Riyadh → Guangzhou → Yunnan → Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Riyadh
12 → 30 June 2026
A · B · C
3 travelers · 18 nights · 1 shared room throughout (luxury anchor: 2 nights at The Dali EDITION on Erhai Lake)
8
Cities
7
HSR legs
18
Flight hrs
~38k
SAR est.
Guangxi (Yangshuo)Yunnan (Dali, Lijiang)Yunnan-Tibetan (Shangri-La)Pearl River Delta
How to use this document
One day per page (A4). Each day shows 4 four-hour time blocks (06–10, 10–14, 14–18, 18–22) with location, cost, transport, photo, and a useful Chinese phrase. Appendices at the end cover transport totals, costs in SAR, pre-departure checklist, embassy contacts, altitude protocol, and the WINNOTIME visitor guide. VERIFY tags indicate items to confirm closer to travel — most are train numbers, attraction fees and hotel rates which fluctuate.
Visa status (confirmed): Saudi passport holders enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days under the unilateral policy extended through 31 December 2026. Hong Kong is separately visa-free for 90 days. China Digital Arrival Card must be completed within 72h before arrival.
📷 Best shot today: Pre-flight at home — no field shots. On 787, ask for window seat over Mecca corridor for sunset cloud-tops.
06:00 – 10:00
Final packing & dirham/RMB cash run
Where
Home + Olaya money changer
Cost
~3,000 SAR → CNY/HKD mix VERIFY rate
Transport
Local
Carry minimum cash; primary payments via Alipay + WeChat Pay (linked to Visa/Mastercard). Have ~2,000 CNY equiv. cash for taxi tips, small temples.
10:00 – 14:00
🕌 Jumu'ah at home mosque + eSIM prep
Jumu'ah
Home/local Riyadh mosque — khutbah ~12:00, prayer ~12:30 RUH local. The trip's first Friday — pray BEFORE departing for airport.
eSIM
Install Airalo or Nomad eSIM × 3 (~12 USD each), China + HK plan. Don't activate until landing in CAN.
Light meal
Eat at home after prayer — Saudia onboard meal is later
Next Jumu'ah is Jun 19 at Lijiang Great Mosque. On Fri Jun 26 you'll be at HK Disneyland — pray Dhuhr (4 rakat) at the park's Quiet Room as a traveler (musafir), or sacrifice ~3h of park time to attend congregational Jumu'ah at Kowloon Mosque. Du'a for safe travel (سفر) before leaving: "Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin."
你好 — Nǐ hǎo — "Hello"
14:00 – 18:00
Transfer to King Khalid Intl (RUH)
Where
RUH Terminal 1 / Saudia hub
Cost
~120 SAR Careem XL × 1
Transport
Careem / private car
Saudia recommends arrival 3 h before international wide-body. Check in opens T-3h. Confirm 23 kg × 2 bags economy allowance.
18:00 – 22:00
SV876 RUH → CAN (overnight, ~8h 35min)
Flight
SV876 (787-9) VERIFY 2026 number
Dep
~22:00 RUH (Saudia operates RUH–CAN evening)
Arr
~09:30 CAN local +1
Boeing 787 has decent humidity; still hydrate. Set watches to Beijing time on boarding (+5h ahead of RUH).
Day 2 · Sat 13 June
Guangzhou → Yangshuo 阳朔
☁ 29–33°C humid⛰ 110mRegion: Guangxi karst
🌅 06:32 CAN → 🌇 19:18 阳朔 · 🌡 26°C AM → 32°C hot · ☔ 50% PM · 💧 82% · ☀ UV 8 high · 🌬 8 km/h SE
👕 Linen + rain shell; sunhat
📷 Best shot today: First Yangshuo evening — Li River from Yangshuo bridge at blue-hour ~19:50. Karst silhouettes against pink-purple sky.
06:00 – 10:00
Land CAN, immigration, customs, taxi
Arrive
~09:30 CAN T2 from SV876
Customs
Show Digital Arrival Card QR (do online +24h ahead)
Taxi
To Guangzhou South 广州南 ~50 min, ~150 CNY
Skip the metro with luggage — direct taxi is cleaner. Didi works fine; English version of the app called "Didi for foreigners".
Arrive station +45 min for security + ID check. Passport name must match ticket exactly. Yangshuo Station is ~25 km from town; pre-book hotel pickup or grab a Didi (~80 CNY).
Any 清真 Lanzhou Lamian 兰州拉面 chain in town — all Hui-Muslim run, fully halal
Yangshuo's halal options are limited; this Gansu-province Muslim family restaurant is the proven anchor. Beer fish (Yangshuo's signature dish) is haram — uses Liquan beer in the broth. Local Guilin mifen 桂林米粉 noodles also often contain pork stock — ask carefully or stick to 清真 places.
这个是清真的吗? — Zhège shì qīngzhēn de ma? — "Is this halal?"
🌅 05:43 阳朔 → 🌇 19:12 · 🌡 26°C dawn → 32°C peak · ☔ 60% PM⛈ · 💧 80% · ☀ UV 8 high · 🌬 6 km/h
👕 Light cotton; dry bag for raft
🌧 Weather Plan B: If heavy rain cancels Xianggong sunset → swap to Yulong River bridge silhouette (covered if needed) or West Street tea house with karst window view.
📷 Best shot today: ★ Xianggong Mountain 相公山 sunset ~19:45 — the trip's #1 shot. Li River S-bend + 360° karst. Arrive 18:30.
06:00 – 10:00
Li River bamboo raft Yangdi → Xingping
Route
Yangdi pier 杨堤 → Xingping pier 兴坪 (~1.5h)
Cost
¥216 / pax × 3 = ¥648 + driver to pier ~¥150
Hours
Rafts run 08:30–16:00, peak 09:30
Book
Hotel desk / Trip.com 24h advance
This is the iconic ¥20 RMB note backdrop. Sun in eyes 08–10 — wear a hat, polarised sunglasses, dry-bag for phones. Lifejacket mandatory.
竹筏 — Zhúfá — "Bamboo raft"
10:00 – 14:00
Xingping old town + return + lunch
See
Xingping ancient street 兴坪老街 — the actual ¥20 viewpoint walk uphill 15 min
Cost
Free; ¥20 lunch noodles + tea
Return
Local bus or driver to Yangshuo ~1h, ¥30
Local noodle stalls along old street do guilin mifen 桂林米粉 for ¥15. Skip restaurants advertising in English; pick the busy ones.
Lighter rafting also offered on Yulong (¥150/raft for 2 people, ~1h). E-bike is more flexible — stop for fields, water buffalo, banyans. Avoid mid-afternoon thunderstorms (PM).
租电动车 — Zū diàndòngchē — "Rent an e-bike"
18:00 – 22:00
Xianggong Mountain 相公山 sunset
Where
Xianggong Mountain 相公山, ~45 min drive N of town
Entry
¥60 / pax × 3 = ¥180
Hours
Open until ~19:30 summer; sunset ~19:45 in June
Transport
Hire driver round-trip ~¥250
15-min hike up steps to the platform. Premier sunset spot — Li River S-bend, 360° karst. Pack headlamps for descent. Dinner late back in town.
日落几点 — Rìluò jǐ diǎn — "What time is sunset?"
Day 4 · Mon 15 June
Yangshuo / Longji 龙脊 option
⛅ 28–32°C, PM showers possible⛰ 110–880m if LongjiRegion: Guangxi
📷 Best shot today: Option A: Longji terraces 'water-filling season' reflections, dawn ~06:00. Option B: Yulong River bridge silhouette at golden hour ~18:30.
Decision required morning of Jun 14: If anyone is wiped out from jet lag, take Option B. Option A is rewarding but a long day with 6h round-trip drive.
06:00 – 10:00
Option A: Drive to Longji 龙脊梯田 (3h)
Where
Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田, Longsheng County
Driver
Private car round-trip ~¥900 VERIFY
Entry
¥80 / pax × 3 = ¥240 (48h valid)
Option B (10–14): Slow morning at Yulong River breakfast café. Cooking class option — pick a 清真-friendly studio (skip beer-fish demos); ask for Yunnan-Hui style stir-fry, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, or spring rolls. ~¥250/pax. Confirm halal beef/lamb source on booking.
梯田 — Tītián — "Terraced fields"
10:00 – 14:00
Option A: Ping'an village 平安寨 viewpoints
See
"Seven Stars with Moon" + "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" platforms
Walk
Easy stone-paved paths, 2h total
Lunch
Bamboo rice 竹筒饭 ~¥40/pax at village stall
June is "water-filling season" — terraces reflect sky/clouds. Photogenic in morning haze. Wear sticky-grip shoes; rain makes stone steps slick.
Altitude jumps from 110m to 1,900m today. Light dinner, hydrate (3L). The Dali EDITION's infinity pool faces Erhai — saving for tomorrow's daylight. Sleep early; tomorrow climbs higher.
🌅 06:18 大理 → 🌇 19:42 · 🌡 16°C → 24°C · ☔ 30% AM · 💧 60% · ☀ UV 7 high · 🌬 8 km/h
👕 Layers; evening jacket; UV strong
🌧 Weather Plan B: If Cangshan cable car closed (wind > 8 m/s or fog) → switch to Bai Cultural Museum + Xizhou Bai architecture courtyards (driver day-trip ~30 min) + Erhai east shore cycling (rain shelters every 2 km).
