Yunnan province is a land of colorful diversity and countless scenic spots, yet they are widely scattered across the province — a reality any traveler to Yunnan must face. Therefore, the itinerary is arranged to travel from one city/prefecture to the next. Given the large geographic span of this trip, transportation and accommodation require careful planning. It is recommended that you make more detailed preparations before your official journey after reading this guide.
This itinerary features well-known attractions that showcase the region’s diverse characteristics, following classic travel routes that cover most of Yunnan’s popular sites. Meanwhile, considering Yunnan’s varied altitudes, the trip is planned from low to high elevations to help visitors gradually adapt and improve their experience.
Day 1 Kunming
Route: Dianchi Lake → Tanhua Temple → Stone Forest Scenic Area
Highlights
- Dianchi LakeAlso known as Kunming Lake, Kunming Pond, Diannan Ze, or Dianhai, it is located in the southwest of Kunming, fed by the Panlong River and other streams. At an altitude of 1,886 meters, it is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, honored as the “Pearl of the Plateau”.With beautiful scenery, it is a national-level tourist resort. Its rich biodiversity remains well-preserved, and visitors often capture photos with birds and other rare animals, making it a perfect spot for photos.
- Tanhua TempleAlso called Tanhua An, it lies at the foot of Jinma Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Kunming, covering 8 hectares. First built during the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, it was named after a udumbara tree (actually a Yunnan magnolia, over 300 years old) in the garden.Originally the villa of Shi Shiqiao, a senior official of the Ming Dynasty, it was donated as a temple by his descendant Shi Taiwei during 1628–1644 and rebuilt after an earthquake in the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1821–1850).The ancient tree still stands in the yard of the Sutra Library, with stone carvings of “Udumbara Brings Good Fortune” on the wall. The temple has long been famous for its flourishing flowers and plants. In the early Republican era, Abbot Yingkong was renowned across Yunnan for his gardening skills, keeping the temple blooming year-round. Peonies, orchids, crape myrtles, and begonias once gained nationwide fame. Today, its splendid flowers and ancient trees attract visitors from home and abroad.
- Kunming Stone Forest Scenic AreaAlso known as Yunnan Stone Forest, it is a natural karst landscape. The area includes the main Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui Waterfall, Changhu Lake, and Guishan National Forest Park. The core zone consists of five parts: Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Wannian Lingzhi, Lizi Garden Jing, and Busshao Mountain.Yunnan Stone Forest has the longest evolutionary history among similar landforms, taking shape over 200 million years through four major stages. Its formation was extremely complex, evolving from ocean to land and from lowlands to plateau, creating the spectacular stone formations seen today.
After your first day in Kunming, you can go to Mushuihua Market to taste Kunming’s authentic local food — wild mushroom hot pot.
Day 2 Dali
Route: Dali Ancient Town → Cangshan Mountain → Erhai Lake
Highlights
- Dali Ancient TownAlso known as Yuyucheng or Zicheng, its history dates back to the Tang Tianbao period, when King Geluofeng of the Nanzhao Kingdom built Yangjuemicheng as his new capital. The present ancient town was first constructed in 1382 (the 15th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty), covering 3 square kilometers.For over 500 years during the Tang and Song dynasties, it served as the political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan. Many cultural relics are preserved inside, with the original urban layout largely intact. There are three main north-south streets and five or six east-west alleys.Houses are traditional civil structures with tiled roofs, and streets are paved with bluestone. Clear spring water from Cangshan Mountain flows through most streets. Numerous buildings from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods remain, including ancient gates, academies, and churches, along with a cluster of museums.Major streets include Fuxing Road, Foreigner Street, Renmin Road, and Honglongjing. Here you can experience a slow, artistic lifestyle — admiring ancient architecture while eating, drinking, and wandering.
- Cangshan MountainAlso called Diancang Mountain or Xiong Cang Mountain, it stands west of Erhai Lake and forms the border between Dali and Yangbi Yi Autonomous County. The range consists of 19 north-south peaks, with the highest, Malong Peak, reaching 4,122 meters.A rising fault-block mountain, it features steep cliffs, overlapping waterfalls, and well-developed Quaternary glacial landforms and deposits.Yunnan’s famous “Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon” scenery represents Dali’s four most iconic natural wonders: Xiaguan Wind, Shangguan Flower, Cangshan Snow, and Erhai Moon.From Cangshan you can overlook Erhai Lake. Attractions include Cangshan Shrine, Gantong Temple, Zhonghe Temple, Wuwei Temple, and Cangshan Cliff Paintings.
- Erhai LakeAncient names include Kunming Pond, Erhe River, and Yuyu Ze. Located in Dali, it covers about 246 km² (some sources say 252 km²), stretching 40 km from southern Eryuan to Xiaguan in Dali. It is Yunnan’s second-largest lake, after Dianchi.Formed in the late Ice Age mainly by subsidence and erosion, it is a highland structural rift lake at an altitude of 1,972 meters. With Cangshan Mountain to the west and Yu’an Mountain to the east, it enjoys an exceptionally beautiful environment.Many visitors cycle around the lake, visiting filming locations of the hit drama Meet Yourself. Others tour Erhai in open-top jeeps.
Dali local food: grilled milk fan, sour and spicy fish, stone-pot fish, raw pig skin with dipping sauce, floral canned milk tea, Xizhou Baba, etc.
