lijiang old town main

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

Destinations:

lijiang old town main

Overview

Where ancient roads lead to timeless beauty

Experience a wonderful journey with a smooth pace and a slow adjustment to the higher altitudes. A leisurely circuit that makes you enjoy the Tea Horse Road from lowland capital to mountain plateau.

This trip will take you from the Karst landscape of the Stone Forest to Erhai Lake’s gentle shores, from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’s turquoise valleys to the golden roofs of Songzanlin Monastery. Explore four distinct cultures – Bai in Dali, Yi and Bai in Shaxi, Naxi in Lijiang, and Tibetan in Shangri-La.

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Highlights

Shaxi Ancient Town — the Tea Horse Road’s best-kept secret

A UNESCO-listed village with Bai and Yi communities. Walk along historical Sideng Street, see the 600-year-old theater on the square and cross Yujin Bridge – exactly where mule trains once stopped. In addition, there is the modern architectural space of Librairie Avant-Garde, situated in a beautifully restored barn that has been turned into a bookstore and coffeeshop.

Four ancient towns, four distinct cultures

Dali (Bai), Shaxi (Bai and Yi), Lijiang (Naxi), Dukezong (Tibetan). Each offers a distinctly different architecture, food, and rhythm of life.

Stone Forest — 270 million years of karst

A UNESCO world heritage site. Limestone pillars shaped by wind and water into a forest-like maze.

Tiger Leaping Gorge on foot

One of the world’s deepest gorges. You’ll walk a manageable section between Jade Dragon and Haba snow mountains following the actual caravan route.

Gradual altitude, comfortable pacing

Kunming (1,900m) → Dali (1,970m) → Shaxi (2100m) → Lijiang (2,400m) → Shangri-La (3,300m). Your body adjusts naturally. No sudden jumps in altitude.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Cable Car

Cable car up to Spruce Meadow (option 2: Glacier Park; option 3: Yak Meadow) to see high-altitude meadows.

Songzanlin Monastery — “Little Potala”

Yunnan’s largest Tibetan monastery, home to 700+ monks. Golden roofs, whitewashed walls, active prayer halls.

Local crafts, not just views

Bai tie-dye in Zhoucheng. Three-course tea ceremony in Xizhou. Tibetan thangkas and prayer flags in Shangri-La.

1 sichuan Anshun bridge 3

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

5 Kunming Bamboo Temple

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

37 dali ancient town

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

2 shangri la baima snow mountain

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

Itinerary

kunming main 2
66 kunming xishan mountain
22 kunming green lake
26 kunming stone forest scaled

Pick-up time: depending on your time of arrival

Begin your Yunnan trip to the diverse landscapes of China’s most spectacular province in the provincial capital of Kunming.

One of our English-speaking tour guides and a professional driver will transfer you directly to your hotel, giving you plenty of time to recover from a long flight.


Meals

–

Transportation

Car

Altitude

1900m

Traveltime

Kunming Changshui Airport → Kunming centre: 1hrs

Kunming Train Station → Kunming centre: 15 minutes

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

9:00

Start your morning with a tranquil stroll through Green Lake Park, an urban oasis where locals gather to dance, sing, and practice tai chi. The willow-lined paths and pavilions bridging the water create a serene atmosphere, offering a perfect glimpse into the city’s leisurely pace of life.

11 Kunming Green Lake

11:00 Kunming – Stone Forest

Venture out to the magnificent Stone Forest (Shilin), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare to be amazed by a breathtaking landscape of towering limestone pillars that have been sculpted by wind and water over 270 million years, creating a labyrinthine forest of stone that feels like another world.

13 kunming stone forest

16:00 Kunming – Dali (high-speed train)

Board a high-speed train for a scenic journey to Dali

19:00 Dali

Upon arrival, you will step back in time as you enter Dali Ancient Town. Settled at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains, this historic town was once the capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms. Wander through its cobblestone streets, admire the traditional Bai minority architecture with its elegant, grey-tiled roofs and ornate marble decorations, and soak up the vibrant, bohemian atmosphere as the town lights up for the evening.

7 dali ancient town scaled

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1900 m – 2100 m

Traveltime

Kunming – Stone Forest 2 hrs (90 km)

3 hrs (160 km)

Additional information

  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

In the morning, we stop off at the ancient market town of Xizhou, just 19 kilometres north of Dali Old Town. Here we will visit the morning market, where locals dressed in traditional minority clothing sell and buy local fruits, freshly cut meat, piles of fragrant spices, livestock and anything else you can think of.

