Hiking with Lijiang Guides - Private Tours
Hiking with Lijiang Guides - Private Tours
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Lijiang Guides offers professional, personal tailor-made guiding services in Yunnan province, to non-touristy areas. Based in the ancient town of Lijiang, the small tour company and travel agency is the leading eco-tourism and cultural tourism operation in Yunnan, with more than 16 years' experience in the region. Lijiang Guides offers a unique range of journey and trips, exploring the diversity of Yunnan, and taking you to authentic places where you can have meaningful interaction with the REAL China. Lijiang Guides can take you to off-the-beaten-track places, where you can meet some of the local minorities - Naxi, Yi, Tibetan, Bai, Pumi, Mosuo, Hui - and also experience the wonders of nature in Yunnan. Lijiang Guides specialises in day hikes, gourmet tours, photography and writing trips, visiting markets and monasteries - away from the tourist crowds. With experience in the area since 1996, and a staff of English-speaking guides, Lijiang Guides offers guiding services as well as flight/hotel/transport bookings across south-west China. And from 2011, Lijiang Guides can book all your travel arrangements from your home country to China.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
150 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
26
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
bob715
Toronto, Canada9 contributions
May 2019
Thank you Keith for organizing one of the most amazing trips of my life and I have had scores of them.
Right from the start the communication was professional and all my concerns were addressed promptly. Keith runs a very exceptional guide service. I had had a fairly flexible schedule and I was taken to Tiger Leaping Gorge where we met only 4 people in our 6 hour journey through the heart of the Gorge. What a thrill! Stayed at a Government hotel in Liming drove to Shaxi Went to see the park and climbed Turtle Mountain I cant say enough about this adventure I highly recommend that you connect with Keith and he will ensure you a wonderful experience you will never forget! Bob
Right from the start the communication was professional and all my concerns were addressed promptly. Keith runs a very exceptional guide service. I had had a fairly flexible schedule and I was taken to Tiger Leaping Gorge where we met only 4 people in our 6 hour journey through the heart of the Gorge. What a thrill! Stayed at a Government hotel in Liming drove to Shaxi Went to see the park and climbed Turtle Mountain I cant say enough about this adventure I highly recommend that you connect with Keith and he will ensure you a wonderful experience you will never forget! Bob
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuangxiDrongo
3 contributions
Aug 2020
We had a wonderful time on a recent (August 2020) visit to the Lijiang and Shangrila region. We were very fortunate to have Apple as our guide… She knows the area so well, and also tailored our schedule to activities we’d like. For example, when we first reached Tiger Leaping Gorge we were disappointed to see huge lines of people. But Apple steered us quickly out of these lines and down to a beautiful area of the middle gorge where we had a great lunch and hike into the gorge without any other tourists. The rest of our tour was also filled with memorable and really interesting activities. We will come back and definitely use Lijiang Guides again!
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire Aoi
Shanghai, China2 contributions
Dec 2020
We had a great hike day along Jade's snow mountain glacier proposed by Apple.
She is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. It was a pleasure to be hiking with her.
I would also definitely recommend this hike, which is a relatively easy (though very rocky--take good shoes!) path to enjoy Lijiang's beautiful mountain scenery.
She is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. It was a pleasure to be hiking with her.
I would also definitely recommend this hike, which is a relatively easy (though very rocky--take good shoes!) path to enjoy Lijiang's beautiful mountain scenery.
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keribh
Seattle, WA21 contributions
Jun 2011
I went to Lijiang with my parents (I'm not a teenager, but there were no options for family trip) and we decided to take a tour with Keith. We were nervous, but so pleasantly surprised. Lijiang is an awful tourist trap, and Keith immediately took us out of the tourist area and into the enormous and fascinating meat and vegetable market. He was extremely knowledgeable about the local people, the minorities, and the strange foods in the market. After, we took a minibus to a minority village on the far side of the lake. It was gorgeous, calm, and quiet. I've lived in western China for a year and never have felt so connected to the country as when I was walking through this village. Lijiang is billed as the "heritage site" but this village, with it's rice paddies, water buffaloes, and cows wilting in the summer heat, felt like a true link to old China.
We walked for a while before running into some of the locals on their way to lunch, accompanied by two large bottles of baijiu (rice liquor). We stopped to chat with them and take pictures, they were super nice and friendly.
We walked through the fields to another village and had lunch at a local noodle shop, run by an ancient Naxi woman who spoke no Mandarin, but could not have been more welcoming. The highlight of lunch was when my (very tall) mother smacked her head on a beam, and the Naxi woman practically split her pants laughing at her. (Physical humor is big here.)
After lunch Keith took us to a compound of a Taiwanese artist who lives in Lijiang. He creates amazing structures and furniture out of old and abandoned wood.
