Transportation
Buesiness MPV
Arrival on
Kunming, Yunnan
Departure from
Kunming, Yunnan
Group Size
2-6
Maximum Altitude
4680
Language
English
Minimum Age
2
Maximum Age
70
Destinations
Dali, Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Yunnan
Trip Type
Child-friendly, Nature Friendly

This 8-Day Yunnan Best Seller Tour is our most popular and highly recommended itinerary, carefully designed for travelers who want to experience the very best of Yunnan in one journey. Combining UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathtaking natural scenery, and rich ethnic cultures, this route has consistently been chosen by international travelers as the ideal first-time Yunnan experience.

Starting from Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring,” the tour leads you through the iconic destinations of Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, showcasing everything from karst landscapes and alpine lakes to snow-capped mountains and Tibetan monasteries. Along the way, you will immerse yourself in the traditions of the Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan ethnic groups, while enjoying comfortable 3-star hotels, efficient high-speed trains, and a well-paced schedule.

This itinerary is especially popular for its excellent route flow, rich content, and balanced travel pace, making it our Top-Selling Yunnan Tour year after year.

Highlights

Our Top Yunnan itinerary, perfect for first-time visitors
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Stone Forest, Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world
Songzanlin Monastery, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Yunnan
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park, with cable car access to high altitude views
Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, featuring serene lakeside landscapes
Authentic ethnic culture experiences, including Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan traditions
High-speed bullet train connections for comfort and efficiency
West Hill (Xishan) with panoramic views of Dianchi Lake

Day 01 :

Kunming Arrival | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in, City center

Airport Pick-up: The driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Leisure Time: If time permits, wander in the City Center to experience local life and do some shopping.

4 Stars Hotel

Day 02 :

Kunming → Dali, Stone Forest, Yuantong Temple

Morning: Explore the stunning Stone Forest (✓ Included: entrance ticket and battery car); UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site renowned for its spectacular karst landscape featuring towering limestone formations that resemble a petrified forest.
Evening Travel: Take bullet train to Dali (17:00-19:17, Train No. D3814).
Upon Arrival: Visit Dali Old Town, wandering its cobblestone streets and discovering traditional Bai architecture.

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 03 :

Dali Discovery- Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake S Bay, Xizhou, Zhoucheng

Morning: Visit the Three Pagodas (✓ Included: entrance ticket and battery car), a UNESCO site.
Midday: Stroll along the Erhai Lake S Bay, enjoying lake views and fresh air.
Afternoon: Visit Xizhou Old Town, famous for its well-preserved Bai minority architecture and vibrant local market.
⭐ Optional Experience: Bai three-course tea experience (recommended).
Late Afternoon: Visit Zhoucheng Village to see traditional tie-dye workshops where you can observe this ancient craft.
⭐ Optional Experience: Tie-Dye experience (recommended).

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 04 :

Dali → Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dukezong Ancient Town

Tiger Leaping Gorge: Experience the power of nature at Tiger Leaping Gorge (✓ Included: entrance tickets and escalator), one of the deepest gorges in the world. Take the escalator for convenient access to the best viewing platforms overlooking the raging Jinsha River.
Evening: Unwind in Dukezong Ancient Town, the oldest town on the Tibetan Plateau, with its cobbled streets, traditional Tibetan architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere.
⭐ Optional Program: Tibetan-style dinner with performances (recommended).

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 05 :

Shangri-La → Lijiang

Morning: Visit the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery (✓ Included: entrance tickets and shuttle bus), often called ‘Little Potala Palace,’ with its golden roofs and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Midday: Visit Napa Lake. The area is characterized by its stunning natural plateau landscape, which supports unique local ingredients like highland barley, Tibetan pigs, and yaks.
Afternoon: Drive to Lijiang.
Evening: Visit Lijiang Old Town. Founded in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties (13th century), it boasts a history of over 800 years and was once a vital confluence for trade along the ancient Tea Horse Road.

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 06 :

Lijiang Highlights- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Old Town

Full Day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: (✓ Included: glacier cable car, battery car to Blue Moon Valley, and Impression Lijiang Show ordinary seat)
- Take cable car up to Glacier Park for breathtaking close-up views of the glacier.
- Battery car will whisk you down to the stunning Blue Moon Valley.
- Watch the Lijiang Impression Show.
Afternoon: Explore the quiet Baisha Old Town, the original capital of the Naxi Kingdom, and see its famous Baisha Murals (✓ Included: entrance ticket), which blend Buddhist, Taoist, and Tibetan styles in a unique way.

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 07 :

Lijiang → Kunming, Black Dragon Pool, Shuhe Old Town

Morning: Visit Black Dragon Pool (✓ Included: entrance tickets). Established in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty, the park was built around the Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan), a crystal-clear spring that serves as the primary water source for the ancient town.
Midday: Visit Shuhe Old Town, one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people in Lijiang and a crucial, well-preserved post on the ancient Tea Horse Road.
⭐ Optional Experience: Tea-tasting in tea house (recommended).
Evening: Take bullet train to Kunming (17:02-21:01, Train No. C460). Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel.

Breakfast

4 Stars Hotel

Day 08 :

Kunming Departure

Morning: Visit the beautiful West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park (✓ Included: entrance ticket, one-way cable car, shuttle bus, battery car). Take shuttle bus and battery car into the scenic area, then ride the cable car up the mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of Dianchi Lake. Known as the ‘Sleeping Beauty Mountain’ for its unique silhouette, it’s a perfect place for a peaceful walk and photos.
Departure: After the visit, transfer directly to Kunming Airport for your departure.