Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I’ve been to the same places in year of 2006 and I suggest you to take a 6 days Tour of Shangri-la/Meili Snow Mountain in Lijiang.6 days including transformation and accommodation in Shangri-la,Benzilan,Meili Snow Mountain.Baishuitai just take a look is enough.Benzilan nothing to see, ,just for living one night. it’s easy to find travel agency in Lijiang.you will find the beautiful scenery on your way to Shangri-la and meili snow mountain.
See pics in my album for your reference http://photo.163.com/photos/lizhangj/69693325/

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2

You might be able to stretch Baishuitai out to 2 hours... but its not so large as to warrant more time than that. You could actually go there as an extension of the Tiger Leaping Gorge either hiking (a day and a half extra) or by vehicle of some kind on the newish road that connects the far end of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Zhongdian via Haba town and Baishuitai. I know that buses go at least part of the way at least once a day. This might cut your travel down a bit, enabling you to visit some other places too.

3

Your itinerary seems excellent. But you should avoid flood season, otherwise it's dangerous to treking Tiger Leaping Gorge. You can view China South West weather and Yunnan Province Map from chinatourmap.com Do write a ariticle about your trip after you visit Yunnan, we want share your experience!

4

my girlfriend and i did a trip in north-western yunnan near the tibetan border over the new year. the trip was amazing and perfect for anyone wanting to travel off the beaten path, see some amazing wilderness, and to get a real insight into tibetan culture without having to cross the border. all the info is at the link below...

A World Less Travelled...

5

Hi guys, thank you for taking the time to reply! I'll check out the flood thing, and cut down on Baishuitai and Benzilan. Thanks again!

My travel blog

6

You lose one day just to go by bus from Kunming to Lijiang. You're better off flying (and it's cheap). You should be able to connect from our SIngapour flight and thus arrive at Lijiang the same day.

Photos, travel stories, travel tips for various countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Europe in Around the World

7

I've done exactly what you want to do (and more) in September 2006.
With 3 friends in tow ie 4 of you, you would be better off hiring a vehicle for some of the routes in order to maximise your time. That's what I did for Zhongdian -- Feilai Si (place for viewing Meilixueshan sunrise), stopping at all the places worth stopping enroute on the way back.
The Haba -- Walnut Grove (TLG) trek is very much worth doing, and would fit nicely into your schedule.
I've included Dali as well.

4/8: fly Singapore -- Kunming, overnight train Kunming -- Dali
5/8: arrive Dali, immediate bus Dali -- Zhongdian (8h journey time, will reach around 1600)
6/8: rest and acclimatise, sightsee at Zhongdian (monastery and etc)
7/8: sightsee at Bitahai, vehicle hire to Feilai Si (7h journey time)
8/8: see Meilixueshan sunrise, vehicle hire back to Zhongdian (stopping enroute at Benzilan and etc)
9/8: morning bus Zhongdian -- Baishuitai, sightsee at Baishuitai, afternoon bus Baishuitai -- Haba
10/8: Haba -- Walnut Grove trek
11/8: Tiger Leaping Gorge hike
12/8: Tiger Leaping Gorge hike, bus Qiaotou -- Lijiang
13/8: Lijiang
14/8: Lijiang, late bus Lijiang -- Dali
15/8: Dali, overnight train Dali -- Kunming
16/8: arrive Kunming
17/8: fly Kunming -- Bangkok

Cheers!