Ultimate Yunnan Itinerary inlcuding Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri La
Go off the beaten path at Yunnan, one of China’s most scenic provinces. Expect nothing less than postcard-worthy mountain vistas, lush fields, and gorgeous natural formations, made even better by the most welcoming locals.
On your first trip, hit all the major spots on the golden route of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri La with this 10-day Yunnan itinerary. To be fair, the same itinerary can be covered in seven to eight days, but why not take it slow and discover at a leisurely pace?
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Day 1-2: Kunming
The capital city of Yunnan, Kunming was once the gateway to China’s famous Silk Road. Fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport to kickstart your exploration of the region. Also known as the ‘Spring City’, the city enjoys a pleasant and mild climate that resembles spring all year round.
#KlookTip: This itinerary involves visiting places that are at high altitudes. The key is to go slow, and always start low before making your way up. Having an altitude of 1,890 metres, Kunming is the perfect spot to start acclimating your body.
Must-dos at Kunming:
Stone Forest Scenic Area
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Stone Forest Scenic Area is an otherworldly sight that looks like it fell out of a fantasy movie. Filled with a maze of towering ancient stone columns and cliffs, the area was even regarded as the ‘First Wonder of the World’. Take your time to explore, or discover in comfort onboard a sightseeing bus.
It’s split into two parts: the Major Stone Forest, and the Minor Stone Forest. In the latter, you’ll come across a rock named ‘Ashima’ — learn about its tragic backstory, where a beautiful maiden was once forced to marry against her will. Luckily, she was saved by her lover; however, as she made her way home, she was tragically swept away by a flood and turned into that very rock.
#KlookTip: If you’re looking for lesser crowds, head to the Naigu Stone Forest (within the same area) instead.
If you can’t get enough, hop on a 40-minute bus ride to the fancy Jiuxiang Caves, which has over 100 karst caves!
Green Lake Park
Photo credit: Darren Wang on Flickr Creative Commons
Get some respite amidst nature at the postcard-worthy Green Lake Park. Time seems to slow down here, with resplendent pavilions standing sentinel over a reflective lake, lush green corridors, and colourful blooms everywhere you look. From November to March, you might even be able to spot the striking black-headed gulls.
#KlookTip: Visit on Sunday to watch the locals put on traditional costumes, and have a major song and dance session at the park. And hey, feel free to join in too!
Other Kunming highlights:
Colorful Yunnan Happy World Ticket
- Kunming Old Street
- Green Lake Park
- West Hill and Dragon Gate
- Dongchuan Red Land
Stay at: Kunming
Day 3-5: Dali
Take it from us: riding the high-speed train in China is a whole experience in itself. With speeds going up to 250 kilometres/hour, the train will get you from Kunming to Dali in just 2.5 hours.
Photo credit: Chensiyuan on Wikimedia Commons
The old capital of Yunnan, Dali is nestled between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. It has an altitude of around 2,000 metres, and contains large numbers of the Bai ethnic minority. It has a pretty gorgeous ancient town too!
Must-dos at Dali:
Three Pagodas
Photo credit: G41rn8 on Wikimedia Commons
Read any material about Dali, and a photograph of the Three Pagodas is probably front and centre. Dating back to the 10th Century, the Three Pagodas comprise one large pagoda alongside two smaller pagodas — all of which are arranged in a symmetrical triangle shape. Now revered symbols of resilience, the pagodas have stood firm and withstood several earthquakes.
#KlookTip: Look up to spot a golden bird statue atop Qianxun Pagoda, which was built to guard against evil water spirits.
Chongsheng Temple is nestled right behind the pagodas, and sprawls across a four-kilometre complex. Interestingly, it used to house around 10,000 Buddha statues. Time your visit for just before sunset, and stay till after dusk to see the pagodas light up in the night.
Xizhou Ancient Town
Gain insight into ethnic Bai culture at the quaint Xizhou Ancient Town. Today, there are around 1.9 million Bai people in Yunnan, most of whom reside in the Dali region.
To learn more about how the Bai people live, make the local morning market your first stop. Have a three-course Bai tea ceremony, see Bai architecture at Yan Family Compound, learn about their history at the Museum of Bai Architecture, and shop at Square Street. P.S. Don’t forget to snap a unique photo of the ‘old wooden corner house’!
Fun fact: it once enjoyed the reputation of being ‘Cambridge of the East’, as it once housed numerous scholars and professors. Hugging Erhai Lake, the town itself is surrounded by rice fields as well. Famous for being one of the filming locations of Chinese Drama ‘Meet Yourself’, the fields contain photo spots, swings, cafés, and even a nostalgic train.
Erhai Lake
In fact, you can spend an entire day just exploring Erhai Lake and its surroundings. It’s shaped like an ear, giving rise to its name — which, when translated, means ‘Ear Sea’. At the lake itself, you can go on a relaxing boat cruise, rent a bike and go cycling, or trundle around on a sightseeing car along the Ecological Corridor on the lake’s West bank. Or, how about enjoying a picnic?
Other than Xizhou Ancient Town, the lake is surrounded by places like Shuanglang Town, Wase fishing village, Dali Utopia (where you’ll feel as if you’ve teleported to Santorini!), Nanzhao Folk Island, Little Putuo Island, and Zhoucheng tie-dye village.