📷 Best shot today: ★ Cangshan from Erhai east shore late afternoon ~17:30 — mountain reflections + Bai fishing boats. Cangshan peaks lit by side sun.
Choose Gantong 感通 cableway over Ximatan if pressed for time — Ximatan reaches 3,920m (Cangshan summit). Go EARLY; clouds form by 11:00 hiding peaks.
索道 — Suǒdào — "Cable car"
10:00 – 14:00
Cangshan: Cloudless Pavilion, Jade Belt Path
See
Cloudless Pavilion 无极阁 + Jade Belt Path 玉带云游路 (11 km partial walk)
Cost
Free once on the mountain; ¥150 lunch up top
Hours
Cable car 08:00–17:00 last
Altitude up here 2,600–3,000m. Move slowly. Carry layer + water. Take only the section of Jade Belt Path you have time for — full length is 6h walking.
14:00 – 18:00
Erhai east shore + Xizhou Bai 白族 architecture
Erhai
Free access; e-bike loop ¥80/day × 3
Xizhou
Yan Family Compound 严家大院 ¥20/pax
Photo
Panxi S-Bend 磻溪S湾 — most-Instagrammed spot
Erhai's east shore is quieter; west shore is touristy. The lake protection program restricts cars to dedicated ecological corridor — rent e-bikes inside.
洱海 — Ěrhǎi — "Ear Sea" (lake shaped like an ear)
18:00 – 22:00
Xizhou Bai tie-dye workshop + dinner
Workshop
Zhoucheng village 周城 tie-dye 扎染 ¥80/pax
Dinner
Xizhou bai casserole; pot stickers; ~¥220/3
Stop by
Sifang Square 四方街 evening market for breakfast pastry 喜洲粑粑
Tie-dye uses indigo from local banlangen plant. Take your fabric home as memento. Workshops run until ~18:30; arrive 16:30 for full experience.
At foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mtn, next to Shuhe Ancient Town (8 km from Dayan Old Town)
Entry
Lijiang Maintenance Fee ¥80/pax — pay at first Old Town entry; receipt valid 1 week
Wander
Sifang Street 四方街, water channels, Wangu Pavilion 万古楼 (taxi to Dayan ~¥40, 15 min)
Pullman is a proper resort with uninterrupted Jade Dragon Snow Mtn views from family villa terraces. Most Old Town activities require a short taxi — budget ~¥80/day in taxis. Carry the Maintenance Fee receipt; it is checked at Black Dragon Pool + Mu Mansion. Naxi-inspired villa architecture with heated floors, soak tub, kid's room.
古城维护费 — Gǔchéng wéihù fèi — "Old Town maintenance fee"
18:00 – 22:00
Halal Lijiang dinner 清真 + Lion Hill 狮子山 night view
Dinner
Halal Eryuan Hui Restaurant 清真饵丝, No. 247 Sec. 8 Qiyi Street 七一街, 200m from south gate of Dayan Old Town
Order
Eryuan Hui-style noodles + halal yak/beef stew + Naxi baba bread (no pork stock)
Cost
~¥180 / 3
View after
Wangu Pavilion 万古楼 atop Lion Hill — ¥50/pax
Wangu Pavilion stays open until 22:00. Sunset over red-tile roofs ~19:30 in June. Skip Bar Street 酒吧街 — alcohol-heavy and loud. Backup halal: Yiliyuan Halal Restaurant 一里园清真, 102 Jinhong Rd 金虹路, or Haji Beef Restaurant — all clearly 清真-signed (green sign, white text).
📷 Best shot today: ★ Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭 dawn ~07:00 — Five Phoenix Pavilion + Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflection. Mirror-still water before crowds.
Free with Maintenance Fee receipt (~¥80 already paid)
Hours
07:00–19:00; arrive 07:30 for windless reflection
Walk
From Old Town: 20-min walk N or e-bike ¥15
The classic shot — Five Phoenix Pavilion 五凤楼 reflecting in the pool with snow-capped Jade Dragon behind. Only reliable in early morning before tour buses (08:30+). Bring polarizer if you have one.
Lijiang Great Mosque 丽江清真寺 (inside Old Town) — Friday prayer ~13:00 VERIFY exact time + address
Lunch
Light halal meal at Lijiang Mosque area or skip Naxi noodles (pork stock common)
Lijiang's only mosque is in the ancient town. Khutbah usually starts 12:45, prayer 13:15 — confirm Thursday with hotel concierge. Bring prayer cap; wudu facilities on-site. After Jumu'ah, halal Naxi-style lunch at nearby 清真 stall ~¥60/3.
清真寺在哪里? — Qīngzhēn sì zài nǎlǐ? — "Where is the mosque?"
Naxi Ancient Music 纳西古乐 concert at Naxi Music Academy ¥160/pax
Hours
20:00–21:30
Or
Hotel rest — long driver day tomorrow
The Naxi orchestra plays Tang/Song dynasty melodies on instruments lost elsewhere. 70+ year old musicians — worth one show in lifetime. Skip if exhausted; sleep wins.
🌧 Weather Plan B: If TLG closed for landslide/rain → driver continues directly to Shangri-La (skip gorge), use saved 2h for early Dukezong Old Town walk + sunset at Guishan Park. If road from Lijiang itself impassable, swap to flight LJG → DIG (45 min).
🕌 Prayer times (Shangri-La, MWL method): Fajr 04:50 · Sunrise 06:35 · Dhuhr 13:30 · Asr 17:35 · Maghrib 20:20 · Isha 22:10 Shangri-La (3,300m) — first night at altitude
📷 Best shot today:Tiger Leaping Gorge Upper Platform midday — sun overhead lights the gorge spray. NOT a sunset shot. For Shangri-La: arrive Dukezong by 19:30 for prayer-wheel golden hour.
06:00 – 10:00
Early breakfast + private driver pickup
Driver
Pre-booked private car/SUV Lijiang→Shangri-La via TLG, ~¥1,300 VERIFY rate
Pickup
07:30 Pullman Lijiang Resort
Drive
Lijiang → TLG Upper ~2h, scenic Jinsha River 金沙江
Pack
Warm layer, hiking shoes, AMS meds, water 1.5L/pax
Driver provides oxygen pillows on request. Take Diamox if prescribed (start tonight for prophylaxis). Do NOT drink alcohol today or tomorrow.
Plank road + steps to Tiger Rock 虎跳石 platform ~30 min RT
Hours
07:30–17:30
One of the world's deepest gorges — Yangtze drops 200m through narrow chute at 3,790m³/s peak flow. Spray is real; waterproof bag for cameras. Stairs are steep returning.
First altitude impact hits ~3,000m — headache, light dizziness normal. Stay hydrated. Hilton Garden Inn lobby has tea service; ask for Tibetan butter tea 酥油茶 — fat helps altitude adaptation.
酥油茶 — Sūyóu chá — "Butter tea" (Tibetan staple)
18:00 – 22:00
Slow evening Dukezong 独克宗 + early bed
Walk
Hotel → Dukezong Old Town 独克宗古城 (10 min)
Sunset
Giant Prayer Wheel 转经筒 atop Guishan Hill 龟山
Dinner
Tibetan yak momos, tsampa porridge ~¥200/3
Bed
22:00 latest — altitude amplifies fatigue
DO NOT rush up the prayer wheel hill — slow steady steps. The wheel is 21m tall, 60 tonnes — push it clockwise with locals; 3 turns is auspicious. No alcohol tonight.
Day 10 · Sun 21 June
Shangri-La — Shika Mountain + Dukezong
🌤 8–17°C, thin air⛰ 3,300mRegion: Yunnan-Tibetan
🌅 06:27 香格里拉 → 🌇 19:58 · 🌡 7°C dawn → 17°C peak · ☔ 30% · 💧 55% · ☀ UV 9 extreme alt · 🌬 12 km/h
📷 Best shot today: ★ Shika Snow Mountain 石卡雪山 cable car summit ~11:00 — 4,449m alpine panorama, Tibetan plateau in all directions; on a clear day, Meili Snow Mountain 梅里雪山 13 peaks visible 200 km west.
06:00 – 10:00
Slow start + altitude check, breakfast
Sleep in
09:00 latest — first night at 3,300m
Breakfast
Tibetan yak butter tea + tsampa at hotel
Vitals
Hotel front desk has pulse oximeter; check SpO₂ >88% before going out
If anyone has severe headache, vomiting, ataxia — DESCEND. Do not push the program. Hilton Garden Inn front desk can arrange rapid descent transport to Lijiang if needed (1.5h drive, lower altitude). Drink 4L water today.
Two-stage cable car climbs from 3,200m to 4,449m — one of Yunnan's highest. Top platform offers Tibetan plateau panorama; on a clear day, Meili Snow Mountain 13-peaks visible 200 km west. June grass-flowering covers lower slopes in rhododendrons + primroses. Stay at summit 30 min max — wind chill is real, oxygen thinner. Lunch back in Dukezong at halal Muslim Plateau Yak Beef Restaurant.
Dukezong 1,300-year-old Tibetan town, rebuilt post-2014 fire
Cost
Free; tea house ¥40/pax
Find
Yak yogurt 牦牛酸奶 stall on Cangfang St 仓房街 ¥20/cup
Walk SLOWLY. Streets are at 3,300m. Find a sunny tea house, drink butter tea, watch monks shop. Town fully restored after 2014 fire that destroyed two-thirds.
