Duration: 7-10 Days | Distance: ~800 km
This ancient network of caravan paths was used for over a thousand years to transport tea from Yunnan to Tibet and beyond. Today, it offers one of China's most culturally rich and scenically spectacular journeys. The route winds through dramatic mountain passes, crosses rushing rivers on ancient chain bridges, and passes through remote villages where traditional ways of life continue largely unchanged.
Route Highlights:
- Kunming - Spring City and starting point
- Dali - Ancient town and Erhai Lake
- Lijiang - UNESCO-listed old town and Naxi culture
- Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - Tibetan culture and Songzanlin Monastery
- Deqin - Meili Snow Mountain views
- Markham - Crossing into Tibet
- Traditional Tibetan villages and monasteries