Planning a Trip to Yunnan Province? Start Here
We loved our time in the Yunnan province of China, in face it quickly became our favourite part of the country. From stunning scenery and interesting cultures this region has everything from dramatic mountains to lakes and ancient towns. It really is one of the best regions for travellers who want a different China experience or to slow travel and explore the cultures that make the Yunnan province so unique when compared to the rest of China.
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Yunnan Itinerary Overview (Quick Route Options)
There are a few itinerary options for the Yunnan, some a little quicker and others that could have you spending weeks in this area alone! All of them are great, it will just depend on how much time you have.
| Destination | Travel Time | Best Transport | Why Stop Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kunming | Arrival | Flight / Train | Entry point to Yunnan, mild climate, Stone Forest |
| Dali | 2–2.5 hrs | High-speed train | Erhai Lake, Old Town, relaxed vibe |
| Lijiang | 2–2.5 hrs | Train or car | UNESCO Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain |
| Shangri-La | 3–4 hrs | Car / bus | Tibetan culture, monasteries, alpine scenery |
| Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hike or Day Trip) | Between Lijiang and Shangri-La | Car / Tour | One of the best hikes in China ( or just visit the viewpoint!) |
This is the most efficient Yunnan travel route, it minimises backtracking while hitting the areas top highlights—from lakes and ancient towns to mountains and Tibetan culture.
Map of This Yunnan Travel Route
This route is really simple, it flows well and is connected by excellent transport options. It is a really easy area to travel.
How Many Days Do You Need in Yunnan?
As a minimum in the Yunnan area I would have 7 days to do the basic route. Ideally 2 weeks would be great and to slow travel you could spend 3 weeks or more. There is a lot to see in the region and the more time you have the better you can experience it. If you are short on time you will get to visit the highlights and get a taste of the culture.
1 Week Yunnan Itinerary (Perfect for First-Time Visitors)
If it is your first time in China then this one week Yunnan Itinerary is perfect for you. It includes all the must see things and gives you an idea of the area.
Day 1–2: Kunming
After recovering from your flight you will get to explore the capital of the Yunnan province. This city is more interesting that we gave it credit for before we visited and we easily filled our time. See the old streets, eat all the food, especially the Peiking Duck of the south! Head to our Kunming blog to see all the highlights you should check out.
Day 3–4: Dali
Get on a train to Dali so you can explore the old town, surrounding ancient villages as well as the mountains before cycling around or just soaking up the cafes at Erhai Lake. Our Dali post has everything you need to know to visit!
Day 5–7: Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town is a gorgeous place to end your time in the Yunnan Province. Wander the old town, walk to Black Dragon Pool to soak up the stunning views and enjoy the ancient towns that surround it. Discover everything to do in Lijiang.
2 Week Yunnan Itinerary (Best Overall Route)
Our two week Yunnan Itinerary is the best overall route to see the area. It will allow you more time in the region to fit in as much as possible. Here we will adjust the days a little, remember you will still need to travel by train/bus or car between these locations which will eat up some of the time.
Days 1 & 2 Kunming
Same as above.
Days 3 – 7 Dali
You will be able to see a little more of the Dali area with this extra time.
Days 8-12 Lijiang
With the extra time in Lijiang you will be able to visit the ancient towns and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on a day trip. This is on the top of most travellers must do lists, you need to book in advance as they can sell out days ( we missed out!)
Day 12–14: Shangri-La
Shangri-La is a great stop to add in, here you will get a taste of Tibetan culture as well as mountain views! The vibe is different here, a little more rustic and rurual – we loved the change. We came here on a Tiger Leaping Gorge/Shangri-La day trip and would definitely come back to spend a couple of nights.
3 Week Yunnan Itinerary (Slow Travel Route)
Three weeks in the Yunnan will let you really slow the pace and still add in a couple of extra locations. With the extra week I would structure the time like this so you get a deeper cultural immersion in the region:
WEEK 1
Das 1 -3 Kunming – Check out our Kunming guide to see all the things to do here and add in a day trip to the Stone Forest.
