8 days / 7 nights · Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La
Yunnan Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La 8 Days
Stone Forest · Erhai Lake · Lijiang Ancient Town · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain · Songzanlin Monastery
Reference Price
$1,230Rise / Person
- Purely for fun, no shopping
- The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
- Includes ticket reservation service
Number of people in a group6–14 people
IntensityMedium (including plateau section)
Best seasonSpring / Autumn
Traffichigh-speed train + business van
AccommodationFour stars 6 nights + Shangri-La Features 1 night
Departure MonthMarch–May, September–November
Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance
Itinerary Details
All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service
The best way to travel in Yunnan is 'from low to high': start with a break in Kunming, then head to Dali and Lijiang, and finally go to Shangri-La. With each increase in altitude, the scenery changes completely.
Day-by-day itinerary8 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport
Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.
- D1Arrival in Kunming · Buffer period
DestinationEverywhere→ Kunming → Cuihu
- Meals
- Meals are self-managed
- Accommodation
- Kunming Four-Star Hotel
- Transport
- Airport/Station pickup
- Distance
- Within the city
Daily detailArrive in Kunming (altitude about 1890 meters).
This day is deliberately left out of the main itinerary, aiming to help your body acclimatize to the altitude and avoid flight delays affecting future plans.
In the afternoon, you can go to Cuihu Park or the old street in the city on your own. - D2One day in the Stone Forest
DestinationKunming → Shilin → High-speed train to Dali
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Shilin (inclusive) · Dinner is on your own
- Accommodation
- Dali Four-Star Hotel
- Transport
- Business bus, bullet train
- Distance
- About 80 km, 2 hours by high-speed train
Daily detail08:30 Depart for Shilin (about 1.5 hours).
10:00 Dashilin and Xiaoshilin, the most classic 'Shilin' inscription and Ashima Stone Peak in Xiaoshilin. The best lighting is in the afternoon; the shadows on the stone peaks give a three-dimensional feel.
13:00 Lunch.
15:00 Return and take the high-speed train to Dali (about 2 hours).
18:30 Arrive in Dali. - D3Erhai Lake Ring · Xizhou
DestinationDali → Huanhai West Road → Xizhou → Dali Ancient City
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Xizhou (included) · Dinner is self-paid
- Accommodation
- Dali Four-Star Hotel
- Transport
- Business van ride
- Distance
- Around the lake: approximately 60 km
Daily detail09:00 Depart along the West Coast Road around the lake. This is the most scenic section of Erhai Lake: wetlands, Bai villages, and wide open water. 11:30 Xizhou, which has preserved many Bai courtyards, with the typical "three lanes and one screen wall" layout. The town market and the local snacks are very authentic. 13:00 Lunch. 15:00 Optional short bike ride (about 10 km). 17:30 At the city gate tower of Dali Old Town, view the skyline towards Cangshan; the sunset is the most beautiful time. - D4Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas · Cangshan · Head to Lijiang
DestinationDali → Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas → Lijiang
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Dali (included) · Dinner: On your own
- Accommodation
- Four-star hotel in Lijiang
- Transport
- Business bus, bullet train
- Distance
- Approximately 180 km
Daily detail09:00 Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas, relics from the Dali Kingdom period. The reflection of the three pagodas in Ju Ying Pool is the most classic composition. The temple is built along the mountain; the higher you go, the better the view. 12:00 Lunch. 14:00 Take a high-speed train to Lijiang. 16:30 Arrive in Lijiang (altitude about 2400 meters), after check-in free time. - D5Lijiang Old Town · Shuhe
DestinationLijiang Old Town → Mu Mansion → Shuhe Ancient Town
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Old Town (included) · Dinner: On your own
- Accommodation
- Four-star hotel in Lijiang
- Transport
- Walking business van
- Distance
- About 6 km walking within the Old Town
Daily detail08:00 Lijiang Old Town in the early morning; the best time is from 7:00 to 9:00: tourists haven't arrived yet, shops are still closed, allowing you to see the local rhythm of life, and you can see the fresh water coming down from the snow-capped mountains. 10:30 Mu Mansion and Lion Hill, higher up both the crowds and the view improve. 13:00 Lunch. 15:00 Shuhe Ancient Town, smaller and quieter than Dayan Old Town; find a courtyard to sit and drink tea. 18:30 Return to Old Town for dinner. - D6All day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
DestinationLijiang → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Blue Moon Valley
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Scenic area (inclusive) · Dinner is at your own expense
- Accommodation
- Four-star hotel in Lijiang
- Transport
- Business vehicle · Cable car
- Distance
- Approximately 30 km
Daily detail08:00 Depart. 09:30 Transfer to an eco-friendly vehicle and take the Glacier Park cable car straight to the viewing platform at about 4506 meters. The altitude rises quickly, walk slowly and bring a windproof jacket. 12:00 Lunch in the scenic area. 13:30 Blue Moon Valley; the water color changes with the weather and light, the sunny day is the most beautiful. 16:30 Return to Lijiang. Note: The cable car will stop operating in strong winds. If it is closed, take the Yunshanping cable car instead. - D7Head to Shangri-La · Songzanlin Monastery
DestinationLijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Shangri-La → Songzanlin Monastery
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: En route (included) · Dinner: On your own
- Accommodation
- Shangri-La Hotel
- Transport
- Business van
- Distance
- Approx. 200 km
Daily detail08:00 Depart for Shangri-La, altitude gradually increases along the way.
11:00 Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Jinsha River squeezes between Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains, with a huge drop and loud water sounds.
13:00 Lunch.
15:30 Arrive at Shangri-La (altitude about 3300 meters).
16:30 Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Across the lake of Lamuyangcuo is a spot for panoramic photos.
Tip: Rest early tonight, don’t shower too long, and avoid alcohol. - D8Potatso · Transfer to airport
DestinationShangri-La → Potatso → Airport transfer
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Scenic area (included)
- Accommodation
- Not included
- Transport
- Business car Scenic area vehicle
- Distance
- Approx. 50 km
Daily detail08:30 Depart for Potatso National Park (altitude 3500—4200 meters).
10:00 Shudu Lake and Bita Hai, the boardwalk system is well-developed, but walking is more strenuous than expected.
13:00 Lunch.
15:00 Exit the park, transfer to the airport or train station according to flight.
Tip: Please walk slowly on the plateau boardwalk, do not force yourself to complete the entire route.
Key facts
Departure pointAssemble in Kunming, disband in Shangri-La or Lijiang
Number of people in a groupSmall group of 6–14 people
AccommodationFour stars 6 nights + Shangri-La 1 night
AltitudeKunming 1890m → Dali 1970m → Lijiang 2400m → Shangri-La 3300m
SuitableFirst Time Going to the Plateau / Photography / Parent-Child
Costs include
- 7 nights accommodation (including breakfast)
- First attraction tickets in the itinerary
- High-speed train second-class seat and business car
- Yulong Snow Mountain cable car and shuttle vehicle
- Chinese-speaking tour guide
- Travel accident insurance
Cost not included
- Round-trip transportation
- Main meals at own expense
- Optional experiences (tie-dyeing, horse riding, etc.)
- Personal expenses
Booking Reminder
The Yulong Snow Mountain cableway will be suspended in strong winds, and alternative plans have already been arranged; Potatso National Park is at a high altitude, so those with weak health should inform in advance.