Yunnan, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake 5-7 Day Travel Guide
First-time visitors to Yunnan mostly want to explore all the classic places and routes in one go! Actually, this is a completely unrealistic idea. Yunnan has abundant tourism resources, numerous attractions, many ethnic minorities, and many ethnic festivals. Customs and traditions vary among different ethnic groups, so it would take about two months to visit everything. If you have about a week, how should you arrange the most worthwhile route? Here’s a guide for you.
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1. Super Transit: Exploring Kunming (1-2 days)
Yunnan has 14 airports, but the most cost-effective transit point is the provincial capital Kunming. 60% of visitors are willing to stay 1-2 days to see this 'Spring City.' The essence of Yunnan isn’t in Kunming, so 1-2 days is enough. How to avoid pitfalls and have a good time? Two key words: quick IP check-in + leisurely slow stroll.
(A) Must-visit: Stone Forest and Jiuxiang
1. Super IP: Stone Forest
The Stone Forest is a major symbol of Kunming, appearing on posters everywhere at the airport and train station (the classic old movie "Ashima" on every grandparent's mind is set here). As a world natural wonder, it's hard to resist (you might think karst landscapes exist in many places—don't overthink it, the Stone Forest is an international masterpiece!). Getting to the Stone Forest can be a bit troublesome (1 hour by car), and trains require a bus transfer, while long-distance buses go to the station. The best way is to join a tour group (save money, check it off your list, and get commentary). With a compact group tour, you can cover it in half a day. There are also dedicated Stone Forest day trips that are more relaxed.
2. Visit Jiuxiang on the way
Since it’s very close to the Stone Forest, day tours usually include Jiuxiang. Both are karst landscapes, but one showcases the surface, and the other the underground. Jiuxiang looks like a dwelling for demons from "Journey to the West," and the magical caves in the movie "The Myth" were filmed here. It’s well worth a stop.
Quick guide: three choices:
Option 1: Stone Forest & Jiuxiang day trip (chosen by 90% of travelers—tick both off in one day)
Option 2: Stone Forest day trip (for 10% of families who fear tiring out, suitable with elderly and children)
Option 3: Jiuxiang day trip (for those who’ve already been to the Stone Forest and have extra time in Kunming)
If you don’t want to join a group, upgrading to a private car trip is also a nice option.
(B) How to spend fragmented time in the city
Generally, with half a day or a day left, we suggest just strolling leisurely in the city!
Based on popularity data, here’s a quick micro-guide:
1. Dianchi Lake & Western Hills (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆☆)
Kunming’s largest lake. In winter, Siberian seagulls fly in, and locals love feeding them and taking photos on the dam. We don’t recommend taking a boat (boring); instead, take the cable car across the lake to the Western Hills, where you can hike all the way to Dragon Gate for a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake. Or on the Haigeng Dam, admire the Western Hills known by locals as 'Sleeping Beauty.' Dianchi and the Western Hills are in south Kunming, about 40 minutes by taxi from the city center, or you can take a bus. At the foot of the Western Hills, there’s a tourist snack street "Tea Horse Flower Street" with some local specialties at not-too-expensive prices.
Tickets: Dianchi Dam is free, cable car + admission to Western Hills: 85 yuan
Suggested visit: half a day
2. Yunnan Nationalities Village (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆)
Yunnan has 25 ethnic minorities, scattered in various remote villages. If you want to see them all at once, the Nationalities Village in Kunming is the only place. It’s right by Dianchi Lake, so you can combine it with the Haigeng Dam. The village is huge, with different areas featuring typical dwellings of different minorities. There are scheduled folk performances inside; you could spend a whole day wandering. To get around in half a day, you’ll need to take the electric shuttle inside.
Ticket: 90 yuan
Suggested visit: half a day to a full day
3. Around Green Lake in the city center
(1) Green Lake Park, Old City Center (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆)
Kunming locals’ favorite hangout: No.1. In the heart of the old city, it’s a free public park where you can just stroll. To experience local life in Kunming, this is the top choice. It’s most beautiful in spring and summer with all kinds of flowers; in winter you can feed seagulls. Legend has it that Wu Sangui and Chen Yuanyuan had a love story here—see if you can find traces.
Suggested visit: 1 hour
(2) Yunnan Military Academy (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆)
On par with the Huangpu Military Academy, alums include Zhu De and Ye Jianying. It’s a stunning complex of yellow-toned buildings. The museum tells stories of the passionate Republican revolution, and there’s a daily guard-changing ceremony. Great for photos!
Suggested visit: 1 hour
(3) Kunming Old Street & Nanping Street (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆)
The earliest commercial center of Kunming—the Nanping Street area—is also a bastion of old Kunming streets. Bird and flower markets, traditional buildings, and former residences of celebrities (Nie Er, the ‘Money King’ Wang Chi) are all here. You can buy snacks like flower cakes here. Plenty of trendy little shops too; sitting down for a cup of coffee is very pleasant.
Suggested visit: 2–3 hours
(4) Yunnan University & National Southwest Associated University (Popularity: ☆☆☆)
Yunnan University, one of the most beautiful campuses in China—I’d rank it in the top ten. Its lush greenery perfectly embodies the Spring City. Opposite Yunnan University is Yunnan Normal University, site of the former National Southwest Associated University. After watching the movie "Forever Young," you might find the remaining ruins intriguing. You can visit both schools along with Green Lake and the Military Academy; there are many cafes and small eateries around Yunnan University, worth a wander.
Suggested visit: 2 hours
(5) Dounan Flower Market / Chajie Flower Market (Popularity: ☆☆☆)
Kunming has the largest fresh-cut flower market in Asia, but getting to Dounan from the city center requires a subway + bus transfer (around 1 hour, flowers there are so cheap you’ll want to cry, a bouquet of roses for just a few yuan). If time is short, Chajie Flower Market in the city is also good, with attentive service and low prices. Choose fresh or dried flowers, and they’ll pack and ship them on the spot—the flowers arrive at your home soon after you do!
Suggested visit: 2 hours (any longer and your eyes will go blurry from the sheer variety)
(C) City food guide: quick picks
As a Kunming native, I wholeheartedly recommend three ways to eat:
Route A: Yuanxi Road snack street (specialty snack route)
Just across the street from the east gate of Yunnan University. Here you’ll find almost all local specialty snacks: fried potatoes, lotus root flour with cake, potted noodles! Also the students’ and locals’ favorite "Aunt Yang’s pickles." Highly recommended: "Fire King Roasted Tofu," which always has a long line on weekends or at mealtimes. The dipping sauces—fermented tofu with small chili and yellow small chili—are very distinctive. Next door, grilled pig trotters are another Yuanxi Road must. At the top of the slope, a little shop called "Happy Jelly Noodles" serves hand-pulled starch jelly and chickpea bean jelly with signature sauces: spicy-numbing and sweet-sour options. Cheap, generous portions, and most importantly delicious!
2. Artistic photography trip in Dali (2 days)
(A) How to get to Dali
1. Direct flights from various cities: Major cities have direct flights, but many departure points require a transfer in Kunming.
2. Transfer via Kunming: We recommend taking the EMU train to Dali, departing from Kunming Station, about 2 hours. There are many trains, very convenient.
EMU: approx. 2 hours (cheap, fast, convenient)
Bus: approx. 5.5 hours (more expensive, far, and tiring)
Flight: approx. 1 hour (only if you’re not worried about budget)
(B) How to choose Dali’s super IPs
Various guides list all famous spots in Dali, but honestly, many are traps. Time is limited, so pick wisely!
1. Proceed with caution:
(1) Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas
Dali’s only 5A-level scenic spot, the epitome of Buddhist sites, often on postcards, and very close to the ancient town. However, most young people aren’t willing to spend over 100 yuan to see the three pagodas that are visible from outside anyway. Unless you’re a devout Buddhist, it’s not great value for most.
Ticket + shuttle: 110 yuan
Suggested visit: half a day
Cangshan Mountain: Cangshan represents the "snow" in Dali’s "Wind, Flowers, Snow, Moon" romantic quartet (the snow on Cangshan in winter), but as a 4A scenic area, we don’t recommend going up. The main vegetation is pine trees. On the map, three cableways lead to the long Yudai Cloudy Path midway up; going down is tiring and a bit boring. The much-hyped Jizhao Nunnery (near Gantong Cableway) has become too popular—eating vegetarian meals there now means standing in long lines, and the fresh, hipster vibe is fading.
Ticket + shuttle: Gantong Cableway 120 yuan (suggested), Ximatan half-way cableway 195 yuan (highest but pricey), Zhonghe Cableway 100 yuan (not recommended)
Suggested visit: most of a day
(3) Butterfly Spring
The most classic scene in the old film "Five Golden Flowers" is at Butterfly Spring, so it’s a sacred place in the hearts of the older generation. But nowadays, the core of the scenic area is just a pool and an old tree; butterflies are in an exhibition hall. It’s more for letting the elderly reminisce about their youth—young travelers can skip it.
Ticket + shuttle: 60 yuan
Suggested visit: half a day
2. Strongly recommended:
(1) Tour around Erhai Lake
If you want to quickly experience Dali’s local flavor and scenery, we’ll say it three times: you must tour around Erhai Lake!!! Once you circle Erhai Lake, all your Dali dreams are basically fulfilled!
Erhai Lake loop (120km). If you can only choose one thing, we suggest: a travel photography tour!!!
Scenic spots you can visit along the way around Erhai Lake:
- Xizhou: Lao She’s beloved "Cambridge of China," with clusters of Bai ethnic dwellings and streets full of snacks. We recommend stopping here for a leisurely lunch. Xizhou baba, grilled dairy fan, and milk popsicles are all excellent.
5. Simple time planning schemes
(A) 5-day Yunnan itinerary
1. Dali + Lijiang
Day 1 – Fly directly to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 2 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 3 – Lijiang to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 4 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 5 – Depart from Dali
2. Lijiang + Lugu Lake
Day 1 – Fly directly to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 2 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 3 – Lugu Lake 2-day tour, stay overnight at Lugu Lake
Day 4 – Lugu Lake 2-day tour, return to Lijiang
Day 5 – Lijiang: Lashihai horse riding, depart
3. Kunming + Dali
Day 1 – Fly directly to Kunming, city sightseeing
Day 2 – Kunming: Stone Forest & Jiuxiang day tour
Day 3 – Kunming to Dali (EMU), explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 4 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 5 – Dali to Kunming, depart
4. Kunming + Lijiang
Day 1 – Fly directly to Kunming, city sightseeing
Day 2 – Kunming: Stone Forest & Jiuxiang day tour
Day 3 – Kunming to Lijiang (EMU), explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 4 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 5 – Lijiang to Kunming, depart
(B) 6-day Yunnan itinerary
1. Dali + Lijiang + Lugu Lake
Day 1 – Fly directly to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 2 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 3 – Lijiang to Lugu Lake day tour
Day 4 – Lijiang to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 5 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 6 – Depart from Dali
2. Kunming + Dali + Lijiang
Day 1 – Fly directly to Kunming, city sightseeing
Day 2 – Kunming Stone Forest day tour, head to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 3 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 4 – Dali to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 5 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 6 – Depart from Lijiang
(C) 7-day Yunnan itinerary
1. Dali + Lijiang + Lugu Lake
Day 1 – Fly directly to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 2 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 3/4 – Lijiang to Lugu Lake 2-day tour
Day 5 – Lijiang to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 6 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 7 – Depart from Dali
2. Kunming + Dali + Lijiang
Day 1 – Fly directly to Kunming, city sightseeing
Day 2 – Kunming Stone Forest & Jiuxiang day tour
Day 3 – Kunming to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 4 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 5 – Dali to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 6 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 7 – Depart from Lijiang
3. Kunming + Dali + Lijiang + Lugu Lake
Day 1 – Fly directly to Kunming, city sightseeing
Day 2 – Kunming Stone Forest day tour, head to Dali, explore Dali Ancient Town
Day 3 – Dali: Erhai Lake loop day tour (or Cangshan ATV / Erhai kayaking)
Day 4 – Dali to Lijiang, explore Lijiang Old Town
Day 5 – Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour, watch the "Eternal Love" show
Day 6 – Lijiang to Lugu Lake day tour
Day 7 – Depart from Lijiang