Days 3–5 Lijiang
Route: Yulong Snow Mountain → Blue Moon Valley → Lijiang Ancient Town → Lugu Lake
Highlights
- Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic AreaStretching north to south, it faces Haba Snow Mountain across the rushing Jinsha River. Its main peak, Fanzi Steep, stands at 5,590.2 meters, making it the highest peak at the lowest northern latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.All 13 peaks are covered in snow year-round, resembling a vigorous jade dragon lying on the mountaintop, ready to leap into the Jinsha River — hence the name Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain.It is the core of a national-level scenic area, featuring glacial landscapes, snow-capped forests, meadows, ethnic villages, grand canyons, and highland waters. Major spots: Glacier Park, Ganhaizi, Baishui River, Yunshanping, Ice Tower Forest, Yuzhu Peak, and Blue Moon Valley.
- Blue Moon ValleyLocated on the eastern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain in Yulong County, Lijiang, it includes Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, and Tingtao Lake.Formed by melting snow and ice from the mountain’s glaciers, water flows down cliffs into streams and gathers into crystal-clear rivers in the upper valley. Six scenic check dams have been built along the water.
- Lijiang Ancient TownLocated in the old town of Lijiang, it generally refers to Dayan Ancient Town. As a World Cultural Heritage, it includes Dayan (with Black Dragon Pool), Shuhe Ancient Buildings, and Baisha Ancient Buildings.First built in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, the Mu clan moved their rule from Baisha to Lion Hill and founded “Dayechang”. In the Ming Dynasty, the chieftain system brought the town its first golden age. By the Qing Dynasty, it grew into a major commercial center.Streets are built along mountains and rivers, paved with red breccia. Attractions include Wangu Tower, Mu Mansion, Wufeng Building, Black Dragon Pool, Wenchang Palace, Fang Guoyu’s Former Residence, Puji Temple, Square Street, and Snow Mountain Academy.The ancient town is especially charming at night, with bonfire dances in Square Street and beautiful night views along stone alleys.
- Lugu LakeA highland lake shared by Sichuan and Yunnan, with about one-third of its area on the Yunnan side, at an altitude of 2,690 meters. Famous for its crystal-clear Class I water and Mosuo culture, it is a provincial nature reserve and 4A-level scenic spot.Visitors can take pig-trough boats to visit islands, experience Mosuo feasts, stay in lake-view homestays to watch the stars, and drive around the lake. A 2-day stay is recommended to fully enjoy the scenery and folk customs.
Lijiang local food: chicken jelly noodles, Lijiang cured pork ribs, snow mountain fish, black goat hot pot, etc.
Day 6 Shangri-La
Route: Potatso National Park → Songtsam Monastery → Napa Lake Grassland
Highlights
- Potatso National ParkLocated in the heart of the “Three Parallel Rivers” World Natural Heritage Site in northwest Yunnan, it ranges from 2,347 to 4,670 meters above sea level. It features fault cliffs, deep gorges, primeval forests, alpine meadows, wetlands, and lakes.The park is especially beautiful in autumn, when forests blaze with color, perfect for peaceful walks.
- Songtsam MonasteryThe largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and one of the most famous in Kham, it is the center of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect in Sichuan and Yunnan and holds an important status across Tibetan areas. Known as the “Little Potala Palace”, it is built against a mountain like an ancient castle, showcasing the best of Tibetan architectural art and earning the name “Tibetan Art Museum”.
- Napa Lake Grassland (Yila Grassland)A seasonal highland wetland combining lake and grassland in northwestern Shangri-La at about 3,266 meters above sea level. In rainy summer and autumn, it becomes a lake; in dry winter and spring, water recedes to form vast marshy meadows.It serves as summer pasture for local Tibetan herders, with ruins of the ancient Gunqin Temple on the northwestern mountain.
Altitude sickness tips: Shangri-La is at high altitude. It is recommended to acclimatize in Lijiang first, bring altitude sickness medicine in advance, and avoid strenuous exercise.
Shangri-La local food: butter tea, highland barley cakes, yak yogurt, yak hot pot, Tibetan fragrant pork, etc.
Day 7 Xishuangbanna
Route: Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market → Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CAS → Wild Elephant Valley → Manzhang Village
Highlights
- Gaozhuang Starlight Night MarketA large Southeast Asian-style leisure and shopping area in Gaozhuang Shuangjing, offering shopping, branded dining, folk activities, cultural experiences, Southeast Asian snacks, and entertainment. It has over ten performance venues with regular night shows, bonfire parties, and festivals such as the Lancang-Mekong River Countries Cultural and Art Festival, Spring Festival events, and Water Splashing Festival.Visitors often shop, eat, and take photos in traditional Dai costumes here.
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CASLocated in the tropical forest of Menglun Town, Mengla County, it is locally called Menglun Botanical Garden. Divided into East and West Districts, the West is the main highlight with many small themed gardens; the East is a narrow tropical rainforest ideal for hiking.Electric shuttles connect the two districts. The West has more than 20 specialized gardens, among which the “Magic Flower Garden” is most popular, featuring color-changing flowers, clock flowers that bloom on time, dancing grass, candelabra trees, and the highly toxic upas tree — a true feast for the eyes.
- Wild Elephant ValleyNamed for the frequent visits of wild Asian elephants. Visitors come to watch elephant shows and explore the tropical rainforest. Along the trails, you can see rare tropical plants and traces like footprints and dung left by wild elephants. With luck, you may spot wild elephant herds wandering in the woods.Daily elephant performances are held near the south gate, where adorable elephants dance, walk on tightropes, and even kick balls with their trunks.
Xishuangbanna local food: lemon grass grilled fish, pineapple rice, pounded chicken feet, paoluda coconut dessert, etc.