Days 4 – 8 Dali – Check out our Dali Itinerary to see everything you can get done here!
WEEK 2
Days 9 & 10 Shaxi – This is a gorgeous and less visited town. It lies between Dali and Lijiang and is a little more complicated to get to so 2 days here will make it more worthwhile. This town is more authentic due to the minimal tourists that visit and I really want to go! You can take a Didi there which will be more expensive or long-Distance Bus + Minibus. Take a bus from Dali North Bus Station (Xiaguan) to Jianchuan County (approx. 30–40CNY & 2 hours), then at Jianchuan Bus Station, take a local yellow minibus to Shaxi Ancient Town (approx. 10–15CNY & 40-60 mins).
Days 11 – 15 Lijiang – Add in a day trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can either combine it with another activity, hike it or just go for a half day. There is time for a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day trip here as well.
WEEK 3
Days 18 – 21 – Shangri-La – This town is really cool, you will get a taste of Tibetan culture, turn the giant prayer wheel, national park, see the temples, monastery, wander the streets and try Yak and butter tea! This town is at an altitude of 3,200m / 10,500 feet above sea level so be cautious of altitude sickness. You can buy personal oxygen tanks and take them with you to use (cheaper in Lijiang than in Shangri-La), don’t overexert yourself and stay hydrated. This affects everyone differently and unless you have spent time at altitude it can be hard to know how you will react so being prepared is best. Staying here a couple of nights will help to acclimatise.
Yunnan Travel Tips No One Tells You
These are the tips you need to know to go to the Yunnan area. It is really easy to travel around in general and such a beautiful region. These tips should help you plan.
- The whole region is at an average altitude of 2000m and gets up to 3,200m. Altitude sickness affects everyone differently and can really affect energy levels. Prepare by staying hydrated, moving slowly, get lots of sleep and be aware of how you are feeling. Personal oxygen tanks are available for purchase throughout the area.
- Weather varies significantly by region, it is warmer in the lower areas of Kunming and gets colder as you move towards Shangri-La.
- Old towns can be touristy, it is a gorgeous area so lots of Chinese travel here. Best times to get out and see things is the mornings and afternoons. During the day gets busier.
- Transport is really quite easy. The main towns are really well connected by train and it is not hard at all to get around. We hired an e-scooter to get around to Dali towns and the lake and we used Didi a lot.
- Everyone uses AliPay or WeChat Pay here, we didn’t need cash at all.
How to Get Around Yunnan (Transport Guide)
High-speed trains are the best ways to get between cities. They are fast, affordable and so convenient. Private drivers are another option but can be expensive and buses are available but slower and not as convenient.
For example train travel times between the main towns are:
- Kunming → Dali 2 to 2.5 hours
- Dali → Lijiang 2 to 2.5 hours
- Lijiang → Shangri-La 1 to 1.5 hours
Yunnan Packing List (Don’t Make These Mistakes)
These are the must pack things in your Yunnan packing list. Unless you are visiting in the heart of winter (and you may need suitable snow clothing) you should be fine with these:
- Layers for temperature swings. I found I wanted a beanie, jacket and gloves in early mornings and evenings. Throughout the day it was warmer.
- Comfortable walking shoes! These are a must, we did so many steps in China and you don’t want sore feet stopping you exploring.
- Sunscreen – the UV is higher at altitude and a lot of the things to do are outdoors. This one is super popular or Sun Bum does this one without Octinoxate & Oxybenzone if you are looking for one.
- Reusable water bottle – we take one on every trip and always refill where we can.
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Where to Stay in Yunnan (Best Areas)
We had some excellent accommodation in China, actually the accommodation there is so good that it makes it incredibly hard to choose. Some of the things to take in to account are: what area suits you best to stay? For example, slower travellers in Dali might want to stay by the lake, there is gorgeous accomodation there and you have the time available to get back and forth, whereas someone with a couple of days in Dali will more likely want to stay in the Old Town. You also have to take your personal preference in to account, are you a budget backpacker, a midrange traveller (like us!) or someone who wants a little luxury? Below are our top picks for each area town.