Locals join the clockwise turning every evening — needs ~8 people to rotate the 60-tonne wheel. Join them; it's communal, welcoming. Shangri-La has a sizeable Hui Muslim community — multiple 清真 yak restaurants in Dukezong; Tongda Muslim Yak Beef 通达清真牛肉 is the backup. After dinner, bed by 22:00 — tomorrow is the big altitude day at Pudacuo.
🌧 Weather Plan B: If Pudacuo closed for snow/storm → swap to Napa Lake 纳帕海 grasslands (lower elevation, more weather-resilient — yaks, horses, wide pasture) OR extended Dukezong Old Town walking + tea-house cluster.
🕌 Prayer times (Shangri-La, MWL method): Fajr 04:51 · Sunrise 06:36 · Dhuhr 13:30 · Asr 17:36 · Maghrib 20:20 · Isha 22:10 Pudacuo trek day — pack Fajr early; carry prayer mat
📷 Best shot today: Shudu Lake 属都湖 dawn ~07:30 from the boardwalk — mist on water + yaks grazing. Bita Lake afternoon ~15:00 for forest-light filtering through pines.
06:00 – 10:00
Drive to Pudacuo gate + entry
Where
Pudacuo 普达措 — Yunnan's first national park, ~25 km E of Shangri-La
Booking online recommended (peak-day cap on entries). Park shuttle is mandatory — drops at 3 stops. Arrive at gate 08:00; you want maximum daylight at this altitude.
国家公园 — Guójiā gōngyuán — "National park"
10:00 – 14:00
Shudu Lake 属都湖 walk (3.3 km plank)
Walk
3.3 km wooden boardwalk around lake, ~1.5h
Altitude
3,705m — go slow
Watch
Yaks, alpine flowers (June peak), swans
June is peak flower season — rhododendrons, primroses, azaleas. Bring a thin warm layer + windbreaker. The boardwalk is flat but the altitude makes 3.3 km feel like 6.
Bita Lake is "the cyan tower" in Tibetan — sacred to local Zang people. Optional boat ride ¥75/pax (skip if oxygen low). Exit gate by 16:00 (last shuttle).
Hilton Garden Inn restaurant — request halal meal 24h ahead via concierge
Optional
Foot massage 足疗 ¥80/pax — recovery
After two days at altitude with significant walking, sleep matters more than entertainment tonight. Tibetan hotpot 藏式火锅 in non-halal places typically uses pork bone broth — stick to 清真 venues. Pace tomorrow as a true rest day.
Day 12 · Tue 23 June
Shangri-La — Pick your plan
🌤 7–17°C⛰ 3,300m (or up to 4,300m)Region: Yunnan-Tibetan
Decision morning of Jun 22. Plans A and D are quieter (3,300m base). Plans B and C are full-day excursions (driving + altitude work). Below is recommended Plan A — Tibetan Cultural Immersion. Alternatives summarized at end of page.
06:00 – 10:00
Plan A: Sunrise at Napa Lake 纳帕海 + horse ride
Depart
Hotel 05:30 (with driver) → Napa Lake 6 km NW, arrive 06:00 just before sunrise
Sunrise (~06:28) over the grasslands; mounted ride along the basin trail ~40 min
Return
Breakfast at Sangha Café in Dukezong by 09:30 — Tibetan yak butter tea + Naxi flatbread
Golden hour at Napa is THE Shangri-La image — wide pasture, yak herds, distant peaks lit pink. June grass is lush; bring layers (3,260m, 7°C at sunrise rising to ~14°C by 09:00).
骑马 — Qí mǎ — "Ride a horse"
10:00 – 14:00
Thangka workshop + Tibetan family lunch
Workshop
Commercial Thangka studio in Dukezong (not a monastery) — master painter live demonstration; you try a small mineral-pigment practice piece
Cost
~¥150/pax × 3 = ¥450 (2h workshop)
Lunch
Tibetan family home meal (hotel concierge arranges with halal Hui family) — yak stew, momos, fried barley, butter tea ~¥400/3
Cultural
Conversation about Tibetan-Hui Muslim heritage in Shangri-La (the city has a 500-year-old Hui community)
Thangka are sacred Tibetan Buddhist scroll paintings — workshops are commercial art schools, not temples. A single thangka takes a master 3–18 months; you get to see pigments ground from minerals (lapis, malachite, cinnabar) and apply a small section.
唐卡 — Tángkǎ — "Thangka"
14:00 – 18:00
Yunnan-Hui halal cooking class + souvenir shopping
Cooking
Halal Hui-Tibetan cooking class at local home — yak butter tea (酥油茶) properly, momos (蒸饺), tsampa (糌粑), fried barley (炒面). Takes everything you ate at lunch and shows how it's made.
Cost
~¥250/pax × 3 = ¥750 (3h hands-on)
Then
Dukezong morning market 早市 for souvenirs — yak wool scarves, prayer flags (decorative, not religious-functional), turquoise jewelry, Pu'er tea cakes from local Yunnan
Bring photos of the dishes from lunch as reference. Most cooking studios in Dukezong offer halal options if asked 24h advance. Souvenirs: prefer fixed-price shops over street stalls for clearer pricing.
18:00 – 22:00
Guozhuang folk dance + sunset prayer wheel + dinner
Sifang Square
Sunset Guozhuang 锅庄 — Tibetan circle dance every evening ~19:30; locals + visitors join hands (no religious significance; secular folk celebration)
View
Sunset over Dukezong rooftops + Tibetan plateau from Guishan Park overlook (climb is gentle, 10 min)
Dinner
Final Tibetan-Hui halal yak hotpot at Tongda Muslim 通达清真 ~¥400/3
Pack
Tonight — tomorrow you fly out at 21:30 from DIG
Guozhuang dance at Sifang Square is a daily Shangri-La tradition — visitors are warmly invited to join the outer circle. No skill required, just follow your neighbors. Best ~30 min of cultural immersion you'll find in a Tibetan town.
Full day 巴拉格宗 alpine canyon + glass walkway + cable car. Driver 06:00 hotel pickup (2.5h to gate). Entry+shuttle ¥220 / pax. Return ~19:00. Spectacular but tiring; 2× altitude swings.
Plan C: Meili Snow Mountain
The trip's most iconic mountain experience. Pre-dawn 05:00 departure (4h drive) → Feilai Si overlook (just the viewpoint, no temple visits) → 13-peak sunrise panorama with luck. Return ~20:00. Hard but unforgettable. Driver ¥1,500.
Plan D: Active rest
Late breakfast 09:00 → Tianshengqiao Hot Springs 天生桥温泉 (private rooms ¥80/pax, 2h soak) → Napa Lake e-bike afternoon (flat, easy) → home dinner. Genuine recovery if anyone has lingering altitude symptoms.
Day 13 · Wed 24 June
Shangri-La → Guangzhou (overnight flight)
🌤 9–17°C → 28°C humid⛰ 3,300m → sea levelRegion: → Pearl River Delta
📷 Best shot today: Final Shangri-La morning ~06:30 — Dukezong roofs in dawn mist. Last high-altitude golden hour of trip.
06:00 – 10:00
Sunrise photo at Guishan + final souvenir hunt
06:00–07:30
Climb Guishan Park 龟山公园 in pre-dawn dark (10 min, headlamps) for sunrise (~06:28) over Dukezong's tile rooftops + distant Tibetan plateau. THE last-day photo.
07:30–09:00
Breakfast at Sangha Café (Dukezong) — final yak butter tea + Naxi flatbread + fresh roasted barley. ¥120/3.
09:00–10:00
Dukezong morning market 早市 for last souvenirs: turquoise bead bracelet (¥80–150), yak wool scarf (¥150–300), pressed Pu'er tea cake (¥100–400 depending on year/region — see Appendix H), Tibetan calligraphy print or thangka miniature
Don't pack souvenirs at hotel — bring a foldable duffle to the market and carry direct to airport. Saves repacking. Cash preferred at morning market; some stalls accept WeChat Pay.
多少钱? — Duōshao qián? — "How much?"
10:00 – 14:00
Hotel checkout + halal lunch + flight confirmation
Checkout
Hotel by 12:00 — bags stored free at front desk until afternoon transfer
Lunch
Final halal meal: Muslim Plateau Yak Beef Restaurant 清真高原牦牛肉 — Tibetan-Hui yak noodle soup + dumplings ¥220/3
Optional
30-min foot massage 足疗 nearby ¥80/pax — last altitude-recovery touch before the flight + onward HK travel
Confirm
MU5773 status on Trip.com / China Eastern app at 12:00 — Yunnan monsoon can shift evening schedules VERIFY 21:30 dep
If MU5773 is delayed >2h, alternatives: switch to next-day flight (DIG has 7/wk to CAN) or take overnight bus to Lijiang (5h, ¥150) + fly LJG→CAN next morning. Hotel will help re-route via WeChat.
航班 — Hángbān — "Flight"
14:00 – 18:00
Driver to Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG)
Airport
DIG, 5 km S of Dukezong
Taxi
~¥80, 15 min
Arrive
By 18:30 (T-3h for 21:30 flight)
Check-in
Domestic counters — passport works
DIG is a small airport (single terminal) — security takes 30 min max. There's one café and a snack shop airside. Dinner before security; better choices in town.
