An 8-Day Visual Feast Through Northwest Yunnan

Day 1 – Arrival in Kunming from Various Destinations
Upon arrival in Kunming, the “City of Spring,” a guide well-versed in Yunnan’s customs and culture will kick off your exciting journey through the “Land of the Colorful Clouds.” Departing from the airport or train station, a private vehicle will take you to a well-equipped hotel in the city center. Along the way, you’ll admire the unique scenery of this “Pearl of the Plateau” while your guide provides a relaxed introduction to Kunming’s multicultural heritage, regional characteristics, and authentic local cuisine. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. You can stroll through the surrounding streets and alleys, visit Kunming Old Street, admire the iconic architectural art of the “Wine Cup Building” (Duiyue Lou), and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s laid-back lifestyle. Feel free to ask your guide for practical information on popular attractions, local specialties, and travel tips at any time. Your guide will be happy to offer recommendations and, if needed, assist with planning your itinerary or ordering meals, ensuring an immersive experience of authentic Yunnan culture.
Meals Included: None

Day 2 – Kunming → Dali (Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple – Xizhou Ancient Town)
After breakfast, we’ll take a high-speed train to Dali, a place renowned for its “wind, flowers, snow, and moon.” Upon arrival, we’ll first visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, a landmark of Dali. This magnificent complex, nestled against Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake, served as an imperial monastery during the Dali Kingdom era. Here, you can capture stunning photos of the ancient pagodas against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Xizhou Ancient Town, home to the best-preserved cluster of Bai ethnic residential buildings. We’ll visit the iconic Corner Tower, experience the distinctive Bai “Three-Course Tea Ceremony,” and savor the life philosophy of “first bitter, second sweet, third lingering.” After exploring, we’ll check into a hotel in Dali Old Town or along the shores of Erhai Lake to enjoy the tranquil pace of life in Dali.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 – In-Depth Tour Around Erhai Lake in Dali
After breakfast, we’ll set out on our tour around Erhai Lake in Dali. Traveling along the ecological corridor, with the majestic Cangshan Mountains on one side and the vast, azure waters of Erhai Lake on the other, the scenery along the way is breathtaking. You can stroll along S-Bay and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze; or head to Shuanglang Ancient Town to experience up close this “premier town of Cangshan and Erhai scenery.” The waters of Erhai Lake are crystal-clear and deep blue, creating a striking contrast with the distant villages and nearby flowers and plants, resembling a flowing natural oil painting. As you drive along the lakeside road, you can pull over at any time to take photos and capture the stunning scenery where the sacred lake and the idyllic countryside complement each other.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 – Dali Old Town → Lijiang (Black Dragon Pool – Lijiang Old Town)
After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through Dali Old Town to experience the Bai ethnic culture, where “every home has running water and every household grows flowers.” We’ll listen to folk songs on Renmin Road and soak in the artistic atmosphere of the old town. Then, we’ll drive to Lijiang, known as the “City of Romantic Encounters.” Upon arrival, we headed to Black Dragon Pool Park, a prime spot for photographing the reflection of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The pool’s water is as clear as jade, mirroring the snow-capped peaks and ancient towers—a truly picturesque scene. After exploring the park, we proceeded to Lijiang Old Town (Dayan Ancient Town), strolled through Sifang Street, and visited the giant waterwheel, immersing ourselves in the unique architectural style and vibrant local life of the Naxi people.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 – In-Depth Tour of Lijiang (Shuhe Ancient Town – Yulong Snow Mountain – Blue Moon Valley)
After breakfast, we’ll head to Shuhe Ancient Town, which is even quieter and more unspoiled than Dayan Ancient Town. Here, the legacy of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road still lingers; you can stroll along the blue-stone paths and savor the tranquility of the past. We’ll then take the Snow Mountain sightseeing train or a dedicated shuttle to Yulong Snow Mountain. Riding the Glacier Park cable car, we’ll ascend directly to an altitude of 4,506 meters and hike the 4,680-meter-high trail to experience the mountain’s majestic and rugged beauty up close. After descending, we’ll head to Blue Moon Valley, where the lake’s waters shimmer in a dreamy Tiffany blue as the light shifts, creating a striking contrast with the snow-capped mountains—every snapshot here is a soothing masterpiece.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 – Lijiang → Lugu Lake (Viewing Platform – Walking Marriage Banquet – Bonfire Party)
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Lugu Lake, known as the “Kingdom of Women in the East.” The winding mountain roads offer breathtaking views of the Jinsha River Gorge. Upon arrival, we’ll head to the Lugu Lake Viewpoint to take in the panoramic view of the lake. The water is deep blue and crystal clear, resembling a jewel on the plateau. At noon, join a traditional Mosuo “walking marriage” banquet to savor authentic cured pork and Sulima wine, and experience the warm hospitality of the Mosuo people. As night falls, participate in an interactive Mosuo bonfire party, dancing hand-in-hand with local young men and women to experience the unique charm of their matrilineal culture.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 – Lugu Lake → Kunming → Various Destinations (Pig-trough Boat – Return Trip)

After breakfast, we’ll head to the lakeshore to board a pig-trough boat and visit the island. There, we’ll experience the crystal-clear waters and serene beauty of Lugu Lake up close, admire the spectacular sight of water lilies blooming on the lake’s surface, and savor the poetic atmosphere of “sailing on emerald waves, as if wandering through a painting.” After exploring, we’ll return to Kunming by bus.

Day 8 – Kunming → Various Destinations
Your tour guide will accompany you to the airport or train station, where you will board your return flight or train, bringing this romantic and rejuvenating journey through Yunnan to a close as you bid farewell to the “Land of the Colorful Clouds.”
Meals Included: Breakfast

 
Travel Tips
We are committed to ensuring that every part of your journey is efficient and fulfilling. If you need help planning the next leg of your trip, we are always available to provide professional assistance. With our nationwide service network, we can take care of all the details for you, including booking trains and flights departing from Kunming, Lijiang, or any other city in China. Please note: Fees may apply for these services at our discretion. Yunnan is located on a plateau with extremely strong UV rays, so please be sure to take sun protection measures and bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. As there is a significant temperature difference between day and night, please pack a windbreaker. Lugu Lake and Yulong Snow Mountain are at high altitudes; please avoid strenuous exercise upon first arriving at high altitudes and bring items to help prevent altitude sickness, such as oxygen cylinders. Please respect the religious beliefs and customs of local ethnic minorities and refrain from taking photos of local residents without permission.