Lijiang Heavenly Valey

Heavenly Valley
Four ecosystems and three villages
Alpine lake, biodiverse wetland, vast grassland, ancient forest and hidden minority villages. Join our conservation and sustainability expert Lukas and a local Yi minority guide to experience and understand the rich nature and culture of this rich valley. You'll leave knowing four local ecosystems and two ethnic groups.
Heavenly Valley
Four ecosystems and three villages
Alpine lake, biodiverse wetland, vast grassland, ancient forest and hidden minority villages. Join our conservation and sustainability expert Lukas and a local Yi minority guide to experience and understand the rich nature and culture of this rich valley. You'll leave knowing four local ecosystems and two ethnic groups.
EcoTour Overview

What's Special
Sustainability Focus
Nature Conservation & Ethnic Cultures

Duration
One Day
Approximately 11 hours (9:00 AM to 8:00 PM)

Location
Lashi Wetlands Nature Reserve
Lashi Wetlands | Altitudes 2,400-3,250m

Activity Level
Mild
Walking: 5-6 km per day
EcoTour Highlights

Alpine Wetland
Lashi Wetland Park

Wetland Preservation
Wildlife Rescue Station

Wildlife Discovery
Bird Survey
EcoTour Itinerary
One Day
Heavenly Valley Discovery

Morning
Begin your day with a pickup from your Lijiang hotel, then head to Lashi Wetland Park to explore the heart of its ecosystem. Learn about the delicate balance of flora and fauna, then visit the Lashi Wetland Conservation Bureau for exclusive insights into ongoing preservation projects. After the bureau, continue to the Lashi Wetland Nature Reserve to discover its rich wildlife and bird species.

Afternoon
After the morning at the Wetland Park, Conservation Bureau, and Nature Reserve, drive to Dayu Naxi Village for a traditional lunch with locals — cured meats, Tibetan barley bread, and yak butter tea — paired with locally roasted coffee and views of grassland, wetland, and lake. Then take a short trek to Luoma Cliffs for sweeping views of the valley, before stepping into the original headwater forest that feeds Lashi. End the afternoon in Boduoluo Yi village, tucked into the hills where the Tea-Horse Road once climbed from Southeast Asia to Tibet — witness the daily life and customs of the unique Yi ethnic group.

Evening
Conclude your day with a visit to Nanyao Yi minority village, where you sit down to a traditional dinner of Huotang — a mix of hotpot and teppanyaki — and join a bonfire dance with the locals. After dinner, Lukas will lead a final discussion on the Lashi Community Conservation Project — the village-led program protecting wetland, watershed forest, and old water-source rules that your visit has helped sustain. Then return to your Lijiang hotel.
EcoTour Costs
For groups of 1 person or more than 6 people Contact us
What's Included
English-Speaking Guide (Lynne Lyu or Lukasz Madrzynski), Local Guide, Traditional Local Lunch and Dinner, Private Transportation, Entrance Tickets, Binoculars for Birdwatching, Outdoor Travel Insurance.
Not Included
Personal Expenses (Souvenirs, etc.), Voluntary Gratuities for the Guides
Meeting Point
Pickup: 9:00 AM at your Lijiang hotel | Return: Approximately 8:00 PM to your Lijiang hotel
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to reveal the answer
What Our Customers Say
Excellent real experience with great company
I spent a fantastic day with Lukasz and his local friends Mr Lu and Mr He - Following a scenic drive, with a lakeside stop to hang out with some yaks, and a delicious home cooked meal at Mr Lu's house, we set out on a trek into the hills that didn't disappoint, with the jewel in the crown being the end point of an open pasture with just brilliant views out over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Not a single person in sight and feeling at one with nature, this was exactly the experience I was hoping for and Lukasz helped deliver, with good humour, and excellent company. An experience I won't be forgetting and a top highlight of my three week trip to China.
We are a couple from Thailand
Our first trip to China was a wonderful experience. The price was reasonable, the accommodations were comfortable, and having a car to take us around made everything unforgettable. A big thank you to Lynne for helping us with everything we needed — truly superb.
Amazing
We had the great pleasure of experiencing this tour with Lukasz and Lynne in early Spring. It was rather cold but very worth while. Amazing views of the countryside villages and neatly tilled fields. We did some birdwatching from the lakeside and viewed yaks and goats grazing on the slopes above. We had a delicious lunch at one of the villages. (All food in Yunnan was delicious) It was exciting to have this opportunity to explore this unique off the beaten track area with such helpful and knowledgeable guides.
Local, genuine and ethical experience in Lijiang
My wife and I had the pleasure of being guided by Lynne and Lukas in the best of authentic Lijiang. Local, genuine culture meeting local villagers, walk in natural hills, guided walk through Lijiang's amazing streets and markets with everything covered and no hidden (negative) surprises or cost. All this while having meaningful and informed discussions. Thoroughly recommend this for anybody who want to experience the real Lijiang while making a positive impact as eco tourist.
Fantastic Experience with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours
We had an unforgettable time with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours, thanks to our amazing guide Lukas. He was incredibly friendly and connected with the kids right away. Lukas has a wonderful way of explaining things to children and made the whole experience exciting and engaging for all of us. The highlight was definitely seeing the monkeys up close and enjoying a warm, authentic dinner with a local family. Lukas is incredibly knowledgeable about the local nature. A truly special adventure for families. Highly recommended!
Magical landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Really awesome and memorable day out in some magical landscapes around the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow mountain. It was a great opportunity to take my parents and a friend visiting from NZ to see some of the natural beauty of Yunnan, as well as some ethnic diversity. I absolutely love the aesthetic and charm of the villages. It was a rather cold day in March, but that seemed to add to the mystique of the landscape. Lukas and Lynne are great hosts, with an intimate knowledge of the places, people and biodiversity. Highly recommended! The meals with the locals were also incredible.
We saw the beautiful snub nosed monkey
Lukas is the man, his seemly endless knowledge and enthusiasm for nature is amazing. It was a privilege to have him share his love of this wonderful part of the world with us. Thank you Lukas
Unforgettable experience with wonderful people
I had the pleasure of participating on a trip with Lukas as part of a student group. We had an unforgettable experience getting up close to the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, hiking through pristine forests, and eating home-cooked meals with local families. Lukas and Lynne are wonderful guides with extensive knowledge about the region's culture, history and wildlife. I highly recommend Cloud Mountain, especially if you like traveling at your own pace, going off the beaten path, and getting an authentic, personalized experience.
The real deal
It's an experience on a completely different level than anything that you'd be able to put together on your own, and so worth it! The views are simply breathtaking, the trail is totally manageable and the best part is the company. Lukas has so much knowledge about Yunnan, its people and nature, he feels at home there and makes you feel the same too. If you have a chance to make this trip, do it. We've been all around Yunnan and this trip is ontop of our list!
Meeting the endangered black-snub nosed monkeys
I went on a solo trip in February arranged by my guide, Lukas, a Biologist/Conservationist into the Baima Snow Mountain National Park. With his vast knowledge of the local area, he took me first to the Lashi Wetlands and spotted over a dozen species of birds. Finally, made it to Tacheng, a reserve within Baima Snow Mountain where we spent a night in a cozy log cabin. The next morning, after a simple breakfast we went up to 3,000 metres and finally glimpsed the incredible endangered Black Snub-Nosed Monkeys. It was an amazing trip!
Unforgettable
We took a one-day tour with Lukas to explore a few places in Lijiang, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the start, Lukas was incredibly thoughtful in tailoring the tour to suit our preferences and needs. One of the highlights was having lunch at a local family's home. After lunch, we went on a hike in the mountains, where we had the chance to enjoy some fresh air and a truly breathtaking view. The landscape was absolutely stunning. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lijiang!
Swipe to see more reviews












