Yunnan Highlights Tour: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La

Upon arrival at Kunming airport or railway station, to be met and assisted to your hotel by Kunming local tour guide. Rest of the day is on your own. you can choose to walk around this city or stay in the hotel for retire.

In the morning, drive for about 1-1.5 hours to reach the Lunan Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 400 sq. kilometers, known for its spectacular limestone formations resembling a forest of stone. Spend the entire morning immersing yourself in this stunning natural wonder by visiting the Greater Stone Forest with its towering spires and intricate caves. Afterward, return to downtown Kunming to visit Yuantong Temple, one of China’s most prestigious Buddhist sites with over 1,200 years of history. It boasts unique architecture, with a main hall set below the entrance, and offers a tranquil setting complete with detailed sculptures and a lotus pond. If time allows, pay a visit Green Lake Park, a beautiful emerald oasis in Kunming.

In the evening, you may enjoy the grand dance musical ‘Dynamic Yunnan’ which has been an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years directed by Yang Liping. Primitive, unsophisticated folk dances and a fresh artistic concept converge in the program, giving audiences a unique ‘Yunnan Impression’. 62 drums and 120 masks of strong ethnic characteristics are incorporated in the performance. (Fee is on your own).

Today you will take an early morning bullet train to Dali. Upon arrival, Your local guide will meet you at the Dali Railway Station and assist you to the hotel. Visit the Erhai Lake Park, the Three Pagoda Temple and the Dali Old Town. The Erhai Lake is a famous plateau lake in Dali with an altitude of 1,972 m. (6,470 ft.). Due to less pollution, the water is very blue and peaceful that it is long been known as Pearl at the Plateau. You can explore Erhai Lake with a local sightseeing bus, or consider taking a boat or cycling tour around the lake (additional fee is required). Then move to the Three Pagoda Temple, regarded as the cultural symbol of Dali Ancient town and is a typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards stroll around Dali Ancient town to feel the atmosphere of the town. Then return to your hotel for the evening.

After breakfast at hotel, drive about 3 hours to Lijiang, one of the most famous ancient town in China. On the way, visit the Yan’s Compound of Bai Minority in Xizhou, a local market and the tie-dying in Zhoucheng. Upon arrival in Lijiang, you will be assisted to check in the local hotel in old town. Afternoon visit the Square Street of the Lijiang Old Town which is in the center of the town. Four streets stretch out in four directions and stores are standing one by one. You will find various kinds of goods or snacks on the street. 

After breakfast, drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take the cable car up to Glacier Park (4,506m) for close-up glacier and snow peak views. Bring a warm jacket and use the oxygen canister if necessary. Descend and explore Blue Moon Valley, where glacier meltwater fills a series of striking turquoise lakes. End the morning with the Impression Lijiang outdoor show.

In the afternoon, visit Baisha Village to see the Ming Dynasty murals, a rare fusion of Naxi, Tibetan, and Bai artistic styles. Continue to Yuhu Village for a Naxi family visit where ancient customs are still in practice today.

End the day at Black Dragon Pool Park, one of the best spots in Yunnan to photograph Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected across the water.

Note: Glacier Park sits at 4,506m — a significant altitude that can cause breathlessness or mild symptoms even in healthy travelers. If you prefer a lower alternative, Spruce Meadow (3,240m) offers a peaceful alpine forest walk, and Yak Meadow (3,700m) gives panoramic views of all 13 snow peaks. Share your preference when you plan your trip with our travel advisor.

Today, you will have a 4-hour drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La, the fairyland in the northwest of Yunnan province. Stop at Stone Drum Town, where you will see the First Bend of the Yangtze River and enjoy a spectacular view as the Yangtze River forms a sudden V-shaped bend here.
Next, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most beautiful gorges in China. The water current is very fast here, as the river is flanked by high peaks, steep cliffs, and jagged rocks. Then, continue driving to Shangri-La. Upon arrival, settle into a local hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient Tibetan town on your own.

Start the tour today by visiting the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. Also known as Guihua Monastery, it is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan. The monastery is built imitating the layout of the Polata Palace in Lhasa and hence came the alias ‘the little Potala Palace’. Afterwards visit the tranquil Shudu lake & Bita Lake in Pudacuo National Park. The Shudu Lake is beautiful because the plants around the lake are lush and the wild animals are various.

Then you will pay a visit to one of the local Tibetan families to get close to the local people’s lives and try some Tibetan home-made yak butter tea there.

Later afternoon visit Shangri-la Tibetan Ancient Town, climb up to the top of Guishan Hill, you will see the largest Prayer Wheel of the world and have a panoramic view of Shangri-la county. After that, drive back to your hotel and prepare for the next day.

Spend your free time discovering Shangri-la on your own until your driver takes you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.
For your departure, consider the high-speed train to places like Lijiang and Kunming, or opt for a direct flight to cities including Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, among others.