Special trip photos – Lijiang and Shangri-La, 2011/11

Were you on this trip? How did you like it? We'd love to hear from you.

Send us feedback Review it on TripAdvisor Share this page on Facebook

Our last long distance trip for the year was to Yunnan Province, and it was the first time we’d taken a group there.

Our first stop was the old city of Lijiang and the surrounding area, where we explored the cobbled lanes of the old city and did some hiking around the countryside, visiting nearby small villages. In Lijiang we saw a lot of the Naxi ethnic culture.

On the way to Shangri-La, we stopped off at Lashi Lake, a beautiful reserve where we rode horses and followed some of the ancient tea trail.

We drove on through the mountains to Shangri-La, a town where Tibetan ethnic culture is dominant. While in Shangri-La we did more walking around the streets and lanes and visited Songzanlin Temple, the largest active lamasery in Yunnan.

Huijie took hundreds of photographs while on the trip – below you’ll see her favourites!

Eagles, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Eagles and their handlers are quite a common sight in Lijiang.

Interesting buildings, a canal, and a cobbled lane, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Interesting buildings, a canal, and a cobbled lane — three of the best things about Lijiang, all in one photo.

A statue, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A statue in the middle of a clear pool in Lijiang town.

Bricks of mud, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Bricks of mud are commonly used in construction here, and in this photo we can see how they’re made.

Jade Dragon Mountain, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain.

The pagoda on Lion Hill in Lijiang town, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The pagoda on Lijiang's Lion Hill.

Another angle of Jade Dragon Mountain, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Another angle of Jade Dragon Mountain.

all the rooftops, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

From Lion Hill you can see all the rooftops of the old city.

Trees , Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Trees still had some colour, even in late autumn.

The lanes of Lijiang, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The lanes of Lijiang are different to the hutongs of Beijing, with wooden buildings that are often two or three levels high.

little shops, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Converted from homes, these buildings all house little shops that sell local craftwork.

Black Dragon Pool park, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The bridge in Lijiang's Black Dragon Pool park is reflected in the lake.

Colourful reflections, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Colourful reflections in the lake.

The hiking group, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The hiking group taking a break.

The bridge and pagoda, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The bridge and pagoda are reflected in the clear lake.

Tall mountains, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Tall mountains in the background.

a good day, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

It was a good day to take photos – clear and still.

the bridge, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Hikers on the bridge over a waterfall.

Yellow leaves, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Yellow leaves reflected in the lake.

Hiking in the countryside, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Hiking in the countryside near Shuhe old town.

A view of the temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The scenery was too nice to not stop for a photo.

Near Lijiang old town, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Near Lijiang old town there are other small villages to visit, which are not yet so commercially oriented. This photo is from Baisha Village.

Street food, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Street food prepared by a matron in traditional garb.

Vegetables, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Vegetables for sale.

travel on horseback, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

We did some travel on horseback near Lashi Lake.

Hiker on horseback, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Hiker on horseback.

Horses, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Horses walk through the water.

Boating, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Boating on Lashi Lake.

A tree, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A tree growing in the water of Lashi Lake.

a hilltop temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

On the way to Shangri-La we spotted a hilltop temple.

Empty terraces, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Empty terraces of a small village.

Berries, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Berries – not sure if edible!

Berries, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A beautiful view of mountains and a river.

small villages, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

On the road, we passed many small villages.

A woman and her child, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A woman and her child.

Jade Dragon Mountain, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The other side of Jade Dragon Mountain.

A big town square, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A big town square in Shangri-La.

The traditional garb, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The traditional garb of the Yi culture, seen in Shangri-La.

A small shop, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A small shop selling trinkets.

the architecture, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

An example of the architecture in Shangri-La.

The style of architecture, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The style of architecture in Shangri-La is quite different to that of Lijiang.

A full moon, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A full moon rises behind a stupa in Shangri-La.

The roof of the Songzanlin Temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The roof of the Songzanlin Temple has interesting decoration.

A Buddhist mural, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A Buddhist mural inside an entrance.

The Songzanlin Temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The Songzanlin Temple.

Buddhist monks of the Songzanlin Temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Buddhist monks of the Songzanlin Temple. The monks of this temple are of the Yellow Hat sect.

A local lady, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A local lady also admires the view.

A yak, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A yak!

Shangri-La, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Hikers in Shangri-La.

A stupa and prayer flags, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

A stupa and prayer flags in the town square of Shangri-La.

the monks live, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

The buildings below the temple are where the monks live.

Dinner, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La,November, 2011

Dinner in Shangri-La.