Yunnan | Encounter in Lijiang: A Classic Yunnan Tour Under a Sky of Serendipity

Yunnan has always been a top choice for domestic travelers, with its romantic atmosphere, mysterious ethnic groups, and leisurely pace. After the pandemic stabilized, I chose the classic 'Kunming-Dali-Lijiang' route, known as 'Kun-Da-Li'. First, let's prepare: this is the most important thing. Travelers nowadays may prefer independent travel or road trips, but for those who want to save effort, group tours are convenient. This time, I (Zhuzhu) opted for a group tour.

（1）Yunnan has a highland Southwest monsoon climate with large day-night temperature differences. Bring appropriate clothing according to local weather. Yunnan has strong UV rays, so ladies who care about beauty should prepare sun protection (sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen, umbrellas).

（2）Valid ID is required for flights (or trains): ID card, military officer card, passport, etc. Children without ID cards must bring the original household registration booklet or passport. If documents are lost, go to the local police station for a temporary boarding certificate.

（3）Yunnan's high altitude may cause altitude sickness; bring medicine, and buy some chocolate, beef jerky, and other snacks.

（4）Visitors entering Yunnan must scan a code to declare health status. Whether at airports (train stations) or scenic spots, a health code must be shown.

The plane landed at Kunming Changshui Airport. After picking up luggage, I went to the designated meeting point and was taken by the hotel pickup staff to the hotel. The first day included no meals or scenic spots; if you arrive early, explore the city on your own and sort out your own dining. The hotel I stayed at had a rice noodle shop on the ground floor, so for about ¥10-plus I had my first meal in Yunnan.

Hotel | A stylish and clean budget hotel with simple decor

【Transport】The hotel is 4 km from Guandu Ancient Town, 2 km from Golden Resources Shopping Mall, 22 km from Changshui International Airport, 3 km from Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Center, and 5 km from Wanda Plaza.

【Facilities】The exterior is ordinary, but inside it's very fashionable. The lobby is impressive, giving a high-end feel. Corridors are carpeted. Standard twin room with simple decor, small but smartly designed, with a practical desk, wall-mounted LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, central air conditioning, and a bathroom with separate shower and dry area.

【Service】Only one room key provided. No card needed for electricity; if locked out, contact the staff.

【Dining】Breakfast provided. Many dining options around the hotel. There's a rice noodle shop on the ground floor.

Kunming Meiyin Hotel, 1689 Yulong Road, Guandu District, Kunming

Scenic Area | Capture the beautiful 'Ashima' in the World Geopark Stone Forest

【Transport】78 km from Kunming city, about 50 minutes via Kunming-Shilin Expressway.

【Environment】The 5A-rated Stone Forest Scenic Area is recognized by UNESCO as a 'World Geopark' and 'World Natural Heritage'. Its fame is partly due to former Kuomintang Yunnan Provincial Chairman Long Yun, who even inscribed the name 'Stone Forest'. The area includes: Stone Forest, Black Pine Rock, Flying Dragon Waterfall, and Long Lake scenic areas. The Greater Stone Forest consists of dense stone pinnacles standing upright with smooth lines, the tallest being over 40 meters. Highlights include 'Lotus Peak', 'Sword Peak Pond', 'Hanging by a Thread', 'Extremely Narrow Passage', 'Elephant Standing Platform', 'Deep Orchid Valley', and 'Phoenix Combing its Wings'. The best view of the 'forest sea' is from 'Wangfeng Pavilion'.

【Overall】The Stone Forest gets many visitors, mostly tour groups. Stick close to your guide to avoid getting lost. It's 7 km from the parking lot to the scenic area entrance—buy a ¥25 shuttle ticket. There are many small paths, so don't wander off. If you get lost, you can press SOS for rescue, but it costs over ¥10,000 and you have to pay!

Stone Forest Scenic Area, Shilin Town, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming

Restaurant | Braised fish, roast duck, and of course Yunnan's specialty steam pot chicken

【Transport】Near Stone Forest Scenic Area, within 10 minutes by car.

【Environment】The restaurant entrance has a row of fruit stalls selling various fruits at ¥10 per portion. The ground floor sells tourist souvenirs, while dining is on the second floor. Clean and bright, not too crowded, with decent table spacing.

【Service】Catering to group meals, dishes came out super fast.

【Flavor】Group meals aren't about gourmet taste: there was braised fish, roast duck, and Yunnan's steam pot chicken.

【Overall】Our tour group had some manners—no one fought over food—but the dishes weren't hot enough.

Yijia Shiwan (Yi Family Food Bay), West First-Class Highway, Kunming outskirts

After touring Kunming, we headed to Dali via highway, with a stop in Chuxiong for a meal and overnight stay. Why? To boost the local economy! The guide kept emphasizing that one tourist can support 24 local jobs.

Restaurant | Yunnan's special mushroom hotpot with chicken broth base—light, nutritious, and not greasy

【Transport】Stopping in Chuxiong on the way from Kunming to Dali for a meal and overnight stay, supposedly to boost the local economy.

【Environment】An ethnic-style restaurant, clean, bright, not crowded, with decent spacing.

【Service】Greeted by aunties dancing at the door, and once seated, singers in ethnic costumes came to perform.

【Flavor】One of the better meals in Yunnan: mushroom hotpot with chicken broth base, refreshing and healthy. The pot mixed various mushrooms, very nourishing, and the table was full of vegetables. You could also add more noodles—if you wanted more, just call 'Ah Hei Ge' (the waiter).

【Overall】The best meal in Yunnan so far. The hotpot was piping hot, vegetables and noodles could be refilled freely, and we drank some local rice wine. The only downside was no air conditioning, making it a bit warm.

Rongfuyuan, B5-6, Harmonious Port, Yiren Waitan, Chuxiong City

Hotel | A large hotel tucked away in a mountain town

【Transport】19.7 km straight-line distance from Chuxiong Station, about 22.6 km by car from the city center, approx. 28 minutes.

【Facilities】The exterior has distinctive architecture, inside it's fairly simple, like an ordinary guesthouse. Carpeted corridors. Standard twin room, simple decor, small but smart, with two armchairs by the window, a practical desk, wall-mounted LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, central air conditioning, and a bathroom with separate shower and dry area. The nightstand even provided 'national hygiene supplies'.

【Service】One key card provided, card needed for power.

【Dining】Breakfast provided, not many choices but enough to fill the stomach.

Chuxiong Hongqiang Hotel, opposite Luhe Middle School, Xindajie, Luhe Town, Chuxiong

Scenic Area | Cruise around beautiful Erhai Lake and enjoy the gentle breeze under blue skies and white clouds

【Transport】The bus took us to the VIP private yacht dock to board a 'private yacht' for the best Erhai Lake views.

【Environment】Arriving in Dali Town, the bus parked and we walked through the town, soaking in local life on the way to the pier.

【Overall】Many private docks here offer excursions. We boarded at a proper cruise terminal; ticket + scenic area entry ¥180/person. With limited passengers onboard, there's no crowding or noise—just a relaxing cruise around Erhai Lake with the wind caressing you.

Caicun Wharf, Haishang Tourism Company, Dali Town, Dali

Scenic Area | Take an elevator to the top of 'Luoquan Pagoda' on Luoquan Peninsula for a panoramic view of Cangshan and Erhai under the blue sky

【Transport】VIP private yacht dock, board the 'private yacht' for Erhai Lake.

【Environment】The yacht landed at Luoquan Peninsula on the east shore of Erhai Lake, directly facing Dali Ancient Town. This area evolved from the former Tianjing Pavilion scenic spot, including Guanyin Pavilion, Taizi Pavilion, Baxian Tower, Tianjing Pavilion, Luoquan Pagoda, Luoquan Temple, and Stone Mule. In the late Nanzhao period, it was a solemn Buddhist site on Erhai's shore. During the Tang Tianbao wars, Nanzhao defeated the Tang army twice, largely thanks to Master Luo Quan. King Geluofeng granted the eastern cliff to Master Luo Quan, and thereafter the peninsula and its temples and pagoda were all named 'Luoquan', a name unchanged for a thousand years.

