📍 China

YUNNAN MINORITIES: ANCIENT TOWNS AND MOUNTAIN CULTURES

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Pleasant temperatures, blooming flowers, ideal weather, moderate crowds, excellent for most regions, comfortable travel. Fall (September-October): Perfect weather, clear skies, comfortable temperatures, peak tourist season, higher prices, autumn colors beautiful. Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, rainy season, crowded tourist sites, highest prices, but best for Tibet and western regions. Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, fewer crowds, lower prices, perfect for southern regions, harsh in north, unique winter experiences. Regional Variations: Vast climate diversity, southern subtropical, northern continental, western plateau, plan according to regions visited.

Ancient stone cities whisper their heritage, minority traditions dance in the mountains, monasteries crown the peaks. Yunnan is a cultural crossroads.

≈ 11

Days

998

Stops

📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Discover Kunming, Dali's lanes, Shaxi village, Lijiang and Naxi culture, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La monasteries. Yunnan, a mosaic of cultures and landscapes.

Dali: ancient stone streets
Lijiang: naxi tradition
Shangri-La: monasteries peaks
Tiger Leaping Gorge: drama

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Kunming

botanical gateway city

4 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Western Hills (Xishan): panoramic walk above Dian Lake, temples and oratories (Dragon Gate).

Golden Temple (Jindian) at Jindian Park, bronze pavilion and cypress avenue.

Yuantong Temple, Guanyin pavilion and central pond.

Old flower and bird market (Jingxing Street): wandering through the historic alleys.

🎯

Activities

→

Urban cable car journey or trail to the Western Hills viewpoints.

Day

Dali Old

3 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Kunming – free time complement (if needed): remaining old quarters and shores of Dian Lake (view).

🎯

Activities

→

Night train Kunming → Dali (formerly KMX ↔ Dali) or fast train depending on availability.

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 345 km

Travel time: 5h30

Day

Dali Old

3 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Mini-cruise on Erhai Lake, landing on Jinsuo Island (Jinsuo Dao) and Bai fishing villages.

Old town of Dali: ramparts, gates and ancient streets.

🎯

Activities

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Boat ride on Erhai, observations of landscapes and lakeside life.

Day

Dali Old

3 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Xizhou: Bai residential architecture and tea ceremony demonstration.

Temple of the Three Pagodas (Qianxun Ta and twins), symbolic ensemble of Dali.

Zhoucheng: Bai village and indigo batik workshop.

🎯

Activities

→

Artisan demonstration: batik technique and indigo dyeing.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 99.4 km

Travel time: 1h39

Day

Shaxi Sideng

trading post heritage village

7 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Tea-Horse Road: town of Shaxi (Sideng), market square, theater and ancient alleys.

🎯

Activities

→

Historical walk on the ancient tea and horse caravan route.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 120 km

Travel time: 2h30

Day

Lijiang

4 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Old town of Lijiang (Dayan): canals, bridges and paved alleys (UNESCO).

Naxi music concert (evening): preserved traditional repertoire.

🎯

Activities

→

Ascent to the old town viewpoints (views over rooftops and canals).

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 100 km

Travel time: 2h

Day

Lijiang

4 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Black Dragon Pool Park (Heilongtan) and views of Jade Dragon Mountain.

Dongba Museum: pictographic writing and Naxi culture.

Lijiang Market: market hall, stalls and local products.

Baisha: temple frescoes (Dabaoji) and ancient Naxi town.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Countryside walk between Naxi villages at the foot of Jade Dragon Mountain.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 153.7 km

Travel time: 1h55

Day

Shangri La

tibetan monastery golden peak

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Tiger Leaping Gorge (lower/middle section depending on access): balcony trail above the Yangtze.

🎯

Activities

→

Stop in a rural Tibetan hamlet for traditional meal.

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 180 km

Travel time: 3h30

Day

Shangri La

tibetan monastery golden peak

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Songzanlin Monastery (Ganden Sumtseling), Gelugpa Buddhist complex (Little Potala).

Ancient city of Dukezong and local market of Shangri-La.

Walk in a Tibetan village in the surroundings: fortress houses, meadows and prayer mills.

🎯

Activities

→

Discovery of forest products (matsutake mushrooms) on stalls according to season.

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - China

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Pleasant temperatures, blooming flowers, ideal weather, moderate crowds, excellent for most regions, comfortable travel.

Fall (September-October): Perfect weather, clear skies, comfortable temperatures, peak tourist season, higher prices, autumn colors beautiful.

Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, rainy season, crowded tourist sites, highest prices, but best for Tibet and western regions.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, fewer crowds, lower prices, perfect for southern regions, harsh in north, unique winter experiences.

Regional Variations: Vast climate diversity, southern subtropical, northern continental, western plateau, plan according to regions visited.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in China?

Ancient civilization meets modern superpower with Great Wall, forbidden cities, and cutting-edge technology. Experience diverse landscapes, incredible cuisine, and 5000-year cultural heritage. The country offers bustling megacities, pristine nature, and traditional arts. China provides overwhelming cultural richness and geographical diversity in rapidly modernizing nation.