Summer Vacation is Coming: A Super Cost-Saving 6-Day Yunnan Itinerary Perfect for Families
I just got back from Yunnan last week, and I can confirm: every scenic spot is open as normal. No quarantine, no PCR tests—totally stress-free to travel. Speaking of Yunnan, I feel like I've got plenty to share. I've been there three times with different companions, and each trip felt completely unique. Let me pass along my experiences.
First time: My parents took me on a group tour booked back in Guangzhou. It was pricey, and the itinerary was so rushed we were exhausted—honestly, we didn't get to enjoy it properly!
Second time: I went with my bestie. It was super free and flexible, but such a hassle. We had to book hotels, tickets, find transportation, and plan the route ourselves—way too much time and money spent. In Lijiang we even got ripped off by a driver when hiring a car. If any of you want to travel independently, make sure someone arranges everything in advance, so once you arrive in Yunnan, you can just have fun. Otherwise, it's seriously too much trouble.
Third time: Just last month—and it was the most enjoyable trip by far. Initially, we thought about joining a group tour again, but then we realized the schedule would be tight and some places we wanted to see wouldn't be included. We'd end up unsatisfied, so we scrapped that idea. But neither of us was familiar with Yunnan, we didn't understand the local dialect, and we were afraid of taking many wrong turns. We were really torn. Then I stumbled online upon a kind of 'companion-style private tour' where accommodation, tickets, and private transportation are pre-arranged. That's how I met Ashima, a Yunnan travel tailor. She's a local, warm and hospitable, and she saved us loads of time and money this time. Before we set off, we reached out to Ashima. We told her our family's needs, and she crafted a 6-day itinerary for us. Before we even landed in Yunnan, she had sorted out our hotels, route, entrance tickets, and transport. She even picked us up at the airport herself—just amazing, and the price was very reasonable. Most importantly, it saved us endless hassle. Once in Yunnan, all we had to do was enjoy the sights and have fun!
Yunnan has so many places to visit; here's our 6-day, 5-night route:
Day 1: Met upon arrival in Kunming, signed the contract, stayed at a hot spring hotel. Free time to explore on our own.
Day 2: Stone Forest Scenic Area – Shilin Lake – Stone Screen – Grand View of Stone Forest – Stone Forest Outer Landscape – Lotus Pond – Ashima Stone.
Day 3: Erhai Lake – VIP private yacht – Luoquan Peninsula – Open-top Jeep ride around Erhai – Nanzhao Customs Island.
Day 4: Lashihai – Lijiang Ancient Town – Square Street – Lishuijinsha performance.
Day 5: Shuhe Ancient Town – Jiuding Dragon Pool – Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park with Big Cableway – Blue Moon Valley, then drive back to Kunming.
Day 6: Visit the Flower City, a sea of blossoms—I wanted to live there forever and be a fairy surrounded by flowers and beauty! Hehe~ Afterwards, Sugar Baby saw us off at the airport according to our flight times.
Ours was a 6-day itinerary covering all the highlights: Dali, Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Erhai Lake. I am completely charmed by Yunnan's traditional architecture. The travel market is chaotic these days—finding someone reliable makes all the difference. The hotels we stayed at and meals we ate were all arranged by our itinerary planner Ashima. She is incredibly patient; I can't recommend her enough.
The accommodations Ashima booked for us were all local featured hotels and guesthouses, spotlessly clean and cozy!
When you travel, hiring a local guide is way less hassle than doing it all yourself, and saves you money too. The challenge in Yunnan is that the major sights are scattered, like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Erhai Lake, Lugu Lake, and others—distances are long. If you go solo, transportation becomes a huge expense. Plus, you queue for tickets, get lost easily, you name it. Our trip planner Ashima was there from start to finish, arranging guides, hotels, tickets, transport, and meals perfectly. It was great value and still felt free and easy. And of course, you have to try the local specialties in Yunnan!
We spent just over 1000 yuan each for the 6 days. I really think this itinerary was excellent—so worth it. The whole journey was relaxed; as soon as we waited for our luggage at the airport, someone contacted us to pick us up. The hot spring hotel was comfortable. For sightseeing and dining, the guide had everything pre-arranged. It was worry-free, with no forced shopping at all. The guide was really responsible, so we had a blast. Ashima is not only dedicated and careful, but always patiently answered all our questions. If you're planning a trip to Yunnan, no matter how many days, she can design an itinerary that fits your time and interests. Going to Yunnan? You won't go wrong reaching out to her.
