5 days
5-Day Yunnan Journey: Kunming, Dali & Lijiang
The classic Yunnan arc northward: Kunming's lakes and flowers, Dali's pagodas and Erhai shoreline, and Lijiang…
Trip Highlights
- The Glacier Park cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to 4,506 metres
- Blue Moon Valley's white-terraced, glacier-blue pools beneath the peak
- Baisha village: Ming-dynasty murals and a slower, older Lijiang
- Sunset over grey-tiled rooftops from Lion Hill, then the old town's lantern-lit canals
Itinerary
08:00 — Hotel pickup
An early start beats both the tour buses and the afternoon clouds that often wrap the summit. Oxygen canisters and warm layers arranged in advance.
08:45 — Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The Glacier Park cableway lifts you to 4,506 metres, a boardwalk's climb below the glacier itself. Take it slow, breathe easy, and let the scale sink in. We time entry reservations so you skip the worst queues.
11:30 — Blue Moon Valley
At the mountain's foot, meltwater pools step down white travertine terraces in shades of blue that look color-graded. An easy, flat wander — and the classic mountain-reflection photo.
13:00 — Lunch
Naxi home cooking near Baisha — try the grilled cheese rubing and wild mushroom dishes in season.
14:30 — Baisha Village
The Naxi kingdom's old capital: 600-year-old religious murals blending Tibetan, Han and Naxi styles, embroidery workshops, and lanes where Lijiang's tourism boom feels a century away.
16:00 — Lijiang Old Town & Lion Hill
Back to the UNESCO old town as day-trippers thin out. Climb Lion Hill for sunset over an ocean of grey-tiled roofs, then descend into the canal lanes as the red lanterns light.
19:00 — Drop-off
Hotel — or a recommended courtyard restaurant in the old town if the evening deserves extending.
Times are a template, not a timetable — this is a private tour, and the day flexes around you.
What's Included
Included
- Private car & professional driver
- Fuel, highway tolls & parking
- Hotel / airport pickup & drop-off
- Driver's meal allowance
- Route planning & WhatsApp support
Not included
- Attraction tickets (we help you book)
- Your meals
- Optional English-speaking guide
- Travel insurance
Good to Know
Will the altitude be a problem?
Lijiang town sits at 2,400 metres and most visitors feel nothing beyond a quicker pulse. The 4,506-metre cableway deck is a short visit — move slowly, skip alcohol the night before, and use the oxygen canister if you feel lightheaded. We keep the pace deliberately gentle.
Is the snow mountain visible year-round?
The peak makes its own weather; winter and early spring offer the clearest skies, while summer afternoons often cloud over — one more reason we start early.
Does the driver speak English?
Honest answer: most of our drivers speak little English — we hire them for safe, professional driving first. Day-to-day needs (departure times, extra stops, restaurant tips) work smoothly through translation apps, and our English-speaking planning team stays one WhatsApp message away throughout your trip. For full English commentary at the sights, ask us about adding an English-speaking guide.
