Yunnan Tours

Yunnan is a year-round destination, but the best months depend on where you go. Kunming enjoys mild weather all year. Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La are at their best from March to May and September to November, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Xishuangbanna in the south is warmest and driest from November to April. The Yuanyang rice terraces are flooded and mirror-like from December to March. Summer (June–August) is the rainy season across most of the province, though showers are usually short.

Most travellers need 7 to 10 days for the classic route — Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. Five to six days is enough if you focus on Dali and Lijiang only. Add three to four days if you want to include Yuanyang's rice terraces or Xishuangbanna's tropical south. Yunnan is roughly the size of Germany, and internal flights and high-speed trains are how you cover the distances, so we build travel time into every itinerary.

You don't have to choose — they're four hours apart by road and most of our travellers see both. Dali is slower and more outdoors: Erhai Lake, the Cangshan mountains and the old town's Bai culture. Lijiang is more compact and more monumental: a UNESCO-listed old town, Naxi heritage and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on its doorstep. If you only have time for one and want scenery and breathing room, pick Dali. If you want a walkable historic centre and mountain access, pick Lijiang.

Most international visitors fly into Kunming Changshui (KMG), Yunnan's main gateway, with connections from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Lijiang (LJG), Dali (DLU) and Shangri-La (DIG) also have airports served by domestic flights. Once you're in the province, high-speed rail connects Kunming to Dali in about two hours and Dali to Lijiang in around 90 minutes — fast, comfortable and scenic. We arrange airport transfers and tickets for all our trips.

Yunnan is part of mainland China, so the same entry rules apply. Most visitors need a Chinese visa; some nationalities and transit passengers qualify for visa-free or transit visa-free entry. If your trip includes Tibet, you'll also need a Tibet Travel Permit, which must be arranged through a licensed travel agency before you travel. Rules change often — check our visa page for the current position and apply well before your departure date.

Yunnan is a very safe destination — violent crime is rare and travelling with a local guide is straightforward. The main thing to plan for is altitude: Kunming sits at 1,900 m, Lijiang at 2,400 m, and Shangri-La at 3,200 m, with Deqin and Meili Snow Mountain higher still. Give yourself a day to acclimatise when you climb, avoid alcohol and heavy exercise on arrival, and tell us in advance about any heart or respiratory conditions. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Every Kiki Holidays trip is private or small-group — you travel with your own guide and driver, on your own dates. Cost depends on the number of days, hotel level, season and how much internal flying your route needs, which is why we quote per itinerary rather than publishing fixed prices. As a guide, a 7–10 day Yunnan journey sits in the mid-range for private travel in China. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a detailed quote.

Yes, and it's one of the best routes in China. From Shangri-La you can fly to Lhasa for a Tibet extension (Tibet Travel Permit required, arranged in advance). Heading north instead, you can cross from Shangri-La into western Sichuan via Daocheng Yading and continue to Chengdu — panda bases, Luding and the Tibetan plateau on the way. Both extensions add about 5–7 days. Tell us your interests and we'll suggest which combination suits your dates.