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Yunnan from Kunming to Shangri-La: Route Guide

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The Yangtze surging through Tiger Leaping Gorge
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Ride Yunnan's rail spine from Kunming through Dali and Lijiang to high-altitude Shangri-La. Explore old towns, Bai and Naxi heritage, then spend a day at Pudacuo with a separately arranged return taxi. Tiger Leaping Gorge is not part of this journey.

Yunnan from Kunming to Shangri-La is a 700 km one-way journey (rail). It works best as 7–10 days; the plan below is the 8-day version for October, built from 273 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

7–10
days
700km
distance
4
Stops
273
curated stops

View ready-made plans 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go

The route

Kunming→ 330 kmDali→ 150 kmLijiang→ 220 kmShangri-La
Orange-roofed halls and a pavilion reflected in the pond at Yuantong Temple in Kunming

Kunming · Day 1

Yuantong Temple

Feel ancient serenity in Yunnan’s grandest Buddhist temple.

8-day plan →

Photo: Gisling · CC BY 3.0

What you'll see

Qiongzhu Temple
Marvel at incredible, lifelike sculptures in a mountain temple.
Kunming
Erhai Lake
Gentle lapping of water and distant temple bells calm the spirit.
Dali
Old Town of Lijiang
Stroll through vibrant streets, join local dances at sunset.
Lijiang
Songzanlin Monastery
Marvel at the restored grandeur of this iconic temple.
Shangri-La
Yunnan Provincial Museum
Marvel at 2,500 years of artifacts beautifully displayed and lit.
Kunming
Tang Dynasty Three Pagodas
Majestic pagodas stand tall, showcasing ancient Buddhist art.
Dali

Choose your length

7-day plan38 stops · 19.0 h transit5.4 stops/day · 2.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →8-day plan45 stops · 21.9 h transit5.6 stops/day · 2.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →10-day plan57 stops · 25.5 h transit5.7 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: October, December

Autumn clarity: golden light on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and dry trails through Tiger Leaping Gorge.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans