Travel with Shirley: A 5-Day Summer Trip to Dali and Lijiang

Yunnan, a beautiful destination in southwestern China, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural diversity. From the bustling city of Kunming to the serene ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang, this region offers a wide range of experiences for travelers. Whether you're seeking adventure in the high-plateau landscapes of Shangri-La, immersing yourself in the vibrant minority cultures of Yuanyang and Xishuangbanna, or simply enjoying a leisurely lifestyle, Yunnan has something to offer.

In the summer of 2017, my friend and I embarked on a memorable Yunnan adventure. We began our journey in the charming cities of Lijiang and Dali, exploring their ancient streets, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Notably, they boast a mild climate - not hot in summer and not cold in winter - making them a perfect year-round getaways. Let my experiences inspire your own Yunnan adventure.

6 Days Dali Lijiang Tour with Shaxi Ancient Town

Itinerary: Dali / Shaxi Ancient Town / Lijiang
Highlights: Dali Old Town, Erhai Lake, The Three Pagodas, Shaxi Ancient Town, Lijiang Ancient Town, Zhoucheng, Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 1: Wandering Through Lijiang's Ancient Streets

After arriving in Yunnan, we first went to the hotel for a rest, leisurely went nearby to eat a bowl of Yunnan rice noodles, and then began to explore the old town of Lijiang Ancient Town. Although it was a cloudy day on the first day of our arrival, it did not dampen our interest in the least. We strolled along the street lined with small shops full of ethnic characteristics. The exquisite handicrafts, fragrant flower cakes, and the melodious Naxi ancient music made us intoxicated. The most impressive thing is the tree decorated with wish signs. Tourists come and go to write their wishes and blessings on the wooden board, waiting for the destined person to find them.

Lijiang Old Town - A UNESCO Ancient City

3 Days Lijiang Tour with Lashi Lake Horse Riding Experience

Itinerary: Lijiang
Highlights: Lashi Lake, Lijiang Old Town, Black Dragon Pool, Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 2: Finding Serenity in Shuhe

Today we continued our trip to the ancient town of Shuhe, Lijiang. Compared with Lijiang Ancient Town, there are fewer people here, being more primitive and quieter. There are well-preserved ancient roads, markets, and nearly 1,000 traditional houses. The water in the ancient town is clear, with many vegetable gardens along the way. In the afternoon, we were attracted by the folk songs in the ancient town, so we turned to the small building, listening to the boy playing and singing by the window, slowly enjoying the peace and beauty.

Shuhe Old Town - One of the Earliest Settlements of the Ancestors of Naxi people

Day 3: Discovering Dali's Love Sanctuary

After breakfast, we went to Dali by car and went to the love holy place of Dali people: Butterfly Spring. It radius of more than 50 square meters, and the water depth of six meters. The spring pool is inlaid with marble balustrades, and the marble on the west wall of Butterfly Spring is engraved with the three characters "蝴蝶泉" inscribed by Guo Moruo. The butterfly tree beside the pool is like a green dragon lying on it.

It is like the entrance to the fairy tale world. Every step is full of surprises and dreams. The water of Butterfly Spring is crystal clear, like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and the soft white clouds. We were also lucky to meet butterflies. On the water's surface, occasionally a few butterflies glide lightly, as if telling the love story here.

Dali Old Town - An Old Town has More than 1,200 Years of History to Tell

3 Days Dali Classic Tour

Itinerary: Dali
Highlights: Dali Old Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhoucheng Tie-dye

Day 4: A Realxing Cruise Trip on Erhai Lake

Today is the most interesting day of the tour. We took a cruise from Dali to Erhai and went to Nanzhao Fengqing Island. Unlike the first two days, it's a sunny day. We rested on the deck of the cruise ship and looked out over Erhai Lake in front of us, seeing the sparkling waves, white clouds, and blue sky. After arriving at Nanzhao Style Island, there are many places for tourists to take photos by the dock. Take a walk along the boardwalk and lean against the railings to enjoy the breeze. It is worth noting that the weather was so good that fortunately, we were wearing sun hats and sunglasses! Please be sure to do a good job of sun protection for the skin and eyes!

Erhai Lake - Pearl of Plateau

After a short stay on the island, we took the cruise back to Dali to visit the ancient city of Dali Ancient Town. Dali Ancient Town has many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China, as well as temples, academies, churches, and other ancient buildings. Most of the streets in the city are quoted from Cangshan Mountain spring water, and traditional Bai folk houses can be seen everywhere. Residents are accustomed to growing flowers and grass in the courtyard.

Three Pagodas - Well-preserved Landmark of Dali

4 Days Kunming & Dali Highlights Tour by High Speed Train

Itinerary: Kunming / Stone Forest / Kunming / Dali
Highlights:

Day 5: Yunnan Departure

My friend and I were still thinking about Yunnan on the way back to Sichuan. Yunnan is so big that even half of its beauty can't be explored in just a few days. Even today, I still want to visit Yunnan again, Kunming, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna... If you are interested in Yunnan with great ethnic customs, then let's set out together!

6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming)

Itinerary: Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming
Highlights: Lijiang Old Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Stone Forest

Are you interested in traveling to Yunnan with me? Browse our best Yunnan Packages, or just share your travel preferences, and I'll use my experience and knowledge to provide you with an unforgettable customized Yunnan trip.

Our Delighted Customers in Yunnan

Travel with Me

Hi, I'm Shirley. Are you interested in my exploration in Dali and Lijiang? Feel free to contact me and I will be glad to tell you more travel stories about the places I have visited. Or, if you want to customize a tour on your own, I'm always ready to help at any time. With my passion and knowledge, I promise to make the tour memorable and meaningful for you.

Shirley

Travel Consultant

E-mail me now!