How to Plan Yunnan Hiking Tour

Yunnan has a diverse topography that ranges from alpine snowy peaks to tropical rain forests, possessing the greatest number of plant and animals species, fascinating terraces and diverse ethnic groups. Yunnan is a paradise for hikers. There are many classic and famous hiking routes, like Yubeng Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Meili Snow Mountain, Jiaozi Snow Mountain, Bingzhongluo and the like, attracting many domestic and foreign hikers. The hiking difficulty coefficient in some parts of Yunnan is small, if it is your first time to hike, you may consider coming to Yunnan. On the hike route, you can not only meet like-minded friends, but also enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, in the meantime, hiking tour can challenge your physical limits and help you to go beyond yourself. Now, pack your bags and set off a hiking tour.

Make Your Hiking Destinations Sure

Yunnan hiking tours in Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Xishuangbanna, Yuanyang and Nujiang are favored by thousands of adventure tourists. Our hiking tour packages in Yunnan range from one day to 20 days. You can spend one day hiking around several scenic spots during your Yunnan travel or combine more places to plan a long hiking tour. The classic and famous hiking places in Yunnan include Jiaozi Snow Mountain in Kunming; Cangshan Mountain in Dali; Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang; Meili Snow Mountain, Haba Snow Mountain, Yubeng Village and Niru Village in Diqing; Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang; And Bingzhongluo in Nujiang, etc.

Hiking Tours in Different Places

Kunming Hiking Tour

Jiaozi Mountain is a great tourist attraction for hiking in Kunming. A 2 days hiking tour is worth.

Jiaozi Snow Mountain Tour(Hiking Tour)

Jiaozi Mountain, as the first Mountain in the middle of Yunnan, is situated on the border of Luquan County and Dongchuan District of Kunming City, the main peak is 4,223 meters above the sea level. In the spring and summer, countless Indian azaleas blossom out just like sea, the color of mountain meadows becomes gorgeous; when the winter comes, the mountain is covered with snow. Jiaozi Mountain is a great tourist attraction for exporation. Since it is not far from Dongchuan, a Dongchuan Red Land tour can be continued after the Jiaozi Snow Mountain Hiking.

2 Days Jiaozi Snow Mountain Hiking Tour
2 Days Kunming Dongchuan Red Land and Jiaozi Snow Mountain Tour

Dali Hiking Tour

When it comes to Dali tour, Cangshan Mountain is a main attraction that can not be missed for those who love the natural scenery. Cangshan is a high mountain rising above the Dali city in the western of Yunnan province. It is a scenic spot and a good hiking area in Dali.

Cangshan Mountain Tour(Cangshan Hiking Tour)

While hiking at Cangshan Mountain, you will experience a 10-km hike from a small and quiet farming village at the foot of Cangshan Mountain through terraced fields, tea plantations and along the edge of a dramatic river gorge to a beautiful alpine meadow with hidden waterfalls and stunning views of Erhai Lake at an elevation of 2600 meters above sea level. If you want to hike at Cangshan Mountain only and enjoy the leisure time in Dali, there are one day Cangshan Mountain hiking tours you can choose.

1 Day Dali Cangshan Mountain Hiking Tour to Xiaocenfeng Peak 4092M
1 Day Dali Easy Hiking Tour to Cangshan Mountain

In addition, we also have 2 Days Dali Pilgrimage Hiking Tour from Erhai Lake to Jizu Mountain, through which you will enjoy the sunrise of Jizu Mountain and pay a visit to the Huashou Gate(华守门) and then Zhusheng Temple(祝圣寺) to experience the mystery of Buddhism.

Lijiang Hiking Tour

When it comes to Lijiang hiking tour, there must be Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

1. Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour

Tiger Leaping Gorge is spectacular and crown as the deepest gorge in the world. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s and now Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour has been one of the most famous hiking tour all around the world. If you want to hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge only, there are 1-3 days Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking tours you can choose.

