6 Days Essential Yunnan Tour: Lijiang Shangri-La Kunming Highlights

Nǐ hǎo! Welcome to Lijiang, the most popular destination in Yunnan Province. Upon your arrival at the airport or train station, our team will meet you at the exit to greet you and escort you to Lijiang Old Town. They will also assist with your hotel check-in.

Lijiang Arrival Ideas (by Flight or High Speed Train):

Lijiang is easily accessible via Sanyi Airport (with flights from major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai) or high-speed rail from Kunming  (3.5-4 hours), Dali (2-2.5 hours), and Shangri-La (1-1.5 hours). From there, it is a 45-minute drive (28 km) from the airport or a 25-minute drive (10 km) from the station to the Old Town.

Lijiang sits right at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and centers around Lijiang Old Town. What really stands out here is the Naxi culture. About three-quarters of the people living here are Naxi, so their traditions are still a big part of daily life.

Spend the afternoon in Lijiang Old Town, an 800-year-old trade hub on the Tea Horse Road. Wander its labyrinth of canals and wooden houses before visiting Mu Palace (Forbidden City of the South) to see how Naxi royalty lived. You’ll learn why this town famously lacks a city wall. Finally, head to a viewpoint for a panorama of the town against the Snow Mountains, then end at Sifang Street for handicrafts and local music.

After that, we’ll head to Black Dragon Pond Park on the north side of the old town. It’s a great spot for photos because you get a clear view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background. If the weather is calm, the mountain reflects perfectly on the surface of the water.

Recommended alleys in the Evening (Optional, explore on your own):

(1) Taking awesome photos: Xianwen Alley (现文巷), Zhenxing Alley (振兴巷, Lantern Street), Nanmen Bridge (南门桥), and Sakura Restaurant (樱花餐厅). (2) Seeking nightlife, bars, and local cuisine: Sifang Street (bonfire dance performed by the Naxi people around 19:00), Wuyi Street (五一街), Xinhua Street (新华街), Zhongyi Market (忠义市场), etc.

After breakfast, head out to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a UNESCO site named for its resemblance to a silver dragon resting in the snow. To see it properly, you’ll take a 10-minute cable car up to Spruce Meadow at 3,240 meters. The ride offers great views of the 13 peaks, including the 5,596-meter Shanzidou. Once at the top, you can walk through high-altitude meadows and forests before taking the cable car back down.

Next, take a shuttle to Blue Moon Valley, famous for its bright turquoise water and the reflection of the snow-capped mountains. You’ll find four lakes and the White Water Terrace here; the Jade Liquid Lake is the standout. It’s best to visit at midday when the sun makes the water look like a clear blue mirror. It is an ideal spot to grab some great photos before heading back.

Optional Activity: Impression Lijiang" Show

If you have the time, I highly recommend the Impression Lijiang show at Ganhaizi (lasting 1h). It’s an outdoor performance directed by Zhang Yimou, set right against the mountain at 3,100 meters. The show uses about 500 local actors to highlight Naxi traditions and daily life through song and dance.

Next, you'll head to Baisha Village, the original Naxi capital and birthplace of the Mu family. It’s a quieter part of the UNESCO site where you can see the famous Baisha Murals. These paintings are spread across temples like Dabaoji and Liuli, showing a rare mix of Buddhist, Taoist, and local Naxi spiritual art. It’s a great spot to see the region's diverse history without the usual crowds.

Then, if you still have the energy, we can stop at Shuhe Ancient Town (Optional) on the way back. It’s a quieter, more relaxed version of Lijiang and a key stop on the old Tea Horse Road. It’s perfect for wandering past craft shops and canals without the crowds. While there, try some local snacks.

After the tour, head back to Lijiang.

After breakfast, depart from Lijiang to ShangriLa, exploring breathtaking natural landscapes along the way.

Our first stop is the First Bend of the Yangtze River (长江第一湾), where the river makes a sharp 180° turn from south to northeast. We’ll head up to the observation deck so you can get a full view of the river winding through the mountains.

Next, we'll drive to Upper Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge (上虎跳, altitude: 1,800 meters). Legend says a tiger once leaped across the Jinsha River here to escape a hunter. It's one of the world's deepest canyons, squeezed between Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains. You'll walk along the cliffside plank roads to feel the river's power up close. (Optional: To save energy, you may take the lift for an additional fee.)

