Best of Kunming, Dali & Lijiang — 4-City Small Group

Trip Overview

A 7-day small-group journey across Northwest Yunnan, linking the spring city Kunming with the old towns of Dali and Lijiang and the Tibetan highlands of Shangri-La. Expect alpine lakes, Naxi culture and Himalayan scenery at a relaxed pace.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 · Kunming

• Arrive in Kunming, transfer to a hotel near Cuihu (Green Lake).
• Scenic spots: Green Lake Park, Yunnan Provincial Museum.
• Local food: crossing-the-bridge rice noodles (guoqiao mixian).
• Transport: private car airport transfer.

Day 2 · Kunming → Dali

• Morning high-speed rail to Dali (~2h).
• Scenic spots: Dali Old Town, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
• Evening walk on Renmin Road.
• Transport: high-speed rail Kunming → Dali.

Day 3 · Dali

• Circumnavigate Erhai Lake by car/e-bike.
• Scenic spots: Erhai Lake, Shuanglang town, Xizhou village (Bai architecture).
• Local food: Xizhou baba (rice flatbread).
• Transport: private car around Erhai.

Day 4 · Dali → Lijiang

• Rail or car to Lijiang (~2h).
• Scenic spots: Lijiang Old Town (UNESCO), Black Dragon Pool, Lion Hill.
• Transport: high-speed rail Dali → Lijiang.

Day 5 · Lijiang

• Day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Scenic spots: Blue Moon Valley, Glacier Park cable car, Impression Lijiang show.
• Transport: private car round trip.

Day 6 · Lijiang → Shangri-La

• Drive the upper Yangtze gorge to Shangri-La (~4h).
• Scenic spots: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Old Town, Moonlight Temple.
• Transport: private car.

Day 7 · Shangri-La

• Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Lake wetland, then depart.
• Scenic spots: Songzanlin Monastery, Napa Hai.
• Transport: car to Diqing airport.

Highlights

• Sunrise over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Old-town lanes of Lijiang and Dali after dark.
• Tibetan Buddhist life at Songzanlin Monastery.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest gorges.

Practical Tips

• Best season: April–June and September–November.
• Altitude: Shangri-La is ~3,300m — pace yourself and hydrate.
• Book rail and cable cars ahead in peak season.
• Payment is mostly mobile (Alipay/WeChat); carry some cash.
• A Mandarin-speaking guide helps in remote areas.

Estimated Cost (per person)

• Lodging (6 nights, comfort): ~$420
• Transport (rail + private car): ~$260
• Tickets & cable cars: ~$180
• Meals: ~$140
• Guide share: ~$90
• Total (Comfort): ~$1,090 per person
• Budget variant: ~$780 · Comfort variant: ~$1,090 · Premium variant: ~$1,650