1 Day Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour (Lijiang Part)
1 Day Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour from Tina’s Hotel to The Middle Rapid and Hetaoyuan Village
1 Day Tiger Leaping Gorge Highlight Hiking Tour from Bendiwan Village to Tina’s Hostel
2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Group Tour
2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour
3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour

2. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour

Except for Lijiang Ancient Town and Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is another must-see attractions in Lijiang. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is included in almost all Lijiang Tour Packages. Spend at least one day hiking or visiting Jade Snow Mountain can let you enjoy the fantastic view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and explore the Naxi ethnic culture better.

1 Day Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour with Impression Lijiang Show
1 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Tour (5100 Meters) from Yuhu Village
1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Tour from Yufeng Monastery to Yulong Reservoir and Yuhu Village
1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Tour (4642 Meters) from Wenhai Lake

In addition, we also have the trekking tours that combine Tiger Leaping Gorge with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour with Daju Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
7 Days Lijiang Trekking Tour around Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

3. Other Hiking Tours

Besides Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village and Wenhai Lake are also usually included in Lijiang Hiking Tour. This tour is designed for travelers who want to experience the ethnic life and culture in Lijiang. On the way, you will pass through ethnic villages, grasslands, meadows, flowers sea, rivers and lakes. Enjoy the high mountain scenery and discover ethnic culture in the tour.

1 Day Lijiang Hiking Tour from Wenhai Lake to Yuhu Village
3 Days Lijiang Hiking Tour from Yuhu Village to Wenhai Lake and Yangyuchang Village

Read More:
Hiking Tour Tips around Lijiang
Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour Tips

Shangri-la Hiking Tour

Five main hiking places related to Shangri-la hiking tour are Tiger Leaping Gorge, Meili Snow Mountain, Haba Snow Mountain, Yubeng Village and Niru Village. In shangri-la hiking Tour, these four places can appear separately, and also can be combined together.

1. Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour

When it comes to Shangri-la hiking tour, there must be Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is spectacular and crown as the deepest gorge in the world. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s and now Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour has been one of the most famous hiking tour all around the world. If you want to hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge only, there are 1-3 days Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking tours you can choose. Furthermore, tiger leaping gorge is divided into Shangri-la section and Lijiang Section, therefore, this hiking tour usually starts from Lijiang, and you can visit the highlights of Lijiang, like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town, before trekking tour. Accordingly, 1-2 more days need to add.

7 Days Lijiang and Shangri-La Paradise Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Adventure
10 Days Shangri-La Hiking Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge and Niru Alpine Pasture
10 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure and Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Tour
12 Days Lijiang and Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour with Haba Snow Mountain Climbing and Baoshan Stone Town

2. Haba Snow Mountain Hiking Tour

Haba Snow Mountain is the best mountain for climbing tours in Yunnan with an elevation of 5396 meters in the summit. For 5 days Haba Snow Mountain climbing tour, you will have one more day for adapting high altitude from Base Camp to Base Camp 1. If you often go to high altitude areas and want to have a try to reach the summit of a mountain at 5396 meters, please don’t hesitate to join our snow mountain climbing tour.

4 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour
5 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Adventure (Camping at 4800M) with Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour
7 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour and Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour

However, you can also get a hiking tour at Haba Snow Mountain. Our Haba Snow Mountain hiking tours take at least 5 days, and during the 5 days tour, you can:

  • Experience the local life and ethnic culture in ethnic villages like Haba Village(Must-see), Bendiwan Village, Tuguang Village or Dongpo Village.
  • Appreciate the booming azalea flowers and charming landscape of Haba Snow Mountain.
  • Never miss the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.
  • Get satisfaction from circumambulating Haba Snow Mountain.
  • Enjoy the fresh pastures, grasslands, forests and lakes along the hiking route.

