10 Days • 9 Nights
Yunnan Explorer: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll wander the cobbled lanes of old Dali by Erhai Lake, lose yourself in the canals and wooden houses of Lijiang beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and climb to Shangri-La with its Tibetan monastery and high grasslands. Naxi music, Bai villages and mountain gorges thread it all together.
With characterful hotels, private guides and the mountain excursions arranged, it is a rich, scenic escape far from the big-city China most visitors see.
Trip Highlights
- The 'eternal spring' city of Kunming and the Stone Forest
- The old town of Dali and Erhai Lake
- The canals and wooden lanes of old Lijiang
- The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car
- Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest
- Shangri-La and the Songzanlin Tibetan Monastery
- Naxi and Bai ethnic culture and cuisine
- High grasslands and snow-capped peaks
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 10-day journey.
Arrive in Kunming, the mild 'city of eternal spring', and settle in with a welcome dinner of Yunnan flavours.
A day trip to the extraordinary Stone Forest, a maze of towering limestone pinnacles, with time in Kunming's old quarter and Green Lake.
Travel to the lakeside old town of Dali, heartland of the Bai people, exploring its cobbled streets and the Three Pagodas.
A relaxed day around Erhai Lake, visiting Bai villages, a tie-dye workshop and the market town of Xizhou.
Travel north to the UNESCO old town of Lijiang, a maze of canals, wooden houses and cobbled lanes beneath the mountains.
Ride the cable car up towards the glaciers of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, then the Blue Moon Valley and a Naxi cultural performance.
A free day to enjoy Lijiang's lanes, the Black Dragon Pool with its mountain reflection, and the nearby Baisha murals.
Drive north via the thundering Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons on earth, climbing onto the Tibetan plateau to Shangri-La.
Explore the Tibetan old town of Shangri-La and the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery, with its golden roofs and chanting monks, amid high grasslands.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Shangri-La airport for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver throughout
- 2 nights Kunming, 2 nights Dali, 3 nights Lijiang, 2 nights Shangri-La
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Yunnan local lunch
- The Stone Forest near Kunming
- Old Dali, Erhai Lake and a Bai village
- Old Lijiang, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Shangri-La old town and the Songzanlin Monastery
- Domestic flights and scenic drives as per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from China
- China visa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Additional domestic flights beyond those stated
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a China tourist (L) visa arranged in advance, though visa-free transit and regional schemes exist for some passports. We can advise, and your passport should be valid at least six months
- The Great Firewall: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many Western sites are blocked in China. Install a reputable VPN and download offline maps before you arrive
- Currency & payments: The currency is the Chinese yuan (RMB). China is largely cashless via WeChat Pay and Alipay; set these up if you can, and carry some cash as a backup
- Language: English is not widely spoken outside hotels, which is exactly why your guide and private driver make all the difference
- Getting around: China's high-speed trains are superb and some legs use domestic flights, all arranged for you with seat reservations
- Altitude: Tibet (Lhasa 3,650m) and Shangri-La sit high; we build in gentle acclimatisation, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor
- Best seasons: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal nationwide; summer is hot and can be rainy, and the far north is bitterly cold in winter
- Etiquette: Tipping was not traditional but is now expected for guides and drivers on tours. A little patience and a smile go a long way
- Health: Drink bottled or boiled water only, and carry hand sanitiser. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: Buy a local SIM or an eSIM for data, and bring a universal adapter (China uses types A, C and I at 220V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Peking duck dinner or a dumpling banquet. Other meals are left free so you can explore China's incredible regional food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver in each city, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground.
Do I need a visa for China?
Most visitors need a China tourist visa arranged in advance, though some passports qualify for visa-free transit. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
Will my phone work in China?
Roaming works but Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall, so install a VPN before you travel. A local SIM or eSIM gives you reliable data.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather and clearest skies. Summer is hot and busier; winter is cold in the north but quiet and atmospheric.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, cities and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Yangtze cruise, Tibet or Hong Kong. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
By China's excellent high-speed trains and, for longer hops, domestic flights — all included and arranged with reservations.
Is the altitude an issue in Yunnan?
Kunming, Dali and Lijiang sit at 1,900-2,400m and are comfortable for most. Shangri-La is higher at around 3,200m, so we ascend gradually and keep the first day there gentle.
What makes Yunnan special?
Its incredible diversity — ancient towns, snow mountains, deep gorges and more than twenty ethnic cultures, all far from the big-city China most travellers see.
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