Classic 6-Day Kunming–Lijiang Tour from 1,000 Yuan per Person
Yunnan is a place of dreams, filled with romance and freedom – Dali's Erhai Lake, Lijiang renowned as the city of encounters, the mysterious and colorful world of Shangri-La, and Lugu Lake where couples hold hands and create beautiful memories.
Yunnan is undoubtedly one of China's most enticing tourist provinces, with magnificent mountain and water scenery, numerous historic sites, and diverse ethnic minority cultures – all enchanting. Every traveler setting off on a journey is full of anticipation. Imagine: experiencing the charm of small bridges and flowing streams in Lijiang Ancient Town, listening to the gentle whisper of the breeze by Dali's Erhai Lake, visiting Shangri-La, the place closest to heaven on earth... This is destined to be a romantic journey of love and beauty.
1. A Perfect Layover to Explore Kunming (1-2 Days)
Yunnan has 14 airports, but the most cost-effective hub is the provincial capital Kunming. About 60% of travelers choose to stop over for 1-2 days to explore this "Spring City." The essence of Yunnan isn't in Kunming, so 1-2 days is indeed enough. How can you avoid pitfalls and make the most of it? Here are two keywords: hit the iconic spots quickly + leisurely wandering.
(A) Must-See Attractions: Stone Forest & Jiuxiang
1. Super IP: Stone Forest
The Stone Forest is Kunming's signature landmark – you'll see its posters everywhere at the airport and train station (the classic old movie "Ashima" that older generations love is set here). As a world natural wonder, it's hard to resist (yes, there are many karst landscapes, but the Stone Forest is the international masterpiece!). Getting to the Stone Forest can be a bit of a hassle (a 1-hour drive): trains require a bus transfer, and long-distance buses depart from stations. The best way is to join a group tour – it saves money, gets you there efficiently with commentary. A compact half-day tour is enough, or you can opt for a dedicated full-day Stone Forest tour for a more relaxed pace.
2. A Detour to Jiuxiang
Because Jiuxiang is so close to the Stone Forest, most day tours combine both. Though both are karst landscapes, one is best seen from the ground, while the other is explored underground. Jiuxiang looks like where monsters lived in "Journey to the West," and the magical cave scenes in the movie "The Myth" were filmed here. It’s well worth the detour.
3. Dianchi Lake & Western Hills (Popularity: ☆☆☆☆☆)
Dianchi Lake is Kunming's largest lake. In winter, seagulls fly in from Siberia, and locals love feeding them and taking photos on the dam. We don’t recommend taking a boat tour (quite dull); instead, take the cable car across the lake to the Western Hills. You can climb all the way up to Longmen to overlook the entire Dianchi Lake, or on the Haigeng Dam, admire the Western Hills that locals call the "Sleeping Beauty." Dianchi and the Western Hills are south of downtown Kunming; a taxi from the city center takes about 40 minutes, and buses are also available. At the foot of the Western Hills, there's a tourist snack street called "Tea and Horse Flower Street" with some local snacks at reasonable prices.
Tickets: Dianchi Dam is free; Western Hills cable car + entrance: 85 yuan.
Suggested time: half a day.
【Top Tips for Kunming & Surroundings】
1. Overlook Dianchi Lake from the Western Hills, then take the elevated cable car to Haigeng Park to feed the red-billed seagulls.
Tickets: Free entry to the park; individual attractions charge separately: Longmen 40 yuan, Huating Temple & Taihua Temple combo 20 yuan, Nie Er's Tomb 1 yuan, Longmen cable car one-way 25 yuan, round-trip 50 yuan.
Transport: (1) From near Yunnan Nationalities Village, take the high-altitude cable car directly to Longmen on the Western Hills, one-way fare 35 yuan/person. (2) From the city center's Art Theatre, take a direct tourist bus to the Western Hills, departing every 30 minutes from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
2. At Jinma Biji Archway, walk to Nanping Street and try the famous Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles at Qiaoxiangyuan.
3. Discover the hometown of Ashima – the magnificent, peculiar, treacherous, and secluded karst landscapes of the Stone Forest. Reference ticket price: 130 yuan/person.
The romantic Dali, with its fabled beauty, haunts countless dreams. Xiaoxiao and I had planned way back in March last year to travel west to Dali in September 2019 for a Jeep photo tour. Sure enough, in mid-September, we both arrived as promised and joined Lemon Travel’s one-day Dali photo tour. Not only did we ride in an Insta-worthy Jeep around Erhai Lake, we also got stunning photos from a photographer, and our travel companions were great fun – truly great value.
Highly recommend Lemon Travel’s Dali convertible Jeep 360° Erhai Lake photo one-day tour (unlimited photos – until you’ve had enough).
When you arrive at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you’ll be awestruck by this sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people. From the barren summit to the vibrant life on its slopes, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers a spectacular experience. How should you explore it? What’s the difference between it and the Greater Jade Dragon Scenic Area? What transport options are there? And what about those confusing fees? No worries, this guide will answer all your questions.