5 Days Haba Snow Mountain Circumambulation Hiking Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure (Finishing in North Slope)
5 Days Haba Snow Mountain Circumambulation Hiking Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure (Finishing in Qiaotou Town)
5 Days Haba Snow Mountain Flowers Hiking Tour

3. Yubeng Village Trekking Tour

Yubeng Village is known for the beautiful valley it lies in and the trekking which departs from it. Under the extraordinary craftsman by nature, Yubeng village is called the miniature version of the real Shangri-La. When trekking in Yubeng Village, tourists will have a sense of walking in Shangri-La. Located at the back of the Meli Snow Mountain, it is surrounded by mountains. Because of its unique location, there are only 20 households living here and connects outside world only with one small road. Yubeng Village is divided into upper Yubeng village and lower Yubeng village. From upper village, tourists can go to the base camp of the Joint Sino-Japanese, while from the lower village, tourists can go to Yubeng, Ancient Seal Character and other scenic spots. Therefore, Yubeng village trekking is usually associated with Meili Snow Mountain. 

7 Days Shangri-La Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour

Tours Including Yubeng Village:
10 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure and Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Tour
13 Days Three Parallel Rivers Circle Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng Village Hiking Tour
20 Days Yunnan Three Parallel Rivers Adventure Trekking Tour

Read More: 
Can I Take a Tour or Trek to Yubeng Village and Meili Snow Mountain in Winter?
The Sacred Waterfall of Yubeng Village in Deqin County, Diqing
Ice Lake of Yubeng Village in Meili Snow Mountain, Diqing
The Sacred Lake of Yubeng Village in Meili Snow Mountain, Diqing

4. Niru Village Hiking Tour

Niru is a beautiful land that boasts a wide variety of different ecosystems, including meadows, forests and lakes. Niru Village, a tranquil Tibetan village, is where you can find traditional Tibetan houses scattered in the valley on both sides of Niru River like pearls. Both the natural and cultural environment in Niru Village are well preserved, earning the title “The World’s First Village”. It is a paradise for tourism, adventure and hiking.

3 Days Shangri-La Niru Village Hiking Tour
4 Days Shangri-La Alpine Pasture and Niru Village Hiking Tour
10 Days Shangri-La Hiking Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge and Niru Alpine Pasture

Read More:
4 Days Shangri-La Bala Gezong Grand Canyon Hiking Tour
Qicai Waterfalls of Niru Village in Shangri-La, Diqing
How to Get to Niru Village from Shangri-La City
Traditional Ethnic Villages List in Yunnan Province

Xishuangbanna Hiking Tour

Xishuangbanna Hiking Tour mainly refers to Ethnic Village Hiking Tour and Tea Mountain Hiking Tour.

1. Ethnic Village Hiking tour

Step into local ethnic villages like Aini Village, Bulang Village, Jinuo Village, Dai Village, etc., to experience their daily lives and minority cultures, as well as see the rustic and idyllic landscape. In the meantime, you can also explore the tea culture in the ethnic villages.

2 Days Xishuangbanna Ethnic Villages Hiking Tour from Bada to Zhanglang
3 Days XishuangBanna Hiking Tour to Yao Ethnic Village and The Air Corridor
6 Days XishuangBanna Damenglong Ethnic Villages Hiking Tour
6 Days XishuangBanna Tea Culture and Ethnic Villages Hiking Tour from Bada to Xiding

2. Tea Mountain Hiking Tour

If you’re a lover of tea and have a passion for outdoor travel, if you would like to explore the source of Tea & Horse Roads, as well as experience Xishuangbanna Pu’er tea culture and folk customs, tea mountain hiking tour in Xishuangbanna can be a good choice. And the ancient six major tea mountains must be the sites you can not miss. Ethnic villages of Dai, Hani, Yi, Jinuo and Yao are scattered in the mountains. Every ethnic group has its own tea custom. Actually, tea mountain hiking tour is basically combined with ethnic village hiking tour.

