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 Shangri-La in 8 Days
Price on request
Overview
This 8-day, 7-night route covers Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. 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 Shangri-La. 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.
From Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge, Pudacuo's forests and Dukezong Old Town connect different sides of northwest Yunnan in one extension.
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 6Tiger Leaping Gorge and Pudacuo | Shangri-La
After breakfast, drive from Lijiang toward Shangri-La, viewing the First Bend of the Yangtze from a distance. Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge for at least 60 minutes; the return escalator costs CNY 80 per person extra, or you may walk. Explore Pudacuo and Shudu Lake for about three hours. The optional Shudu Lake boat costs CNY 65 per person; walking is an alternative. Lunch is included. Enjoy a Tibetan-style dinner with song and dance, then stay in Shangri-La.
Stops: First Bend of the Yangtze; distant view · Tiger Leaping Gorge · Pudacuo · Shudu Lake
Day 7Cultural Exhibition Centre and Dukezong | Train to Kunming
After breakfast, visit Shangri-La Cultural Exhibition Centre, formerly the Mandala site, for at least 120 minutes, then explore Dukezong Ancient Town and Guishan Park for about one hour. Join a Tibetan home visit lasting at least 120 minutes. Lunch is included. 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: Shangri-La Cultural Exhibition Centre · Dukezong Ancient Town · Guishan Park · Tibetan 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. Confirm exact hotels when booking.
- 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.
- Optional Tiger Leaping Gorge return escalator, CNY 80 per person, and Pudacuo Shudu Lake boat, CNY 65 per person.
Cost and booking conditions
Confirm long-distance transport, pickup/drop-off points and any unspecified internal transport costs individually before booking.
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