Other Dali highlights:
- Dali Ancient Town
- Cangshan Mountain
Stay at: Dali
Day 6-7: Lijiang
Next, hop on the high-speed train to Lijiang, which will take around 1 hour 45 minutes.
One of the most important stops along the ancient Tea Horse Road, Lijiang is a city steeped in culture and history. With an altitude of 2,400 metres, its old town has even been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site! Night owls, you’d be delighted to find that the old town has a vibrant nightlife scene too.
Must-dos at Lijiang:
Lijiang Old Town
Photo credit: ChiralJon on Flickr Creative Commons
You won’t need a plan for exploring Lijiang Old Town; throw away the map, and spend an afternoon getting lost along rustic alleys adorned with flags and lanterns. Drop by the historic Mufu Mansion, savour a panoramic view from Lion Hill, and people-watch at Sifang Street Square. Cross stone bridges, and snap lots of photos at Dayan flower lane.
#KlookTip: If you need a good meeting point for your travel pals, pick the iconic giant water wheels. You won’t miss them!
To fully immerse in local Naxi minority culture, the old town comes alive with various festivals throughout the year. Think: The Bangbang festival that kickstarts the agricultural season in February or March; or the Torch festival in July or August, where the locals hold up torches to ward off bad luck and pray for good harvests. Note that the exact dates of these festivals vary with year as they depend on the lunar calendar.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Photo credit: Ma Mountain on Flickr Creative Commons
With 13 peaks and multiple glaciers, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is best enjoyed together with Blue Moon Valley. The valley is found at the foot of the mountain, where you can go for a leisurely hike. Next, take a cable car up the mountain to reach Glacier Park (altitude of 4,506 metres).
#KlookTip: Only 10,000 cable car tickets are released a day, so fastest fingers first! To secure your ride, book your tickets in advance through a tour, WeChat, or AliPay.
If you don’t wish to take the cable car, there are chairlifts that go to Spruce or Yak Meadows. The Lijiang Impression show, a spectacular song and dance extravaganza, is a must-watch too — with a backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, no less.
Other Lijiang highlights:
Black Dragon Pool Park
- Black Dragon Pool Park
Stay at: Lijiang
Day 8-10: Shangri La
To get to Shangri La, either take a high-speed train (1 hour 20 minutes); or a shared shuttle bus transfer, which also comes with the Tiger Leaping Gorge admission ticket.
Photo credit: Chensiyuan on Wikimedia Commons
Shangri La is the highest point of the trip — standing at 3,100 metres, it’s an impossibly scenic city shrouded in mystique. First mentioned in James Hilton’s 1939 ‘Lost Horizon’ novel, Shangri-La offers travellers the golden opportunity to immerse in Tibetan culture.
Its crowning glory is the Dukezong Old Town, which has an impressive history of 1,300 years. In fact, it’s known to be the best-preserved Tibetan enclave in all of China.
Must-dos at Shangri La:
Songzanlin Monastery
Photo credit: Colin W on Wikimedia Commons
Built in 1679, the awe-inspiring Songzanlin Monastery is Yunanan’s largest Buddhist monastery. Take a bus from the entrance, or embark on a slow 30-minute walk along a lake, to reach the monastery. If you visit on a clear day with not much wind, you might even be able to snap a shot of the monastery and its reflection in the lake.
Marvel at the elaborate Buddhist treasures, and watch as the monks engage in prayers. You’ll have to take on 147 steps to get to the top but, trust us, it’ll be worth it!
Balagezong
Photo credit: Yunnan Shangri-la Balagezong Tourism Development
Balagezong has got to be one of our favourite day trips from Shangri La. It’s home to a Millennium Bodhi tree that, believe it or not, is said to be at least 1,000 years old. Feast your eyes on the majestic Shangri La Grand Canyon; snow-capped Bala mountains; as well as Shambala Pagoda, which is known as the ‘natural pagoda given by God’.
There’s even a glass-floored observation deck — step out on it if you dare! For thrillseekers, up the ante by adding on a flying fox adventure.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tiger Leaping Gorge can easily take up an entire day. 17 kilometres long and almost 4000 metres deep, the gorge is split up into three sections. Be spoiled for a choice with a whole line-up of hiking trails, ranging from half-day, one-day, and two-day routes.
The well-marked hikes are generally easy and suitable for beginners; except for the famous 28 Bends, a series of steep switchbacks. During peak hiking season, some locals offer horse rides that will bring you to the top of the 28 Bends.
Photo credit: ccdoh1 on Flickr Creative Commons
In the middle section, you’ll come across the ‘Sky Ladder’ (or ‘ladder to heaven’). This consists of a series of nearly-vertical ladders with a total of 170 steps! The whole thought of it might seem daunting but, in actual fact, the climb only takes around 10 minutes.
#KlookTip: Hikers will do well to avoid the rainy season — from June to September — due to frequent landslides.
Other Shangri La highlights:
Shangri-La Pudacuo National Park Celestrial_Troupe2012 on Flickr Creative Commons
- Napahai
- Pudacuo National Park
- Balagezong
Stay at: Shangri La
Finally, take a flight back to Kunming for your flight back home. The flight takes about 1 hour, and prices can start from as low as 430 yuan depending on when you travel.
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