1 Day XishuangBanna Nannuo Tea Mountain and Aini Ethnic Village Hiking Tour
6 Days XishuangBanna Yiwu Mountain Tea Culture Hiking Tour
6 Days XishuangBanna Tea Mountain Hiking Tour to Bada, Zhanglang, Xiding and Nannuo Tea Mountain
6 Days XishuangBanna Tropical Forest and Jingmai Ancient Tea Mountain Hiking Tour

Other Hiking Route:
4 Days XishuangBanna Hiking Tour to Ganlanba Basin and Mekong River

Yuanyang Rice Terraces Hiking Tour

There are many natural landscapes you can find in Yunnan tours, among them, Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces hold a really good reputation. Yuanyang Rice Terraces are the Hani ethnic minority’s masterpiece of ingenuity. In unique shapes and sizes with thousands of years of history, they form a mosaic of colorful and breathtaking landscapes of natural beauty. Known as a “land sculpture”, the terraced fields have been officially acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. There are three popular scenic areas: Duoyishu, Bada, and Laohuzui. Yuanyang rice terraces are not only a paradise for photographers, but also a very good place to hike. You are recommended to spend at least one day hiking around the rice terraces, so that you can enjoy the fabulous view of Hani rice terraces and experience the ethnic culture of Hani and Yi better.

1 Day Yuanyang Duoyishu Hani Rice Terraces Hiking Tour with Hani,Yi Ethnic Villages and Mushroom-Shaped Houses
1 Day Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Hiking Tour from Duoyishu to Laohuzui
1 Day Yuanyang Bada Hani Rice Terraces Hiking Tour

Read More:
Hiking Tours and Travel Tips of Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces
Hiking Tour around Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces

Nujiang Hiking Tour

Bingzhongluo Hiking Tour

The most popular hiking place in Nujiang is Bingzhongluo. Bingzhongluo, which is called ‘A Heaven of Peace and Happiness’, is the most beautiful place in Nujiang Grand Canyon. When you hike on the Tea Horse Road of millennium, see the roaring Nujiang River running among the steep cliff and deep valley, splendid church and temple, tranquil villages, thick forest and towering snow mountain, you may lose yourself in the wonderful landscape. The Nujiang Gorge running from northwest Yunnan to Tibet lies in a narrow strip of land bordering Myanmar, sandwiched to the west by Gaoligong Mountain range and the Biluo Mountain range on the east. Therefore, Nujiang hiking tour is usually related to Bingzhongluo and Nujiang valley.

5 Days Amazing Nujiang Valley and Biluo Moutain Trekking
6 Days Nujiang Grand Canyon Adventure with Bingzhongluo Hiking Tour
7 Days Nujiang Gaoli Gongshan Mountain Peak Hiking Tour from Bingzhongluo

Read More: 
Nujiang Bingzhongluo Hiking Tour to Chala and Shuangla Villages
Bingzhongluo Entertainment in Nujiang
Bingzhongluo Restaurants in Nujiang
Bingzhongluo Culture in Nujiang

Dulongjiang Hiking Tour

This tour is designed for those who like exploring new thing. Dulong River is considered as ‘the Natural Museum of Wild Plants’ and is the part of the most intact sustainable landscape. It gets its name from one of China’s 56 ethnic groups – Dulong Ethnic Minority who lives in this area for generations. Because of the unique geographic position of Dulong River, few travelers come while the beautiful scenery and special humanistic culture bring much charm. Therefore, hiking at Dulongjiang is both enjoyable and challenging. Our Dulongjiang hiking tours are usually involved with Bingzhongluo. During the hiking tour, you will:

  • Sightsee the Nujiang Grand Canyon, Dulongjiang River Valley and other attractions, and feel the true charm of nature.
  • Hike in Dulongjiang river valley and Bingzhongluo, explore ethnic villages like Maku Village and Qinlangdang Village there.
  • Experience the ethnic culture of Lisu, Nu and Dulong minorities along the way.

