At a glance
| Recommended days | 7 - 12 days |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $ / $$ |
| Daily cost | €25-45 / €70-120 |
| Best season | Mar-May · Oct-Nov |
| Region | Southwest China |
Day-by-day plan
This route comes from our full Yunnan: Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La guide - each day below links to the deeper detail there.
- Kunming: Green Lake, Stone Forest day trip
- Kunming → Dali: Erhai Lake, Cangshan
- Dali: Three Pagodas, bike loop
- Dali → Lijiang: Naxi old town
- Lijiang: Mu Mansion, Black Dragon Pool
- Tiger Leaping Gorge trek (2 days)
- Shangri-La: Songzanlin Monastery
- Shangri-La → Yuanyang: rice terraces
Pacing this route
The region chains well: Dali (3 nights) for the lake and old towns, then Lijiang (2-3) with Shaxi or Tiger Leaping Gorge as the between-stop. Altitude and distance are modest — the itinerary favors two bases over nightly moves.
Afternoon clouds build fast in the rainy season: do the lake circuit and photo stops in the morning; teahouses and courtyards handle the 15:00 showers.
Fewer or more days
- Fewer days: Dali (3, incl. Erhai loop and Cangshan) is the standalone core.
- More days: add Lijiang and Shuhe (2-3), Shaxi (1), or Tiger Leaping Gorge trek (1-2) — the itinerary's fuller frame assumes them.
Practical tips for this route
- The strong plateau UV burns through 20°C air: sunscreen daily, hat always, especially on the lake.
- Book Lijiang and Dali heritage inns ahead for Chinese holidays — Golden Week and summer holidays double demand.
- Rain falls in afternoon bursts June-August: e-bikes with rain covers and a dry bag for the camera solve 90% of it.
Pair the route with the daily budget breakdown and the best-time-to-visit calendar to lock your dates, or hand the stops to our interactive trip planner.
Related guides
Best time to visit Yunnan & Dali · Yunnan & Dali travel budget · Full Yunnan & Dali guide · Interactive trip planner
FAQ
How many days for Dali and Lijiang?
Five to seven covers both old towns plus the Erhai loop; the itinerary's fuller frame adds Shaxi and the gorge. The region rewards slow mornings over packing.
Dali or Lijiang first?
Dali first — it is the gentler introduction (lower altitude, smaller old town), and Lijiang's busier lanes land better when you arrive acclimatized.
Is the rainy season a write-off?
No — June-August brings 20-22 rain days but most fall as afternoon showers, mornings stay clear, and the highlands turn intensely green. It is the local favorite season for a reason.
Altitude planning
Plan gradual ascent and do not continue upwards with symptoms. For prevention and treatment decisions, use CDC altitude guidance with advice specific to your route and health.