24 Mar

7:00am fly to Lijiang airport.  Met by our guide: Shirley.  Checked into our hotel: Zen Garden Hotel Lion Hill Branch (Shuang Shi Alley, #37 Xin Hua St, Old Town Lijiang, 86-888 5189799) www.zengardenhotel.com

begin with walking tour of Old Town during the day.  The hotel is in the perfect location (top of a hill above the Old Town - we have a view of the traditional rooftops across the city - but can walk into the action of Old Town).  Beautiful new hotel with friendly staff and large rooms.  Great!

Walk to MU MANSION and Lion Hill.  nice walk inside the town where grandmas were dancing in the town square - we saw Dongbas and the wet market.

Mu Mansion was a quick museum tour of the oldest family that built the town.

dinner in local restaurant - to taste local cuisine.... nightlife roaring in Old Town.  tons of shopping and live music in little bars.  we can hear the music from our hotel room... fun!

25 Mar

Drive to VILLAGES OF YUHU (JADE LAKE), BAISHA AND LONGQUAN (home of Joseph Rock)

Kids really enjoyed the Joseph Rock house... interesting history!

Jade Lake was beautiful.  we had a clear day and a nice view of the mountains in the background. Naxi people are friendly and wear the local dress.

Later we drove out to "IMPRESSION LIJIANG" show. Choreographed by Zhang Yi Mou - involves 500 dancers in ethnic costumes and horses performing outdoor with Jade Dragon Mountain as the backdrop.

Scott and the Boys then took the gondola to the top of the mountain (4700Meters)!

dinner again in Old Town - tonight we walked around to enjoy the evening festivities.

26 Mar

today drive to TIGER LEAPING GORGE

we changed guides - our new guide, Lom is from Zhongdian (Lom = Sophia He 13988710187)

At Tina's Guesthouse we begin a little walk to the next town over.  The road is a bit precarious - and slightly scary.  the day was windy and chilly.

we ate lunch at Tina's. and then took our 2 hour drive into ZhongDian.

Checked into BANYAN TREE LODGE, RINGHA

Banyan Tree Ringha: Hong Po Village Jiantang Town, Shangri-La County, DiQing Tibetan Autonomous Perfercture. 86-887 8288822. www.banyantree.com

WOW!  CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS HOTEL.  Be aware: it is out in the countryside - miles from any town.... but that's part of it's charm!  just lovely and fantastic service.  HUGE rooms with unbelievable bathrooms - allow yourself some relaxation time at the hotel if you choose this resort.  YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE!

We choose to spend our first night in the town (so that we could relax at the Banyan Tree the next two nights).

Our guide Lom took us to her friends restaurant.

we drank Yak Butter Tea and ate local dishes.  Her 3 yr old son provided the dinner show :)!

after dinner we joined Lom and all her friends and family in the town square for some line dancing.  Great fun!

27 Mar

begin our day touring the SONGZANLIN MONASTERY (copy of Potala in Lhasa).  Huge beautiful Buddhist complex.  our guide taught us all about the temple and each significant part of it.  we even were able to be blessed by the Living Buddha of this temple!

Lom was a fantastic guide!  she was friendly, knowledgeable - and most importantly - she lived and participated in this culture, so she was able to guide us as if we were part of the community. 

1/2 day of touring today because we headed back to the Banyan Tree for Spa Treatments.

Yummy Tibetan Hot Pot Dinner at the hotel that night.

28 Mar

Walk to DaBao Temple next to hotel.  Hung our own prayer flags.

then quick drive to the mountain.  we took the gondola to the top (4300Meters).  great views of Jade Dragon Mountain and the nomadic village below.

another night at Banyan Tree relaxing....

29 Mar

relaxing breakfast at hotel - saying goodbye to the friendly staff and our lovely guide.

9:55am fly home (DiQing airport to Kunming to Beijing)

 

Stella at Country Holidays booked everything for us:

room 2804, Bldg 11, Jianwai SOHO, Chaoyang District, 100022 Beijing

010 5869 1781

e-mail Stella at: beijing@countryholidays.com.cn