CHINA ADVENTURE CLUB JOURNEYS
GUDAO Yunnan: Kublai’s Yangtze Pass
Explore China Adventure Club journeysJourney at a glance
- Day 1 Lijiang (2,410 m) to Wumu Village (2,160 m)
- Day 2 Wumu Village (2,160 m) to The Stone Village (1,770 m)
- Day 3 The Stone Village (1,770 m) to Upper Liuqing Village (2,350 m)
- Day 4 Upper Liuqing Village (2,350 m) to Lijiang (2,410 m)
- Day 5 Departure from Lijiang
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.
Tour Highlights
- 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
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Select a route section to explore the map. Tap a stop for its location or use the directions link for the next leg. Flights, trains, cruises and hiking arrangements follow your itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1 Lijiang (2,410 m) to Wumu Village (2,160 m)
First Stop: Lijiang, Yunnan Province
Today is the day, the start of your China Adventure Club adventure. Step off the plane/train station in Lijiang and meet your local 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 p.m.
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 2 Wumu Village (2,160 m) to The Stone Village (1,770 m)
Full Day Hike
Prepare for a full day of hiking ( ~15 kilometers 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 3 The 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 4 Upper 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
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Part 1: Upper Liuqing Village – Lower Liuqing Village Pier (1,540 m), 16 km hike (~6 hours)
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Part 2: Lower Liuqing Village Pier – Ahai Dam Pier (1,510 m), ~1-hour boat ride
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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 5 Departure from Lijiang
Your Flight Back Home
Your local 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 Photos courtesy of 兔子
Details
What’s Included
- Services of an English-speaking local English-speaking 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
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
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