Day-by-day plan

Day 1
Kunming

Arrival and City of Eternal Spring

Arrive in Kunming (the 'City of Eternal Spring', altitude 1900m, mild year-round). Take it easy to start acclimatizing. Visit Green Lake Park (Cuihu) or the Western Hills for a gentle first day. Try crossing-the-bridge noodles (guoqiao mixian), Yunnan's most famous dish.

Arrive at Kunming Changshui Airport (KMG)Green Lake Park / 翠湖公园Crossing-the-bridge noodles / 过桥米线Early night to acclimatize to altitude
Days 2-4
Dali
-- Transfer to Dali · HSR, 2 hours — Frequent trains from Kunming South to Dali. Scenic route across Yunnan plateau. Door-to-door ~3-4 hours including station transfers (both stations are outside old towns).

Erhai Lake and Bai culture

Take morning HSR from Kunming to Dali (2 hours). Spend 2-3 days exploring Dali Old Town, cycling Erhai Lake, visiting the Three Pagodas, and taking a day trip up Cangshan Mountain. Dali is more relaxed and less commercial than Lijiang.

HSR Kunming to Dali (2 hours)Dali Old Town / 大理古城 (Bai ethnic minority architecture, city walls)Erhai Lake cycling / 洱海骑行 (e-bike or bicycle, lakeside villages)Three Pagodas / 崇圣寺三塔Cangshan Mountain cable car / 苍山 (weather permitting)Xizhou Village / 喜洲古镇 (Bai architecture, local food)Rushan (goat cheese) and local Bai cuisine
Days 5-8
Lijiang
-- Transfer to Lijiang · HSR, 1.5-2 hours — Dali-Lijiang HSR with mountain views. Door-to-door ~2.5-3 hours including station transfers.

Old Town, snow mountains, and gorge

Take HSR from Dali to Lijiang (1.5-2 hours). Spend 3-4 days in Lijiang at 2400m altitude. Prioritize booking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car tickets in advance (they sell out quickly in peak season). Spend one day at the mountain (including Impressions Lijiang show if interested), one day exploring the UNESCO Old Town, and one day at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

HSR Dali to Lijiang (1.5-2 hours)Lijiang Old Town / 丽江古城 (UNESCO, best early morning or evening)Jade Dragon Snow Mountain / 玉龙雪山 (cable car to 4506m, boardwalk to 4680m, bring oxygen and warm clothes)Impressions Lijiang show / 印象丽江 (outdoor performance against mountain backdrop)Tiger Leaping Gorge / 虎跳峡 (upper gorge viewpoint day trip, or 2-day high trail hike)Blue Moon Valley / 蓝月谷 (below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)Shuhe Ancient Town / 束河古镇 (quieter alternative to Lijiang Old Town)Naxi cuisine and local Yak meat dishes
Days 9-10
Lijiang or Shangri-La
-- Transfer to Lijiang or Shangri-La

Shangri-La extension or relaxed departure

Option A: Add 2 days for Shangri-La (~3-4 hours by bus/car from Lijiang on winding mountain road, or ~1 hour flight; altitude 3300m -- only if properly acclimatized after at least 1-2 nights in Lijiang). Visit Songzanlin Monastery and Pudacuo National Park. Option B: Stay in Lijiang for a slower final day (Baisha Old Town, Black Dragon Pool for classic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain photo) and depart from Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG).

Option A: Shangri-La / 香格里拉 - Songzanlin Monastery / 松赞林寺, Pudacuo National Park / 普达措国家公园Option B: Baisha Old Town / 白沙古镇, Black Dragon Pool / 黑龙潭 (classic photo of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)Depart from Lijiang (LJG) or return to Kunming (KMG) for international flights

What to book ahead

These route-specific items may sell out. Recheck official channels before travel:

several days
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car (Lijiang)
Cable car tickets to 4506m sell out quickly in peak season. Book via the official "丽江旅游集团" WeChat mini-program. Foreign passport booking flow has not been independently verified; ask your hotel for assistance. Bring oxygen canisters purchased in Lijiang (cheaper than on the mountain).

Intercity transfer details

Kunming → Dali HSR · 2 hours
Door-to-door: 3-4 hours
Frequent trains from Kunming South to Dali. Scenic route across Yunnan plateau. Door-to-door ~3-4 hours including station transfers (both stations are outside old towns).
Dali → Lijiang HSR · 1.5-2 hours
Door-to-door: 2.5-3 hours
Dali-Lijiang HSR with mountain views. Door-to-door ~2.5-3 hours including station transfers.

If you have fewer days

This is a 10-day route. If you have less time, remove one stop rather than compressing every day. Compare the route index for a plan designed around your actual trip length.

Route shape

This route is designed for return visitors to China who want to experience Yunnan’s ethnic minority culture, dramatic mountain landscapes, ancient towns, and highland lakes. The route flows one-way from Kunming (the transport hub) north through Dali to Lijiang, with an optional Shangri-La extension.

Planning note

Short on time? A 7-day version is possible: 1 day Kunming + 2 days Dali + 3 days Lijiang + 1 day departure. Skip Shangri-La. Have extra days? Add 2 days for Shangri-La (Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo), or add Guilin & Yangshuo after Yunnan (flight from Kunming or Lijiang).

  • The Kunming-Dali-Lijiang HSR corridor makes logistics straightforward compared to older bus routes.
  • Do not attempt to rush this route in under 7 days. The minimum comfortable pace for Kunming-Dali-Lijiang (no Shangri-La) is 7 days.
  • Altitude matters more than most travelers expect. Even Lijiang at 2400m can cause mild altitude headache on the first night.
  • If you only have 7 days, drop Shangri-La and spend 2 days in Kunming, 2 days in Dali, and 3 days in Lijiang.

Practical reminders

  • Tipping is NOT customary in China.
  • Book Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car tickets as early as possible; they sell out during peak season.
  • Buy oxygen canisters in Lijiang before going up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (cheaper than on the mountain).
  • Bring layers — mountain temperatures are cold even in summer, and there is snow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain year-round.
  • Rainy season (June-August) brings afternoon rain and landslide risk on mountain roads; Tiger Leaping Gorge high trail is not recommended during this period.
  • Lijiang Station is ~30 min by taxi from Lijiang Old Town; Dali Station is ~30 min from Dali Old Town. Factor this into transfer plans.
  • See the Yunnan city guide for detailed attraction prices, altitude notes, and booking tips.
  • See the Attraction Booking guide for general booking tips.
  • See the Safety & Scams guide for altitude safety tips.
  • See Daily Life for other practical tips.
  • See the Budget guide for cost estimates.
  • See the High Speed Rail guide for more details.
  • See the Apps Payment guide for more details.
Next step

Turn this route into bookings

Open the Lijiang city guide Check attraction booking guidance Prepare for high-speed rail
Last checked 2026-07-13
Change risk medium
Sources 2 official/verified
Report a correction or outdated information →