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Yunnan, celebrated as the south of colourful clouds, is a treasure of a destination for plateau snow mountains, lake scenery and multi-ethnic culture. From the karst stone forest of Kunming to the gentle waters of Erhai Lake at Dali; from the sacred snow peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at Lijiang to the Tibetan hidden land of Shangri-La, every stop holds the romance and character unique to north-western Yunnan.
The pace is relaxed but never slack, covering natural scenery, photogenic stops, cultural experiences and plateau views. Suited to first-time visitors to Yunnan, families, couples and friends travelling together who want to take in north-western Yunnan in depth in one go.
A whole gathering of mountain mushrooms and fungi comes together in one pot, slowly simmered into a rich, savoury broth. With distinctive Tujia and Tibetan-style side dishes, the spread is generous. Amid the steam you taste the freshness of the mountains and take in the region's own ethnic warmth — a plateau delicacy on the tip of your tongue.
Take in the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River roars between steep cliffs, torrents smashing against the rock and spray surging up. The deep gorge is steep and powerful, two mountains facing each other in dramatic confrontation. Standing on the bank, visitors feel close up the sheer force of the rushing water. Towering peaks and a vast river together give a real sense of nature's might — the breathtaking wildness of the Jinsha River gorge.
Stroll Shuanglang Old Town with its peerless lake views, distant mountains and clear blue water — healing scenery at every step. Cycle comfortably along the lakeside road and find the photogenic spots where every snap looks professional. When tired, rest on a terrace by the water with a soft lake breeze and the lake-and-mountain view, taking in the slow life of Dali and an easy, contented stretch of the journey among lake and hills.
Enter Xizhou Old Town at Dali and try the Bai intangible heritage craft of tie-dyeing with your own hands — binding cloth, dipping and dyeing, every piece with a pattern that is entirely its own. Follow the craftspeople to feel the appeal of an old handicraft and take in ethnic culture inside antique Bai houses, keeping a keepsake of artistic travel that belongs to Dali alone.
Rise early for the romantic golden glow on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: as the sun comes up, golden light spreads across the snow peaks and the whole mountain is stained a brilliant gold-red, its reflection on the clear lake water vast and striking. In this snow landscape you quietly meet a rare romance and feel nature's healing and impact. Then stroll Blue Moon Valley, where clear blue-green water mirrors the snow peaks as if you have stumbled into a snowland sanctuary, with the sacred purity and grandeur unique to this Naxi holy mountain.
Enter Songzanlin Monastery, the little Potala, its red walls and golden halls standing against the hillside, especially solemn under the clear plateau sky. Wandering the monastery you take in Tibetan culture, listening to old Tibetan Buddhist stories and feeling, among prayer flags and chanting, the faith and life of the Tibetan people — a Tibetan travel memory that belongs to Shangri-La alone. Then walk the Shangri-La grassland, where broad green pasture runs to the foot of distant hills and a colourful prayer flag tower stands quietly. Change into Tibetan dress, stand in pure Tibetan scenery and feel the plateau breeze and openness — an immersive taste of Tibetan folk life and another romance and healing that belong only to Shangri-La, under blue sky and white cloud.
Airport transfer and check-in, with free time to roam the Spring City.
Arrive in Kunming with a dedicated driver to meet your flight or train and transfer you to the hotel to rest. In the afternoon and evening you are free to explore Kunming, taking in the relaxed everyday life of the Spring City, acclimatising to Yunnan's climate and easing into the journey.
Overnight: Dali.
A full day touring the Stone Forest scenic area (electric cart included), admiring a forest of karst rock formed over a hundred million years. Then stroll the Haigeng causeway at Dianchi Lake, close to the pearl of the plateau. In the evening take the intercity train to Dali, where a dedicated transfer meets you and takes you to your Dali hotel.
Stone Forest
Dianchi LakeShuanglang Old Town → Wenbi Village → Jinsuo Island → Ideal State | Overnight: Dali.
Tick off photogenic Shuanglang Old Town with its superb views of a fishing village on the water; head for the rainbow road at Wenbi Village for healing panoramic shots of hills and lake; take the ferry to Jinsuo Island and immerse yourself in the blue water and sky of Erhai; in the evening tick off Ideal State, the Santorini of Dali, its white walls built in tiers along the water.
ShuanglangDali Old Town, Xizhou, Panxi S-Bend | Overnight: Lijiang.
Stroll Dali Old Town and Foreigner Street for the charm of a thousand-year-old city; tick off Xizhou Old Town, where a Bai tie-dye experience is included, for an immersive encounter with Bai culture; cycle freely at the photogenic S-Bend at Panxi Village for the most beautiful stretch of Erhai shoreline. In the evening head to Lijiang and explore the old town's night scenery at leisure.
Dali Ancient Town
Xizhou
Lijiang Old TownGolden sunrise → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Impression Lijiang → Blue Moon Valley → Shuhe Old Town | Overnight: Lijiang.
Rise early for the superb golden glow on the snow peaks; spend the full day on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with a complimentary oxygen canister and cold-weather clothing; ride the Yunshanping cable car through the alpine meadow; watch the powerful large-scale outdoor show Impression Lijiang; tick off the beautiful Blue Moon Valley (electric cart included) for a snow-mountain and blue-lake sanctuary; in the evening wander the quiet Shuhe Old Town.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Blue Moon ValleyFirst Bend of the Yangtze → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Pudacuo → Dukezong Old Town | Overnight: Shangri-La.
Along the way admire the vast river at the First Bend of the Yangtze; explore the steep, magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge; go deep into the pristine Pudacuo National Forest Park for alpine lakes, virgin forest and wetland; in the evening roam Dukezong Old Town and Guishan Park for the quiet night of a Tibetan land.
First Bend of the Yangtze River
Tiger Leaping GorgeSongzanlin Monastery → great prayer flag → Shangri-La grassland | Overnight: Kunming.
Tour Songzanlin Monastery, known as the little Potala, for its magnificent Tibetan architectural complex; tick off the giant prayer flag and make a wish; stroll the Shangri-La grassland, where horse riding and Tibetan photography are available at your own expense. Afterwards, take the train back to Kunming and check in at a Kunming hotel.
Songzanlin MonasteryWake naturally, private transfer to airport.
No early starts and no rushing anywhere in the itinerary — wake naturally and rest as you please. A private transfer to the airport or station by your own flight or train time brings the complete eight-day in-depth north-western Yunnan journey to a close.
Four-star equivalent rooms throughout, clean and well equipped. Different room types can be arranged on request, and every room includes daily breakfast.
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