Erhai scenery and tie-dye craft
Combine an Erhai yacht outing, tie-dye experience and the Haishe peninsula for a Dali day of lake views and hands-on craft.
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Lugu Lake in 8 Days
Price on request
Overview
This 8-day, 7-night route covers Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang and Lugu Lake. The route combines an Erhai yacht cruise, tie-dye and Haishe Peninsula experiences with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang's old towns, then extends to Lugu Lake. It suits travellers seeking varied scenery who can manage intercity drives and walking at altitude; there is some free time, but with frequent moves it pays to pace yourself.
Highlights
From Jade Dragon Mountain to Blue Moon Valley
The main cableway at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley combine high-mountain and valley scenery. Cableway access and alternatives depend on weather, tickets and the daily plan.
Lugu Lake and Mosuo culture
A traditional canoe ride, Liwubi Island and a Mosuo home visit combine lake scenery with village culture. Bonfire activities depend on arrangements and weather.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Kunming | Pickup and Free Time
Travel independently to Kunming Changshui Airport, then transfer to your hotel for check-in and free time. All three meals are at your own expense today. Staff will contact you in advance to confirm arrival time and the meeting point.
Day 2Stone Forest and Dianchi Dam | On to Chuxiong
After breakfast, explore the Stone Forest for at least 120 minutes, with its electric shuttle included. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then visit Dianchi's Haigeng Dam for at least 60 minutes. Drive to Chuxiong for dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay.
Stops: Stone Forest · Dianchi Dam
Day 3Erhai Yacht, Tie-Dye and Haishe Honeymoon Peninsula
After breakfast, travel to Dali for an Erhai VIP yacht cruise lasting at least 40 minutes and a tie-dye experience of at least 60 minutes. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Cycle the Haishe ecological corridor, see the Couple Trees and join Bai dancing, then visit Honeymoon Peninsula for aerial photography and afternoon tea; these activities total at least 90 minutes. Enjoy a sea-view red-wine dinner and stay in a Dali lake-view room.
Stops: Erhai VIP yacht · Tie-dye experience · Haishe Honeymoon Peninsula
Day 4Dali Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cable Car and Blue Moon Valley
After breakfast, explore Dali Ancient Town for at least 120 minutes and collect a packed lunch. Travel to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for the main cable car, with a warm coat, oxygen and the Blue Moon Valley electric shuttle included. If capacity limits, weather or maintenance prevent the cable-car ride, CNY 120 per person is refunded; Blue Moon Valley still goes ahead and Yushui Village is added. Allow at least 180 minutes for the whole mountain section, including queues, the cable car and Blue Moon Valley. In the evening, explore Lijiang Old Town on your own. Dinner and your return to the hotel are at your own expense.
Stops: Dali Ancient Town · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain · Blue Moon Valley
Day 5Shuhe Ancient Town and Lijiang Photo Session
After breakfast, explore Shuhe Ancient Town for at least 120 minutes. After lunch, enjoy an old-town photo session lasting at least 40 minutes; each family receives one ethnic costume outfit and 10 digital photographs, without makeup or styling. Lijiang Eternal Love is an optional CNY 150 per-person upgrade; confirm how it fits with the photo session when booking. Stay in Lijiang tonight. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Shuhe Ancient Town · Lijiang Old Town photo session
Day 6Lugu Lake, Traditional Boat, Liwubi Island and Mosuo Bonfire
After breakfast, drive from Lijiang to Lugu Lake, stopping in Ninglang for lunch. Take a traditional wooden boat to Liwubi Island and visit Liwubi Temple, with at least 90 minutes for the boat trip and island visit. The lakeside route passes Lige Viewing Platform, Lovers' Beach and the Caohai Walking Marriage Bridge. Enjoy a Mosuo Walking Marriage Banquet for at least 40 minutes and a bonfire evening for at least 50 minutes. Stay in a comfort-category Lugu Lake hotel.
Stops: Lugu Lake · Liwubi Island · Liwubi Temple · Lige Viewing Platform · Lovers' Beach · Caohai Walking Marriage Bridge · Mosuo bonfire evening
Day 7Mosuo Home Visit | Train via Lijiang to Kunming
After breakfast, join a Mosuo home visit lasting at least 120 minutes. After lunch, drive back to Lijiang and take the train to Kunming, followed by a hotel transfer. In special circumstances, the train may depart from Dali instead. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Mosuo home visit
Day 8Dounan Flower Market | Depart Kunming
After breakfast, guests on flights after 12:30 may visit Dounan Flower Market for at least 180 minutes; earlier flights receive a direct airport transfer. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. No additional hotel night is included.
Stops: Dounan Flower Market; only if your flight departs after 12:30
Included and not included
Included
- Seven nights in selected four-diamond-rated hotels, including a Dali lake-view room; comfort-category hotels on the Lugu Lake section.
- Local air-conditioned tour vehicle carrying no more than 12 adults and children in total, a limit that also applies on extensions. A guide is provided for groups of two or more.
- Seven breakfasts, eight main meals and one packed lunch; other meals are at your own expense.
- Main admission to listed attractions, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain main cable car, and Stone Forest and Blue Moon Valley electric shuttles are included. The cable car is subject to reservations and weather.
Not included
- Single-room supplement, unlisted meals, personal expenses and personal travel accident insurance.
Cost and booking conditions
Confirm long-distance transport, pickup/drop-off points and any unspecified internal transport costs individually before booking.
Explore other itineraries
Browse all itineraries
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Xishuangbanna in 8 Days
8 days · Price on request
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La in 8 Days
8 days · Price on request
Flavours of Southeast Yunnan | Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Mengzi, Mile and Puzhehei in 8 Days
8 days · Price on request
Create your ideal China trip
Tell us where you want to go, your dates and interests — a specialist designs a private itinerary for you, free of charge.
Start customizing