Besides, if you would like, you can start your tour from Kunming, then to Lijiang and Shangri-la, save your Dulongjiang and Bingzhongluo hiking tour for last. It will be a long journey, but you will have chances to visit the highlights of Lijiang and Shangri-la, including Ancient town of Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow MountainTiger Leaping GorgeGanden Sumtseling MonasteryDukezong Tibetan Ancient Town and so on. More details, please check the following itineraries or contact us YunnanExploration by Email: contact@YunnanExploration.com or Telephone: +86-871-63511469.

9 Days Nujiang Grand Canyon Tour with Dulongjiang River Valley Hiking Adventure
15 Days Three Parallel Rivers Overland Adventure with Dulongjiang River Valley and Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

Gaoli Gongshan Mountain Hiking Tour

Go and give yourself a challenging but beautiful hiking tour in Yunnan, meet “the azaleas Kingdom in the world” and find the eight famous flowers in Gaoli gongshan MountainGaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve lies at the conjunction of Baoshan City, Tengchong County and Lushui County, west of Yunnan Province. Here, mainly refers to the part of Baoshan. Gaoligongshan is the home of many endangered species of animals and plants. In spring, the azaleas are in full bloom and spreads out the hillside and valleys. In addition, waterfalls, snow mountains, lakes and rivers can be easily found there. Gradually, it becomes the paradise of photographing and hiking for its fabulous scenery.

5 Days Gaoli Gongshan Mountain Hiking Tour from Baihualing to Tengchong

Other Hiking Tours

Yunnan Trekking Tours Including Baoshan Stone Town, Lugu Lake and Tiger Leaping Gorge

Baoshan Stone Town is not a town made of stone as it is named, but a big village built on a huge stone. Baoshan Stone City is a Village with real natural barrier, with the cliffs surrounding on three sides, and Jinsha River Protecting the fourth side; There are only two stone doors in the north and south available for access. Lugu Lake is surrounded by high and sublime mountains and is snowbound for over 3 months. Since the lake is rather deep, a definite regulating influence is exerted on the temperature of the lake shores. Therefore the surrounding mountains abound in forest resources which afford an exquisite beauty, much fresh air and charming scenery. At present it is one of the places in China which is least damaged by human efforts and best preserved in its natural features. It is the native place of “The Females’ Kingdom” composed of the Mosuo people, a branch of the Naxi nationality. During the tours, You can enjoy the charming scenery along the way and experience the life of Mosuo people, in the meantime, you will be amazed at the magic nature whiling visiting Baoshan Stone Town and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

10 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge and from Baoshan Stone Town to Lugu Lake
13 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour from Lugu Lake to Baoshan Stone Town and Tiger Leaping Gorge

Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Hiking Tour

A Pilgrimage around a sacred mountain is called Kora. Nowadays the KawaKarpo area have become an essential part of the Three Parallel Rivers Park, being a World Natural Heritage entitled by UNESCO. Mt. KawaKarpo is considered by the pilgrims as the holy area, and it used to be raved by the early western visitors as a paradise of flora. Till today more and more tourists are thrilled by the extraordinary scenery when traveling in Meili Snow Mountain. This is an unique opportunity to trek with the friendly Tibetan people doing one of the most important pilgrimages of your life.

20 Days Shangri-La Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Trekking Tour

Notes:

1. You’d better take your hiking tour on a sunny day. Otherwise, it could be dangerous especially when hiking in mountain area. During sunny days, the ultraviolet ray in Yunnan is strong, so you should bring the sun cream, sunglasses, sunhat and other sunscreen products.

2. In addition, for a hiking, it is necessary to bring comfortable shoes and clothes.

3. Take rain gear during rainy season(May to October), especial July and August. Yunnan Climate

Read More:
Yunnan Hiking Tour
How to Plan a Kunming Tour
How to Plan a Dali Tour
How to Plan a Lijiang Tour
How to Plan a Shangri-la Tour
How to Plan a Xishuangbanna Tour