Yunnan guide: the Kunming, Dali and Lijiang loop in 6-8 days

The classic Yunnan loop

The most popular Yunnan route runs Kunming (昆明) to Dali (大理) to Lijiang (丽江), with Shangri-La (香格里拉) as an optional extension. Altitude climbs in steps: Kunming sits around 1,900 metres, Dali and Lijiang are a little higher, and Shangri-La is above 3,000 metres, so your body gets time to adjust. Six to eight days suits a first visit.

Kunming and the Stone Forest

Kunming is the capital of Yunnan, with Changshui international airport and Kunming South (昆明南) high-speed rail station. It is nicknamed the Spring City because the climate is mild all year. The main outing is the Stone Forest (石林), a vast field of limestone pinnacles that takes about half a day. Reach it from Kunming by coach, tour bus or local rail; check current times and prices on the official app.

Dali: Erhai Lake and the old town

Dali Old Town (大理古城) has city walls, gate towers and pedestrian lanes that suit an easy wander. Erhai Lake (洱海) is not far away, and cycling stretches of the lakeside path, with the Cangshan range (苍山) behind, is the favourite activity. Avoid the middle of the day, because the sun is strong at altitude. The old town has cafes, Bai-style tie-dye workshops and local markets, and lakeside villages such as Xizhou (喜洲) suit a stop for snacks and a look at traditional Bai courtyard houses.

Lijiang: old town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城) is a World Heritage site with small canals, stone lanes and Naxi architecture. It is very lively at night; early morning is quieter and better for photos. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) lies north of the town. Tickets and entry quotas usually need to be reserved ahead through official channels, since some areas cap daily visitors.

Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La

Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) lies between Lijiang and Shangri-La and is one of the deepest gorges in China. Hikers can take the trekking route, while others can stop at the viewpoints near the entrance of the Upper Gorge. Check path conditions and safety notices from official sources first, because heavy rain or rockfall can close trails.

Shangri-La (optional)

Shangri-La (香格里拉), with its old quarter Dukezong (独克宗) in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is known for Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺) and high grasslands. The town sits above 3,000 metres. With six days or fewer you may prefer to skip it, to avoid rushing and to limit altitude risk. Allow at least one night to adjust before heavier sightseeing.

Train connections between cities

Book on the official 12306 app in English with your foreign passport, carry the same passport on board, and allow time for station security. In towns, use Didi or the Amap map app; see the related guides.

Altitude, weather and what to wear

• Weather shifts quickly and day-night swings are large; pack layers and a windproof jacket.
• Sun is intense at altitude; bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• The rainy season falls in mid-year; views are often clearest once rain eases. See our best-time guide.

A 6-8 day plan

1. 1Days 1-2: KunmingAcclimatise and visit the Stone Forest.
2. 2Days 3-4: DaliOld town and cycling around Erhai Lake.
3. 3Days 5-6: LijiangOld town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, using your reserved quota.
4. 4Days 7-8: Tiger Leaping Gorge or Shangri-LaContinue to higher ground if you feel well, then return to Kunming.

Internet and payments

Google, LINE, Facebook, Instagram and Gmail are usually not reachable on mainland Chinese networks or hotel Wi-Fi. A travel eSIM from a non-Chinese provider usually routes data through a gateway outside the mainland, like roaming, which is why those apps usually open on it. Nobody can guarantee every app on every network, so test before relying on it, and keep your Thai SIM on for SMS and bank OTPs. Signal can drop in mountain areas, so download offline maps. Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign Visa and Mastercard; set them up before the trip and carry cash and a physical card as backup. See our guide on credit cards with Alipay and WeChat.

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