Are Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain the same place?
No, they are two completely different attractions, though both are in Yunnan Province, they are over 400 kilometers apart. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is within Lijiang’s Yulong Naxi Autonomous County. It is the southernmost snow mountain in China and the entire Northern Hemisphere, with an elevation of 5,596 meters. Meili Snow Mountain is a vast north-south snow mountain range in Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, with average altitudes above 6,000 meters. Don’t confuse the two!
Starting from Lijiang, which one should you choose?
Locals say that Meili Snow Mountain is meant to be admired from afar – both in scale and grandeur it's incredibly photogenic, but it cannot be climbed. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the only snow mountain in China that can be climbed, and the view from the 4,680-meter summit is truly breathtaking. In terms of time, Meili Snow Mountain is near Feilai Temple in Deqin; from Lijiang, you need to transfer via Shangri-La to Deqin, then to Feilai Temple. So a trip to Meili requires at least 4 days – it’s best to join the pure-play tour recommended by Wang Sibao in Lijiang, at 1,680 yuan/person. Check road conditions before you go; if they’re bad, it’s not advisable. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is in Lijiang city, very close, and can be done as a day trip with convenient transport. If time is short, choose Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Blue Moon Valley lies at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, renowned worldwide for its towering snow peaks, jade-blue lakes, and majestic yet graceful canyon scenery. The name comes from the crescent-shaped valley and its incredibly blue lake water. Legend has it that this was the prototype for the Blue Moon Valley in James Hilton’s novel "Lost Horizon."
Blue Moon Valley is often called "Little Jiuzhaigou," like a blue moon embedded beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and it’s become a new Instagram hotspot on the mountain.
Lijiang Ancient Town, shaped by ethnic minorities, blends the architectural essence of Han, Bai, Yi, Tibetan, and other peoples, while retaining a unique Naxi style. Water is the heart of the town, and its clever use creates a distinctive water alley layout.
The town has no rigid road grid or imposing city walls; instead, it is screened by three mountains and connected by a single river. Waters from Black Dragon Pool flow through the north gate and caress the entire ancient town, with three rivers weaving through, streets and bridges densely scattered, and every household fronted by flowing water and small bridges.
The Big Waterwheel at the ancient town entrance is a must-visit Lijiang landmark.
Heading north from Lijiang Ancient Town along the main road on the eastern side of Zhongji Lake for about four kilometers, you’ll find a dense cluster of villages at the foot of the mountains on both sides – this is Shuhe Ancient Town, known as the hometown of clear springs. Shuhe lies at the core of all Lijiang’s attractions, serving as a hub for visiting the ancient town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, the First Bend of the Yangtze, and the Three Parallel Rivers scenic area.
The "Ancient Tea Horse Road," which opened in the Tang Dynasty, ran from southern Yunnan through Lijiang all the way to Lhasa, Tibet. Over more than a thousand years through Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it fostered economic and cultural exchanges among many ethnic groups. Shuhe is a well-preserved post station on the Lijiang plain. Today, it continues that legacy, dotted with inns and hotels, welcoming visitors from across China.
Lugu Lake, commonly called Zuosuo Lake, straddles the border between Yanyuan County in Sichuan and Ninglang County in Lijiang, Yunnan, jointly administered by the two provinces, about 206 kilometers from Lijiang.
Lugu Lake is the highest-altitude lake in Yunnan and the third-deepest freshwater lake in China. Its shores are home mainly to Mosuo, Yi, and Pumi peoples, with also Mongolians among the seven ethnic groups totaling around 13,000 people. The most famous custom is the Mosuo "walking marriage," the matriarchal society that inspired the "Women’s Kingdom" in "Journey to the West," where women hold the leading role in families.
Spring Festival Lijiang Travel Tips
【Tip 1】: Transport
1. Spring Festival is peak season in Lijiang, with huge visitor flows and a rising number of self-driving tourists – traffic jams are certain.
2. Whatever scenic spot you plan to visit, book tickets in advance, and check transport and parking info early; sometimes there are no parking spaces.
3. During Spring Festival, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tickets are in high demand. By 8 a.m. on Lunar New Year’s Day, tickets may already be sold out for the day. If you want to go, be sure to book well ahead.
【Tip 2】: Accommodation
1. Based on past experience, accommodation prices in Lijiang during Spring Festival are 1.5 to 3 times the usual rate, and sometimes money can’t even buy a room. So book early, book early!
2. During Spring Festival, room rates inside the ancient town are often much higher than outside; if you want to save, stay outside the old town. Unless you’re a big spender, of course.
【Tip 3】: Clothing
1. February in Lijiang is no longer so cold, but mornings and evenings still have a chill. Bring a light down jacket for those times.
【Tip 4】: Dining
1. During Spring Festival, most restaurants close, and the few that remain open are packed with tourists. But you’ll always find food. There are plenty of eateries outside the ancient town – just look around and you’ll discover something.
