The Essence of the Southwest

Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La – Chengdu

10days / 9nights

$ 2,000 USD

The soul of Southwest China

From Yunnan’s ancient tea routes, blue lakes, snow mountains, and timeless villages, to Chengdu’s panda-filled bamboo forests and Sichuan’s vibrant cultural life.
You will wander heritage old towns, sip Bai Three-Course Tea, walk through the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge, and stand before the luminous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Later, Chengdu welcomes you with pandas, teahouse culture, and temples resting among green mountains.
It is a trip filled with nature, culture, and slow-living moments — a journey that balances discovery, comfort, and meaningful encounters with local life.

Highlights

Start: Kunming

End: Chengdu

Airports & Travel details

End with Chengdu’s Easy Living

Meet pandas up close, wander Qingcheng Mountain’s Taoist paths, sip tea in People’s Park, and enjoy the vibrant evenings of Kuanzhai Alley and Chunxi Road — the perfect soft landing after Yunnan’s mountains.

Itinerary Summary

10days / 9nights

Activity Level 4

Boutique Hotels

Private trip

Day 1: Kunming – Green Lake Welcome Walk

Ease into your journey with a gentle city walk around Green Lake, where lotus ponds shimmer and locals practice tai chi beneath ancient willows. It’s the perfect introduction to Kunming’s relaxed way of life.
Most Attractive Moment: Watching local musicians perform spontaneously along the lakeside — your first taste of Yunnan’s effortless charm.
Activity Breakdown: Arrival + Green Lake Walk (1–2 hrs)

Day 2: Kunming – Stone Forest or West Hill

Travel to the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, where dramatic limestone towers rise like a petrified ocean. If preferred, explore West Hill for sweeping views over Dianchi Lake or enjoy a curated city walk.
Most Attractive Moment: Wandering between stone spires that have stood for 270 million years — a world both surreal and ancient.
Activity Breakdown: Stone Forest (3–4 hrs) • West Hill/City Walk (1–2 hrs)

Day 3: Kunming → Dali – Xizhou & Erhai Lakeside Living

Travel to Dali and immerse in Xizhou’s Bai culture, its historic mansions, and morning markets. In the afternoon, cycle or stroll along Erhai Lake’s shoreline before exploring Dali Old Town in the evening.
Most Attractive Moment: Feeling the lake breeze as you cycle past white-walled Bai villages and blue water stretching endlessly ahead.
Activity Breakdown: Xizhou Old Town (1–2 hrs) • Erhai Cycling/Walk (2–3 hrs) • Dali Old Town (evening)

Day 4: Dali → Lijiang – Three-Course Tea & Yuhu Village Walk

Begin with the traditional Bai Three-Course Tea ceremony — bitter, sweet, and aftertaste — a symbolic journey through life. Continue onward to Lijiang and wander Yuhu Village, once home to explorer Joseph Rock.
Most Attractive Moment: Sharing tea inside a Bai courtyard, surrounded by stories, laughter, and mountain breezes.
Activity Breakdown: Tea Ceremony (1 hr) • Yuhu Village Walk (1–2 hrs) • Transfer to Lijiang (2 hrs)

Day 5: Lijiang – Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Shuhe/Dayan

Ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car and explore Blue Moon Valley’s glacial-blue lakes. Later, wander the ancient alleys of Shuhe or Dayan Old Town.
Most Attractive Moment: Standing before the snow-capped peaks glowing against a pure blue sky — Lijiang at its most majestic.
Activity Breakdown: Cable Car + Blue Moon Valley (3–4 hrs) • Old Town Visit (1–2 hrs)

Day 6: Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Shangri-La

Journey into one of the world’s deepest canyons — Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk along the cliffside and watch the Jinsha River roar below. Continue onward to the highland town of Shangri-La.
Most Attractive Moment: Feeling the raw power of the river as mist rises from the crashing rapids beside you.
Activity Breakdown: Gorge Hike (2–3 hrs) • Scenic Drive (2 hrs) • Shangri-La Old Town (1 hr)

Day 7: Shangri-La – Songzanlin & Pudacuo National Park

Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. In the afternoon, explore Pudacuo National Park’s forests, lakes, and wetlands.
Most Attractive Moment: Watching monks chant under golden roofs — spiritual calm blending beautifully with mountain air.
Activity Breakdown: Songzanlin (1–2 hrs) • Pudacuo National Park (3–4 hrs)

