Best of Kunming, Dali & Lijiang — 5-City Small Group

Trip Overview

A 6-day Southwest grand tour from the spring city Kunming through Dali and Lijiang to Tibetan Shangri-La, closing in panda-loving Chengdu.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 · Kunming

• Arrive Kunming; lakeside stroll and city museum.
• Scenic spots: Green Lake Park, Yunnan Provincial Museum.
• Local food: crossing-the-bridge rice noodles.
• Transport: private car airport transfer.

Day 2 · Kunming → Dali

• Rail to Dali; old town and Erhai sunset.
• Scenic spots: Dali Old Town, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
• Transport: high-speed rail Kunming → Dali (~2h).

Day 3 · Dali → Lijiang

• Circle Erhai, then rail to Lijiang.
• Scenic spots: Erhai Lake, Xizhou Bai village, Lijiang Old Town (UNESCO).
• Transport: private car + rail.

Day 4 · Lijiang

• Alpine day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Scenic spots: Blue Moon Valley, Glacier Park cable car, Shuhe Old Town.
• Transport: private car.

Day 5 · Lijiang → Shangri-La

• Gorge drive to the Tibetan plateau.
• Scenic spots: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Old Town, Songzanlin Monastery.
• Transport: private car (~4h).

Day 6 · Shangri-La → Chengdu

• Fly to Chengdu; pandas and teahouses.
• Scenic spots: Giant Panda Breeding Base, Jinli Street, People's Park teahouse.
• Transport: flight (~1.5h).

Highlights

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Blue Moon Valley.
• Tibetan monastic life at Songzanlin.
• Meeting the giant pandas in Chengdu.

Practical Tips

• Best season: March–May and October.
• Shangri-La is ~3,300m — take it easy the first day.
• Book cable cars and the panda base early.
• Some high-altitude roads close in winter snow.

Estimated Cost (per person)

• Lodging (5 nights, comfort): ~$400
• Transport (rail + car + flight): ~$320
• Tickets: ~$180
• Meals: ~$140
• Guide share: ~$100
• Total (Comfort): ~$1,140 per person
• Budget variant: ~$820 · Comfort variant: ~$1,140 · Premium variant: ~$1,780