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Lijiang's old town rooftops with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain behind
8 DAYS · KUNMING · DALI · LIJIANG

Yunnan: classic three cities journey

A Bai tea ceremony in Dali and yak meadows below Jade Snow Mountain.

8 days
Kunming to Lijiang
7 nights
Three cities, three hotels
Year round
Best in spring and autumn
Minimum 2
Privately guided throughout
Introduction

An evergreen trail through Yunnan's three classic cities.

Follow the evergreen trail through the heart of Yunnan, where vibrant culture and stunning landscapes converge. The journey starts in the bustling metropolis of Kunming, with excursions to the stone forests of Shilin and the karst caves of Jiuxiang.

From there, the route continues into the ancient town of Dali to uncover many of its traditions, before concluding at Lijiang. A strong favorite among travelers, Lijiang's cobblestone streets and surrounding countryside are home to rich ethnic minority culture and magnificent mountain panoramas.

More in Sichuan, Yunnan & Guizhou →
Route map of Yunnan showing Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
Highlights

Why advisors choose this journey.

  1. A Bai welcome in Dali

    Let us welcome you in customary Bai style with a three-course tea ceremony in Dali.

  2. Villages off the tourist trail

    Explore outskirt ancient villages away from the crowds outside Lijiang.

  3. Mountains and gorges

    Admire magnificent scenery at Jade Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

  4. Geological wonders

    Marvel at the stone forests of Shilin and the karst caves of Jiuxiang.

Day by day

Full Itinerary.

  1. KunmingD1–2
  2. DaliD3–4
  3. ShaxiD5
  4. LijiangD5–8

Airport to hotel

Upon arrival in Kunming, you will be transferred to your accommodation to rest. Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan province and is often known as the “Spring City” in China.

Aerial view of Kunming city beside Dianchi Lake
Overnight
Kunming
Meals
No meals included

Karst caves and stone forests

Today's journey will bring you into Jiuxiang, the largest cave group of Yunnan province. Home to more than one hundred karst caves, it has earned itself a nickname as “the Cave Museum”.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Stone Forests in the Shilin Yi Nationality Autonomous County. Covering a large area of 400 square kilometres, the site includes both large and small stone forests, as well as numerous scenic spots.

Limestone pinnacles of the Shilin Stone Forest
Overnight
Kunming
Meals
Breakfast

Kunming to Dali

Today, you will take the high-speed rail to Dali (approx. 2.5 hours).

Road leading towards the mountains near Dali

Welcome to Dali

Let us welcome you in traditional Bai custom with a three-course tea ceremony. Thereafter, enjoy a horse ride along Erhai Lake while visiting local temples along the lakeside villages. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep a milder pace, we can also arrange a visit to Huayu Farmyard for a cup of coffee or tea while admiring the flowers.

Overnight
Dali
Meals
Breakfast

Dali and Cangshan Mountains

Enjoy a walk on the Cangshan Mountains to visit Gantong Temple. If time permits, you can visit Zhonghe Temple (4-hour walk) before exploring the Old Town and the Three Pagodas, where you can admire the scenic Dali views.

The Three Pagodas of Dali with Erhai Lake beyond

Free at leisure

This afternoon is free at leisure. You may enjoy a traditional Chinese massage or delve into the workings of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a consultation, herbal treatment and/or acupuncture.

Overnight
Dali
Meals
Breakfast

Dali to Lijiang, stop at Shaxi Old Town

This morning, you will be driven approximately 2 hours to Shaxi Old Town. Shaxi once played an important role as a bustling trade station on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road, an important branch of the Silk Road. Just over one thousand years ago, this ancient trade route connected Tibet with Eastern China. Then continue the drive, approximately 1.5 hours, to Lijiang.

Shaxi Old Town's canalside lanes and lanterns

Orientation walk and Black Dragon Pond

Bordering Tibet, the small town of Lijiang offers a spectacular mountain backdrop. Depending on where you stay, we will arrange either a Lijiang or Dayan orientation walk. You will walk the lovely alleyways and learn about the local culture. You will also visit the Black Dragon Pond at the foot of Elephant Hill.

Overnight
Lijiang
Meals
Breakfast

Jade Snow Mountain and countryside walk

Today, you will ascend by cable car into the Jade Snow Mountain to visit the Yak Meadow. Enjoy a lovely countryside walk starting from Yu Hu Village, former home of American naturalist and explorer Joseph Rock. Alternatively, if time permits, we can also arrange a walk to the Spruce Meadow (3,240 meters).

Yaks on a viewing platform below Jade Snow Mountain

Into the minority Naxi villages

Let us whisk you off the tourist trail into the Shuhe Ancient Town. Shuhe is one of the earliest habitations of the Naxi ancestors and an important post of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Continue to Baisha Old Town to admire its Ming Dynasty-era architecture and the well-known Baisha Frescoes in Dabaoji Palace.

Overnight
Lijiang
Meals
Breakfast

Yunnan's Tibetan plateau

Today's excursion brings us towards the Tibetan plateau, admiring scenic sights such as the First Bend of the Yangtze and the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's longest, deepest and narrowest gorges. The gorge is only 30 meters wide at its narrowest point, from which a tiger is believed to have leaped.

Tiger Leaping Gorge with the Yangtze churning between cliffs
Overnight
Lijiang
Meals
Breakfast

Hotel to airport

Enjoy your remaining time at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals
Breakfast
Hotel information

Where you will stay.

In Kunming

One recommended stay

InterContinental Kunming

Classic selection · Deluxe Room

A lakeside retreat overlooking the Dianchi area, close to the airport.

