Nujiang Grand Canyon, Degong Highway & Meili to Shangri-La

Travel north along the Nujiang Beautiful Highway to Bingzhongluo, then cross the Degong Highway to Meili and Shangri-La.

This route enters Nujiang from Dali, follows the canyon up to Bingzhongluo, and then crosses over to the Lancang River to view Meili Snow Mountain, traversing the core of the Three Parallel Rivers region. Highlights include Nu, Drung, and Lisu ethnic villages and historical Catholic churches. Drung Valley is excluded due to unpredictable road conditions. Some sections are prone to falling rocks, so keep your schedule flexible. Best suited for travelers with mountain driving experience.

The rainy season from June to August brings risks of landslides and road closures. The old road over Mount Que'er is restricted; use the tunnel.

Day by day

Day 1 · Drive West from Dali to Liuku

Lushui（Liuku Tusi Yamen、Nujiang Grand Canyon (Liuku)）

Drive about 300 km from Dali to Liuku via the expressway, taking 4 to 5 hours.

Stay: Liuku Urban Area

Day 2 · Beautiful Highway to Laomudeng

Lushui（Dengeng Hot Springs） → Fugong（Laomudeng Village、Laomudeng Church）

Drive north from Liuku along the Nujiang River for about 100 km to Laomudeng, taking about 3 hours including stops.

Stay: Laomudeng Village

Day 3 · Zhiziluo to Bingzhongluo

Fugong（Zhiziluo (Abandoned Town)、Stone Moon (Shiyueliang Arch)） → Nujiang & Bingzhongluo（First Bend of the Nujiang River）

Drive about 190 km from Laomudeng to Bingzhongluo, taking 5 to 6 hours including sightseeing stops.

Stay: Bingzhongluo Town

Day 4 · Wuli Village & Qiunatong Day Trip

Nujiang & Bingzhongluo（Wuli Village、Qiunatong Village、Chongding Village & Sacred Heart Church）

Drive 20 minutes from Bingzhongluo to Wuli, and 40 minutes to Qiunatong. Roads are narrow; drive carefully when passing oncoming cars.

You can walk along the cliffside section of the Ancient Tea Horse Road to reach Wuli Village; watch your step.

Stay: Bingzhongluo Town

Day 5 · Degong Highway to Feilai Temple

Nujiang & Bingzhongluo（Puhua Monastery） → Dêqên（Meili Snow Mountain & Feilai Temple Viewpoint）

Drive about 120 km to Deqin via the Mount Que'er Tunnel, taking about 4 hours in total.

Confirm road conditions with the transport departments of Gongshan or Deqin before departure.

Stay: Feilai Temple

Day 6 · Cross Baima Snow Mountain to Shangri-La

Dêqên（Wunongding Viewpoint、Baima Snow Mountain Pass、Jinsha River Great Bend (Moon Bay)） → Shangri-La（Dukezong Ancient Town）

Drive about 180 km from Feilai Temple to Shangri-La, taking 4 to 5 hours.

Stay: Dukezong Ancient Town

Day 7 · Songzanlin Monastery & Pudacuo

Shangri-La（Ganden Sumtseling (Songzanlin) Monastery、Pudacuo (Potatso) National Park）

Drive 20 minutes from the Old Town to Songzanlin Monastery, then 40 minutes to Pudacuo National Park.