Home / Journeys / Yunnan: Old Towns & Snow Peaks

Slow travel · Kunming · Dali · Lijiang · Shangri-La

Yunnan: Old Towns & Snow Peaks

A journey up through Yunnan, from lakeside villages to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, with time to slow down in each old town.

Destinations: Yunnan

Duration: 9 days · 8 nights
Group: Max 8 · 4 per vehicle
Pace: Moderate, with one hiking day
Starts / ends: Kunming / Shangri-La
Altitude: Up to ~3,300 m

The route

Kunming
Dali
Erhai Lake
Lijiang
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Shangri-La

Day by day

DAY 1Arrive in Kunming

Airport pickup, then an evening in the City of Eternal Spring. Stay: Kunming · Meals: D

DAY 2To Dali

Bullet train to Dali, with the old town in the evening. Stay: Dali · Meals: B

DAY 3Erhai Lake

Cycle the lakeshore and visit Xizhou’s Bai courtyard houses and a tie-dye workshop. Stay: Dali · Meals: B, L

DAY 4To Lijiang

Travel to Lijiang and explore the canals and Naxi old town. Stay: Lijiang · Meals: B

DAY 5Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

A cable car up the glacier park and Blue Moon Valley. Stay: Lijiang · Meals: B, L

DAY 6Tiger Leaping Gorge

A guided hike on the high trail above one of the world’s deepest gorges. Stay: Guesthouse in the gorge · Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7To Shangri-La

Drive up to the Tibetan Plateau. Stay: Shangri-La · Meals: B, L

DAY 8Songzanlin Monastery

Visit the “little Potala” and a Tibetan family home, followed by the old town at dusk. Stay: Shangri-La · Meals: B, D

DAY 9Departure

Transfer to Diqing airport. Meals: B

What’s included

English-speaking road leader
8 nights in boutique hotels and 1 gorge guesthouse
Bullet train and private vehicles
Park and cable-car tickets
Meals as listed
Airport transfers, visa letter, eSIM and Alipay set-up help

Not included

Flights
Visa fees, if your passport needs one
Single room supplement (quoted on request)
International travel insurance

What we put in writing

Group size: Max 8 · 4 per vehicle
Vehicle: Private vehicle for our group only, never a shared coach
Shopping stops: None. If one happens, we refund that day
Tipping: No compulsory tips or kitty
Hotels: Each one checked for foreign passports
Tickets: Timed, real-name tickets booked for you

These are part of your booking contract. See our booking terms.

Is this journey right for me?

FitnessThe gorge hike is about 5–6 hours. A gentler option is available.

AltitudeWe ascend gradually, but tell us about heart or lung conditions.

Solo travelersWe arrange same-gender room sharing.

from $2,390 pp≈ $266 per day

Free cancellation for 48 hours
No shopping stops, no hidden fees
Visa letter & Alipay set-up included

Choose a departure

For departures after 31 December 2026: China hasn’t yet announced whether 30-day visa-free entry will be extended. We’ll confirm your entry route after booking, and send a visa letter if you need one. More

Travelers

2 × $2,390$4,780

Deposit to reserve$800

The balance is due 45 days before departure. Cancel for free within 48 hours of booking.

Secure payment link sent by email

Have a question first? Email us and a real person will reply in English.

Before you book

Do I need a visa for this trip?

Passports from 50 countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia and most of Europe, can enter visa-free for up to 30 days (currently until 31 December 2026). US citizens need a tourist visa, or must use 240-hour transit with an onward flight to a third country. Check your passport; we send an invitation letter if you need one.

How do I get to the start of the trip?

This journey starts in Kunming / Shangri-La. Most international travelers fly in directly or connect through Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. We suggest flights after you book and meet you at arrivals.

What happens if the trip doesn’t run?

If a departure doesn’t reach its minimum group size, we’ll tell you at least 21 days ahead and you can choose a full refund or a free change of date.

Can I extend the trip or add Beijing or Xi’an?

Yes. Tell us your plans in the booking notes or send us a message, and we’ll help you arrange the extra days.

Not ready to book?

Ask us about Yunnan: Old Towns & Snow Peaks

Different dates, a private version, travelling with kids or a parent who doesn’t walk far: tell us and a real person will reply within one working day, in English.