Itinerary guide

6 Days in Lijiang & Shangri-La: Gorge and Monastery

If this is your first trip to China, this 6-day route gives you time for an altitude-aware alternative to the lakeside route. You’ll follow Lijiang → Shangri-La → Lijiang, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 6 days
  • 3 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 2 min read

By Rachel Chen

Golden roofs and ochre walls at Songzanlin Monastery
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Lijiang2 nights
  2. Shangri-La2 nights
  3. Lijiang1 night
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
An altitude-aware alternative to the lakeside route
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Lijiang → Shangri-La → Lijiang

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Lijiang → Shangri-La → Lijiang, with 5 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

An altitude-aware alternative to the lakeside route. The daily suggestions keep the focus on one or two outings rather than a long sightseeing list. Adjust optional walks to your energy, and treat travel days as travel days.

This is a planning guide rather than a booked package. Confirm connections, accommodation, opening arrangements and any reservations for your actual dates. The 6 days begin on arrival in China; international flights may need additional travel days.

Day-by-day itinerary

Lijiang

Days 1 – 2

Time for Lijiang

Use Lijiang as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 1Lijiang: Arrive and settle in

    Arrive in Lijiang and take time to settle in. Keep the rest of the day light so you can rest after the journey. Route: Arrival point to your accommodation in Lijiang Stay: Lijiang Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A stone gateway in Lijiang Ancient Town
    • Overnight in Lijiang

  2. Day 2Lijiang: A slower day in Lijiang

    Wander through Lijiang Ancient Town and leave room to rest. You don't need a second excursion to fill this day. Route: Lijiang Ancient Town Stay: Lijiang Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A stone gateway in Lijiang Ancient Town
    • Overnight in Lijiang

Shangri-La

Days 3 – 4

Time for Shangri-La

Use Shangri-La as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 3Lijiang to Shangri-La: A short outing after the move

    Travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La, allowing time to settle in. Stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge only if the journey and your fitness allow. Route: Lijiang to Shangri-La via Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiaoxia) Stay: Shangri-La Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Fast-flowing water between the cliffs of Tiger Leaping Gorge
    • Overnight in Shangri-La

  2. Day 4Shangri-La: Monastery and old-town streets

    Spend time at Songzanlin Monastery and Dukezong Ancient Town. Keep the pace gentle and allow for your response to the altitude. Route: Songzanlin Monastery and Dukezong Ancient Town Stay: Shangri-La Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Golden roofs and ochre walls at Songzanlin Monastery
    • Overnight in Shangri-La

Lijiang

Days 5 – 6

Time for Lijiang

Use Lijiang as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 5Shangri-La to Lijiang: Travel and settle in

    Travel from Shangri-La to Lijiang and leave the day mainly for the journey. Settle in before deciding whether you feel like a short walk. Route: Shangri-La to Lijiang Stay: Lijiang Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    • Overnight in Lijiang

  2. Day 6Lijiang: Leave room for departure

    Leave Lijiang according to your onward travel plans. Keep the day clear for packing and the journey to your departure point. Route: Your accommodation to your departure point in Lijiang Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Lijiang → Shangri-La → Lijiang with the overnight bases listed separately, so you can see where each change of accommodation belongs.

    • Room for the journeys

      Arrival, departure and transfer days count towards the total. They are not treated as extra full sightseeing days.

    • A focused daily plan

      Give the main outing time, then decide on optional walks according to your energy rather than adding every nearby attraction.

    Before you go

    • Confirm each connection

      Choose intercity and local connections for your travel dates, including station or airport transfers. The suggested transport modes are not booked services.

    • Reservations and opening arrangements

      Check each attraction’s current opening arrangements and reservation process before fixing the order of your days.

    • Images and editorial review

      Images are AI-edited previews based on historical location photographs. Usage rights and visual details await review. Travel-day photographs illustrate the destination, not a promised visit.

    • Choose outings to suit your health

      Some suggested outings involve altitude or sustained walking. Check suitability for your own health and fitness, and simplify the route when needed.

    Sources

    Plan My Trip