18:00 – 22:00
Pre-flight dinner + boarding MU5773
Dinner
Town side or terminal café ¥250/3
Flight
MU5773 DIG → CAN VERIFY exact time
Dep
~21:30 DIG (check 24h ahead)
Arr
~00:30 CAN +1 (Jun 25)
Flight is ~3h. China Eastern serves snack only on this route. Eat properly before. CAN T1 (this flight) has 24h Pullman shuttle.
Day 14 · Thu 25 June
Guangzhou catnap → Hong Kong 香港
🌧 28–32°C humid, sea breeze⛰ sea levelRegion: PRD
🌅 05:44 CAN→HK → 🌇 19:11 HK · 🌡 28°C → 33°C hot · ☔ 60% PM · 💧 85% · ☀ UV 9 extreme · 🌬 12 km/h
👕 Tropical-light + rain shell + sunscreen
📷 Best shot today: Hong Kong arrival evening — Tsim Sha Tsui promenade ~19:00 for Symphony of Lights + Central skyline. Use bridge railing as foreground stabilizer.
Co-located customs at W. Kowloon: clear China exit + HK entry in the basement before exit. Bring printed train ticket + passport. HK visa-free 90 days for Saudi.
Wai Kee 衞記 (Wan Chai halal Cantonese) HK$150/pax — closer if you're returning toward Central
Symphony of Lights is brief and overhyped — fine 1x from TST promenade. Skip Mak's Noodles — its "shrimp" wontons are actually pork-shrimp blend. Skip Sevva rooftop (alcohol bar). Ebeneezer's is the most reliable halal chain in HK; multiple branches if TST is full.
📷 Best shot today: ★ Sleeping Beauty Castle 睡公主城堡 during "Momentous" fireworks + projection mapping ~20:30 (12 min). Get position on Main Street USA central plaza by 20:00 for unobstructed view. Park castle is the photo of the trip.
06:00 – 10:00
Slow morning + tickets + transit to Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland">
Breakfast
Pottinger Hotel (ask kitchen for no-pork plate) ~HK$200/pax
MTR Central → Hong Kong Stn → Tung Chung Line → Sunny Bay (~30 min) → Disneyland Resort Line shuttle (6 min, HK$7.5)
Park opens
~10:30 (verify on day; varies seasonally)
Pack: comfortable shoes (you'll walk 12+ km), light rain shell, sunscreen, portable charger, refillable water bottle, prayer mat for Quiet Room (not supplied), prayer cap. Klook QR tickets scan at gate — no paper needed. Disneyland Resort Line train has Mickey-shaped windows + Disney character statues — kids/adults alike love it.
Quiet Room next to Explorer's Club, Mystic Point — wudhu facilities, barefoot section, prayer area. Travelers may pray Dhuhr (4 rakat) in lieu of Jumu'ah per musafir ruling. For full Jumu'ah congregation: leave park 11:30, MTR to Kowloon Mosque, return ~15:00 (sacrifices ~3h of park time).
HK Disneyland is the world's only Disney park with halal-certified food — Panda Café also offers halal options. The Quiet Room is signposted in Mystic Point; ask a Cast Member if needed. Wudhu sink + clean barefoot area provided. Bring your own prayer mat — not supplied.
米老鼠 — Mǐ Lǎoshǔ — "Mickey Mouse"
14:00 – 18:00
Adventureland + Grizzly Gulch + Fantasyland
Hong Kong Disneyland">
Adventureland
Jungle River Cruise · Tarzan's Treehouse
Grizzly Gulch ★
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars 灰熊山谷 — HKDL-exclusive coaster, 2-direction launches, the park's signature thrill ride
Fantasyland
"it's a small world" (HKDL's version features local touches) · Fairy Tale Forest · Castle photo stop
Asr ~17:30
Return to Quiet Room for Asr prayer (4 rakat)
Mid-afternoon shower is common in Hong Kong June — Mystic Manor and "it's a small world" are good rainy-hour indoor backups. PhotoPass photographers stationed at castle take free souvenir shots — pick up via Klook QR. Stay hydrated; humidity is the real fatigue factor, not heat.
摩天轮 — Mótiānlún — "Ferris wheel / big spin"
18:00 – 22:00
Parade + ★ Momentous fireworks + return
Dinner ~18:30
Halal options inside park: Royal Banquet Hall reopens for dinner OR Tahitian Terrace (Adventureland, vegetarian-friendly). Maghrib ~20:20 at Quiet Room.
Parade ~19:30
"Disney Stars on Parade" — Mickey + Friends down Main Street USA
Fireworks ★ ~20:30
"Momentous" — 12 min castle projection mapping + drone show + pyrotechnics. THE photo of the trip. Position by 20:00 on Main Street central plaza.
Park close + transit
Park closes ~21:00. MTR Resort Line shuttle → Sunny Bay → Tung Chung Line → Central → Pottinger by ~22:30.
Crowd surges right after fireworks — the Resort Line shuttle gets jammed. Wait 15 min at Main Street with a drink, then walk out leisurely. MTR's last train from Sunny Bay ~00:30, so no rush. Big day — sleep well; tomorrow you transit to Shenzhen for WINNOTIME.
📷 Best shot today: Vibrant Express window seat right side for Pearl River Delta industrial sprawl. Evening — Shenzhen Pingxia Square neon ~21:00 for cyberpunk aesthetic.
06:00 – 10:00
Pottinger checkout + halal breakfast
Checkout
By 09:00 — leave luggage if early
Breakfast
Hotel breakfast (Pottinger has Western options, ask kitchen for no-pork plate) OR Islamic Centre Canteen 6F bakery in Wan Chai for pastries
Taxi
Central → W. Kowloon ~15 min, HK$70
Skip Lin Heung Teahouse — its cart dim sum has char siu pork, har gow with pork-shrimp filling, and other haram items. Hotel breakfast or grab snacks from any 7-Eleven (look for halal-friendly bakery items) is the simplest route this morning.
飲茶 — Yǐn chá (Yum cha) — "Drink tea" / Cantonese dim sum brunch
10:00 – 14:00
Vibrant Express G5723 W. Kowloon → Futian
Train
Vibrant Express, 14 min, 20+ daily
2nd class
HK$78 / pax × 3 = HK$234
Suggested
G5723 09:30 / G5739 09:00 / 10:15 — book on highspeed.mtr.com.hk
Customs
HK exit + China entry at W. Kowloon basement before boarding
Don't bring restricted items — fresh fruit, raw meat, lithium >160Wh. Watches/parts fine. Bring printed ticket if e-ticket validation issues. Futian station underground; lifts to street.
Shenzhen Futian Convention & Exhibition Center 深圳福田会展中心, 09:30–18:00
Entry
Pre-register free at winnotime.com VERIFY 2026 portal
CEC is at Fuhua 3rd Rd, 5–8 min walk from Atour Hotel (street level). Atour breakfast is included, simple Chinese-Western buffet. Bring business cards (200x), trade-show backpack, comfortable shoes. Smart casual — Western brands' booths prefer collared shirts.
Afeng is the convenient Futian halal anchor — within walking distance of CEC and Atour Hotel. Industry mixers may include wine/champagne — sip water/juice, skip the toast. Bring 200+ cards — Chinese suppliers exchange aggressively.
📷 Best shot today: ★ Shenzhen Civic Center 市民中心 light show 19:30 (~20 min) — synchronized facade animation on Futian skyline. Stand at Lianhua Hill for elevated view.
06:00 – 10:00
Atour breakfast + WW prep
Breakfast
Atour breakfast included (Chinese-Western buffet) OR halal Afeng Muslim 阿凤清真 5 min walk for hand-pulled noodles ¥120/3
Plan day
Day 3 is shorter — fair closes ~16:00. Hit Smart Mfg + AI/Software zones
Suggested
Block AM for component suppliers; PM for finished + meetings
Day 3 = bargain day. Booth staff close deals to avoid shipping samples back. Best time for quote negotiations on movements, hands, dial blanks, leather. Take photos of business cards immediately.
Smart Mfg zone has CNC parts vendors, watch assembly lines, microbrand-friendly contract manufacturers (MOQ 50–200). AI zone has health-sensor + algorithm partners — talk to anyone working on accurate optical heart-rate sensors.
14:00 – 18:00
CEC: Finished Watches Zone + close-down
Where
CEC Halls 8–9 (Finished Watches: brands)
Look at
Chinese independents (Atelier Wen, Memorigin, Beijing); Smart wearables (Huami, OPPO)
Action
Last orders, sample pickups, follow-up calendars
Fair closes at 16:00. Be packed and out by 15:30 to grab a calmer 30 min of conversations. Confirm WeChat add for any potential partner before leaving — Chinese business runs on WeChat, not email.
