From Stone Forests and Erhai Lake to Snow Mountains and Tibetan Highlands

Experience Yunnan through four unforgettable destinations. Explore dramatic karst landscapes, Erhai Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Tibetan monasteries, and ancient towns while connecting with the Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan cultures that give the region its distinctive character.

8 Days Yunnan, Southwest China

Explore the Quieter Side of the Stone Forest

Step into Naigu Stone Forest, where dark limestone formations rise dramatically from the landscape. Compared with more crowded scenic areas, this route offers a quieter way to appreciate Yunnan’s extraordinary karst scenery.

Enjoy Erhai Lake with a Hands-On Local Experience

Take in panoramic views of Erhai Lake from Dali’s “Santorini,” then make traditional flower cakes at a local farm overlooking the Cangshan Mountains and enjoy your own creations with flower tea.

Reach the Heights of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Ride the cable car to Glacier Park at 4,680 meters, then discover the striking turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley beneath the mountain

Itinerary quick look

8-Day Yunnan Classic Journey

Make this route your own. We will refine every day around your dates, energy level, and interests.

Day 1
Arrival in Kunming — Welcome to Yunnan
Arrive in Kunming, the starting point of your journey through Yunnan.
Your private guide and driver will meet you on arrival and provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is left open for you to settle in and prepare for the experiences ahead.
Day 2
Kunming — Naigu Stone Forest & Yuantong Temple
Begin your first full day with a journey into one of Yunnan’s most distinctive geological landscapes.
Naigu Stone Forest
Explore Naigu Stone Forest, where tall, rugged limestone pillars create a dramatic maze of natural formations.
Its quieter atmosphere makes it possible to appreciate the unusual scenery at a more relaxed pace while walking among the towering rocks.
Yuantong Temple
Return to Kunming and visit Yuantong Temple, a Buddhist temple with around 1,200 years of history.
Explore its historic religious architecture and gain an introduction to the diverse Buddhist traditions and cultural influences found across Yunnan.
Day 3
Kunming → Dali — Erhai Lake & Flower Cake Experience
Today, leave Kunming and continue west toward Dali.
High-Speed Train to Dali
Transfer to Kunming Railway Station and take the bullet train to Dali.
Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will meet you and begin your exploration of the area.
Dali’s “Santorini” & Erhai Lake
Enjoy sweeping views across Erhai Lake from the scenic spot often nicknamed Dali’s “Santorini.”
The combination of blue water and the distant Cangshan Mountains creates one of the area’s most photogenic panoramas.
Traditional Flower Cake Making
Continue to a local farm overlooking the Cangshan Mountains.
Learn how to prepare traditional Yunnan flower cakes yourself, then sit down with your freshly baked cakes and a cup of fragrant flower tea in the peaceful surroundings.
Day 4
Dali → Lijiang — Bai Cuisine, Ancient Towns & Naxi Heritage
Start the morning by discovering Dali through its food and local lifestyle.
North Gate Farmers Market
Visit the lively North Gate Farmers Market, browsing stalls filled with seasonal ingredients and local produce.
Taste several characteristic Dali breakfast foods, including Xidoufen, flaky Po-su Baba, and crispy fried tofu.
Dali Ancient Town Food Walk
Continue into Dali Ancient Town, where your guide will introduce the stories behind its old streets and Bai culture.
Along the way, refresh your palate with traditional Carved Plums.
Bai Three-Course Tea
Experience Three-Course Tea, a recognized National Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition of the Bai people.
Finish the Dali food experience with lunch in a historic courtyard restaurant serving authentic Bai dishes.
Private Transfer to Lijiang
After lunch, travel privately from Dali to Lijiang with your guide and driver.
Lijiang Ancient Town
Explore Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Town), a UNESCO-listed historic town closely associated with the Naxi people.
Walk along cobblestone lanes lined with traditional houses and experience the atmosphere of this centuries-old settlement.
Day 5
Lijiang — Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley & Naxi Culture
Today combines alpine scenery with a deeper introduction to Naxi traditions.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Travel to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, regarded as a sacred mountain by the Naxi people.
Take the cable car to Glacier Park at an elevation of 4,680 meters, where forests, high-altitude meadows, mountain scenery, and potentially snow-covered peaks create one of Yunnan’s most dramatic landscapes.
Blue Moon Valley
Continue to Blue Moon Valley, located beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Admire the striking blue river and surrounding mountain scenery as the water winds through the valley.
Meet a Naxi Dongba
Spend time with a Naxi shaman, known as a Dongba, for a closer look at traditional Naxi spiritual practices.
Learn about the community’s language, music, beliefs, and relationship with the natural world.
Day 6
Lijiang → Shangri-La — Tiger Leaping Gorge & Dukezong Ancient Town
Leave Lijiang by private vehicle and travel north toward the Tibetan highlands of Shangri-La.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most spectacular canyons in the region.
Watch the powerful Jinsha River race through the narrow gorge around the famous central rock while huge mountains rise on both sides.
After lunch, continue climbing toward Shangri-La at approximately 3,200 meters above sea level.
Dukezong Ancient Town
Spend the afternoon exploring Dukezong Ancient Town.
Enter through the North Gate and discover Tibetan-style architecture accented by white, red, black, and gold, along with colorful prayer flags throughout the old town.
Five-Element Bracelet Workshop
Visit a Tibetan bracelet workshop and make your own Five-Element bracelet.
Learn the traditional meanings associated with the different gemstones while creating a personal keepsake from the journey.
Tibetan Dinner & Sifang Street
As evening approaches, visit a century-old Tusi Mansion and experience Tibetan cuisine at Snow Mountain Kitchen.
Finish the evening at Sifang Street Square, joining local residents in traditional community dancing.
Day 7
Shangri-La — Songzanlin Lamasery & Pudacuo National Park
Spend today discovering both the spiritual and natural sides of Shangri-La.
Songzanlin Lamasery
Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan.
Explore its impressive architecture, Buddhist statues, and religious treasures while learning about Tibetan Buddhist beliefs and practices.
Meet Resident Tibetan Monks
Go beyond the public areas of the monastery and visit the monks’ dormitory.
Interact with resident monks and gain a more personal understanding of their daily lives, religious beliefs, and spiritual practices.
Pudacuo National Park
Continue to Pudacuo National Park, known for its well-preserved high-altitude ecosystem.
Explore its forests and beautiful alpine lakes, including Bita Lake and Shudu Lake, while enjoying the peaceful landscape of the Shangri-La plateau.
Day 8
Shangri-La Departure — Final Walk Through Dukezong
Enjoy some free time before departure to take another leisurely walk through Dukezong Ancient Town.
Afterward, your private driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.