【Overall】On the 'private yacht', no crowds or noise—just a leisurely Erhai cruise, and you can step ashore to explore past glory on Luoquan Peninsula. For ¥10/person, take an elevator to the top of Luoquan Pagoda for a full view of Cangshan and Erhai. For ¥80/person, experience western Yunnan's first water slide, the 600-meter-long 'High Mountain Drift'.

Luoquan Peninsula Tourism Area, Huanhai Road, Haidong Town, Dali

Scenic Area | Dali Ancient Town records the past

【Transport】Park at the ancient town parking lot, then buy a sightseeing bus ticket at your own expense (¥35/person) to the town gate. Only sightseeing buses are allowed inside; private cars park on the outskirts.

【Environment】Dali Ancient Town is also called Yeyu City, Forbidden City, or Zhonghe Town. Its history dates back to the Tang Tianbao period when Nanzhao King Geluofeng built Yangju City. The current town was built in the 15th year of the Ming Hongwu era. There's a moat outside and city walls with gates on four sides, each with a gate tower, and corner towers. The walls were demolished after liberation, but in 1982 the South Gate was rebuilt with the characters 'Dali' in Guo Moruo's calligraphy.

【Overall】The streets form a typical grid pattern. Now it's mostly a tourist area with shops selling souvenirs. You can find quiet corners for photos. If you're not in a rush, stroll around and head to the local residential area for a different experience.

Dali Ancient Town, 42 Yita Road, Dali

Scenic Area | The most beautiful sight is the transparent chapel, blending with heaven and earth—so stunning

【Transport】The bus arrived at the Jeep base, we switched to Jeeps, 4 people per Jeep.

【Environment】At the garden entrance, the Jeeps lined up for a photo op, one free per family. Then we entered an Instagram-worthy spot: water and sky merge ahead, flowers bloom year-round behind. Beautiful flowers and happy people, though I've never seen such a sea of blossoms before, their fragrance enveloping you.

【Overall】Both sides of the road here have fields converted into gardens. Besides fresh flowers, there are various photo props among the blooms. The most beautiful is the transparent chapel, merging with the outdoors—simply gorgeous.

Taoran Tian She, 50 meters south of Yinxianxi, Fengbeinan Line, Yinqiao Town, Dali

Restaurant | Braised fish, assorted platter, and of course Yunnan steam pot chicken

【Transport】After the garden photo shoot, it's not far; a roadside restaurant.

【Environment】Various food stalls at the entrance. The restaurant is clean and bright, not crowded, decent spacing, no air con.

【Service】Group meal service, food came out super fast.

【Flavor】For group meals, don't expect gourmet: there was braised fish, roast duck, and Yunnan steam pot chicken.

【Overall】Group members had manners, no food fights, but the dishes were not hot enough.

Hotel | A boutique cultural hotel themed 'Dali Wellness Lifestyle'

【Transport】Located on the south side of Dafeng Road, Manjiang Area, Dali Development Zone, next to the airport main road, 3 km from the train station.

【Facilities】The hotel features modern Chinese design with a 'leisure, soul nourishment, slow living' Dali wellness theme. Room types include standard, deluxe, Japanese-style mini, family, hot spring, mahjong, and family suites. The lobby is imposing with an upscale feel. Carpeted corridors. Standard twin room, simple decor, not large but smart, with carpeted floor, a sofa chair by the window, and a practical desk—though no stool, so I called reception and they brought one up. Wall-mounted LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, central A/C, bathroom with separate shower and dry area.

【Service】One key card, card needed for power. Good service attitude.

【Dining】Breakfast provided, restaurant upstairs, enough to fill you up.

