roadbook · Kunming · Dali · Lijiang · Shangri-La
Yunnan Old Towns 8-Day Journey
Old towns, lakeside villages and highland monasteries across southwest China.
- Best for
- Culture seekers
- Pace
- Balanced
- Season
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Risk
- Couple, Friends
Roadbook preview · generated from verified route assets
Day-by-day route
Day 1
Roadbook day 1
A paced editorial day around Kunming, with room for meals and transfers.
- Arrive and orient in Kunming
Keep the first block light, confirm tickets and settle bags before the main visit.
- Stone Forest or city lake arrival
Use Kunming as a gentle first highland base.
- Kunming neighborhood dinner
Finish with a low-pressure dinner area rather than another major attraction.
Day 2
Roadbook day 2
A paced editorial day around Kunming, with room for meals and transfers.
- Stone Forest or city lake arrival
Use Kunming as a gentle first highland base.
- Stone Forest or city lake arrival
Use Kunming as a gentle first highland base.
- Pack and prepare the next transfer
Keep the evening close to the hotel so the next travel day starts cleanly.
Day 3
Roadbook day 3
Bai old town by Erhai Lake.
- Arrive and orient in Dali
Keep the first block light, confirm tickets and settle bags before the main visit.
- Old town and Erhai villages
Keep transfers short and spend time by the lake.
- Dali neighborhood dinner
Finish with a low-pressure dinner area rather than another major attraction.
Day 4
Roadbook day 4
Bai old town by Erhai Lake.
- Old town and Erhai villages
Keep transfers short and spend time by the lake.
- Old town and Erhai villages
Keep transfers short and spend time by the lake.
- Pack and prepare the next transfer
Keep the evening close to the hotel so the next travel day starts cleanly.
Day 5
Roadbook day 5
Naxi lanes and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain views.
- Arrive and orient in Lijiang
Keep the first block light, confirm tickets and settle bags before the main visit.
- Naxi old town and mountain views
Balance busy lanes with a calmer viewpoint.
- Lijiang neighborhood dinner
Finish with a low-pressure dinner area rather than another major attraction.
Day 6
Roadbook day 6
Naxi lanes and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain views.
- Naxi old town and mountain views
Balance busy lanes with a calmer viewpoint.
- Naxi old town and mountain views
Balance busy lanes with a calmer viewpoint.
- Pack and prepare the next transfer
Keep the evening close to the hotel so the next travel day starts cleanly.
Day 7
Roadbook day 7
Tibetan monasteries and highland meadows.
- Arrive and orient in Shangri-La
Keep the first block light, confirm tickets and settle bags before the main visit.
- Monastery and highland meadow
Move slowly at altitude and keep the evening quiet.
- Shangri-La neighborhood dinner
Finish with a low-pressure dinner area rather than another major attraction.
Day 8
Roadbook day 8
Tibetan monasteries and highland meadows.
- Monastery and highland meadow
Move slowly at altitude and keep the evening quiet.
- Monastery and highland meadow
Move slowly at altitude and keep the evening quiet.
- Shangri-La neighborhood dinner
Finish with a low-pressure dinner area rather than another major attraction.
Editor's note
Editor approvedA varied route rising from lakes to highlands. Reviewed for altitude gain toward Shangri-La.