Customizable tour8 days / 7 nights

8 days / 7 nights

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Read day by day Adjust this route

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above a river valley: rock peaks above the snow line with cloud at mid-height, green valley and water below

Route preview

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Suggested itinerary

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

01Day 1
Arrive in Kunming
Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first.
02Day 2
Naigu Stone Forest and local snacks
Choose Naigu Stone Forest and Kunming old-street snacks over the busiest stone-forest route.
03Day 3
Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail and Erhai Lake
Take the train to Dali and follow the east shore of Erhai for lake and mountain views.

At a glance

Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Best for: Travellers who want Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang in one route rather than only a Dali stay.
Focus: Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Pace: This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Daily plan

Daily itinerary

This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Dense jacaranda blossom above a purple vehicle on the street

Day 1

The canopy of a Kunming jacaranda: purple blossom and fine leaves crossing against the sky

Day 1

Arrive in Kunming

Meet your private local guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the hotel. The guide helps with check-in and makes sure the hotel arrangements are satisfactory.

Day focus

Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first.

01
Settle into the arrival rhythm first
Meet your private local guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the hotel. The guide helps with check-in and makes sure the hotel arrangements are satisfactory.
02
Leave room for walking and pauses
Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
03
Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
If the day needs to slow down, keep "Arrive in Kunming" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.

01Day 1
Day 1
Day 1
Arrive in Kunming
Meet your private local guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the hotel. The guide helps with check-in and makes sure the hotel arrangements are satisfactory.
Day focus
Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first.
1. 01
  Settle into the arrival rhythm first
  Meet your private local guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the hotel. The guide helps with check-in and makes sure the hotel arrangements are satisfactory.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Arrive in Kunming" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
02Day 2
Day 2
Day 2
Naigu Stone Forest and local snacks
Avoid the most crowded stone-forest sites and visit Naigu Stone Forest, a quieter and scenic place that feels like a national geopark without the usual tourist-site pressure. Families can turn the landscape into play, a science-fiction-style exploration, or a game of guessing rock names. After lunch, drive to Dianchi Lake for bird feeding and strong photo moments. Then walk old streets to feel Kunming's history and taste local snacks such as rice-noodle salad, fried mushrooms, sweet rice balls, and milk tea.
Day focus
Choose Naigu Stone Forest and Kunming old-street snacks over the busiest stone-forest route.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Avoid the most crowded stone-forest sites and visit Naigu Stone Forest, a quieter and scenic place that feels like a national geopark without the usual tourist-site pressure. Families can turn the landscape into play, a science-fiction-style exploration, or a game of guessing rock names. After lunch, drive to Dianchi Lake for bird feeding and strong photo moments. Then walk old streets to feel Kunming's history and taste local snacks such as rice-noodle salad, fried mushrooms, sweet rice balls, and milk tea.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Choose Naigu Stone Forest and Kunming old-street snacks over the busiest stone-forest route. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Naigu Stone Forest and local snacks" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
03Day 3
Day 3
Day 3
Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail and Erhai Lake
Rise early and take the high-speed train to Dali. Drive along the east shore of Erhai Lake for another angle on Cangshan and Erhai, with possible stops at villages along the way for wide views. Walk Dali Old Town to see preserved traditional buildings, stone streets, fine gates, and old walls.
Day focus
Take the train to Dali and follow the east shore of Erhai for lake and mountain views.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Rise early and take the high-speed train to Dali. Drive along the east shore of Erhai Lake for another angle on Cangshan and Erhai, with possible stops at villages along the way for wide views. Walk Dali Old Town to see preserved traditional buildings, stone streets, fine gates, and old walls.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Take the train to Dali and follow the east shore of Erhai for lake and mountain views. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail and Erhai Lake" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
04Day 4
Day 4
Day 4
Bai villages and flower-cake making
Visit Xizhou and Zhoucheng in the morning to see Bai daily life in markets, architecture, traditional dress, and family tie-dye workshops. Stop at a small elegant cafe overlooking Xizhou fields and enjoy the breeze and rural scenery. At a flower farm, join a baking class to learn Yunnan's famous flower cakes. Pair your own cakes with flower tea in the garden, with Cangshan rising in view.
Day focus
Use Xizhou, Zhoucheng, and flower-cake making for Bai village life.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Visit Xizhou and Zhoucheng in the morning to see Bai daily life in markets, architecture, traditional dress, and family tie-dye workshops. Stop at a small elegant cafe overlooking Xizhou fields and enjoy the breeze and rural scenery. At a flower farm, join a baking class to learn Yunnan's famous flower cakes. Pair your own cakes with flower tea in the garden, with Cangshan rising in view.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Use Xizhou, Zhoucheng, and flower-cake making for Bai village life. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Bai villages and flower-cake making" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
05Day 5
Day 5
Day 5
Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town
Drive to Shaxi Ancient Town, a historic town between Dali and Lijiang that once served as an important station on the Tea Horse Road. See Xingjiao Temple, Sifang Street, the old theatre stage, and Yujin Bridge. Enter a private museum dedicated to Tea Horse Road artefacts and caravan stories, then walk about 2.5 miles from Shaxi to a nearby village along the old route.
Day focus
Continue to Shaxi, an old stop on the Tea Horse Road.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Drive to Shaxi Ancient Town, a historic town between Dali and Lijiang that once served as an important station on the Tea Horse Road. See Xingjiao Temple, Sifang Street, the old theatre stage, and Yujin Bridge. Enter a private museum dedicated to Tea Horse Road artefacts and caravan stories, then walk about 2.5 miles from Shaxi to a nearby village along the old route.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Continue to Shaxi, an old stop on the Tea Horse Road. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
06Day 6
Day 6
Day 6
Shaxi to Lijiang with Black Dragon Pool and Old Town
After a two-hour drive, arrive in Lijiang. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park for a quiet atmosphere and photos with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background. End in Lijiang Old Town, walking stone lanes, seeing Naxi architecture, and browsing local shops and cafes.
Day focus
Reach Lijiang, then visit Black Dragon Pool and Lijiang Old Town.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  After a two-hour drive, arrive in Lijiang. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park for a quiet atmosphere and photos with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background. End in Lijiang Old Town, walking stone lanes, seeing Naxi architecture, and browsing local shops and cafes.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Reach Lijiang, then visit Black Dragon Pool and Lijiang Old Town. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Shaxi to Lijiang with Black Dragon Pool and Old Town" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
07Day 7
Day 7
Day 7
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Take the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for high mountain views. The cable car climbs about 1,100 metres to Glacier Park at 4,680 metres near the main peak, Shanzidou. Then explore Yuhu Village at the foot of the mountain, a quieter place than Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe, or Baisha. You may see Naxi women in traditional dress and a nearby lake with strong mountain views. Lunch features Naxi firepit hotpot.
Day focus
Take the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and add Yuhu Village.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Take the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for high mountain views. The cable car climbs about 1,100 metres to Glacier Park at 4,680 metres near the main peak, Shanzidou. Then explore Yuhu Village at the foot of the mountain, a quieter place than Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe, or Baisha. You may see Naxi women in traditional dress and a nearby lake with strong mountain views. Lunch features Naxi firepit hotpot.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  Take the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and add Yuhu Village. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Jade Dragon Snow Mountain" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.
08Day 8
Day 8
Day 8
Depart from Lijiang
Enjoy your final time in Yunnan. After breakfast, your guide and driver transfer you to the airport. Keep the day focused on check-out, luggage, and departure timing instead of adding another distant visit.
Day focus
After breakfast, transfer to the airport from Lijiang.
1. 01
  Keep the main anchor in the first half
  Enjoy your final time in Yunnan. After breakfast, your guide and driver transfer you to the airport. Keep the day focused on check-out, luggage, and departure timing instead of adding another distant visit.
2. 02
  Leave room for walking and pauses
  After breakfast, transfer to the airport from Lijiang. Avoid forcing distant stops together; meals, queues, and small adjustments need room.
3. 03
  Adjust around flights, weather, and energy
  If the day needs to slow down, keep "Depart from Lijiang" as the anchor and shorten the evening or optional extension.