Then we slowly worked our way to Shuhe, a neighboring town like Lijiang but smaller and less touristy. Wealthy Chinese couples come here to dress in minority costumes and take their wedding photos-very bizarre, they are taking photos around almost every corner. Shuhe has a river running through it and was much calmer and more pleasant than Lijiang. (I wish we had known about Shuhe earlier, we would have liked to stay there instead!)
The day spent with Keith was worth every penny. There was no way we would have found these beautiful places without him (they are not in any guidebook!). His tour was the absolute highlight of our trip, we could not have been happier. He was smart, experienced, and completely understood what we wanted out of our tour, which was to get out of the tourist areas and experience something real. We could not recommend him too highly, if you want a tour, definitely go with Keith!
The only downside was that he did not bring Lassie, his beautiful collie!
We walked for a while before running into some of the locals on their way to lunch, accompanied by two large bottles of baijiu (rice liquor). We stopped to chat with them and take pictures, they were super nice and friendly.
We walked through the fields to another village and had lunch at a local noodle shop, run by an ancient Naxi woman who spoke no Mandarin, but could not have been more welcoming. The highlight of lunch was when my (very tall) mother smacked her head on a beam, and the Naxi woman practically split her pants laughing at her. (Physical humor is big here.)
After lunch Keith took us to a compound of a Taiwanese artist who lives in Lijiang. He creates amazing structures and furniture out of old and abandoned wood.
Then we slowly worked our way to Shuhe, a neighboring town like Lijiang but smaller and less touristy. Wealthy Chinese couples come here to dress in minority costumes and take their wedding photos-very bizarre, they are taking photos around almost every corner. Shuhe has a river running through it and was much calmer and more pleasant than Lijiang. (I wish we had known about Shuhe earlier, we would have liked to stay there instead!)
The day spent with Keith was worth every penny. There was no way we would have found these beautiful places without him (they are not in any guidebook!). His tour was the absolute highlight of our trip, we could not have been happier. He was smart, experienced, and completely understood what we wanted out of our tour, which was to get out of the tourist areas and experience something real. We could not recommend him too highly, if you want a tour, definitely go with Keith!
The only downside was that he did not bring Lassie, his beautiful collie!
Written June 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessandjohontheroad
Perth, Australia5 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We had a day with Keith of Lijiang Guides, and one day with Wu.
Both excellent guides. Keith helped us really understand China and also gave us a pleasant introudction to rural life in the villages around Lijiang. We have lovely memories from this day, and from meeting locals. Keith really is awesome.
We both recommend Keith and Ljiang Guides, if you want to experience the place away from tourists. Good value.
Both excellent guides. Keith helped us really understand China and also gave us a pleasant introudction to rural life in the villages around Lijiang. We have lovely memories from this day, and from meeting locals. Keith really is awesome.
We both recommend Keith and Ljiang Guides, if you want to experience the place away from tourists. Good value.
Written February 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jason g
Sydney, Australia4 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
We really enjoyed exploring the Lijiang area with guides Keith and Wu. Both are a lot of fun, knowledgeable and smart.
Definately helped us get the most out of our time in Yunnan.
Definately helped us get the most out of our time in Yunnan.
Written December 31, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joan f
shangrila5 contributions
Sep 2011 • Friends
We planned a trip of a lifetime to China, and while visiting the cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an was good, we had our best time in Yunnan, with Keith at Lijiang Guides.
Both me and my two friends - all in our 40s - found Keith to be the best guide we'd come across, in all our travels. He really enjoys his job, is very professional, and delightful company.
He took us around Lijiang, and then to Tiger Leaping Gorge, and what we all liked the best was the way he took care of us, and made sure everything was OK. Great personal service.
And at the end of trip, he gave us good advice, saved us lots of money with flight and hotel bookings, and left us with many happy memories. Don't miss. Highly recommended.
Both me and my two friends - all in our 40s - found Keith to be the best guide we'd come across, in all our travels. He really enjoys his job, is very professional, and delightful company.
He took us around Lijiang, and then to Tiger Leaping Gorge, and what we all liked the best was the way he took care of us, and made sure everything was OK. Great personal service.
And at the end of trip, he gave us good advice, saved us lots of money with flight and hotel bookings, and left us with many happy memories. Don't miss. Highly recommended.
