9-Day Yunnan Tour: Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La & Lijiang
Overview
Quick Answer
The 9-Day Yunnan Shangri-La Lijiang Tour is a 9-day private tour on a round trip from Kunming via Dali, Shangri-La, Lijiang. Its main experiences are Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route, Three Pagodas, and Tiger Leaping Gorge with the visit arranged around the operating route.
This is a round trip from Kunming, with the route continuing through Dali, Shangri-La, Lijiang before returning.
Built around Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route, with Three Pagodas as another main focus, this itinerary is best suited to travelers who prefer a guided route with flexible pacing and private transfers. Private transport keeps the local and regional transfers in a clear order from the Kunming base.
Tour Highlights
- Experience Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route.
- Visit Dali: Three Pagodas before the route continues, allowing a proper look at the site’s cultural setting.
- See Tiger Leaping Gorge with the visit arranged around the operating route and the clearest available viewpoints.
- See Jade Dragon Snow Mountain while protecting enough time for the mountain road and the next overnight check-in.
- Explore West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park as a dedicated stop in the day’s sightseeing plan.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Place | Main plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kunming | Arrival, transfer and hotel check-in |
| Day 2 | Kunming to Dali | Stone Forest |
| Day 3 | Dali | Three Pagodas |
| Day 4 | Dali to Shangri-La | Tiger Leaping Gorge |
| Day 5 | Shangri-La | Sightseeing and local activities in Shangri-La |
| Day 6 | Shangri-La to Lijiang | Travel from Shangri-La to Lijiang |
| Day 7 | Lijiang | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang |
| Day 8 | Kunming to Lijiang | Lijiang to Kunming |
| Day 9 | Kunming | West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park |
Tour at a Glance
| Travel style | private tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 days |
| Route | Round trip from Kunming |
| Activity level | Moderate to demanding |
| Best for | travelers who prefer a guided route with flexible pacing and private transfers |
| When to go | Spring or autumn; other seasons depend on the route |
Good to Know Before You Go
Pace and Physical Demands
Moderate to demanding. Altitude, long road sections and hotel changes matter more here than fast-paced city sightseeing. Use the daily plan to understand the walking required around Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route and the travel time between overnight stops.
Season and Reservations
Yunnan can be visited in several seasons, with spring and autumn generally comfortable. Highland areas remain cooler and mountain weather can change quickly. For the 9-Day Yunnan Shangri-La Lijiang Tour, confirm current access and any timed entry for Three Pagodas after choosing the dates.
- Discuss altitude and relevant health concerns with a qualified medical professional before joining the high-elevation sections.
Related Destinations and China Travel Guides
- Kunming
- Dali
- Shangri-La
- Lijiang
- Best Time to Visit China
- How to Pay in China
- First Trip to China: Where to Go
Customize This China Tour
Use Plan My Trip to send your dates, group size and preferred pace, including any special request around Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route. Hotel level, pace and selected activities can be adjusted while keeping the travel sequence realistic. We will verify availability and return with a trip-specific plan and price.
Daily Itinerary
Arrive in Kunming and transfer to the hotel. Use the remaining time to rest and prepare for the nine-day route through Dali, Shangri-La and Lijiang. The first full sightseeing day begins at the Stone Forest.
Use the main travel window for the transfer from Kunming to Dali. The sightseeing between Kunming and Dali includes Stone Forest. Allow for luggage and hotel check-in on arrival in Dali.
Explore Three Pagodas at a measured pace today. At Three Pagodas, the guide can connect the architecture, local history and everyday setting without crowding the day with an unrelated attraction. Keep nearby stops secondary to the time needed to understand Three Pagodas.
Travel from Dali to Shangri-La on day 4, allowing realistic time for the road or rail section, luggage and hotel check-in. Break the journey toward Shangri-La with time for Tiger Leaping Gorge. The next plan is Shangri-La.
Make Shangri-La the main plan for day 5, with local transfers, walking and a comfortable break included in the sightseeing window. Check the current access and opening time for Shangri-La before setting the local pickup.
Continue from Shangri-La to Lijiang, with rest stops, local traffic and check-in included in the timing. The following plan is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang.
Set aside most of the day for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the selected cable-car section. Add Blue Moon Valley or Baisha only if it is part of the accepted route. Return to Lijiang afterward, with another local day still available before the journey back to Kunming.
Make the journey from Lijiang to Kunming and keep the sightseeing limited to what fits the travel window. Leave a workable arrival buffer before Kunming - West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park.
The landscape focus today is West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park. Weather and scenic-area transport at West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park influence the order, so the schedule keeps a practical margin for changes. If conditions change at West Hill (Xishan) Forest Park, shorten the optional section rather than rush the main viewpoint or activity.
The West Hill visit completes the nine-day loop through Shangri-La and Lijiang.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- The guide and driver services shown for the route beginning in Kunming
- Accommodation for the 8 overnight stops shown in the itinerary
- Admission or activity arrangements for Stone Forest on the day where it fits most naturally in the route, plus Three Pagodas, when listed for the departure
- Local transport needed for the round trip from Kunming
Your booking confirmation lists the final hotels, transport, guide service and admissions for the chosen departure.
Not Included
- Flights, trains or other services outside the route for the round trip from Kunming
- Travel documents, visa costs and travel insurance
- Unlisted meals, optional activities and hotel upgrades
- Personal spending and costs following a missed or changed connection