Yunrui Hotel (Dali Oriental Branch), South side of Dafeng Road, Manjiang Area, Dali Development Zone

On the way from Dali to Lijiang, during lunch stop, we changed guides. In Lijiang, a local Lijiang guide must lead the group.

Scenic Area | Step into a sea of flowers at Lashi Lake, where water and sky merge

【Transport】10 km west of Lijiang city, Lashi Lake 'Lashi Sea Wetland Park'

【Environment】The largest plateau lake in Lijiang, also Yunnan's first wetland nature reserve. 'Lashi' is an ancient Naxi term: 'La' means barren flatland, 'shi' new, so 'new barren flatland'. About 30,000 waterbirds winter here annually. Surrounded by green mountains, the scenery is stunning.

【Overall】This is a self-funded activity. If you don't pay, you just wait for others to finish. It's a package: rose flower sea, bamboo raft boating, horse riding. The flower sea and boating are in the same area; out of season, the roses weren't vast enough. There's a 'mirror of the sky' photo spot by the lake for some nice shots.

Lashi Lake Huahuase Rose Manor, No. 6, Shuangshi Section, Xinhua Street, Lashi Town, Lijiang

Scenic Area | Strolling along country lanes, ascending to retrace the Ancient Tea Horse Road

【Transport】After visiting Huahuase Rose Manor, a car took us to the riding stable.

【Environment】The stable has many horses. Yunnan horses are short-legged 'Dianma' known historically for their endurance, the main transport on the Tea Horse Road. They are steady and durable, suited for mountain paths. Three horses were tied together, led by a 'Pangjin Ge' (the horse guide) at the front, ambling along countryside roads and up the hill along the old Tea Horse Road.

【Overall】Self-funded combo ticket ¥200/person for garden + horse riding. Raincoats provided on the horse; the ride continues in rain. At the mountaintop rest area, you can buy corn for ¥10 to feed the horses.

Meili Junliang Horse Farm, Lashi Lake Huahuase Rose Manor, Lijiang

Scenic Area | The bar street in Lijiang Old Town is probably the most popular spot at night

【Transport】Lijiang Old Town has no defensive walls or gate towers; it's very large.

【Environment】Naxi murals, the Big Waterwheel, and Sifang Street are landmarks. Picture small bridges over flowing streams, lined with houses, and a dazzling array of ethnic crafts. Feel the Naxi culture, explore the unique bar street, stroll along cobbled lanes, and soak in the charm where every household has streams winding past and willow tree-shaded scenery rivaling the Jiangnan region. In the central square, constant singing and dancing reminds you to slow down and relax.

【Overall】The bar street is the place to be at night; just drop in for a drink and taste local culture. During the pandemic, there were closing hours, so it couldn't stay open too late.

Show | Fully displays Lijiang's unique and profound ethnic culture

【Transport】Across from Hongtaiyang Square. Buses can't stop there; we got off at the corner and walked. Many taxis outside don't use meters, they quote fixed prices. Better to use DiDi (ride-hailing), which quickly gets a driver.

【Environment】'Lishui Jinsha' is a grand dance performance in the form of dance poetry, gathering the unique cultural atmosphere of the northwest Yunnan plateau nurtured by Lijiang's magnificent landscapes, and the cultural treasures of the ancient Naxi Kingdom. It selects the most representative cultural images of Lijiang's various ethnic groups, using water, mountains, and emotions to comprehensively showcase Lijiang's unique and vast ethnic culture!

【Overall】The tour group included this, worth ¥260/person. The performance was good with a large cast, but the downside was no narration throughout the one-hour show—just non-stop dancing on stage.

Lishui Jinsha Show, opposite Hongtaiyang Square

Restaurant | Sizzling yak hotpot—so irresistible you can't stop eating

【Transport】Large open space outside, parking is very convenient.

【Environment】Clean and bright, not crowded, decent spacing, no air con.

【Service】Group meal, dishes came out super fast.

