Cycle through Erhai's lakeside villages
Shuanglang, Gusheng Village and cycling along Erhai's S-bend connect lakeside settlements, with a music caravan stop beside the water.
Clouds and Waters | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake and Xishuangbanna in 10 Days
Price on request
Overview
This 10-day, 9-night route covers Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake and Xishuangbanna. It pairs Shuanglang, Gusheng Village, the Music Caravan and S-bend cycling with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang's old towns, then extends to Lugu Lake and Xishuangbanna. It suits travellers who want varied scenery and can handle 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.
See more sides of Yunnan
Extend the route to Lugu Lake and Mosuo culture, and to Xishuangbanna's forests and Dai villages, for travellers with more time who want to see contrasting regions.
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 about 120 minutes, with its electric shuttle included. Enjoy a Yi-style lunch, then visit Dianchi Dam. Drive to Chuxiong for dinner accompanied by Yi song and dance and an overnight stay.
Stops: Stone Forest · Dianchi Dam
Day 3Shuanglang, Gusheng Village, Music Caravan and S-Bend Cycling
After breakfast, drive to Dali and explore Shuanglang Ancient Town. After a Bai-style lunch, stroll through Gusheng Village and the Dragon King Temple, ride the silver Music Caravan and cycle the S-bend of the Erhai eco-corridor. In the evening, watch the Horse Caravan World outdoor show, then enjoy a muleteer's chicken dinner and stay in Dali.
Stops: Shuanglang Ancient Town · Gusheng Village · Music Caravan; silver edition · S-bend cycling · Horse Caravan World
Day 4Dali Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley and Impression Lijiang
After breakfast, explore Dali Ancient Town and collect a packed lunch. Ride the main cable car on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with the eco-shuttle included and complimentary oxygen and down-jacket hire. Allow about 60 minutes on the mountain, not counting queues, followed by about 30 minutes in Blue Moon Valley with its 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. The complimentary Impression Lijiang show may be missed because of queues, traffic or force majeure. 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 · Impression Lijiang; complimentary
Day 5Shuhe Ancient Town and Lijiang Photo Session
After breakfast, explore Shuhe Ancient Town independently. After lunch, enjoy an old-town photo session with one ethnic costume outfit and 10 digital photographs per family, without makeup or styling. You may instead choose Lijiang Eternal Love for an extra CNY 200 per person; this upgrade replaces the costume photo session. 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. The lakeside route passes Lige Viewing Platform, Lovers' Beach and the Caohai Walking Marriage Bridge. Enjoy a Mosuo Walking Marriage Banquet and bonfire evening, then 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. After lunch, drive back to Lijiang and take the train to Kunming, followed by a hotel transfer. If this train cannot be arranged, a hard-sleeper train from Lijiang or a train from Dali may substitute, affecting seat class and that night's accommodation; confirm when booking. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Mosuo home visit
Day 8Train to Xishuangbanna, Wild Elephant Valley and Starlight Night Market
After breakfast, take the train to Xishuangbanna and visit Wild Elephant Valley. Lunch is included. In the evening, enjoy free time at Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market, with dinner, shopping and the trip back to the hotel at your own expense. Wildlife sightings depend on nature.
Stops: Wild Elephant Valley · Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market; free time
Day 9Dai Village and Primeval Forest | Train to Kunming
After breakfast, visit a Dai village. After lunch, explore Primeval Forest Park for about 120 minutes, with peacock flights and other activities subject to operating schedules. The park electric shuttle costs CNY 60 per person extra. Take the train back to Kunming and transfer to your hotel. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Dai village · Primeval Forest Park
Day 10Dounan Flower Market | Depart Kunming
After breakfast, guests on flights after 12:30 may visit Dounan Flower Market; 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
- Nine nights in selected four-diamond-rated hotels, with comfort-category hotels on the Lugu Lake section.
- Local touring vehicles use 2+1 seating, excluding airport and railway-station transfers. Trains connect the daily itinerary; confirm services, seat classes and vehicles on extensions when booking.
- Nine breakfasts, 10 main meals and one packed lunch. Meals that come with optional paid activities are not counted in this total.
- Main admission to listed attractions, Stone Forest shuttle, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain main cable car and eco-shuttle, and Blue Moon Valley shuttle are included. Complimentary Impression Lijiang is subject to performance schedules and traffic.
Not included
- Single-room supplement, unlisted meals, personal expenses and personal travel accident insurance.
- Optional upgrade to the Lijiang Eternal Love show for CNY 200 per person, in place of the costume photo session.
- Primeval Forest Park electric shuttle costs CNY 60 per person. Optional New Dai Show costs CNY 320 per person including one meal; optional Lancang River speedboat costs CNY 280 per person.
Cost and booking conditions
Confirm before booking whether return long-distance travel such as flights is included, as well as train services, seat classes and extension services.
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