Yunnan 8-Day In-Depth Tour

Day 1: Kunming Itinerary – Arrive in Kunming, Visit Stone Forest and Dianchi Lake

My flight landed at Kunming Changshui Airport at nine in the morning. After collecting my luggage, I went straight to the baggage storage on the arrival floor. Storing a large suitcase until 8 PM costs 20 yuan, which makes traveling light to the scenic areas much more convenient.

Details on Transportation:

Airport to Stone Forest: Following the signs, I easily found the subway station from the airport. I first took Subway Line 6 (Airport Center Station) to East Bus Station. Without exiting, I followed the signs inside the station to transfer to Line 3 (towards East Bus Station) and got off after one stop at East Passenger Station. Exiting from Subway Exit C, the Scenic Express Bus Ticket Office is on the right-hand side. I bought the earliest bus package to the Stone Forest, which included the round-trip bus ticket and the Stone Forest entrance ticket for 198 yuan. If you only buy the bus ticket, it’s 35 yuan. The large bus takes the expressway, and if there’s no traffic, it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes directly to the parking lot at the Stone Forest scenic area entrance.

Stone Forest back to Dianchi Lake: Where the bus dropped me off at the Stone Forest scenic area, there are return buses to the East Passenger Station, departing on a rolling schedule. After returning to the East Passenger Station, I hailed an online ride-hailing car to Haigeng Dam, which cost about 30 yuan and took half an hour. I could have taken the subway, but it would require a transfer to a bus, so taking a taxi was less effort.

Evening to the Train Station: From the edge of Dianchi Lake to Kunming Station, I again took a taxi, which took about 20 minutes and cost around 15 yuan.

A small tip: If you are traveling with 2-3 people, taking a taxi from the East Passenger Station to Dianchi Lake or the city center is more cost-effective and faster than public transport. However, the express bus is the optimal choice for the morning trip to the Stone Forest, as a one-way taxi ride might cost 200 yuan or more.

Stone Forest Scenic Area Visit Log:

The entrance ticket is 175 yuan, and the 25 yuan for the sightseeing bus is absolutely worth buying. It takes half an hour to walk from the gate to the core scenic area, and it’s all boring concrete road. It’s more important to save your energy for exploring inside.

After entering, I went straight into the Greater Stone Forest, where the rock formations are the densest and most imposing. Following the signs towards “Wangfeng Pavilion,” I had to climb a section of stairs, but the view from the top was breathtaking, with the gray-black stone peaks spreading out like a forest—very impressive.

At the stone formation representing the “Ashima” goddess, many women in Yi ethnic costumes were taking photos. Renting an outfit costs 10 yuan, which you can experience if interested.

I spent about 2.5 hours slowly wandering and taking photos in the Greater Stone Forest area. The Lesser Stone Forest is relatively more open and quicker to visit, 1 hour is enough.

Evening at Dianchi Lake Haigeng Dam:

I arrived around 4 PM. The light at this time was very soft and good for photos. Although there were no black-headed gulls (they are only here from November to March of the following year), the lake looked endless like the sea. Many locals were walking and cycling here, giving it a strong sense of local life.

Across the dam is West Mountain, where you can see the silhouette of the Sleeping Beauty. I walked along the dam, and the breeze felt very comfortable.

Dinner: A Bowl of Authentic Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles:

I deliberately avoided eating near the scenic area and asked the driver to recommend a place, which was Xiangyun Food City in the city center. This place is more like a collection of local snacks. I chose an old brand called “Jianxinyuan.”

I ordered a 38 yuan classic Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles. The ritual was full of ceremony: a large bowl of piping hot soup, into which I sequentially poured the quail egg, pork tenderloin, fish slices, vegetables, and rice noodles to cook them. The soup base was boiled chicken broth, with a layer of golden chicken oil on the surface to keep it hot, and the taste was extremely delicious. I also had a small plate of fried bee pupa, and after mustering the courage to try one, I found it very crispy.