18:00 – 22:00
Decompress dinner + final Shenzhen night
Dinner
The Istanbul Restaurant, No.1 Huafa N Rd 华发北路, Longsheng AB Building, Futian — Turkish halal: kebab, shawarma, mandi rice ¥400/3
Backup
Zhongfayuan Muslim Restaurant 中发园清真 (Futian branch) — Hui Cantonese-Muslim ¥350/3 OR Huang Jin Mai Lanzhou Beef Noodles 黄金麦兰州拉面 ¥150/3
Optional
Civic Center 市民中心 light show 19:30 (free, no alcohol nearby)
Pack
Tonight — tomorrow transfers Guangzhou
Skip Western steakhouses + alcohol-focused hotel bars. Atour doesn't have a spa — walk to Coco Park area for foot massage 足疗 ~¥80/pax recovery. Pack samples + business cards into a separate dedicated bag for customs flexibility. Bed by 23:00.
Day 18 · Mon 29 June
Shenzhen → Guangzhou Shamian 沙面
🌤 28–33°C humid⛰ sea levelRegion: PRD · final night
📷 Best shot today: Shamian Island 沙面 banyan-lined streets, late afternoon ~17:30 — backlit Beaux-Arts facades + low Pearl River sun. Bring 35mm equivalent.
06:00 – 10:00
Atour Hotel checkout + Futian to GZ South
Checkout
By 09:00
Walk
Hotel → Futian Stn 8 min
Train
G6113 / G6115 Futian → GZ South ~32 min
2nd class
¥80 / pax × 3 = ¥240
Futian intercity trains run 8–10 min frequency mornings. Buy ticket on Trip.com night before, or use station kiosk (passport scan works for Saudi passports under visa-free).
Nur Bostan 努尔布斯坦 (Uyghur halal) directly opposite mosque OR Xinyue Muslim Restaurant 新月清真 nearby — lamb skewers, polo (pilaf), nan ~¥250/3
Skip Lin Heung Tea House Guangzhou — its cart dim sum is loaded with pork (char siu bao, siu mai with pork-shrimp). Huaisheng Mosque is THE highlight of Muslim Guangzhou — 1,400 years old, light tower 光塔 minaret was a Pearl River lighthouse. Surrounding streets have 20+ halal restaurants serving the Hui/Arab/African trader community.
怀圣寺 — Huáishèng Sì — "Memorial of the Sage Mosque"
14:00 – 18:00
Shamian walk + Shangxiajiu 上下九 street food
Walk
Shamian E→W ~1.5 km loop, brick lanes, banyans
See
Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (1892), HSBC Building (1920), former US consulate
Street
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street 上下九步行街 — egg tarts, double-skin milk, congee
Cross the pedestrian bridge from Shamian N to Liwan 荔湾 — that puts you onto Shangxiajiu. Best snacks: Yindji Egg Tart 银记肠粉, Nanxin Sweets 南信. Pace yourself — dinner ahead.
18:00 – 22:00
Final halal banquet at Xiaobei Rd 小北路 Muslim quarter
Where
Xiaobei Rd 小北路, Yuexiu 越秀 — Guangzhou's main Muslim trader quarter (Hui + Middle Eastern + African community)
Pick
Emirates Palace Restaurant 阿联酋宫 (UAE-style mandi/grill), OR Tianshan Cuisine 天山饭店 (Uyghur halal banquet) — ¥600/3 full banquet
Order
Lamb shank with pilaf 抓饭, hand-pulled noodles, mutton stew, fresh nan, mint tea
Book
Hotel concierge calls 1 day ahead
Skip Bingsheng (roast goose is non-halal Cantonese signature, served with char siu pork). Xiaobei is unique — China's biggest Arab/African trader hub, hundreds of halal restaurants spanning Middle Eastern, Uyghur, Pakistani. Closer to your taste profile than Cantonese fine dining and a fitting closing meal.
📷 Best shot today: Final morning at Shamian ~07:00 — quiet streets before tourists, golden light on colonial buildings. Last memory shot.
06:00 – 10:00
Slow last morning — coffee on Shamian
Where
Shamian Café (Star Café or local sit-down)
Cost
¥100/3
Pack
Final pack with souvenirs/samples separated
Checkout
10:30 — store bags until taxi
Don't book activities. The trip closes today. Walk Shamian's banyan-shaded streets one more time, take last family photos at the riverside.
10:00 – 14:00
Taxi to CAN airport (T2)
Taxi
Shamian → CAN T2 ~55 min, ¥180. Leave by 11:00 for 11:30 arrival
Check-in
SV885 opens T-3h = 12:25
Customs
Declare watch samples if asked; have receipts ready
Friday traffic Shenzhen-Guangzhou is heavy — leaving Tuesday is OK but allow buffer. T2 is Saudia terminal. Check baggage allowance: Saudia 30 kg econ, 40 kg biz; oversize ¥800/bag if over.
海关申报 — Hǎiguān shēnbào — "Customs declaration"
14:00 – 18:00
SV885 boarding + departure 15:25
Flight
SV885 CAN → RUH, Boeing 787-9
Dep
15:25 CAN T2
Duration
9 h 15 min direct
Arr
19:40 RUH T4 (King Khalid Intl)
Sleep cycle: Riyadh +5h behind Beijing. Stay awake on the flight to land at 19:40 RUH and sleep normal night. Compress luggage into checked bags before security (watch samples in carry-on).
Allow ~48h jet-lag recovery before resuming heavy work or watch-launch tasks. Schedule follow-up WeChat messages to WINNOTIME contacts within 3 days while you're fresh in their memory.
Appendix A · Transport Summary
All train numbers and prices marked VERIFY should be reconfirmed 14 days before departure on Trip.com. Saudi passport works at all station ID readers under the visa-free policy.
Flights
Date
Flight
Route
Dep / Arr
Duration
Class · pax · est. cost
Jun 12 Fri
SV876 VERIFY
RUH → CAN
~22:00 → ~09:30 +1
~8h 35min
Econ × 3 ~5,400 SAR (RT incl. SV885)
Jun 24 Wed
MU5773 VERIFY
DIG → CAN
~21:30 → 00:30 +1
~3h
Econ × 3 ~¥3,600 (~3,560 SAR)
Jun 30 Tue
SV885
CAN → RUH
15:25 → 19:40
9h 15min
(incl. in RT above)
High-Speed Rail
Date
Train
Route
Dep / Arr
Duration
2nd × 3
Jun 13
G2935 / G2933 / G529 VERIFY
Guangzhou South → Yangshuo
~10:30 → ~14:00
~3h 30min
~¥495
Jun 16
G2934 VERIFY
Yangshuo → Kunming South
~07:30 → ~12:30
~5h
~¥1,335
Jun 16
D8654 / D8656 / D8658
Kunming South → Dali
~13:30 → ~15:30
~2h
~¥435
Jun 18
D8770 / D8772 VERIFY
Dali → Lijiang
~11:00 → ~13:00
~2h
~¥225
Jun 25
G79 / G99
Guangzhou South → HK West Kowloon
~11:00 → ~11:47
47 min
~¥645
Jun 27
G5723 / G5739 Vibrant
HK West Kowloon → Futian
~09:30 → 09:44
14 min
~HK$234
Jun 29
G6113 / G6115
Futian → Guangzhou South
~09:30 → ~10:02
32 min
~¥240
HSR subtotal (excl. SV/MU flights)
~¥3,375 + HK$234 ≈ 1,890 SAR
Private driver / Taxi (one-off)
Date
Route
Notes
Cost × 3
Jun 20
Lijiang → TLG → Shangri-La (full day)
SUV w/ oxygen, ~9h, English driver
~¥1,300 VERIFY
Jun 13, 25, 29, 30
Airport/station taxis (multiple)
Use Didi (English version)
~¥700 total
Jun 14
Yangshuo + Xianggong Mtn driver
Half-day local
~¥350
Jun 15 (opt A)
Yangshuo → Longji RT
If chosen
~¥900
Jun 22
Hotel → Pudacuo gate RT
Park requires private/taxi
~¥250
Appendix B · Hotel Options — 5 per Area
The originally planned hotel is marked ★ in each section. The 4 alternatives are vetted at similar quality. All rates 2026 estimated VERIFY at booking. Triple/family room availability is the binding constraint for 3 travelers in 1 room.
358m² Family Villa (separate living + kid's room + soak tub)
~¥1,800
Modern resort at base of Jade Dragon Snow Mtn. Naxi-inspired architecture. Uninterrupted mountain view from villa terraces. 15 min taxi to Dayan Old Town.
Halal-friendly tip: International 5-star chains (Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Shangri-La) routinely accommodate halal meal requests with 24h notice — call hotel directly, ask for executive chef. Boutique hotels (Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, Blossom Hill, plus the boutique alternatives in Appendix B) are more variable — confirm in advance via email; offer to provide guidance on certified halal ingredients to make it easier on the kitchen.
Booking notes.The Dali EDITION is opening Q1 2026 — opening-rate may be discounted; book direct via marriott.com (EDITION is a Marriott brand). Pullman Lijiang Family Villa books out fast in June; 60d ahead via Accor. Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La rarely sells out — book 14d ahead. Atour during WINNOTIME may rise in price — book ASAP. Pottinger has limited triple rooms; consider 1 twin + 1 single if family unavailable. Yangshuo Mountain Retreat boutique — book direct for best rate. Mandarin Oriental Landmark HK is freshly reopened Jun 1, 2026 — luxury upgrade option if budget allows.
Appendix C · Cost Breakdown (SAR, running total)
Exchange rates assumed: 1 CNY = 0.52 SAR; 1 HKD = 0.48 SAR. VERIFY closer to travel. All costs are 3-person estimates.
