Yunnan Discovery — Dali & Lijiang

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Days 1–2 · Dali

Day 1 — Arrival in Dali Fly into Dali Airport (DLU) or Kunming then connect. Transfer to Dali Old Town — a relaxed walled city ringed by mountains and Erhai Lake. Easy afternoon walk along Renmin Road, the main old town street.

Day 2 — Dali in Depth Morning: Three Pagodas — Tang Dynasty pagodas (9th century) with Cangshan mountain backdrop. Erhai Lake cycling along the shore (e-bike available). Afternoon: Xizhou village — the best-preserved Bai minority village in Yunnan, with courtyard mansions and a local beeswax batik workshop.

Days 3 · Dali → Lijiang

Scenic 3-hour drive through mountain passes with photo stops. Arrive Lijiang mid-afternoon. Check in, then easy walk through the northern quarter of the Old Town before crowds leave.

Days 4–5 · Lijiang

Day 4 — Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Early start. Cable car to Glacier Park at 4,506m — supplemental oxygen available. Snow and ice at the summit year-round. Afternoon at Baisha village for Naxi frescoes painted by a local doctor, Joseph Rock's one-time collaborator.

Altitude note: spend Day 3 acclimatising. Most guests experience no issues. We carry basic altitude medication.

Day 5 — Old Town, Black Dragon Pool & Shuhe Dawn walk through Lijiang Old Town before tourist crowds arrive — the most peaceful time. Black Dragon Pool park for the classic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflection. Afternoon at Shuhe Ancient Town — quieter and more residential than Lijiang, with excellent small restaurants. Evening: Naxi ancient music performance.

Day 6 · Tiger Leaping Gorge & Departure

Half-day drive to the Tiger Leaping Gorge viewpoint — no trekking required, just a short walk to the overlook. One of the world's deepest gorges, the scale is extraordinary. Return to Lijiang airport for onward flight.

Altitude Information

Lijiang sits at 2,400m — similar to some Alpine resorts. Most guests acclimatise within 24 hours with light activity and good hydration. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain summit reaches 4,506m; supplemental oxygen is available and included at the cable car terminus.

We recommend this tour for guests in good general health. If you have heart or respiratory conditions, please discuss with us before booking — we can adjust the itinerary accordingly (skip the summit, focus on lower-altitude sites).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine Yunnan with Beijing or Shanghai? Yes — the most popular extension is 10 days: Shanghai (3) → Xi'an (2) → Beijing (3) → Lijiang (4). We can arrange the full circuit.

Is Yunnan suitable for seniors? With the right pace, absolutely. The altitude is the main consideration (see above). The Old Town is cobblestone — we recommend flat walking shoes. Private car eliminates all public transport stress.

What's the best season for Yunnan? March–May: rhododendrons in bloom, clearest skies for Snow Mountain views. September–October: post-monsoon clarity, golden light. Avoid July–August (rainy season — still beautiful, but mountains often cloud over).