Journey 01 · Day 03 — Dali to Lijiang | Following the Ancient Road

Day 3 takes us from Dali to Lijiang, continuing north through Yunnan and deeper into the mountains. Leaving Dali behind, we ride alongside the beautiful landscapes surrounding Erhai Lake before making our way towards Lijiang. As the road climbs, the scenery begins to change and the mountains become an increasingly important part of the journey. Lijiang has been a crossroads for travellers for centuries. It was an important stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, where merchants carried tea, horses and goods between Yunnan and Tibet. Along with those goods came different cultures, languages and traditions. This is also the homeland of the Naxi people, whose culture and history remain deeply connected to Lijiang and the surrounding mountains. Walking through Lijiang Ancient Town beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it feels like our own journey is beginning to follow paths travelled by countless people before us. The mountains are getting closer. Tibet is still ahead. Journey 01 | Day 03 📍 Dali → Lijiang, Yunnan 🏍️ Approx. 180 km 🏔️ Destination altitude: approx. 2,400 m 🐎 Ancient Tea Horse Road 🏘️ Lijiang Ancient Town 👥 Naxi culture 🏔️ Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Untitled Journeys Explore. Experience. Relive.