Trip notes

Before you go

Read the daily highlights, stamina needs, and hotel area first, then adjust around flights, weather, and your group pace.

Before you go

Confirm the rhythm first

If your group, stamina, or hotel area changes, the daily order should change with it.

Best for: Travellers who want Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang in one route rather than only a Dali stay.
Route focus: Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Before booking

01
Does this itinerary require very early starts every day?
Only the busiest attraction days truly benefit from an early start.
02
Can I trim one day based on my interests?
Yes. Keep your main priorities first, then cut the most optional expansion day.

Daily anchors

01
Arrive in Kunming
Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first.
02
Naigu Stone Forest and local snacks
Choose Naigu Stone Forest and Kunming old-street snacks over the busiest stone-forest route.
03
Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail and Erhai Lake
Take the train to Dali and follow the east shore of Erhai for lake and mountain views.
04
Bai villages and flower-cake making
Use Xizhou, Zhoucheng, and flower-cake making for Bai village life.

Try another length

If your trip length is different

A route can become tighter or slower depending on your trip length. Start with the closest option, then let an advisor adjust it around flights and hotel area.

For now, this city keeps one base route.

If you want a slower pace, nearby add-ons, or fewer hotel changes, an advisor can reshape this route around your dates.

Want Yunnan shaped around your dates and pace?

Tell us your travel party, hotel preference, and must-keep moments, and we will adjust the daily order and transfers.

Adjust this route

Back to destination

Customizable tour8 days / 7 nights

8 days / 7 nights

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Read day by day Adjust this route

Route preview

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Suggested itinerary

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

01Day 1
Arrive in Kunming
Meet the local guide in Kunming and settle into the hotel first.
02Day 2
Naigu Stone Forest and local snacks
Choose Naigu Stone Forest and Kunming old-street snacks over the busiest stone-forest route.
03Day 3
Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail and Erhai Lake
Take the train to Dali and follow the east shore of Erhai for lake and mountain views.

At a glance

Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Best for: Travellers who want Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang in one route rather than only a Dali stay.
Focus: Naigu Stone Forest, Erhai east shore, Bai villages, Shaxi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Pace: This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Daily plan

Daily itinerary

This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Day 1