Afterward, continue your drive to Shangri-La (about 108 km, 2-2.5 hours).

Welcome to Shangri-La, the real-life "Lost Horizon" of Yunnan. Formerly known as Zhongdian, this high-altitude paradise in the Diqing Tibetan Prefecture is famous for its Tibetan heritage and mountain landscapes. Enjoy mystical scenery and fairytale beauty that feels worlds away from the city.

Overnight in Shangri-La.

This morning, we’ll visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist site in Yunnan. Built in 1679, its grand design earned it the nickname "Little Potala Palace."

At 3,380 meters, you can explore three main halls (Zhacang Hall, Jikang Hall and Sakyamuni Hall) where monks still chant and meditate today. It’s a steep climb up the steps, but you’ll be rewarded with a great view of the entire complex and Lamuyangcuo Lake below.

This afternoon, we’ll drive 30 minutes to Pudacuo National Park (普达措), China’s first national park. You’ll take a shuttle to Shudu Lake (3,705 meters) for a scenic hike, then continue to the sacred, turquoise waters of Bita Lake (3,568 meters). Both spots are perfect for spotting rare wildlife against the Tibetan Plateau backdrop. On the way back, we’ll visit a local Tibetan family to try some traditional yak butter tea and snacks.

Back in town, we’ll explore Dukezong Ancient Town (独克宗古城), a 1,300-year-old Tibetan settlement known as the "Moonlight Castle." It’s the largest and best-preserved cluster of its kind in China. You can wander through alleys lined with traditional houses and prayer flags before heading up Guishan Hill. There, you’ll help turn the world’s largest prayer wheel for good luck and catch a great panoramic view of the entire town.

Optional Activities (Evening):

In the evenings around 19:00, you'll often see local Tibetans gathering in Sifang Square for a chance to participate in some traditional Tibetan dancing. Join them by your interest.

After the tour, be escorted to your hotel in Shangri-La.

This morning, we'll take you to the airport for your one-hour flight to Kunming. Once you land, our team will be there to meet you at the arrival hall and get you settled in.

Next, we’ll drive 1.5 hours to the Stone Forest (石林), a UNESCO site formed over 270 million years (marine sedimentation → crustal uplift → volcanic lava coverage → erosion and leveling → formation of the Stone Forest). You’ll explore the Big and Small Stone Forests by shuttle to see these towering karst formations up close. Our guide will share the legend of Ashima (阿诗玛) and show you where the Monkey King was filmed.

After that, drive to Kunming downtown for accommodation.

After breakfast, enjoy half day tour to West Hill (Dragon Gate, Taoist Grottoes) before depart Kunming.

Next, we’ll visit West Hill (西山) on the shores of Dianchi Lake. Known as "The Best Scenic Spot in Yunnan," it’s home to the Dragon Gate Grottoes, an impressive Taoist site hand-carved over 22 years. You can hike up for a panoramic view of the lake or visit the memorial of musician Nie Er. It’s a local favorite, especially during the "San Yue San" festival when the mountain fills with music and dancing.

Notes: A half-day tour to the West Hill usually includes a shuttle sightseeing bus (round trip), a one-way cable car ride, and another one-way electric car ride inside the West Hill Scenic Area.

Next, we’ll visit Yuantong Temple (圆通寺), a 1,200-year-old oasis in downtown Kunming. It’s famous for its unique "Downhill" design and a tranquil water courtyard. As the only temple in China to house Han, Southern, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, it’s a deeply spiritual site. Don't miss the Bronze Buddha Hall at the rear, a Thai-style structure built to house a sacred statue gifted by the Kingdom of Thailand.

That wraps up your 6 Days Lijiang Shangri-La Kunming tour. After the final sightseeing, your guide and driver will take you directly to the airport or train station

Extension Ideas: If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of Yunnan, such as Dali, Dongchuan Red Land, Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Xishuangbanna, and more, we can help you with the arrangements.

Asia Odyssey Travel always here to help plan your next adventure across China or Asia. Wishing you a very safe and pleasant journey home!