- Kunming – stay in the centre of town, we stayed at Ibis Styles in Kunming and it was an excellent location, clean and comfortable. Breakfast was excellent too.
- Dali – You can choose to stay in Dali Old Town or by Lake Erhai.
- Lijiang – Old Town, just outside of Old Town or Shuhe
- Shangri-La – Dukezong Ancient City
What to Eat in Yunnan?
There are some great local specialities to try in the Yunnan Province. The rice noodles are everywhere and we loved them for breakfast at our hotels and even had them for dinner some evenings they were so nice. You will see them in a couple of different ways but the most famous is the crossing the bridge noodles. The glutenous rice balls stuffed with everything from sweet potato and brown sugar to rose were a sticky treat too. The grilled milk on a stick is a unique local snack and the baba are everywhere! Hot pot is a way of life in China and in the Yunnan the wild mushroom hotpot is the most popular. A word of warning though some of the mushrooms need to be cooked for an exact amount to be safe to eat. The restaurant should give you a timer and a small vial of the soup so if there is an issue you have a sample.
Yunnan vs Other China Destinations: Is It Worth It?
We loved our time in the Yunnan Province and think it is aboslutely worth visiting when compared to other regions in China. Compared the the big cities it is slower and more scenic. The views are stunning and the vibe is more local as a whole than places like Beijing and Shanghai. When comparing Yunnan to other large regions it has more diverse landscapes and cultures making it extra interesting to explore.
If you are a history lover, a nature lover, a backpacker or a slow traveller you will love this region. If you are the type of traveller who wants to stay in a resort for their holiday then it may not suit you as getting around and seeing different areas and villages is part of the charm.
Common Mistakes When Planning a Yunnan Itinerary
There are a couple of mistakes people make when they plan a trip to the Yunnan. The first is to try and stack your itinerary with too many places or things to do. This is an area that really lends itself to going a little bit more slowly, save the rush for Chongqing or Shanghai. Don’t ignore the altitude, it may or may not affect you as everyone is different but being prepared for it is the most important thing. The oxygen canisters are readily available in Lijiang so you will be able to find them, stay hydrated and take it easy allowing your body time to adjust.
Don’t forget that travel takes time! Not allowing the time that a train/plane takes, plus the time to get to and from train stations or airports (that may be a 30 minute drive from towns) all adds up. Not to mention how you will be feeling, if you are tired you will not want to accomplish a stacked itinerary.
Finally make sure to book your transport in advance. This is true for a plane or a train. We had tickets selling out that had been there for days and suddenly the number of seats were running out. If you know what day/time you want to leave then book the tickets!
FAQ: Yunnan Travel Itinerary
How many days do you need in Yunnan?
→ 7–14 days is ideal, you can get quite a bit done with this amount of time. We had 2 weeks and although we would have loved a few more days it was actually a great amount of time.
What is the best route for Yunnan?
→ Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La. This is the standard route getting you to all the ‘must see’ places. From these bases you can get you and visit other small towns and ancient villages around.
Is Yunnan easy to travel?
→ Yes, we found that they Yunnan was really easy to travel. The trains are a clean and convenient way to get around. Domestic flights are a pretty simple affair as well and Didi is cheap and available in most places.
What is Yunnan famous for?
→ The Yunnan is famous for its scenic landscapes, interesting cultures and ancient old towns full of charm.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your Yunnan Trip
The best route will always be northbound, this will allow you to slowly acclimatise to the changing altitude. Leave a little room for flexibility in your trip so you can stay somewhere a day or two longer if you love it. We often book a ‘swing’ day that we can cancel if it isn’t needed. The Yunnan is all about the experience, try not to rush your time especially in Dali and Lijiang and you will love it even more!
The Yunnan Province is home of some of the most interesting minorities and culture in China. If you are looking to experience a more off the beaten path side of China you will love it here…it’s a place that quietly steals your heart.
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La Day Trip
👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 4-Week China Itinerary
👉 Don’t miss: Furong Town – China’s Magical Town on a Waterfall
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We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
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