【Flavor】The yak meat was super delicious. After finishing the yak, you can add various seasonal vegetables that soak up the broth, equally tasty.

【Overall】The second satisfying meal on this Yunnan trip. Yunnan's moderate temperature means it's not too hot even without air conditioning.

Naxi Style Theme Restaurant, 119 Shangduan, Zhaihou Street

Hotel | The only plus: it's close to Lijiang Old Town

【Transport】Hidden in a residential area, hard to find without navigation.

【Facilities】Called a hotel, but really a basic guesthouse, a bit old. Standard twin room, simple decor, not large but well-designed. Two armchairs by the window, practical desk, wall-mounted LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, split air conditioning. The bathroom has no shower enclosure, so water splashes everywhere.

【Service】One key card, card needed for power.

【Dining】Breakfast provided, limited choices, enough to fill up.

Westin Hotel, 54 Zhaihoushang Village, Xi'an Street

Scenic Area | Walk the wooden boardwalk to the highest accessible point at 4680 meters on the snowy mountain

【Transport】Take the 'Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area' special bus from Lijiang city, about 35 km north of Lijiang Old Town.

【Environment】A 5A-rated scenic area, the highlight is the Glacier Park at the summit. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car starts at 3356m and reaches an upper station right below the main peak, Shanzidou, at 4506m. The cable car is 2914m long with a vertical rise of 1150m, one of the highest tourist cable cars in China.

【Overall】At such high altitude, watch for altitude sickness. Best to buy a portable oxygen canister before going up—a bit pricey at ¥60 each. The cable car requires queuing, 8 people per car. After about 10 minutes of swaying, you reach the upper station at 4506m. After acclimatizing, walk the wooden boardwalk to the currently reachable 4680m mark. On the mountain, it's all luck: sometimes rain, sometimes sun. When I went up, it was raining and everything was foggy.

Glacier Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Scenic Area

Scenic Area | Dreamlike Blue Moon Valley, changing colors with the sunlight

【Transport】Jade Dragon Snow Mountain special bus from Lijiang city, about 35 km north of Lijiang Old Town.

【Environment】After visiting Glacier Park, take the eco-bus to Blue Moon Valley. Water from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain flows here, gathering into streams, forming a crystal-clear, sweet river in the deep valley upstream. The limestone riverbed gives the water a white sheen, hence 'White Water River'. Minerals on the surface create fascinating colors. As the river flows, it's blocked by mountains, forming four larger water bodies: 'Jade Liquid' Lake, 'Mirror Pool' Lake, 'Blue Moon' Lake, and 'Listening Waves' Lake.

【Overall】I bought a ¥50 electric shuttle ticket, covering three segments; you ride some, walk some. Following the boardwalk, stopping to take photos, the scenery is excellent.

Blue Moon Valley, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Scenic Area

Scenic Area | Named after a mountain, meaning 'village below a high peak'

【Transport】There's a large parking lot opposite Shuhe Ancient Town.

【Environment】One of the earliest Naxi settlements in the Lijiang basin, a well-preserved important market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, a living example of Naxi transition from farming to commerce, and a model market town formed by trade and horse caravans. Shuhe is called 'Shaowu' in Naxi, named after Jubao Mountain behind the village, which looks like a pile of high peaks, hence 'village below a high peak'.

【Overall】Needless to say, it's now a hub of inns, restaurants, cafes, ethnic costumes, etc. During the pandemic, there weren't many visitors and many shops were closed. Due to time, I could only take a quick glance without really exploring the local culture.

Shuhe Ancient Town, near Chama Road

Restaurant | Specializing in Xiangshan cured ribs and free-range chicken hotpot, but group meals didn't include these

【Transport】Near the back gate of Xiangshan Market, next to Qinma Hotpot.

【Environment】Clean and bright, not crowded, decent spacing, no air con.

【Service】Group meal, dishes came out super fast.

【Flavor】Their specialty is Xiangshan cured ribs and free-range chicken hotpot, but our group meal didn't have those. Instead, there were fried potatoes, radish with ribs, papaya with pork...

