From$182/person
Book Now

Lijiang Heavenly Valey

Lijiang Heavenly Valley scenic view
One-day EcoTour

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.

KEY DETAILS

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

Unique Experiences Await

EcoTour Highlights

Lashi Wetland Park scenic view

Alpine Wetland

Lashi Wetland Park

Walk the high-altitude wetland at 2,440m, where 235 bird species — including 7 nationally-protected kinds — feed, rest, and breed. Stand on the boardwalk and hear the wind comb through the reeds.
Lashi Wetland Conservation Bureau & Wildlife Rescue Station

Wetland Preservation

Wildlife Rescue Station

Gain exclusive insights into wetland protection at the Conservation Bureau. Meet with conservationists, learn about their work, and understand the challenges and strategies involved in preserving this crucial ecosystem.
Lashi Wetland Nature Reserve wildlife

Wildlife Discovery

Bird Survey

Pick up binoculars and a bird manual to read the wetland by its birds: a great cormorant fishing alone, a flock of bar-headed geese commuting between lake and field, a pair of crested grebes in their spectacular mating dance.
DETAILED SCHEDULE

EcoTour Itinerary

One Day

Heavenly Valley Discovery

Morning

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

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

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.

Transparent Pricing

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to reveal the answer

OUR REVIEWS

What Our Customers Say

TripAdvisor

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

START YOUR ADVENTURE

Ready to Visit the Heavenly Valley?