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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 everyday warmth on the flagstones of its old towns — every stop holds the romance and character unique to north-western Yunnan.
The pace is relaxed but never slack, covering natural scenery, photo-ready 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.
In Dali and Lijiang, try yak-and-Tibetan cooking alongside Bai and Naxi flavours — one bite unlocks the freshness of the mountains and an immersive taste of the many-sided everyday cooking of the south of colourful clouds.
Known as “the finest wonder under heaven”. This was once a seabed 270 million years ago; over aeons, water dissolved the limestone into sword-like, pillar-like, tower-like and mushroom-like boulders standing in crowds like a forest. The Greater Stone Forest is hard and imposing, the Lesser Stone Forest graceful and fine, and sunlight falls in dappled patches through the gaps in the rock, setting off the vast red-earth plateau beneath.
Stroll Shuanglang Old Town on the shore of Erhai Lake, with the Cangshan range as a backdrop, the water clear and blue, and lakeside houses scattered in easy order — a scene like a poem. Walk slowly along the shore in a soft lake breeze, gazing out at water and hills. Find a lakeside café to sit a while and enjoy an easy gathering with your companions — the slow time of Dali, fully immersed, in a lazy, restorative stretch of the journey.
Arriving at Xizhou Old Town, you find endless emerald rice fields spread across the land, a retro little train threading through the green, and Bai houses scattered at random — as if you had walked into a Hayao Miyazaki animation. In the distance the Cangshan range rolls on, Erhai Lake is clear and green, and blue sky and white cloud keep you company. Wander the fields, feel the breeze move the rice like waves, and take in the healing countryside scenery — meeting the gentle rural romance that belongs to Dali alone.
Step into Dali Old Town: the imposing old walls stand with their backs to the Cangshan range, old towers lift their flying eaves, and the charm of the ancient Nanzhao kingdom is everywhere. Flagstone lanes criss-cross, shops line the streets and red lanterns sway in the wind. By day visit the historic sites and feel the weight of history; at night stroll the streets as the lights glow warm and lively — the old town's own everyday warmth, fully immersed, in an unhurried stretch of Dali time.
Climb Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and stand at the high viewpoint looking down over a vast sea of cloud. Endless cloud surges and spreads among the peaks, blue sky and drifting cloud set each other off, and the snow summits stand tall. Trek up the mountain to feel the cold, imposing glacier rock at close range; standing on a summit among cloud and mist, it is as if you had walked into a fairyland. Experience the impact of a plateau snow mountain at first hand, and take home a memory that belongs only to the snow land of the plateau.
Arriving in Kunming, a private driver meets you at the airport or station and takes you to your hotel to rest. In the afternoon and evening you are free to wander the city, taking in the easy everyday life of the “Spring City” and acclimatising to Yunnan's climate early — an easy start to the journey through north-western Yunnan.
A full day at the Stone Forest scenic area (golf cart included), taking in a forest of karst boulders shaped over aeons and the uncanny workmanship of nature. Afterwards stroll the Haigeng Dam at Dianchi Lake and get close to the lake scenery of this plateau pearl. In the evening take the high-speed train to Dali, where a driver meets you and takes you to your Dali hotel.
Stone Forest
Dianchi LakeTick off the photo-ready Shuanglang Old Town and wander its beautiful fishing-village scenery by the water; head to the rainbow road at Wenbi Village for healing panoramic shots of hills and lake; take the ferry to Jinsuo Island for an immersive taste of Erhai's green water and blue sky; and in the evening visit Lixiangbang, Dali's own “Santorini”, its white walls rising in tiers above the water — atmosphere at full volume.
ShuanglangWander Dali Old Town and Foreigner Street for the flavour of an old town a thousand years on; tick off Xizhou Old Town, where a Bai tie-dyeing experience (intangible heritage) is included, for an immersive taste of Bai culture; and cycle freely along the S-bend at Panxi Village, unlocking the most beautiful stretch of Erhai's shoreline. In the evening head for Lijiang, where you can wander the old town's night scene at leisure.
Dali Ancient Town
XizhouRise early to catch the magnificent “golden mountain at sunrise”; spend the day on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with an oxygen canister and cold-weather clothing provided; take the Yunshanping cable car and walk the alpine meadow; watch the stirring large-scale outdoor show Impression Lijiang; tick off the exquisite Blue Moon Valley (golf cart included) and meet its snow-mountain-and-blue-lake fairyland; and in the evening wander quiet Shuhe Old Town.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Blue Moon ValleyNo early starts and no rushing anywhere on this trip — sleep until you wake naturally and rest at your own pace. Depending on your flight or train time, a private car transfers you to the airport or station, bringing this complete 6-day journey through north-western Yunnan to a perfect close.
Throughout the trip you stay in four-star-equivalent rooms — clean, tidy and fully equipped — with different room types available on request. All rooms include daily breakfast.
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