Accommodation Choice and Experience:

I booked a room at the Jinjiang Inn directly opposite Kunming Station for 220 yuan a night. The choice was purely for efficiency; I had an early morning high-speed train the next day, and being just across the street from the entrance allowed me to sleep for an extra half hour.

The hotel was standard, clean, and tidy, but the street-facing room could hear some traffic noise from the elevated road at night. If you are sensitive to noise, you might want to request a room not facing the street.

Item	Detailed Cost (Per Person)	Notes
Airport Luggage Storage	20 yuan	One day for a large suitcase
Subway Ticket (Airport-East Passenger Station)	5 yuan
Stone Forest Express Bus + Ticket Package	198 yuan	Bus ticket only is 35 yuan, entrance ticket 175 yuan is fixed
Stone Forest Sightseeing Bus	25 yuan	A must-buy, saves energy
Taxi within Kunming	Approx. 45 yuan	Two trips
Dinner (Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles)	38 yuan
Accommodation (Economy Hotel)	220 yuan	Pre-booked price
Day 1 Total	Approx. 551 yuan	Transportation and entrance fees are the major expenses

Day 2: Dali Itinerary – Travel from Kunming to Dali, Visit Dali Ancient City and Erhai Lake

I booked a high-speed train departing from Kunming Station at 8 AM, a journey of about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The security check lines at Kunming Station in the morning were a bit long, so I arrived 40 minutes early, which was just enough time. The high-speed train was comfortable, and along the way, I saw the scenery outside the window gradually change from city to fields and hills with red soil.

From Dali Station to the Ancient City:

I arrived at Dali Station around 10 AM. Following the signs outside the station, I easily found the platform for Bus No. 8. The bus is air-conditioned, the fare is 3 yuan, and I could pay by scanning a code. It travels through the Xiaguan urban area and then along the road by Erhai Lake. It takes about 50 minutes, and getting off at the Fenghua Xueyue Hotel Stop is the East Gate of Dali Ancient City.

A taxi to the ancient city would cost 40-50 yuan and take about half an hour. Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I chose the bus, allowing me to slowly soak in the local atmosphere.

Settling into Accommodation in the Ancient City:

I had pre-booked a Bai-style guesthouse behind the Foreigner Street in the ancient city, called “Xianting Inn,” for 280 yuan a night. The inn owner was very welcoming and met me at the intersection. The courtyard was small but filled with succulents and bougainvillea, making it very pleasant. The room had a wooden structure, which caused some minor soundproofing issues, but overall it was clean and comfortable.

A small discovery: The flagstone roads in the ancient city are extremely unfriendly to suitcase wheels. The owner carried my suitcase for me. If I had to drag it myself, it would be very exhausting. It is recommended to prioritize guesthouses close to the main entrance when booking.

Erhai Lake West Line Cycling Practice:

I found a rental shop in the ancient city and rented a fully charged electric scooter. The rental fee was 60 yuan, and I had to return it before 9 PM. The owner said the battery life was 80 kilometers, which was more than enough for a round trip on the West Line.

My cycling route was: starting from the Ancient City -> Cai Village Pier (about 15 minutes) -> Panxi Village S-bend (another 20 minutes) -> Haishé Ecological Park (continue for 30 minutes) -> Xizhou Ancient Town (terminus).

Core Experience: Starting from Cai Village, I entered the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, where motorized vehicles are prohibited, and it instantly became quiet and beautiful. The S-bend at Panxi Village is now an internet-famous spot with many people taking photos. In fact, there are many similar S-bends along the way with equally beautiful scenery and fewer crowds. Haishé Park is currently free of charge. The tip of the “tongue” (Haishé) inside offers an unparalleled 360-degree view of the water.

Food and Scenery of Xizhou Ancient Town:

I parked the electric scooter in the parking lot outside Xizhou Ancient Town (5 yuan fee) and walked in. The first thing I saw was the landmark Corner Building, followed by the famous expanse of yellow-green rice fields. The afternoon light at 4 PM shining on the rice fields was perfect for photography.