We open the trip at the InterContinental because its Dianchi lakeside setting offers a calmer first night in Kunming than the busy city center, with genuine lake and Xishan mountain views rather than a car park outlook. It is a comfortable, internationally run base for the excursions to Shilin and Jiuxiang on either side. We recommend the Deluxe Room on a lake-facing side.

Good to know
  • In the National Tourist Resort on Dianchi Lake, a calm escape from the city core.
  • Gardens and architecture incorporate Bai ethnic designs and butterfly motifs.
  • Higher-floor rooms look over Dianchi Lake to the scenic Western Hills.
Visit hotel website →
InterContinental Kunming beside Dianchi Lake
Guest room at InterContinental Kunming
Lounge and dining space at InterContinental Kunming
Lakeside grounds at InterContinental Kunming

In Dali

2 recommended stays

The One Resort Dali

Classic selection · Deluxe Room

A contemporary courtyard hotel on the edge of Dali's Ancient Town.

We use The One Resort Dali because its courtyard design gives a genuine sense of place while staying just five minutes' walk from the Ancient Town, close enough for an evening stroll but away from the noisiest lanes. It suits guests who want traditional architecture without giving up modern comfort after a day on Cangshan Mountain. We recommend the Deluxe Room facing the inner courtyard for the quietest night.

Good to know
  • A Zen-inspired retreat hidden behind high walls minutes from Dali's South Gate.
  • Garden layout of koi ponds and stone walkways bridging private villas.
  • Built to frame the Cangshan mountains behind and Erhai lake in front.
Visit hotel website →
The One Resort Dali courtyard buildings at dusk
Exterior of guest wing at The One Resort Dali
Guest room with garden view at The One Resort Dali

Yiyun Hotel

Signature selection · Sea view Suite

An art hostel-style stay close to Dali's Four-Season Market.

We offer the Yiyun Hotel as an upgraded Dali stay for its art-hostel character and easy walking access to the Four-Season Market and Dali Ancient City, a livelier alternative to a standard business hotel. Its lakeside outlook adds a genuine sense of Erhai's scale that guests often remember. We recommend the Sea View Suite for the lake outlook.

Good to know
  • Tucked at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, a quiet escape from Dali's crowds.
  • A beautifully restored Bai ethnic courtyard with traditional wood carvings.
  • The iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are a 15-minute walk away.
Guest room with mountain view at Yiyun Hotel Dali
Lobby lounge with lake view at Yiyun Hotel Dali
Sunroom-style guest room at Yiyun Hotel Dali

In Lijiang

2 recommended stays

Jinmao Hotel Lijiang, Unbound Collection

Classic selection · Snow Mountain View Room

A contemporary stay with a backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

We select the Jinmao Hotel for its direct outlook onto Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a rare and genuine backdrop rather than a marketing claim, paired with contemporary comfort after the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Its traditional architectural touches sit naturally within Lijiang's wider heritage setting. We recommend the Snow Mountain View Room and requesting an early check-in on arrival day.

Good to know
  • Wake up to direct, unobstructed views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from your bed.
  • HBA design blends Naxi architecture with contemporary luxury and modern art.
  • Next to Shuhe Ancient Town, a quieter alternative to central Lijiang.
Visit hotel website →
Timber entrance pavilion at Jinmao Hotel Lijiang at dusk with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain behind
Snow Mountain View Room with balcony at Jinmao Hotel Lijiang
Tea pavilion set over the water at Jinmao Hotel Lijiang
Aerial view of the Naxi-style courtyards at Jinmao Hotel Lijiang
The Smoke House restaurant at Jinmao Hotel Lijiang

Amandayan

Signature selection · Courtyard Suite

Elegant suites overlooking Lijiang's rooftops and Lion Hill.

For guests wanting the finest stay in Lijiang, we book Amandayan for its handcrafted use of Yunnan pine and Dongbei elm, and for suites that open directly onto the UNESCO-listed Old Town rooftops rather than a generic hotel view. Its intimate scale and courtyard layout give a level of quiet that larger hotels in the Old Town cannot match. We recommend the Courtyard Suite with a private terrace over the rooftops.

Good to know
  • Perched atop Lion Hill, with the most iconic panoramic view of Lijiang's rooftops.
  • The property houses a 170-year-old pavilion library once used by Naxi scholars.
  • Suites are crafted from local Yunnan pine and elm, arranged in classic courtyards.
Visit hotel website →
Timber-panelled courtyard suite interior at Amandayan, Lijiang
Lijiang old town rooftops below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, seen from Amandayan
Snow mountain view over the old town from Amandayan in spring
Outdoor swimming pool in the courtyard at Amandayan, Lijiang
Black Dragon Pool and pavilion below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Amandayan
Official quotation

Rates & what is included.

The indicative cost covers the full journey for the party size shown. The single supplement applies only when one guest occupies a room alone. All rates in CNY.

Classic selection
  • InterContinental Kunming · Kunming · Deluxe Room
  • The One Resort Dali · Dali · Deluxe Room
  • Jinmao Hotel Lijiang, Unbound Collection · Lijiang · Snow Mountain View Room
Indicative cost per person
CNY 17,500
Single supplement
CNY 5,300
Signature selection
  • Yiyun Hotel · Dali · Sea view Suite
  • Amandayan · Lijiang · Courtyard Suite
Indicative cost per person
CNY 25,000
Single supplement
CNY 11,500

Based on 2 guests sharing twin rooms. Minimum 2 guests to operate. Single supplement added only for single-room occupancy. All rates in CNY.

What's included

  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel as stated on bed & breakfast basis
  • All transportation & transfer on an air-conditioned minivan
  • Local English-speaking expert guide in each city
  • All entrance fees in sights stated
  • High-speed rail first class seats included

What's not included

  • International airfare
  • Lunches & dinners
  • Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses, e.g. telephone bill & laundry
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance
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