Xiaobei halal banquet + Royal Banquet Hall in-park
2 special-occasion meals (halal)
~¥1,500 + HK$360
~950
36,840
eSIM × 3 + VPN (Astrill) × 3 months
—
~$120
~450
36,670
Travel insurance × 3 (CFAR)
3-week multi-region
—
~900
37,570
Contingency 10%
—
—
~3,760
41,330
Estimated total trip cost (3 pax, 18 nights)
~41,330 SAR
Cost levers. Upgrade Shangri-La back to Songtsam Linka boutique ⇒ +¥6,000. Skip Longji + Meili optional days ⇒ save ~¥1,900. Add a Banyan Tree Lijiang night instead of Pullman ⇒ +¥1,000. Skip Disneyland fireworks → exit before 19:30 (no cost save but lets you catch the early MTR; or buy a 2-day pass for ~HK$1,132 — barely more than 1-day at Tier 1, gives flexibility).
Cost not budgeted. Visa fees (zero — Saudi visa-free). Watch purchases & sample orders at WINNOTIME — separate budget; cash limit ~HK$100k undeclared per pax. WINNOTIME registration is free. Disneyland in-park souvenirs (Mickey ears, plushies) — typical ~HK$200/pax if buying.
Building B, Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi East Rd, Guangzhou 510064
+86 20 8333 3668 VERIFY
Sun–Thu 09:00–14:00
Consulate-General, Hong Kong
1502 Tower 6, The Gateway, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
+852 2522 2123 VERIFY
Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00
Chinese / HK emergency services
Service
Mainland
Hong Kong
Police
110
999 (or 2527 7177)
Ambulance
120
999
Fire
119
999
Traffic accident
122
—
Tourism complaint hotline
12301
2508 1234
Airline offices
Airline
City
Phone
Saudia Guangzhou office
Rm 1505 Garden Tower, 368 Huanshi East Rd
+86 20 8334 6868 VERIFY
Saudia Riyadh reservations
—
+966 920 022 222
China Eastern (MU5773)
Domestic hotline
+86 95530 (24h)
Medical / altitude
Facility
Location
Notes
Shangri-La People's Hospital
香格里拉市人民医院, Changzheng Ave, Jiantang
Primary altitude-sickness facility. Has hyperbaric chamber
Lijiang People's Hospital
丽江市人民医院, Fuhui Rd, Lijiang
If descent from Shangri-La needed
Guangzhou Concord Medical
广州康辰医疗, Tianhe District
English-speaking; international insurance
HK Adventist Hospital (Stubbs Rd)
40 Stubbs Rd, Happy Valley
English; insurance preferred
Insurance card photos on every phone (offline, screenshot). Keep your Saudi travel insurance policy number + 24h emergency line in your wallet AND share on a family WhatsApp group with someone at home.
Appendix F · Altitude Acclimatization Protocol — Shangri-La 3,300m
Shangri-La (3,300m) and Pudacuo (up to 4,100m) sit above the AMS (acute mountain sickness) threshold of ~2,500m. With a 3-day stay following an ascent from sea level, you are at moderate risk. The protocol below assumes healthy adults with no pre-existing cardiac/pulmonary conditions; VERIFY with personal physician 4 weeks before, especially the ophthalmology resident given the unique altitude–eye considerations (transient visual disturbance, possible retinal hemorrhage at >4,000m).
Day-by-day plan
Day
Altitude
Action
Jun 18 (Lijiang)
2,400m
Day 1 mild adaptation. 3L water. Light dinner. Optional Diamox 125mg AM (start prophylaxis here)
Jun 19 (Lijiang)
2,400m
Active day OK. Maintain hydration. No alcohol.
Jun 20 (TLG → Shangri-La)
2,400 → 3,300m
Slow ascent over 6h. SpO₂ check on arrival; target ≥88% resting. Diamox 125mg AM & PM. Bed by 22:00.
Jun 21 (Shangri-La)
3,300m
"Climb high, sleep low" — Shika Snow Mountain summit 4,449m max (cable car, brief stay), sleep 3,300m. SpO₂ AM check.
Jun 22 (Pudacuo)
peaks ~4,100m
Highest day. Walk SLOWLY. Carry oxygen can. Snacks every 90 min. If headache >7/10, descend.
Jun 23 (Shangri-La buffer)
3,300m
Adapted by now. Lower-key day. Last Diamox dose AM.
Jun 24 (DIG flight)
3,300m → sea level
Rapid descent symptoms (uncommon): may feel sleepy or mild headache. Normalises in 24h.
Hydration target
4 L water/day at altitude. Carry a 1L reusable bottle each. Sip continuously; don't chug. Track urine: pale yellow = OK, dark = behind.
Symptoms — recognise these
Severity
Symptoms
Action
Mild AMS
Headache, fatigue, mild nausea, poor sleep
Rest, hydrate, ibuprofen 400mg, Diamox if not already. Do NOT go higher.
Moderate AMS
Persistent headache >6h despite meds, vomiting, ataxia, severe fatigue
Descend 500m+ minimum. Oxygen if available. Telegraph hotel — Hilton Garden Inn front desk has 24h support; Shangri-La People's Hospital ~10 min drive.
HACE (cerebral edema)
Confusion, hallucinations, severe ataxia, drowsiness
EMERGENCY — descend immediately ≥1,000m. Call 120. This is life-threatening.
HAPE (pulmonary edema)
Breathlessness at rest, frothy/pink sputum, blue lips, persistent cough
EMERGENCY — descend, oxygen, dexamethasone if available. Call 120.
Oxygen sources in Shangri-La
Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La: Request oxygen at front desk; they keep pillows for guests showing AMS symptoms. Or buy a portable can at hotel shop (~¥40).
Pharmacies (药店): Disposable 5L oxygen cans ¥35–50 each, every 200m on main streets.
Pudacuo park: Vendors sell cans at the visitor centre and at Shudu Lake stop.
DIG airport: Sells oxygen cans landside; available pre-flight for emergencies.
Things NOT to do
Alcohol-containing medications/mouthwash: avoid the same way at altitude — alcohol (even ethanol-based meds) impairs respiratory drive. Switch to alcohol-free mouthwash + check cough syrup labels before the trip.
Sleeping pills / antihistamines: avoid — same respiratory issue. Use melatonin only.
Hot showers immediately on arrival: drops blood pressure; wait 2h.
Heavy meals on Day 1: blood diverts to digestion not breathing. Eat small portions.
Pushing through severe symptoms: the descent works. Don't be heroic.
Pre-register free at winnotime.comVERIFY 2026 portal; bring printed QR + business card to entrance
Walk from Atour Hotel
5–8 min at street level (or via mall connection)
Dress code
Smart casual minimum (collared shirt, no shorts). Western brands' VIP rooms prefer business attire. Closed-toe shoes mandatory for Smart Manufacturing zone (CNC demos).
The three zones (2026 rebrand)
Zone
What's there
Priority for independent maker
Finished Watches Zone (Halls 8–9)
Domestic + international brands, mechanical + smart, retailer wholesale
Survey only — see what competitors are doing. Talk to 1–2 Chinese independents (Atelier Wen, Memorigin, Celadon).
Travel pro tip. Every booth scans your QR for follow-up. WeChat add immediately is more valuable than email — Chinese suppliers reply in WeChat within minutes vs. email within days. Set your WeChat profile name to "YourName · Riyadh Independent Watchmaking" so they remember you.
Appendix H · Shopping Authentication Guide
Yunnan and Hong Kong are world-class destinations for tea, jade and silk — and also world-class destinations for counterfeits. Below are the checks dealers don't want you to know. Buy from licensed vendors with provenance; walk away from anything refusing certification.
Pu'er Tea 普洱茶 (Yunnan)
Check
What to look for
Red flag
Origin
Wrapper must state "云南 Yunnan" + specific mountain: 易武 Yiwu, 班章 Banzhang, 冰岛 Bingdao, 老班章, 景迈 Jingmai. Production date stamped.
Vague "Pu'er region" with no mountain or year. Common substitute: Myanmar/Vietnam/Guangxi leaves.
Compression
Cake (饼茶 bǐng chá) 357g standard; tight but not stone-hard. Edges crisp. Leaves visible on surface — whole, not crushed.
Sheng 生 (raw) — fresh hay, fruit, floral. Shou 熟 (ripe) — earthy, woody, NOT fishy or musty.
"Wet warehouse" mould smell, fishy/ammoniac sourness — these are artificially aged.
Brew
Smooth, sweet returning aftertaste 回甘 huígān. Bitter at first OK; should NOT be harsh throughout.
Astringent throughout, no aftertaste, cloudy/red liquid (over-aged or fake).
Price
Real 2020 Bingdao cake (357g): ¥800–2,500. Real 30-year aged: ¥10,000+. Anything claiming "100-year aged" for ¥500 is fake.
Unbelievable bargains; pressed cakes claiming >20 years for <¥1,000.
Where to buy: Lijiang and Shangri-La old town shops sell mostly mid-grade tourist Pu'er. For serious purchase: visit Kunming Xiongda Tea Market 雄达茶城 OR established names like Dayi 大益, Xiaguan 下关, Yunnan Sourcing (online direct from farm). VERIFY dealer certificate of origin (产地证明).