I bought a sweet Xizhou Baba with a crispy crust for 5 yuan. It tasted like baked brown sugar bread, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I also tried grilled Rushan (milk fan) at a roadside stall. It had a rich milky flavor and was served with rose sauce—very distinctive.

The Night of Dali Ancient City:

I returned to the ancient city around 7 PM and returned the scooter. Renmin Road and Fuxing Road were indeed crowded, with loud music from shops and bars. I avoided the main streets and turned into a quiet alley, finding a small bar called “Da Bing’s Cabin.” I ordered a beer (45 yuan) and listened to a few original folk songs—the atmosphere was great.

For dinner, I chose Wase Caixiangyuan outside the South Gate of the ancient city. I ordered Stir-fried Snails with Chili and Grandma’s Potato Mash (Laonai Yangyu), both local dishes. The portions were generous, and the spicy, savory taste was great with rice. It was about 60 yuan per person and very satisfying.

Item	Detailed Cost (Per Person)	Notes
Kunming-Dali High-speed Train	145 yuan	Second class seat
Dali Station-Ancient City Bus	3 yuan
Ancient City Accommodation	280 yuan	“Xianting Inn”
Electric Scooter Rental	60 yuan	One day
Xizhou Baba + Grilled Rushan	15 yuan	Snacks
Dinner	60 yuan
Bar Consumption	45 yuan
Day 2 Total	Approx. 608 yuan	Accommodation and transportation are the main expenses

Day 3: Lijiang Itinerary – Travel from Dali to Lijiang, Visit Lijiang Ancient City

At 9 AM, I boarded the tourist express bus to Lijiang at the bus boarding point near the South Gate of Dali Ancient City. The ticket was booked through the guesthouse owner the day before and cost 80 yuan. This was slightly more expensive than going to the bus station myself, but the advantage was a direct drop-off near the ancient city, saving the hassle of transfers.

Transportation Details:

The bus was in good condition with comfortable aviation seats. The journey took exactly 2 hours and 40 minutes, with a 10-minute stop at a rest area halfway.

The bus’s destination was the Chongren Lane Intersection of Lijiang Ancient City, which is still some distance from the core area. After getting off, there were many people soliciting for accommodation. I ignored them and navigated directly to the guesthouse.

Lijiang Ancient City Accommodation and First Experience:

I booked a guesthouse on Wuyi Street Wensheng Lane in the ancient city for 320 yuan a night. The ancient city is all uneven flagstone roads, and suitcases cannot be dragged. I called ahead, and the guesthouse assistant came out with a small cart to meet me—this was very crucial.

The guesthouse was a typical Naxi courtyard with a small pool in the center and inhabited by koi fish. From the second floor, I could vaguely see a corner of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

An important reminder: Lijiang Ancient City Maintenance Fee is 80 yuan. Theoretically, you need to purchase it upon entry. However, there is usually no checkpoint now, and you only need to show the ticket when visiting specific attractions like Mu’s Residence and Wangu Tower. I bought mine at the entrance of Mu’s Residence.

In-depth Tour of Mu’s Residence:

After dropping off my luggage, I walked directly to Mu’s Residence (Mufu). The ticket was 60 yuan, which included a guided tour service. Following the guide allowed me to learn a lot of history, such as the main gate facing east, symbolizing “basking in the Emperor’s grace.”

Mu’s Residence was much larger than expected. Walking up along the central axis, the buildings are progressively tiered. The most stunning part was climbing to the observation deck of the Sanqing Hall, from where you can overlook the entire Mu’s Residence complex and the tiled roofs of the ancient city in the distance—it was very impressive. The entire visit, walking slowly, took almost 2 hours.

Climbing Lion Mountain for the Night View:

After leaving Mu’s Residence, around 5 PM, I started following the signs to climb Lion Mountain. The mountain is not high, but it’s all stairs. It took about 15 minutes to climb, and I was a bit winded.

