying breakfast, afternoon tea, and reading. Because I was able to stay an extra two days at the last minute and the B&B was incredibly popular, I ended up staying in three different room types over three nights (thankfully, there was a hostess who helped with packing and moving luggage throughout the stay, so I didn't have to worry too much). These included a triple room, a starry sky duplex suite, and a sunlit duplex suite. All rooms were fully equipped, with separate wet and dry areas, a dining table, TV, bathtub, and smart toilet. Disposable toiletries were standard, along with a custom-made botanical toiletries set. (The scent is truly botanical, leaving your skin feeling smooth and silky smooth after washing.) Each room is unique. The triple rooms and suites are perfect for families or friends. On our last day, I spent time in the duplex attic, catching up on work while gazing out at the ancient city. It was a truly rare moment of relaxation.

The boss and the front desk lady are very hospitable. You can enjoy breakfast anywhere, whether it is in your room, the living room, or the terrace. If they see you are alone for lunch or dinner, they will invite you to eat together.
In short, every moment at Lexi B&B was extremely comfortable and cozy.

ps The location of Lexi B&B is also super convenient. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk in from the north gate (luggage is picked up and dropped off by the B&B car). Not far away is Sifang Street Square. The Guozhuang dance (Tibetan "square dance") is super lively from 8 to 9 in the evening, rain or shine. There are also various supermarkets, restaurants and travel photography shops nearby.
📍Address: No. 18, Cuolang, Dukezong Ancient Town, Shangri-La