Jade 玉 — Nephrite (Hetian) vs Jadeite
Type
Source & characteristics
Authentication checks
Hetian Nephrite 和田玉
From Kunlun Mts, Xinjiang. Warm, oily/waxy luster ("mutton-fat" 羊脂玉 yáng zhī yù is top grade). Calcium-magnesium silicate. Hardness 6–6.5 Mohs.
"Oily feel" 油性 — surface should feel slightly greasy, never glass-cold. Genuine density 2.9–3.0 g/cm³ (fakes 10%+ lighter). Refractive index ~1.62.
Jadeite 翡翠
From Burma/Myanmar. Vivid green ("imperial jade"), high translucency, glassy luster. Sodium-aluminum silicate. Hardness 6.5–7. Most "Hong Kong jade" is jadeite.
Refractive index ~1.66. Cold to touch, not warm. Should feel dense — heavier than glass of equal size.
Demand A-Jade Certification 翡翠A货证书 from a Chinese gemological lab (GIA, NGTC, GTC-HK, NJL). Should mention "天然 natural" + sample-grade code.
5-second field tests: (1) Click test — knock two pieces together, real jade rings like clear chime; plastic/glass goes dull. (2) Hair test — strand of hair under flame near surface: real jade conducts heat, hair doesn't burn quickly. (3) Density — heft in hand: real jade feels deceptively heavy. (4) Light test — natural inclusions visible under torch; B-jade looks "too clean."
Where to buy: Jade Market 玉器市場 in Yau Ma Tei HK (cleaner provenance), Lijiang Sifang St (be skeptical), Guangzhou Hualin Jade Market 华林玉器市场 (huge selection, mixed quality). Always get a paper certificate from a recognised lab; reject anything verbal-only.
Silk 丝绸
Check
What to look for
Red flag
Burn test
Real mulberry silk (桑蚕丝) burns slowly, smells like burnt hair, leaves dark crispy ash that crushes to powder.
Polyester/viscose: melts into hard plastic bead; chemical/sweet smell. Vendors won't allow this test on real silk — fair: ask for a thread sample.
Touch
Cool, smooth-but-irregular, slight friction. Warms to skin temp in seconds.
Too-slick, glass-cool, stays cold — synthetic.
Shine
Pearlescent, color shifts at angles (silk's natural triangular fiber refraction). Subtle, not metallic.
Unlabelled momme on "premium" silk = likely viscose blend.
Grade
Look for 6A or 5A grade tag — top mulberry silk. Hangzhou/Suzhou-origin = best for clothing.
Generic "100% silk" with no grade or origin.
Where to buy: Lijiang has tourist-tier silk scarves (¥80–200 — mostly viscose blends, fine for gifts). For real silk: Hong Kong Jade Market area + Stanley Market silk stalls; Hangzhou silk via Shenzhen department stores (Maison Tang, Hangzhou Silk House branches). For wedding-quality silk: Shanghai's Nanjing Rd dedicated silk houses — beyond this trip but worth a future visit.
Two general rules
Walk-away leverage. Chinese vendors expect negotiation — start at 30–40% of asking, settle at 50–60%. If pressed, walk; they'll call you back at the real price. Don't haggle on items priced under ¥100 — it's culturally needless.
Provenance trumps savings. A ¥5,000 certified jade pendant is a better buy than ¥500 "great deal" with no paperwork. Tea similarly — ¥800 cake with verified mountain & year > ¥200 cake claiming 30 years.
Appendix I · Payment Methods Across China
Saudi-issued Visa/Mastercard now work inside Alipay and WeChat Pay, eliminating the 2019-era foreigner payment problem. But cash still matters for rural Yunnan and small mosques.
General rules
Tier
Where it works
Carry
Alipay 支付宝 + Tour Pass
EVERYWHERE in mainland — taxis, vendors, mosques, even temple donations. Foreigner Tour Pass (link Visa/MC) auto-converts.
Primary payment 90% of mainland transactions
WeChat Pay 微信支付
Same as Alipay but better at supplier B2B. Some Yunnan rural stalls only do WeChat.
Secondary; activate Tour Pass before arrival
Cash 现金
Mosque donations, ¥1-2 street snacks, taxi tips in Yunnan, small village stalls beyond Dali
Hotels (The Dali EDITION, Pullman Lijiang, Hilton Garden Inn, Pottinger, Atour), HK 100%, Shenzhen modern restaurants. NOT widely accepted in mainland small biz.
One primary card + one backup
HK Octopus 八達通
HK MTR, buses, taxis, 7-Eleven, most casual restaurants. Stored value, tap-to-pay.
HK$300 per pax loaded; buy at airport on arrival
UnionPay / 银联
Universal in mainland ATMs. Saudi cards work at ICBC, BoC, CCB ATMs.
Have one Saudi card with UnionPay capability for emergency cash withdrawal
One-time setup before trip: (1) Open Alipay app → "Tour Pass / 国际版" → bind Saudi Visa/MC. (2) Open WeChat → Me → Wallet → activate International Card. Both require passport scan + face liveness. Allow 2 hours total. (3) On arrival, use Alipay to pay one small thing (taxi ¥30) to confirm activation before relying on it.
Appendix J · Tipping & Bargaining by Region
Tipping
Region
Restaurants
Taxis/Drivers
Hotels / Porter
Other
Mainland China (general)
NO tip culture. Service charge sometimes added (10%) in HK-influenced spots. Rounding up OK.
NO tip. Round up ¥1–2 if exact change saves hassle.
¥10–20 / bag for porter at luxury hotels. Otherwise nothing.
Spa: ¥20–50 if exceptional. Guides on multi-day private drivers: ¥50–100/day end-of-trip.
Yunnan rural
Skip tipping. Buying tea or yak yogurt for the family extends gratitude.
NO tip. Driver tips refuse usually — give them a fruit/snack instead.
Songtsam Linka: optional ¥50–100 for housekeeping end-of-stay.
Tibetan monasteries: ¥10–20 donation 布施 at Buddha hall (NOT a tip, an offering).
Hong Kong
10% service charge usually added — if not, leave 10%. Cheap places: round up.
HK$5–10 round-up. Drivers don't expect more.
HK$20/bag porter. Concierge: HK$50–100 for restaurant booking or special help.
Spa: 10% standard. Tour guide: HK$100/day.
Shenzhen
NO tip culture (same as mainland).
NO tip.
Atour: no tipping expected (budget chain).
—
Bargaining
Where
Start at
Settle around
Notes
Lijiang Old Town stalls (jewellery, scarves, snacks)
30–40% of asking
50–60%
Walk away to test ceiling. Stall vendors are theatrical; smile and counter low.
Wuyi Plaza HK (grey-market watches)
5–10% off asking on listed
10–15% off final
Cash discount: extra 3–5%. Bring HK$ cash for serious deals. Ask for ALL paperwork.
HK Jade Market 玉器市場 (Yau Ma Tei)
30% of asking on jadeite, 50% on bone/wood
50–60%
Demand certificate (A-Jade lab cert) before settling on price. No cert = walk.
Shangxiajiu / Shamian street vendors
50–60% of asking
65–75%
Cantonese-speaking stalls are tougher negotiators than tourist-area ones.
Xiaobei Rd Guangzhou (Muslim quarter)
Mostly fixed price
Round down
Hui/Arab/African trader culture — bargaining done in trader spirit but settled prices respected. Don't lowball.
End-of-show prices (Day 3) are best; suppliers don't want to ship samples back.
Tea (Pu'er, oolong)
40% of asking
60%
Ask for sealed sample to take home + production date stamp visible.
Taxi (mainland)
Use meter — NEVER negotiate
Meter only
If driver says "no meter" or "fixed price", refuse and use Didi instead.
Universal rule: If a vendor matches your first counter-offer instantly, you're still overpaying. Walk to a competing stall, watch them call you back, that's the real ceiling.
Appendix K · China Digital Arrival Card 入境卡
Required for all foreign nationals entering mainland China since 2024. Saudi visa-free entrants still need to complete this. Fill out online up to 72h before landing CAN, or at the airport kiosk on arrival (slower).
Quick reference
Official portal
card.nia.gov.cn (National Immigration Administration). Use only this URL — many scam sites mimic it.
When to file
Within 72 hours BEFORE landing. Filing earlier returns an error.
Cost
Free. Any "service fee" page is a scam.
Time needed
~10 min per person. Save the QR at the end as a screenshot AND PDF.
Language
Form available in English; toggle in upper-right.
Step-by-step
Open card.nia.gov.cn on phone (~Jun 10, after final ticket details locked).
Toggle English (top right) and tap "Foreigner Arrival Card / 入境卡".
Personal info: passport number (case-sensitive, no spaces), name in ENGLISH exactly as on passport, nationality 沙特阿拉伯 Saudi Arabia, date of birth.
Travel info: Flight SV876, arrival date 2026-06-13, port of entry: Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN). Country last visited: Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of visit: "Tourism" (sightseeing). Even though you have a watch fair, declaring "Business" triggers stricter review — only declare business if attending official Chinese contracted meeting.
Length of stay: 12 days (mainland nights only, NOT counting HK). Your 30-day visa-free window starts 00:00 the day AFTER arrival.
Health declaration: answer truthfully. No recent fever / no visit to listed countries / no contact with infectious disease patients.