Wangu Tower requires an entrance ticket (35 yuan), but I thought it was well worth it. The tower has a 360-degree viewing platform. When I went, there weren’t many people, and I quickly snagged a good spot directly facing the ancient city. I waited from sunset until the sky darkened, watching the lights in the ancient city gradually turn on, forming a warm yellow sea of light. In the distance, I could also see the modern lights of the new city, a stark contrast. This was my favorite moment in Lijiang.

Food Exploration in the City: For dinner, I went to a small restaurant near the South Gate of the ancient city and ordered a serving of Naxi Grilled Fish. It used local carp, grilled until the skin was crispy and the meat was tender, covered in local spices and chili, and very flavorful, priced at 48 yuan. For dinner, I specifically went to Huama Street outside the ancient city, where there are many restaurants. I chose a place called “A-ma Cured Ribs” and ordered a medium Local Chicken and Cured Ribs Hotpot combo for 78 yuan. The soup base was savory and delicious, especially after cooking vegetables and tofu, and it warmed me up. I bought a serving of Jidou Liangfen (Chicken Pea Jelly) from a street vendor for 5 yuan. It had a smooth texture, and the sour and spicy flavor was very appetizing.

The Ancient City Streets at Night:

The Sifang Street area was very lively after 8 PM, with deafening music from the bars. I preferred wandering through the quieter alleys like Wuyi Street and Qiyi Street, where small streams ran along the sides, and the lanterns were lit, making the atmosphere much calmer. Many small shops sold Dongba paper crafts and shawls, which were interesting to look at.

The main expenses for the day included: Dali-Lijiang bus 80 yuan, specific spending within Lijiang Ancient City such as Mu’s Residence ticket 60 yuan, Wangu Tower ticket 35 yuan. For dining, lunch was about 48 yuan, and dinner was about 83 yuan. Accommodation cost 320 yuan. The total was approximately 626 yuan, with tickets and accommodation being the major expenditures.

 

Day 4: Shangri-La Itinerary – Travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La, Visit Songzanlin Monastery and Pudacuo Park

At 8 AM, the chartered driver was punctual to pick me up at Lijiang Ancient City. We had arranged for an SUV, and the one-way fare from Lijiang to Dukezong Ancient City in Shangri-La was 600 yuan, including the waiting time at Tiger Leaping Gorge. This price was more cost-effective than finding a car on the spot, and the itinerary was more flexible.

Travel Details and Tiger Leaping Gorge Visit:

About an hour and a half after leaving Lijiang, the car entered the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area. The entrance ticket was 45 yuan, and the driver parked the car in the scenic area parking lot. From the parking lot to the viewing platform down by the river, it was a continuous descent of stairs, taking about 15 minutes to walk.

I visited during the high-water season, and the Jinsha River water was a muddy yellow. The sound of the rushing water hitting the giant rocks in the middle of the river was deafening, and the spray could reach the viewing platform—the scene was very spectacular. I spent about 20 minutes at the viewing platform taking photos, and then came the challenging climb back up the stairs to the parking lot. At this already increased altitude, the uphill walk was a bit breath-taking and required a slow pace.

The entire Tiger Leaping Gorge visit, including getting on and off the car, took about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The chartered driver reminded me: the section of the road from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Shangri-La has many curves, so those prone to motion sickness should prepare in advance. I wore a motion sickness patch and felt okay.

Songzanlin Monastery Visit Details:

I arrived at Songzanlin Monastery around 1 PM. The ticket was 115 yuan, including the scenic area bus and guide fee. The bus took a few minutes from the main gate to the foot of the monastery. Looking from afar, the complex of golden roofs and red walls built into the mountain truly had the imposing presence of the Potala Palace.

Climbing the stairs was the biggest challenge. At an altitude of over 3,300 meters, I deliberately slowed down, stopping to rest for a few seconds every few dozen steps and admire the scenery. It took about ten minutes to climb to the main hall square. The light inside the hall was dim, filled with the smell of yak butter, and the murals and Buddha statues were extremely exquisite. The guide reminded us that photography and pointing fingers at Buddha statues are strictly forbidden inside the hall, as we must respect the customs. I followed the guide and listened for about 40 minutes, gaining a preliminary understanding of Tibetan Buddhism culture.

