Ancient Tea Horse Road
China
The ancient trade route that carried Yunnan's pressed tea cakes to Tibet on horseback, reborn as the most rewarding drive in southwest China, from Kunming through the marble-pillared city of Dali, the Naxi kingdom of Lijiang, and into the snow-peaked gorges of Shangri-La.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Kunming
The Spring City of eternal mild weather. The Stone Forest of Shilin, a UNESCO karst landscape, lies one hour to the east.
- Dali Old Town
The Bai people's ancient capital on Erhai Lake's shore, backed by the 4,000-m Cang Mountain and threaded with marble-paved lanes.
- Three Pagodas of Dali
Three Tang-dynasty towers rising 70 m above Erhai Lake, the most iconic silhouette on the ancient tea horse road through Dali.
- Lijiang Old Town
The UNESCO-listed Naxi capital: stone lanes, water channels, and wooden architecture beneath the snow pyramid of Yulong Mountain.
- Tiger Leaping Gorge
One of the world's deepest gorges. The Jinsha River drops 200 m in 16 km between walls rising 3,000 m on either side.
- Shangri-La
Renamed after Hilton's fictional paradise. Songzanlin Monastery, the Little Potala, rises above a grassland plateau at 3,300 m.
Where to Eat
- Jinshan Bai Minority RestaurantBai Ethnic Cuisine
Authentic Bai dishes like 'cross-bridge rice noodles' in a traditional setting.
- Lao Shayou RestaurantNaxi Ethnic Cuisine
Traditional Naxi hot pot and local specialties in a rustic atmosphere.
- Tibetan CaféTibetan
Cozy café offering butter tea and yak meat dishes with mountain views.
- Yunnan Mountain CaféYunnan Fusion
Fusion dishes blending Yunnan flavors with Western cuisine in a scenic spot.
Things to Do
- Erhai LakeNature
Serene lake surrounded by mountains, ideal for boat rides and cycling.
- Mu's ResidenceHistoric Site
Former residence of the Naxi rulers, showcasing ancient architecture and gardens.
- Songzanlin MonasteryHistoric Site
Largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, known as 'Little Potala Palace'.
- Shaxi Ancient TownHistoric Site
Well-preserved ancient town on the Tea Horse Road with traditional Bai architecture.
Travel advisory
Mountain roads through Yunnan involve steep switchbacks and occasional poor road surfaces, especially on minor routes toward Shangri-La. No permit is required for most of the route, but altitude above 3,000 m around Shangri-La warrants an acclimatisation day.