Name: Origins of the Yangtze: Trekking the Jinsha River Valley
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1

About this Journey

Lace up your hiking boots for a trek through remote mountain trails north of Lijiang, where bucolic villages perch above the young Yangtze in the Jinsha River Valley, a landscape rich with forgotten historical intrigue.

The mighty peaks and fabled passes of this region once protected an ancient kingdom from Mongol invasion, and today they are home to an array of minority cultures set amid one of the most captivating landscapes in China.

What we love

Meeting a local Dongba heritage master to learn more about the history and customs of remote Wumu Village
Crossing Taizi Pass, where Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis, famously crossed in the 13th century
Gliding over the turquoise waters of the Jinsha River on a one-hour boat ride

Map

Itinerary

Day 1Lijiang (2,410 m) to Wumu Village (2,160 m)

First Stop: Lijiang, Yunnan Province

Today is the day, the start of your WildChina adventure. Step off the plane/train station in Lijiang and meet your local WildChina guide in the airport arrivals hall/exit of the train station. They’ll be waiting to welcome you.

Arrival in Lijiang

Lijiang lies in the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and has charmed visitors for centuries with its unique architecture, stone bridges, and narrow canals. While parts of the old town have become a tourist hub, quieter lanes still offer encounters with Naxi residents who depend on the mountain water that flows through the town’s canals. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Lijiang is a charming gateway to Yunnan’s more remote communities.

Recommended arrival before 12:00 PM.

Drive to Wumu Village

The ride from Lijiang to Wumu village will take around 4 hours.

Wumu Village

Renowned for its Dongba culture — the religious beliefs, script, and ceremonies of the Naxi people — Wumu sits on a steep mountainside overlooking the Jinsha River Valley. The village lies at the end of a narrow, newly paved road that winds upward, revealing ever-changing views. Upon arrival, meet a local Dongba heritage master at the Wumu Community Center to learn about the history and customs of this remote mountain village.

Meals included: dinner

Day 2Wumu Village (2,160 m) to The Stone Village (1,770 m)

Full Day Hike

Prepare for a full day of hiking ( ~15km over a 7-8-hour hike ) through the Jinsha River Valley, with sweeping views of the mountains, gorge and rice terraces along the way.

Baoshan Stone Village

Set in a dramatic stretch of the Jinsha River Valley, the gates, houses, and even furniture of this Naxi village are carved from local stone, all perched atop a massive boulder said to be the petrified head of a dragon slain long ago. Baoshan remains a stronghold of Naxi culture, preserving traditional ceremonies and festivals, including Meng Ben, or the Festival of Heaven Worship, with rituals led by a Dongba priest.

Logistics

Your luggage will be transported to the next stop. We suggest you pack a day pack with water and snacks for the hike.

During the hike, a simple lunch (bread, energy bar etc.) will be provided.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3The Stone Village (1,770 m) to Upper Liuqing Village (2,350 m)

Full Day Hike

Prepare for a full day of hiking (~14 km over ~7 hours) including the trek over the famous Taizi Pass (altitude 2,600 m).

Taizi Pass

This high pass is where Kublai Khan crossed the Jinsha River in the 13th century, allowing the Mongol army to conquer the Dali Kingdom. At 2,600 m, the views over the views over the Jinsha River Valley below are dramatic and a fitting place to reflect on the region’s history.

Upper Liuqing Village

This remote village offers a glimpse into a pre-modern way of life. Aside from limited tourism, the economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with pepper and walnut as key crops.

Logistics

Your luggage will be transported to the next stop. We suggest you pack a day pack with water and snacks for the hike.

During the hike, a simple lunch (bread, energy bar etc.) will be provided.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4Upper Liuqing Village (2,350 m) to Lijiang (2,410 m)

Hiking Details

Prepare for a full day including a ~6-hour hike followed by a scenic 1-hour boat ride to Ahai Dam Pier where we will return to our vehicle for the 1-hour drive back to Lijiang. Details as follows:

Hiking and Boat Ride

Part 1: Upper Liuqing Village – Lower Liuqing Village Pier (1,540 m), 16 km hike (~6 hours)
Part 2: Lower Liuqing Village Pier – Ahai Dam Pier (1,510 m), ~1-hour boat ride
Part 3: Ahai Dam Pier – Lijiang, ~2 hours by car

Lower Liuqing Village

A cluster of traditional tiled homes and winding earth paths clinging to the mountainside, overlooking the Jinsha River Valley. The route passes terraced fields worked by Naxi farmers and dotted with goat herders and children playing.

Ahai Dam Pier Boat Ride

Board a boat helmed by a local ferryman for a one-hour journey on the calm turquoise waters of the Jinsha River Valley.

Logistics

Your luggage will be transported to the next stop. We suggest you pack a day pack with water and snacks for the hike.

During the hike, a simple lunch (bread, energy bar etc.) will be provided.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5Departure from Lijiang

Your Flight Back Home

Your WildChina guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Meals included: breakfast

Hotels

Wumu Village Guesthouse

From the outside, Wumu Village Guesthouse is a simple Naxi-style building, but inside it offers unmatched views over the Jinsha River Valley below. Sunrise and sunset paint the river in vivid colors, while clear night skies reveal a canopy of stars.

LUX* Stone Town

With just six rooms, LUX* Stone Town offers a slower, simpler stay, framed by panoramic views of the village and river through floor-to-ceiling windows. Comfortable rooms and an on-site restaurant serving local cuisine provide a restful base to recharge between adventures.

Liuqing Village Homestay

Tucked in the remote reaches of Liuqing Village in the Jinsha River Valley, this family-run homestay offers a no-frills overnight stay. Guests sleep on single cot-sized mats, and facilities are shared with the family, including an outdoor outhouse (your guide will provide toilet paper and hand sanitizer). It’s a simple, authentic glimpse into daily life in a far-flung mountain community.

The Bivou, Lijiang

Named after the old Swiss word for “temporary encampment,” The Bivou sits at the foot of Yulong Mountain, combining comfort with sustainability. Bamboo floors, solar-powered heating, and other eco-friendly touches reflect its ethos. Mornings begin with fresh fruit, homemade granola, seasonal jams, and local honey before heading into the mountain air.

Photos

Photos courtesy of 兔子

Details

What’s Included

Services of an English-speaking WildChina local guide
Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Luggage van for luggage transfer during the hike
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for many foreign passport holders
Travel and medical insurance
Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

Full payment:
Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

What should I prepare for hiking and camping?

For detailed information on what to prepare for hiking and camping, please refer to our FAQ page.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

Our team of advisors will design every detail of the trip with you through close consultation, then orchestrate your entire journey while on the ground. We’re in the same time zone as you, so we can fulfill requests and handle issues without a hitch. With over 40 staff in China and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we have the manpower to ensure your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. We pull off journeys for pioneers with a 6-hour layover to Hollywood’s elite, and everywhere in between. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

Supporting inspired local economies allows you to experience the soul of the destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s artisanal culture. From watching artisans creating their handcrafts, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

Origins of the Yangtze: Trekking the Jinsha River Valley

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