【Overall】Our group members had manners, no food fights, but the food wasn't hot enough. After eating our fill, we got ready to head up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Yixianglu Restaurant (Huama Street Flagship), Huama Street North Suburb Transfer Station

After the last stop, Shuhe Ancient Town, we had a group dinner, then the guide said goodbye and the bus took us directly to Lijiang Railway Station. We took a sleeper train back to Kunming—the bus would have taken over 8 hours, but the train was more comfortable. The train departed at 10:30 p.m., so there was plenty of time. Some went to nearby hotels for hourly rest, others to the snack street for a meal—just killing time. When I (Zhuzhu) boarded, I found the carriage was double-decker, with two bunks on each level, a first for me. Amid the rumbling, we arrived at 9:00 a.m. the next day. After exiting, the transfer staff took us to breakfast, then to a 'Tourist Distribution Center' where we were sent to the airport according to our return flight times.

Restaurant | Hold a large bowl and add condiments and various rice noodles one by one

【Transport】Sanye Food City near Kunming Railway Station

【Environment】Clean and bright, no air con. Pay first, then pick up. Queue to get a big bowl of broth with meat pieces. Then, moving along the counter, add condiments: mint leaves, chopped green onion, small red chili, and finally different types of rice noodles. Pour your chosen noodles into the bowl.

【Service】Fully self-service; staff only handle payment and collect bowls.

【Flavor】Good taste, since you customize it to your liking. Unlimited rice noodle refills—eat till you're full, but takeaways limited to three bowls.

【Overall】After the transfer team picked us up at Kunming Railway Station, they first took us here to fill up. This brand is said to be quite authentic locally.

Tuanshan Little Yellow Beef Rice Noodles (Kunming Station Branch), near Kunming Railway Station

Day 1: Fly to Kunming on your own, airport pickup

Day 2: Kunming hotel → Stone Forest in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming → Lunch → Pu'er Tea Culture Museum (Longrun Tea) → Chuxiong, enjoy Yunnan wild mushroom hotpot → Check in at town hotel

Day 3: Chuxiong hotel → Erhai Luoquan Peninsula → Lunch → Jeep Erhai flower sea cruise with complimentary group photo → Dali Ancient Town → Overnight in Dali

Day 4: Dali hotel → Jade Culture Museum → Silverware shop with Bai ethnic three-course tea song and dance performance → Lashi Lake Rose Manor: boating & Tea Horse Road horse riding → Lijiang dinner → Lijiang Old Town → Lishui Jinsha show

Day 5: Lijiang hotel → Huanglong Jade National Treasure Museum → Lunch → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Blue Moon Valley → Shuhe Ancient Town → Train station sleeper train

Day 6: 9:30 a.m. Kunming breakfast → Yunnan specialty shopping center 'Yibu Shouji Yunpinhui' → Airport drop-off

Note: On the afternoon of Day 2 there’s a Pu'er tea shop; on the morning of Day 4, a Yunnan silverware and jade shop; on the morning of Day 5, a Yunnan Huanglong jade shop. All shops are legal, regular stores. Purchases come with official receipts. If the product is undamaged, enjoy a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy with the receipt.

Travelogue Contents: 1. Tips; 2. Kunming; 3. Chuxiong; 4. Dali; 5. Lijiang; 6. Kunming; 7. Itinerary; 8. Tips: Travel Information; Hotel Index; Guide Index; Flight Booking Index; Site Navigation; Travel Index; Cruise Index; Corporate Travel Index; Franchise Cooperation; Distribution Alliance; Friendly Links; Corporate Gift Card Purchase; Insurance Agency; Agency Cooperation; Hotel Franchise; Destination & Scenic Spot Cooperation; More Franchise Cooperation; About Ctrip; About Ctrip; Ctrip Hot Topics; Contact Us; Join Us; User Agreement; Privacy Policy; Business License; Security Center; Ctrip Content Center; Intellectual Property; Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure