Warm Winter Sun, Budget ~1K: A Hassle-Free Yunnan Trip – Savor the Freedom of Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Youth isn’t a brush, it’s paint—splashed freely, carefree, creating its own masterpiece.

Don’t waste your youth: embark on a Yunnan journey. By the shores of Dianchi Lake, see our seagulls from Siberia; admire Dali’s Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Dali Ancient Town, Erhai cruise, Ideal Utopia in Dali, and Lijiang’s Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang Ancient Town, and Shuhe Ancient Town. With sunny weather, it’s perfect for travel.

Preparations before departure:

Sun protection: sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

Clothing: autumn wear mainly, with a warm jacket. Yunnan’s current temperature is around 15–23°C, with a big difference between morning and evening. Wear simple warm-toned clothes for better photos.

Other: bring stomach medicine, cold medicine, and other common medicines, as many people can’t adapt to weather changes. Health code info: Low-risk area travelers need a green health code and green itinerary code + a nucleic acid test upon landing in Kunming.

DAY 1: From all over the country to Kunming Changshui Airport → Check in Kunming, if you arrive early you can go try the Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles.

DAY 2: After breakfast at the Kunming hotel → Dianchi Dam → Tea Horse Flower Street → West Hill → Chuxiong

After breakfast, drive to [Dianchi Haigeng Dam] to view the beautiful ‘Pearl of the Plateau’ Dianchi Lake and gaze upon West Hill, famed as the ‘Sleeping Beauty Mountain’.

Then visit the latest trendy spot [Tea Horse Flower Street], a food paradise filled with the most authentic Kunming snacks: tofu pudding rice noodles, all kinds of barbecue, brown sugar cakes, music, coffee, Western food – lunch is yours to choose freely.

In the afternoon, gather and set off for Kunming’s scenic historic mountain [West Hill Forest Park]. West Hill sits by Dianchi Lake; seen from afar, it resembles a graceful beauty reclining on the water, hence the name ‘Sleeping Beauty Mountain’. The tour includes a cable car ride – an open-air scenic cable car with West Hill at your feet and its beauty all around. While hiking West Hill, don’t forget to overlook Kunming city and Dianchi Lake, as green as jade, with misty, boundless vastness. After the visit, drive to Chuxiong. Dinner will be accompanied by ethnic song and dance, a feast for both eyes and palate, letting you experience the fiery passion of the Yi people... then check in to your hotel.

DAY 3: After breakfast in Chuxiong → Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas → Erhai Private Cruise → Check-in at Santorini·Ideal Utopia Photo Shoot

After breakfast, drive to visit [Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas], symbols of Dali as a ‘land of literature’ and of Yunnan’s ancient history and culture, and among the oldest and most magnificent structures in southern China.

Lunch: Dali’s special sour-spicy fish. Then board an [Erhai Private Cruise] for a close encounter with Erhai Lake, enjoying the natural scenery of Cangshan and Erhai, the ‘Golden Shuttle Clouds’ over the lake, letting the landscape enchant you, a delight to the eyes and a lift for the spirit.

Face the sea, with spring blossoms – many dream of such a life. For friends stressed by big-city living, if you choose to travel Dali, we’ve specially arranged a stop at the most popular Douyin spot, China’s own Santorini: [Santorini·Ideal Utopia Photo Shoot] (each family/family group receives 5 digital photos). Romance starts here. Blue romance, pure white, as gentle as the wind and clouds (bring your best, most stylish clothes). Every shot here is a masterpiece. The sky’s blue is as romantic as if washed and sun-dried. In the evening, we’ve handpicked a fresh and charming Dali sea-view hotel, where sweet dreams accompany you.

DAY 4: Dali Ancient Town → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cableway) → Blue Moon Valley → Lijiang Ancient Town

After breakfast, drive to [Dali Ancient Town] (open ancient town, free roaming). Dali Ancient Town, also known as Yeyu City, Zicheng, Zhonghe Town, dates back to the Tang Dynasty’s Tianbao era, when Nanzhao King Geluofeng built Yangjumei City (near today’s Three Pagodas) as his new capital.

Lunch: a nutritious packed meal (1 bottle water, 1 bag milk, 1 marinated egg, 1 sausage, 1 pack wafer cookies, 2 French-style buns, 1 chocolate pie, 1 egg-yolk pie, 1 large bread, 1 apple). Then drive to the 5A scenic area [Jade Dragon Snow Mountain]. Before the tour, based on your physical condition, choose either Route A (Yunshanping Cableway) or Route B (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cableway) to explore the mountain.

Route A (Yunshanping Cableway): Take the [Yunshanping Cableway] to discover the legendary ‘Third Kingdom of Jade Dragon’, appreciate the mountain’s layered beauty, and stroll alpine meadows and virgin forest, fully immersed in pure nature.

Starting from meadows at 3,000m altitude, pass through towering pines and firs to reach the glacier park at 4,506m, and enjoy nature’s sublime gift.

Then visit [White Water River] and [Blue Moon Valley], known as Yunnan’s little Jiuzhaigou. In the evening, freely explore [Lijiang Ancient Town, Square Street], built against three mountains and famed for ‘soft time’.

In its lanes and alleys, young and old alike savor a leisurely ‘slow life’; the most beautiful scenery feels serene only with a relaxed mood. (Lijiang Ancient Town is open for self-exploration, time at your own pace).

DAY 5: Shuhe Ancient Town → Baisha Ancient Town → Erhai Viewing Platform → Kunming

After breakfast, drive to [Shuhe Ancient Town], a key part of Lijiang’s World Cultural Heritage and an ancient tea-horse trade post (open ancient town, free to explore).

Then drive to [Baisha Ancient Town], another part of Lijiang’s old town. It’s a town with the strongest Naxi flavor, the most pristine Naxi village – with small bridges and flowing water like Lijiang Ancient Town, a sky so blue it brings tears, and the same warm sunshine, plus a quietude that Lijiang lacks. For centuries, the Naxi have kept their traditional ways of working and living... utterly enchanting. After these days of blissful idling in Lijiang,

next drive to [Erhai Viewing Platform], the best spot to soak in Erhai’s beauty. From afar, Yuji Island and Little Jinsuo Island look like a pair of lovebirds on the lake, while the leisurely fishing village life is a joy. Dali is perfect for solo travel: zoning out at Erhai and Cangshan, watching the ever-changing clouds, savoring time alone... Afterwards, drive to Kunming and check in to the hotel.

DAY 6: Transfer to airport according to flight. Yunnan travel tips:

1. Large temperature difference between morning and evening (10–24°C), so dress accordingly to prevent colds;

2. Respect local customs and culture. Yunnan has many ethnic minorities with different lifestyles and customs; as an out-of-town visitor, behave courteously!

3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is high altitude; rest well to avoid altitude sickness;

4. Yunnan is mountainous; summer rains are frequent, so bring rain gear;

5. Kunming’s UV rays are extremely strong, so ladies who care about their skin must bring sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, wear dark sunglasses, and even a disposable thin mask. A spring jacket is a must – Kunming’s spring-like climate year-round; don’t wear short sleeves for coolness, or you’ll get a clear tan line. Ladies, a year’s whitening work can be undone by just a few hours of sun.

6. At high altitudes, mind your energy. Thin air can cause hypoxia, so be aware of your physical condition to avoid altitude sickness!

→→https://vacations.ctrip.com/travel/detail/p34024263/?city=1&rdc=1