Yunnan: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang in 8 days

Kunming · Dali · Lijiang

8Days

3Cities

Mar–May, Sep–NovBest time

Spring-like weather, old towns, Erhai Lake and snow mountains, with minority cultures all along the way.

Relaxed pace

The route

Kunming1 night
The gateway, with the Stone Forest nearby.
High-speed train · about 2 h
Dali3 nights
An old town between Erhai Lake and the Cangshan mountains.
High-speed train · about 1.5 h
Lijiang3 nights
Naxi old town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Journey times are typical. Check 12306 or Trip.com for trains on your date.

Day 1
Kunming
Arrive in Kunming. Green Lake Park and a bowl of crossing-the-bridge noodles.
Day 2
Dali
Stone Forest in the morning, train to Dali in the afternoon.
Day 3
Dali
Cycle along Erhai Lake to Xizhou village.
Day 4
Dali
Cangshan cable car, Three Pagodas, Dali old town at night.
Day 5
Lijiang
Train to Lijiang. Walk the old town before the crowds.
Day 6
Lijiang
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley. Tickets and cable car must be booked ahead.
Day 7
Lijiang
Shuhe and Baisha old villages.
Day 8
Lijiang
Fly out from Lijiang, or back to Kunming.