Submit → wait ~5 seconds → receive QR code. Screenshot + save to phone wallet + email a backup to yourself.
At immigration: show QR to officer on arrival. Takes 30 seconds.
Common pitfalls
Passport name mismatch: if your passport spells "MOHAMMED" but you typed "MOHAMED" — REJECT at counter. Triple-check.
Submitted too early: if you fill it > 72h before landing, the QR is invalid. Re-fill on Jun 10.
Multi-entry: One QR per entry. If you fly DIG → CAN on Jun 24 and come back to mainland from HK on Jun 27, you may need a new card for the HK→Futian crossing (verify with HK MTR Vibrant Express conductor).
HK arrival card: Hong Kong has its OWN separate arrival card system. Fill at gov.hk 72h before HK entry on Jun 25.
Verification tip: Print all 3 QRs (one per traveler) on paper as a backup in case phones die. Tuck them inside passport.
Appendix L · Tourist Scams to Avoid
China is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world for violent crime. But specific scams targeting tourists exist, and they cluster by city. Recognise the pattern, walk away — that's all that's needed.
City
Scam
Recognise it
What to do
Yangshuo
Fake bamboo raft "discount"
Independent operator near Yangdi pier offers ¥150/raft (vs official ¥216). They take you 200m and demand more.
Book ONLY through hotel desk or Trip.com. ¥216 official is the only legitimate price.
Yangshuo
"Tea ceremony" overcharge
Friendly local on West Street invites you to a "private tea tasting" upstairs. Bill arrives at ¥800 for 4 cups.
Politely decline any unsolicited invitation. Tea ceremonies are real but only at clearly marked tea shops with menus.
Xingping
"¥20 RMB photo spot" surcharge
Vendor charges ¥20 per group to use the famous viewpoint. The actual viewpoint is free with a 15-min uphill walk.
Walk up the hill yourself. Free.
Dali / Lijiang
Fake jade
Vendor swears "Hetian jade" or "Burma A-jadeite" with no certificate. Price suspiciously low for the size.
NEVER buy jade without an A-Jade lab certificate (NGTC, GTC, GIA). Walk away from anything without paperwork.
Lijiang
"Naxi cultural performance" surcharge
Hotel concierge sells "exclusive Naxi music" at ¥600/pax. The actual Naxi Music Academy is ¥160.
Buy directly at Naxi Music Academy 纳西古乐 box office at Old Town.
Shangri-La
"Tibetan medicine" street upsell
Monk-dressed seller (not real monks) offers "rare medicine" near Dukezong Old Town or tourist viewpoints. Often ¥2,000+ for fake herbs.
Real monks don't sell medicine to tourists. If approached, walk away and report to local tourism police 12301.
HK Mong Kok
"Milk tea girls" tour
Attractive young women approach asking for "language practice" or "milk tea." Lead to overpriced bar (HK$2,000 for one drink).
Politely refuse. This is a classic tourist trap throughout Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
HK Wuyi Plaza
Watch authentication grift
Second dealer says "your watch is fake, I'll buy at 30% loss." Coordinated with first dealer who sold the watch.
Get authentication only from official AD (Patek, Rolex service centers in IFC). Never from another grey market dealer.
Shenzhen taxis
"Broken meter" + flat rate
Driver claims meter is broken, quotes ¥300 for ¥40 ride.
Refuse, get out, hail another. Or use Didi exclusively — meter enforced by app.
Strangers ask for your business card and "samples" to "introduce you to factories." Cards harvested for cold-call spam.
Only exchange cards with booth representatives. Confirm WeChat add face-to-face before sharing samples.
Guangzhou Shamian
"Photographer" near tourists
Person offers to take your photo, then demands payment.
Politely refuse from start. Use phone tripod or selfie stick.
Anywhere
QR code scams
"Free WiFi" or "tourist info" QR codes posted in public — actually steal Alipay/WeChat tokens.
Only scan QR codes presented BY a vendor at point of sale, never wall posters or random handouts.
Anywhere
"Special foreigner price"
Same goods marked up 2x when foreigner asks. Common at unmarked stalls.
Ask in Mandarin "多少钱?" (duōshao qián, how much?) — vendors often start lower. Then walk if too high.
Universal red flags: Anyone approaching YOU first with "deal" / "introduction" / "tour" is suspect 90% of the time. Genuine local interactions usually happen because you initiated.
If something goes wrong: Take photo of vendor + receipt. Call 12301 Tourism Complaint Hotline (mainland) or 2508 1234 (HK). Tourist complaint resolution in China is fast and often favors visitors.
Appendix M · Optional Activities by Area
Add-on suggestions beyond the core 4-time-block daily plan. Slot in if a day frees up, weather forces a swap, or someone wants a personal detour. All halal-friendly noted; no Buddhist monasteries.
1. Yangshuo / Guangxi karst (Jun 13–15)
Activity
Cost × 3
Time
Why
Moon Hill 月亮山 natural arch hike
~¥90
1.5h RT
800-step climb to limestone arch with panoramic karst peaks; iconic photo spot
Halal-adapted cooking class at Cloud Nine
~¥750
3h
Skip beer-fish demo; learn Yunnan-Hui stir-fry, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, spring rolls. Confirm halal beef on booking.
Silver Cave 银子岩 illuminated karst cave
~¥360
1.5h
12 km from town; surreal lighting; air-conditioned (good for hot afternoons)
Tai Chi 太极 sunrise class on West St
~¥240
1h
Drop-in class with English instruction at 06:30; popular with foreigners; tea after
Sacred alpine lake; add-on to Day 11 Pudacuo entry. Quiet motorboat ride; oxygen on tap if needed.
5. Hong Kong (Jun 25–26) — no monasteries
Activity
Cost × 3
Time
Why
Victoria Peak Tram + Sky Terrace 428 山頂
~HK$450
2h
HK's iconic city + harbour panorama. Arrive 1h before sunset for golden hour + blue hour combined.
Star Ferry 天星小輪 Central ↔ TST
~HK$15 (round trip × 3)
30 min
Historic 1888 crossing; world-class skyline view at water level. Cheapest 5-star photo opportunity in HK.
Temple Street Night Market 廟街夜市
Free entry
1.5h
Yau Ma Tei night market 19:00–23:00; halal stalls scattered (look for Indian/Pakistani vendors); curios, fortune tellers
Stanley Market 赤柱市集
Free + ferry ~HK$30
Half day
Seaside south HK; boutique shopping + waterfront cafés; quieter pace; halal-friendly Indian restaurants nearby
Hong Kong Museum of History 香港歷史博物館
~HK$30
2h
TST. "Hong Kong Story" permanent exhibit is one of Asia's best history museums; air-conditioned escape
Repulse Bay 淺水灣 beach
Free + bus HK$30
2h
Sandy public beach on S Island; afternoon swim + Pacific sunset. Family-friendly, calm waters.
6. Shenzhen (Jun 27–28) — between WINNOTIME sessions
Activity
Cost × 3
Time
Why
Civic Center 市民中心 nightly light show
Free
30 min
19:30 every night; world-class synchronized building facades. (Already in Day 17 plan as evening anchor.)
Huaqiangbei 华强北 electronics market
Free entry
2h
Direct watch-industry value: world's largest electronics market. Component fragmentation visible — sensors, displays, batteries, micro-CNC. 10 min metro from Futian.
Window of the World 世界之窗
~¥660
4h
Miniature replicas of 130+ world landmarks; family-friendly theme park; air-conditioned. Metro accessible.
Lianhuashan Park 莲花山公园
Free
2h
Climb to Deng Xiaoping bronze statue at top; panoramic Futian view. Perfect for sunset; near CEC.
Dafen Oil Painting Village 大芬油画村
Free + taxi ~¥80
2h
1 sq km of artist studios; reproductions + originals; great for art-as-souvenir at fraction of gallery price
Mangrove Wetland Park 福田红树林
Free
1.5h
Coastal nature reserve in Futian; bird-watching, walking paths; ecological breath from urban density
Largest GZ urban park; classical gardens; emblem of the city. Calm green escape between trips
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall 陈家祠
~¥30
1.5h
Qing-dynasty Cantonese architecture masterpiece; folk art museum; intricate roof carvings worth the visit
Xiaobei Road 小北路 Muslim quarter
Free
2h
Hui-Arab-African trader hub; halal food spots, multicultural street life. Stops here naturally pair with Huaisheng Mosque visit.
Booking notes. All listed prices are 2026 estimates for 3 pax. Yangshuo + Lijiang activities bookable day-of through hotel concierge. Shangri-La long drives (Balagezong, Meili) require pre-booking the SUV driver 48h ahead. Hong Kong attractions take Octopus card directly. Shenzhen attractions take Alipay/WeChat. None require advance ticket reservations except Pearl River Night Cruise (book via Klook 24h ahead). VERIFY all 2026 rates at booking — pricing fluctuates with peak summer demand.
.jpg?width=800)
.jpg?width=800)
.jpg?width=800)
.jpg?width=800)
.jpg?width=800)
_National_Park,_Diqing_-_panoramio.jpg?width=800)
,_Yunnan,_China.JPG?width=800)
Hong Kong Disneyland">
Hong Kong Disneyland">
.jpg?width=800)
_Daytime.jpg?width=800)
_in_2021.01.jpg?width=800)