The Tranquility of Pudacuo National Park:

Leaving Songzanlin Monastery, it was a 30-minute drive to Pudacuo. The ticket was 138 yuan, including the scenic area bus. Currently, only the Shudu Lake area is open. The bus takes visitors to the start of the trek, which is about a 3.3-kilometer flat wooden boardwalk.

I started walking around 4 PM. The lakeside was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind and water. The lake water reflected the clouds and distant mountains like a mirror, truly feeling like walking inside a painting. Along the way, I saw free-roaming yaks and horses that were completely unafraid of people. I walked very slowly, and with photos and breaks, it took about an hour and a half to complete the entire walk. The temperature dropped sharply by the lake after sunset, so I put on the light down jacket I brought.

Actual Experience of Coping with Altitude Sickness:

I started drinking Rhodiola in Lijiang a few days before. In Shangri-La, I clearly felt my heart beat faster when climbing stairs. The biggest lesson was to slow down every action by half and not get excited. After checking into the guesthouse at night, I refrained from taking a shower, only using hot water to wipe myself down, to prevent catching a cold and consuming too much oxygen. I did feel some chest tightness when sleeping at night, a bit like being lightly pressed on the chest, and I felt slightly short of breath when turning over, but it wasn’t severe.

Dinner and Sightings in Dukezong Ancient City:

For dinner, I found a busy Tibetan restaurant in the ancient city. I ordered a small portion of Yak Meat Hotpot, 128 yuan. The pot base contained many pieces of yak meat on the bone, various mushrooms, and vegetables, with a rich broth flavor. Paired with a pot of sweet yak butter tea and savory yak yogurt dregs, it was particularly warming to eat. I also attempted to turn the huge prayer wheel in the ancient city. It required several people to push it together, which carried a good omen.

Today’s expenses mainly included: Lijiang-Shangri-La chartered car fee 600 yuan (consider carpooling for solo travelers, about 150-200 yuan per person), Tiger Leaping Gorge ticket 45 yuan, Songzanlin Monastery ticket 115 yuan, Pudacuo ticket 138 yuan, dinner about 150 yuan. Accommodation cost about 260 yuan. The total was approximately 1308 yuan, with the chartered car and tickets being the main expenses.

Day 5: Yubeng Itinerary – Travel from Shangri-La to Yubeng Village, Hiking Activities

The chartered driver I contacted beforehand picked me up punctually at the hotel at 6:30 AM for the journey from Shangri-La. We agreed on an 800 yuan fee for this chartered car, which would take me directly to Xidang Hot Spring, the entrance to Yubeng Village. Along the way, we passed the Jinsha River Big Bend viewing platform, where the 20 yuan ticket allowed us to overlook the naturally formed “$\Omega$”-shaped river bend. The drive took about four hours, mostly on winding mountain roads, with some sections under repair, making it bumpy.

Practical Tip: There is a luggage storage service at the Xidang Hot Spring parking lot. I recommend storing large luggage there (10 yuan per day) and only carrying necessities into the village. Supplies in the village rely entirely on vehicle transport, so prices are higher. It’s a good idea to prepare some snacks in advance.

After arriving at Xidang Hot Spring around 11 AM, I immediately purchased the off-road vehicle ticket to the village. The fare was 200 yuan to Upper Yubeng Village and 225 yuan to Lower Yubeng Village. I chose Upper Village, and the off-road vehicle journey took about 40 minutes. The road conditions were extremely bumpy, but the scenery along the way already began to showcase the magnificence of the snow mountains and forests.

Item	Cost (Yuan)	Notes
Shangri-La – Xidang Charter	800	Can seat 4 people, carpooling is recommended
Jinsha River Big Bend Ticket	20	Viewing platform entrance fee
Off-road Vehicle Ticket to Village	200	Xidang – Upper Yubeng Village
Yubeng Accommodation	150	Standard room in a common guesthouse
Food and Beverage Costs	180	Lunch, dinner, and supplies
Day’s Total	1350