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 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 Shuanglang, Gusheng Village, the Music Caravan and S-bend cycling 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 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 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; 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 about 90 minutes, then explore Dukezong Ancient Town and Guishan Park for about one hour. Lunch is included. 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: Shangri-La Cultural Exhibition Centre · Dukezong Ancient Town · Guishan Park
Day 8Dounan 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
- Seven nights in selected four-diamond-rated hotels; confirm exact hotels when booking.
- 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.
- Seven breakfasts, eight 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.
- Optional Tiger Leaping Gorge return escalator, CNY 80 per person, and Shudu Lake boat, CNY 65 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.
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