Day 8: Shangri-La → Chengdu – Nixi Pottery or Napa Wetland

Depending on departure time, experience Nixi black pottery — one of Tibetan culture’s most cherished handcrafts — or stroll Napa Lake’s vast wetlands. Fly onward to Chengdu.
Most Attractive Moment: Shaping warm clay with local artisans whose techniques have been passed down for centuries.
Activity Breakdown: Nixi Pottery / Napa Wetland (1–2 hrs) • Flight to Chengdu

Day 9: Chengdu – Pandas, Old Alleys & Sichuan Opera

Visit the Panda Breeding Research Base in the morning, then stroll the atmospheric lanes of Kuanzhai Alley. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Sichuan Opera show.
Most Attractive Moment: Watching fluffy giant pandas munch bamboo just a few steps away — endlessly heart-melting.
Activity Breakdown: Panda Base (2–3 hrs) • Kuanzhai Alley (1–2 hrs) • Opera Show (evening)

Day 10: Chengdu – Qingcheng Mountain & City Life

Walk among Taoist temples on Qingcheng Mountain, then return to Chengdu for a leisurely afternoon at Chunxi Road, People’s Park, and Dongjiaojiyi creative district.
Most Attractive Moment: Sipping jasmine tea in People’s Park as locals chat, play cards, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of Chengdu life.
Activity Breakdown: Qingcheng Mountain (3–4 hrs) • City Walk (2–3 hrs)

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High Altitude Reaction:

1. the average altitude in Yunnan is 1894 meters. Kunming: 1890 meters. Dali: 2050 meters. Lijiang: 2400 meters, Jade Dragon Mountain: 4506 meters. Shangri-La: 3280 meters. We strongly suggest our consumers thoroughly prepare for high-altitude reactions and intense ultraviolet rays. By preparing these, you can take high-altitude reaction medicines or bring some Oxygen Can before you depart.

2. If you suffer any diseases, please advise your doctor before you depart.

There are various kinds of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, and so on.

3. We don’t suggest our guests take showers in the first two days in a high-altitude area. If they get cold, it may easily lead to pulmonary edema and encephaloma.

4. Please don’t drink any alcohol, especially any strong liquids, since alcohol will lead to a high severe altitude reaction.

The price excludes：

1. Other personal expenses during the journey.

2. Our accommodation prices are for twin rooms (two people live in one room, with a separate bed/one bed). There will be an extra cost if consumers require a separate room for each person.

3. Chinese Visa Fees.

4. The extra expense is due to transportation delays, cancellations, wars, natural accidents, and strikes.

5. Meals (lunch and dinner)

Accommodations

We pick suitable and tasteful hotels for your requirements.

Transfer

We provide your own private and comfortable vehicle.

Guide/Driver service

Professional driver and Chinese/ English speaking guide.

Activities

All the activities listed in this program.

Local Knowledge

Our staff are locals with true love and knowledge of our hometown.

Entrance tickets for the sightseeing places listed in this program.

Tickets

Personalized Consultant Service

we provide one-on-one professional consultant service to all travelers to meet your demands.

Insurance

Travel accident insurance and Travel Agency’s Responsibility insurance.

How’s the weather? What should we wear?

Yunnan is dominated by the subtropical monsoon climate. Integrating low latitude, highland, and monsoon, the climate in Yunnan has four characteristics: first, there is a slight difference in annual temperature but a significant difference in daily temperature. Second, there is a big contrast between the rainy and dry seasons. Third, the climate alters according to the change in altitude. Fourth, the frost-free period is extended.
When you travel to Yunnan, the best advice for your wardrobe is to bring all kinds of clothes. A jacket, scarf, raincoat for the rainy season, and sunglasses are essential.

How’s the accommodation?

We believe that staying in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of the journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic culture, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you the most unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.

How’s the road?

Because the significant landscape in Yunnan is mountainous, the mountain area has bumpy roads and steep slopes. Even on the expressway, there are always sharp turns. So we strongly suggest our guests fasten their seat belts before they depart.

How’s the meal?

Most hotels will provide breakfast in both American and Chinese. During the travel, we will recommend featured local dishes and street food for our consumers. We also encourage our consumers to explore the local food they like since eating is essential for a journey. Our guide will suggest a suitable restaurant to our consumers.

Design my trip

Quality Guide Of KiKi

Accommodations

Being in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of a journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic cultures, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.