7 Days Yunnan Cycling Tour to Kunming Dali Lijiang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kuming Arrival

   Today you will arrive in Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, fondly known as the “Spring City” for its mild climate and year-round pleasant temperatures. Whether you travel by high-speed train or flight, your private driver will be waiting for you at the designated exit according to your arrival time. After meeting, you will be transferred to your downtown hotel for check-in.

   The day after is entirely yours for whatever activity you prefer. If getting acquainted with some of the minority cultures is your thing, then we recommend the Yunnan Nationalities Museum close to Dianchi Lake. This museum presents the history, customs, costumes, arts, and faiths of Yunnan’s minority groups like the Yi, Bai, Dai, Hani, and Naxi. Walking in the museum, you will glimpse the beautiful silver jewelry, costumes, textiles, and even models of minority villages.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming Exploration
   Stone Forest Wonders & Local Life at Green Lake Park

   This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and accompany you to the world-famous Stone Forest, one of Yunnan’s most stunning natural landmarks. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stone Forest features dramatic limestone formations shaped by millions of years of erosion. As you walk along designated routes, you will encounter towering stone pillars and panoramic viewpoints, all of which highlight the region’s extraordinary karst landscape. Your guide will share stories from local Sani culture as well.

   

   Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park) will be your destination after lunch, this park being one of the most famous urban places in Kunming city and a great spot for walking. With the history goes back 100 years, this is really nice for long or short walks. There are quiet ponds, paths around the willows, and classical pavilions... but most importantly, Green Lake Park is a place where you can observe the locals' daily life: older people doing tai chi, musicians playing folk music, and families in winter feeding the flock of red-beaked seagulls. After that, we will take you back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
3. Day 3: Kunming to Dali by High-speed Train
   Strolling along Xizhou Village & Cycling Along Erhai Lake

   Following breakfast, it is the moment to board the high-speed train to Dali – a journey of two and a half hours. A local guide will be at your service when you arrive. Subsequently, the drive to Xizhou Ancient Town, which is a Bai ethnic village hidden in the countryside, will take you about 90 minutes. Xizhou is not a fake – reputed for its elegantly restored courtyard houses and ancient crafts. You will be experiencing the countryside lifestyle at a slow pace by walking through its streets where you will find large houses, see the villagers baking Xizhou Baba – a popular local baked snack – and witness the unhurried pace of rural life.

   

   Later, you will return to Dali to visit its iconic landmark - the Three Pagodas, standing against the backdrop of Cangshan Mountain. Your guide will explain their centuries-old religious significance and the architectural techniques that helped them withstand multiple earthquakes.

   Your Dali cycling adventure starts in the afternoon. You will cycle on the wonderful Erhai Lake's lakeside paths, which are full of beautiful nature, going through lovely fishing towns, green rice paddies, and getting the best views of the sparkling lake. This way is flat but picturesque enough for being great for beginners and photography lovers alike. As you ride along the lake, you will enjoy the cool wind and see what the lakeside people are doing in their everyday life.

   This evening, check in to a comfortable hotel located inside Dali Old Town, where you can explore the lively streets, cafés, and night atmosphere at your leisure.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dali
4. Day 4: Drive from Dali to Lijiang
   Local Market Visit, Erhai Boat Ride & Lijiang Old Town

   This morning begins with a visit to a lively local farmer market, where villagers come to sell fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, handmade snacks, and colorful ethnic clothing. It is an excellent chance to observe Dali’s authentic daily life - locals bargaining for produce, elders chatting in Bai dialect... Your guide will walk you through the stalls and introduce the cultural meaning behind some of the items on display.

   Next, you will get to Erhai Lake to enjoy a soothing boat ride with a different view of the lake's enormous beauty. The visit to the fishing village will be included in the trip as you will go over the lake's serene part, where you will learn about the traditional fishing methods, Bai customs, and the lake's slow-paced lifestyle. Your lakeside exploration will be enriched by this soft cycling and boating mixture.

   

   Once your Erhai visit comes to an end, your driver will take you to Lijiang Old Town for a 2.5 hour ride. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its meandering stone paths, running canals, and Naxi-style wooden houses. Your Lijiang guide will walk you through the lovely streets, revealing the history of the Naxi people, the ancient Tea Horse Road, and the functioning water system of the old town. You are welcome to shop in the boutiques, taste the local snacks, or just relax in the tranquil atmosphere.

   Tonight, you will check in to a 4-star hotel in Lijiang.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
5. Day 5: A Relaxing Day in Shuhe
   Mufu Palace & Cycling in Shuhe Ancient Town

   After breakfast, you will have more time to explore the Lijiang Old Town. Also known as "Dayan Ancient Town", it is one of the best-preserved historical towns in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is very suitable for a morning walk. If you wish, your tour guide can take you to visit the Mu Mansion (at an extra charge), whose main building was constructed during the Ming Dynasty. It was the residence and government office of the Naxi Mu chieftains. The restored complex features courtyards, pavilions, gardens, and jade-like streams.

   

   Around noon, it's a half-hour drive to Shuhe Ancient Town. It's like this chill little spot on the old Tea Horse Road that's more laid-back than other places. Shuhe is great for biking. You'll roll past stone bridges, canals, and those old Naxi houses, plus shops where people are making leather stuff, jewelry, and crafts. Keep riding on the peaceful paths through the countryside, and you could see fields, horses eating grass, and awesome views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain way off in the distance.

   Later in the afternoon, you will return to your Lijiang hotel, with the rest of the evening free to enjoy local restaurants and boutique cafés.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
6. Day 6: Lijiang Adventure to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
   Majestic Snow-capped Mountains and Mysterious Baisha Murals

   The splendid Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the next stop in your today's trip to Lijiang. No kidding, this mountain is not only a mountain — it is even beyond that. The park provides us with an opening to the first attraction Ganhaizi, an extensive alpine meadow where yaks can be seen grazing quietly. Making the snow-covered mountain background the perfect site for taking pictures. We then transfer to the sightseeing bus that will take us to the station of the cable car. The next thing is the cable car to Yunshanping or Spruce Meadow, 3,205 meters. At this altitude, you have dense spruce forests, fresh mountain air, and beautiful plateau meadows around you. The glaciers' bright white, the forests' greens, the ridges' cliffs, all these together are such that you naturally want to be here and do nothing until you have absorbed the full feeling.

   

   After descending the peak, go on to see the Blue Moon Valley. This valley is a result of the melting of glaciers at Yulong Snow Mountain. If you are lucky with the weather, you could see the turquoise lake, layered fields, and the white-topped mountains. Moreover, your guide will narrate local Naxi myths, which will add a cultural dimension to the nature. And afterward, attend the Impression Lijiang, a vibrant open-air spectacle directed by Zhang Yimou. With the imposing mountain range as the backdrop, the performance with the participation of the local Naxi, Yi and Tibetan women and men, and their music, dance, and tribal rites is nothing short of fantastic.

   Tips:

   • Glacier Park cable car tickets are extremely difficult to obtain. Inform your travel consultant early if you wish to go.
   • Food options in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area are limited so bringing simple snacks is recommended.

   In the late afternoon, you will visit Baisha Village, the earliest Naxi settlement in Lijiang. Here, you will see the famous Baisha Murals, remarkable frescoes blending Buddhist, Taoist, and local artistic styles. This is a good chance to gain an insight into centuries-old multicultural heritage.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
7. Day 7: Lijiang Departure

   Good morning. This is the last day for your 7-day Yunnan tour. You will be free at leisure. Your driver picks you up at the agreed time and escorts you to the airport for your departure. Thank your very much for travelling with China Xian Tour. Hope to see you next time!

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