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Yunnan from Kunming to Shangri-La: 10-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 10-day version for October: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.
10
days
700 km
distance
25.5 h
on trains
57
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Autumn clarity: golden light on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and dry trails through Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Before you go · check live details
This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.
Some route advice is currently available in English.
- Arrange your return transfer for Pudacuo
The park day allows a locally prearranged taxi or charter from Shangri-La, with 40 minutes each way in addition to five hours inside the park. Arrange the return before leaving town; the plan does not book it. If using the tourist bus instead, match your visit to the actual dated outward and return departures rather than these taxi timings.
Check source ↗
Day 1 Kunming
- Transit
- 2h41
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 10.2°C–21.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 11.4h
09:00
Marvel at 2,500 years of artifacts beautifully displayed and lit.
50 min · Kunming · Free
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30
10:35
12:40
13:40
14:40
16:00
16:50
Heavenly Manna search
Savor Yunnan cuisine and delightful cakes at reasonable prices on Wenlin Street.
60 min · Kunming
Overnight here
e.g. MamaMoon Hostel · The Hump Hostel
Day 2 Around Kunming
- Transit
- 3h03
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 10.2°C–21.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 11.4h
09:00
11:45
Admire rare flowers and medicinal plants in expansive gardens.
50 min · Kunming · ¥10 (West Garden), ¥5 (East Garden)
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
13:20
Explore the historic site of a pivotal military academy from 1909.
50 min · Kunming · Free
open: Tu-Su 08:00-17:00 (academy), 09:00-17:00 (museum), no entry after 16:00
14:50
Explore the rich tapestry of Yunnan's ethnic cultures through vibrant displays and artifacts.
50 min · Kunming · Free
open: Tu-Su 09:00-16:30
15:50
17:05
Admire the golden-lacquered eaves of this three-century-old pavilion.
50 min · Kunming · ¥20
open: 07:00-19:00
Overnight here
e.g. MamaMoon Hostel · The Hump Hostel
Day 3 Around Kunming
- Transit
- 1h46
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 10.2°C–21.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 11.4h
09:00
Jiuxiang Scenic Area read more
Explore karst caves, waterfalls, and natural stone dams.
90 min · Kunming
10:45
11:45
13:00
Discover ancient relics and a grand pillar from the Dian Kingdom.
50 min · Kunming · Free, including a tour
open: 09:30-17:00, no entry after 16:30
14:10
Explore fascinating exhibits of Yunnan's ancient and modern animals.
50 min · Kunming · ¥40
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
15:50
Hike lofty mountains crisscrossed by gurgling brooks.
50 min · Kunming · Entry to the park is free but there is a fee to enter the Dragon Gate (see below)
open: M-F 08:30-17:00, Sa Su 08:00-17:30
16:40
Yuanxi Lu search
Enjoy chou doufu, pork brain, or tasty dumplings from hidden eateries.
60 min · Kunming
Overnight here
e.g. MamaMoon Hostel · The Hump Hostel
Day 4 Dali
- Transit
- 4h21
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 10.0°C–19.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 11.4h
11:30
12:30
13:50
15:25
16:50
Overnight here
e.g. Higherland Inn · Dali Letu International Youth Hostel
Day 5 Around Dali
- Transit
- 1h57
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 10.0°C–19.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 11.4h
09:00
10:00
12:05
13:10
Dali Municipal Museum search
Ancient steles and gravestones whisper stories of the past.
50 min · Dali · Free
open: summer 08:30-17:30, winter 09:00-17:00
14:15
Johnny 'O palm reading search
A quirky palm reader offers intriguing insights into your past.
90 min · Dali · ¥100
open: every day at 16:00
16:00
16:50
Overnight here
e.g. Higherland Inn · Dali Letu International Youth Hostel
Day 6 Lijiang
- Transit
- 3h00
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 5.4°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 11.3h
11:10
Stroll through vibrant streets, join local dances at sunset.
50 min · Lijiang · Entry to the old town is free. The Old Town Maintenance Fee was abolished in 2017. However, some attractions within the old town still charge a fee (price listed 2017)
open: Open 24 hours
12:10
Mu Palace ljmufu.com map ↗
Explore the grand historic seat of the Mu Clan's rule.
50 min · Lijiang · Entry fee is ¥40 (as of Mar 2019). Discounts are available for children over 1.2 metres in height and adults aged between 61 and 69. Children under 1.2 metres in height and adults aged 70 and over may enter for free (price listed 2019)
open: 08:30-17:30
13:10
14:10
15:20
16:25
Overnight here
e.g. Lijiang Sina Hotel 新纳大酒店 · Moon Inn
Day 7 Around Lijiang
- Transit
- 2h18
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 5.4°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 11.3h
09:00
10:40
12:00
13:05
Shuhe Old Town ljshuhe.com map ↗
Experience a less commercial old town, perhaps on a horse ride.
50 min · Lijiang
14:30
Lashihai Lake Wetland Park ljmeile.com map ↗
Spot migratory birds and enjoy quiet lakeside nature.
50 min · Lijiang · ¥30
open: 08:00-17:00
15:35
16:25
Prague Café search
Savor decent meals in a friendly café atmosphere, despite pricey drinks.
60 min · Lijiang
Overnight here
e.g. Lijiang Sina Hotel 新纳大酒店 · Moon Inn
Day 8 Around Lijiang
- Transit
- 1h51
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 5.4°C–16.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 11.3h
09:00
Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute lijiangethnicembroidery.com map ↗
See intricate traditional Naxi embroidery crafted by skilled artists.
50 min · Lijiang
11:05
12:10
Float styrofoam boats search
Watch glowing candles drift on flower-shaped foam boats down the stream.
90 min · Lijiang · ¥10 (price listed 2010)
13:55
Walk the canal path search
Stroll along a peaceful canal lined with historic stonework.
90 min · Lijiang
15:40
Visit Naxi villages search
Discover rural life and traditional homes in the surrounding hills.
90 min · Lijiang
Overnight here
e.g. Lijiang Sina Hotel 新纳大酒店 · Moon Inn
Day 9 Shangri-La
- Transit
- 2h48
- Finish
- ~17:30
- Temperature
- 0.6°C–12.5°C ❄
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 11.3h
11:00
12:05
13:10
14:55
Diqing Long March Museum dqhjbwg.cn map ↗
Learn about history in a compelling museum exhibit.
50 min · Shangri-La · Free
open: Summer: 08:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00; Winter: 09:00-12:00, 14:30-17:30
16:00
Biking around Napa Lake search
Cycle through grassy paths with stunning lake views.
90 min · Shangri-La
Overnight here
e.g. The Olive (previously Noah Cafe and Inn) · Kevin's Trekker Inn
Day 10 Around Shangri-La
- Transit
- 1h44
- Finish
- ~16:50
- Temperature
- 0.6°C–12.5°C ❄
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 11.3h
09:40
Spend five hours on the park’s open paths and authorised sightseeing shuttle. Arrange a return taxi from Shangri-La; the plan allows 40 minutes each way, separately from the park visit.
300 min · Shangri-La · ¥138 including park sightseeing shuttle; town transfers extra
open: 08:00–16:30
15:35
Arro Khampa ! search
Taste rich, classic Tibetan dishes paired with smooth French wines.
60 min · Shangri-La
open: Daily 09:30-22:30
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.
Sources (6)
- Wikivoyage — KunmingCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Kunming North railway stationCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Yunnan Nationalities MuseumCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — DaliCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — LijiangCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — ShangrilaCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)