You can visit a traditional Three-course tea ceremony and an exquisite example of a traditional Bai-style courtyard home.

24 dali xizhou people scaled

12:00 Zhoucheng Village

Zhoucheng Village is the largest Bai village in the region and famous for its tie-dyeing traditions. Stroll through the village streets and witness local artisans crafting batik fabrics and mastering intricate tie-dye techniques.

You’ll have the chance to visit a workshop where you can observe the entire tie-dye process, from dyeing to drying.

9 dali zhou city

15:00 Erhai Lake bike ride or walk

The highlight of the afternoon is a leisurely bike ride or walk along the Ecological Corridor of Erhai Lake – a car-free parkland with panoramic views of the lake and Cangshan Mountain. From the cafes and restaurants along the bike lane you can enjoy a peaceful and majestic perspective on the region’s stunning natural beauty.

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

16:00 – 17:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2100 m

Traveltime

Dali Ancient Town – Xizhou 45 mins (20km)

Xizhou – Zhoucheng 20 mins (6.5km)

Zhoucheng – Erhai 30 mins (17 km)

Additional information

  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

After breakfast, you will depart Dali and drive to Shaxi Ancient Town: a peaceful and well-preserved old town where the Bai and Yi people have lived for centuries. A UNESCO-listed gem on the ancient Tea Horse Road, Shaxi offers a quiet step back in time.

You will explore Sideng Street, the heart of the old town, and see the landmark of traditional Bai architecture that is the ancient theater.

Walk across the stone Yujin Bridge and browse the unique Librairie Avant-Garde. If time permits, experience the atmosphere at the Friday Market Square.

You will spend the night here and enjoy the quiet evening atmosphere of this quaint little town.

44 dali shaxi old town scaled

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2100 m

Traveltime

Dali Ancient Town – Shaxi 2 hrs (110km)

Additional information

  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

After breakfast, you will depart Shaxi for the next leg of your adventure: the ancient city of Lijiang.

10:30

Upon arrival, your first stop is the picturesque Black Dragon Pool Park located at the foot of the Elephant Hill. This park is famed for its classic Chinese garden landscape, where you can capture the iconic photograph of the elegant Snow Dragon Bridge perfectly framing the distant, snow-capped peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the tranquil pond.

14 lijiang black dragon pool park scaled

11:30

A few kilometers form the park is the Dongba Museum, a fascinating institution dedicated to the culture of the Naxi people. Here, you can learn about the world’s last living hieroglyphic writing system, the Dongba script, and explore exhibits on Naxi rituals, music, and history.

5 lijiang dongba culture writing

13:30

After lunch, you will check in hotel first and have a rest.

As evening falls, you will lose yourself in the enchanting, maze-like alleyways of Lijiang Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow the gentle sound of flowing canals, cross over centuries-old stone bridges, and discover a vibrant town filled with charming shops, cozy cafes, and the warm, welcoming spirit of the Naxi people.

3 lijiang naxi minority

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2100 m

Traveltime

Shaxi – Lijiang 1.5 hrs (100 km)

Additional information

  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

08:00

Start your day with an early rise, embarking on an exhilarating journey to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

09:00

First, take a cable car up to Spruce Meadow, a perfect spot for a leisurely walk where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the landscape.

15 lijiang jade dragon snow mountain scaled

11:30

Afterwards, visit Blue Moon Valley, a breathtaking destination at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, known for its turquoise rivers and lakes. Stroll along scenic paths and enjoy the stunning views of the snow-capped peaks reflected in the crystal-clear waters.

8 lijiang blue moon valley

13:50

After that, indulge in the Impression Lijiang show,choreographed by the famous film director Zhang Yimou and performed with the mountain itself as a backdrop.

2 impression lijiang show scaled

16:00

Following this majestic adventure, head to quaint Baisha Village, where you’ll be captivated by the intricate Baisha murals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Naxi minority.

Rounding off your day, make a pitstop at the picturesque Shuhe Old Town before returning to your hotel, allowing you to soak in the charm and tranquility of this ancient settlement.

6 lijiang baisha old town scaled

Pick-up time

Around 08:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2400 m – 3300 m

Traveltime

Lijiang Ancient Town → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 1 hrs (29 km)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Baisha Village 30 mins (25 km)

Baisha Village → Shuhe Ancient Town 20 mins (5 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
  • Bring an extra layer of clothing for the visits to higher altitudes

09:00

Shortly after breakfast, your driver will drive you up to the First Bend of the Yangtze River at Stone Drum Town to see the impressive scenery, where the third-longest river in the world makes a sudden V-turn. This area is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.