Written September 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
henry d
kunming5 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
we'd read some reviews about going hiking with keith at lijiang guides - and we weren't disappointed.
we phoned him up to organise and then met to discuss the plan, and the next day went out for a full day of hiking and visiting villages around lijiang
he certainly knows his stuff, and going with him you get an insiders view as well as entry into another world, as along the way you visit his friends and people he know
after visiting lots of places on our trip around china, this one day provided the best contact with people - it felt like we finally got to experience the china we wanted to connect with
for us, the key things were keith's personable nature, his in depth understanding of the place and his strong connections with the area and its people
so if you want a day to remember, try keith
ps we met lassie too - adorable
we phoned him up to organise and then met to discuss the plan, and the next day went out for a full day of hiking and visiting villages around lijiang
he certainly knows his stuff, and going with him you get an insiders view as well as entry into another world, as along the way you visit his friends and people he know
after visiting lots of places on our trip around china, this one day provided the best contact with people - it felt like we finally got to experience the china we wanted to connect with
for us, the key things were keith's personable nature, his in depth understanding of the place and his strong connections with the area and its people
so if you want a day to remember, try keith
ps we met lassie too - adorable
Written September 6, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex_Tallinn
Hanover, NH403 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
We spent three days with Keith who designed for us a private trip from Lijiang to Shangri La. He speaks Chinese and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the country. We met prior to the trip and he took the time to ask us about our interests, likes and dislikes in order to design a perfectly suited journey. We boated on the Yangtze, saw uncrowded sights, sauntered through a Buddhist monastery and visited a Tibetan home.
Keith reminded me of travel guides I had in New Zealand – caring, intensely interested, and comfortably low-key – but having a person like him in China was simply amazing. He brought along his dog Lassie who bonded with my wife and spent much of the driving time in her lap – very cute.
My advice to travelers: try to retain Keith for as many days as you can and enjoy the sites to which he’ll take you, as well as his company.
Keith reminded me of travel guides I had in New Zealand – caring, intensely interested, and comfortably low-key – but having a person like him in China was simply amazing. He brought along his dog Lassie who bonded with my wife and spent much of the driving time in her lap – very cute.
My advice to travelers: try to retain Keith for as many days as you can and enjoy the sites to which he’ll take you, as well as his company.
Written June 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niall O
San Diego2 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
At risk of repetition, two big thumbs up to Keith Lyons, Franck LeBerger and Wu. Fantastic local knowledge, happy to be flexible and tailor the tours to our needs and all at a reasonable rate. Six stars out of five.
Written April 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryce H
37 contributions
Hi Keith. My wife and I arrive in ShangriLa tomorrow from Daocheng. We were wondering if you had availability for some form of adventure in Yunan on the short notice. We are traveling throughout China for two months and are making are way through Yunan now. We are 34 and 30 years old and have been married for two years (our anniversary is today). Â
We just finished about 7 days through Western Sichuan in Garze. We are excited for this next step of the journey and hope to hear from you soon.Â
Vin_Abhi
Hong Kong, China9 contributions
Hello. Can you please provide your contact details? We are in Lijiang from 30th Mar- 3 April. We would like to arrange for some trips and airport and hotel transfers.
Thanks,
Vinkap
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
64 22 4251202
southwestchina
lijiangtravel
snirmenashe
Rishon Lezion, Israel
Hi
.can you send me Apple mail
ill apprreciate it
Dafna
JoPo65
Adelaide, Australia39 contributions
Hi Dafna..sorry for the delay in responding (I haven't logged into TripAdvisor for many months). If you haven't already found it, Apple's email is hanmeilichina @ yahoo . com.........................Sorry for the late response...……. John
louis c
Singapore, Singapore101 contributions
pls give me contact of keith.
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
keithalyons g mail
64 22 425 1202
Lijiang Guides -
TravelbugSFCA2005
San Francisco, CA15 contributions
Hi Kimbojimbo and others who have travelled in Lijiang area of China,
We will be near Dali/ Lijiang for 4 days in August - my daughter is enthralled with the golden snub nose monkey and I stumbled upon your review because of that key phrase - I would love to know what kind of hike you went on to see this monkey in the wild and if it is fairly easy to spot them? Is it a do-able day trip from Dali? From Lijiang? Were you able to see other wildlife?
Thank you for any insight you can provide as I feel that I am stumbling a bit in the dark!
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
Need to stay overnight as 4 hours + from lijiang and vest seen in morning. Contact Lijiang Guides for more info
PeterAngliongto
Manila, Philippines92 contributions
Hello, We are a family of 8 going to Lijiang this Mar 20 to 24 and are interested in a local guide. We have bookings at Lijiang and a day in Shangrila. How do we find out more about your services . Ty.
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
via trip advisor or southwestchina info lijiangtravel info
maria s
lisboa3 contributions
I need the contact of Keith
Regards
maria
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
keithalyons at gmail
Gina R
Cathedral City, CA
Hi Sandra,
I read your review about Lijiang trip. Our family of 4 from LA, CA will visit Lijiang during this Xmas break. We will have 5 days in Lijiang and we all like outdoor hiking, explororing. Could you give some some suggustiions based on your experience? Can I also get the tour guy info from you.
Thank you,
Gina
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
contact lijiangtravel info website
or keithalyons gmail
Hiking with Lijiang Guides - Private Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Hiking with Lijiang Guides - Private Tours Information
Excellent Reviews | 122 |
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Very Good Reviews | 26 |
Hiking with Lijiang Guides - Private Tours Photos | 161 |