Lijiang First Bend Yangtze

11:00

Continue north to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, trapped deep below the snow-capped peaks of Haba Snow Mountain to the north, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south.

This is one of the deepest gorges in the world, a 16-km stretch of river with a sheer 3900 meters between the wild waters of the Yangtze river below and the top of the Haba Snow Mountains rising up right next to it.

The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. Your new tour guide will meet you here.

11 lijiang tiger leaping gorge

15:00

Later in the afternoon the tour continues to the fabled Tibetan city of Shangri-La at an altitude of 3,300 meters (10,000 feet).

On the way you will get tingling feelings in your stomach as you continue your way up the Tibetan plateau, populated by robed monks a indigenous plateau nomads. You will notice gradual changes in the landscape and architecture, with barley fields and yaks scattered across the valleys and the year-round snow-capped mountains always towering above you.

Arrive at your final destination: Dukezong Ancient town, the ancient town center in Shangri-La, where the locals still preserve the old Tibetan way of life, crafting traditional jewelry made of silver or horn, instruments, earthen-ware and daggers.

Let this lovely mountain town welcome you and spend your free time wandering through the narrow alleys and cobbled winding lanes or relaxing from the day’s adventures.  

3 shangri la dukezong ancient town

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2400 m – 3300 m

Traveltime

Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge 1.5 hrs (95 km)

Tiger Leaping Gorge – Shangri-La 2 hrs (100 km)

Additional information

  • Wear sturdy and comfortable walking/hiking shoes: surfaces are uneven and slippery
  • Bring an extra layer of clothing for the visits to higher altitudes
  • Bring enough water and snacks for the hike through the gorge
  • Start early to avoid crowds at the entrance

09:00

After a sumptuous Tibetan breakfast, your driver and guide will take you out to the restored Songzanlin Monastery, also known as ‘Little Potala Palace’, as this 17th century monastery is modelled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

It is the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan with over 700 monks actively practising Tibetan Buddhism. The huge golden roof is a bright shining beacon that attracts Buddhists from all over Asia.

There will also be a chance to visit a local family and experience the life of a herdsman in the high steppe.

49 shangri la songzanlin monastery scaled

13:00

After lunch, embark on an exploration of Potatso National Park, where you’ll be immersed in the stunning natural beauty and ecological diversity of this remarkable conservation area.

12 shangri la potatso

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

3300 m

Traveltime

Dukezong Ancient Town – Songzanlin Monastery 30 mins (8.5 km)

Songzanlin Monastery – Pudacuo National Park 45 mins (28 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
  • Bring an extra layer of clothing for the visits to higher altitudes

09:00

Take the high-speed train back to Kunming, and drive to Kunming hotel. It will be your last night in Yunnan, and a chance to enjoy a final evening in the City of Eternal Spring.

3 kunming yuantong

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

3000 m – 2000 m

Traveltime

Shangri-La – Kunming 6 hrs (640 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery

09:00

Pick-up from hotel and drive to Kunming airport, it’s the end of your wonderful Yunnan trip. We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!

6 shangri la people

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2000 m

Traveltime

1 hrs (30 km)

Accommodation

At each destination, Wonders of Yunnan offer four tiers of accommodation for our travellers: economy, comfort, superior and luxury.

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

10-Day Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang & Shangri-La Tour

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 9 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
  • Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
  • High-speed train tickets from Kunming to Dali and Shangri-La to Kunming (2nd class seats)
  • Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary: 9 breakfasts
  • 2 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
  • Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
  • 24/7 English-speaking customer service
  • Government taxes
  • Chinese visa
  • International and domestic flights
  • Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
  • Dynamic Yunnan Show discount tickets (please mention which category you prefer if you are interested: VVIP = USD 100, VIP = USD 77, Luxury = USD 59, Standard = USD 44, Budget = USD 33)
  • Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
  • Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
  • Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
  • Anything not listed in inclusions

Frequently asked questions

This tour involves moderate walking – exploring ancient towns on cobblestone streets, parks and monasteries.

Shangri-La is approximately 3,300 meters above sea level. We recommend taking it easy on the first day, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol. If you’re concerned, consult your doctor about altitude medication before departure.

Sure. Shaxi is most peaceful in the late early morning and evening, when day-trippers are gone, so an overnight stay lets you experience the town’s quiet rhythm. It is of course perfectly fine if you prefer to stay in Lijiang.

Sure. Shaxi is most peaceful in the late early morning and evening, when day-trippers are gone, so an overnight stay lets you experience the town’s quiet rhythm. It is of course perfectly fine if you prefer to stay in Lijiang.

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From: $ 800,00