Dali
2 nights · Dali Old Town east side
A useful base between old-town evenings and Erhai’s west shore; allow a separate station transfer.
Dali · 2 nights
Lijiang · 2 nights
Shangri-La · 2 nightsDali to Shangri-La: lakes, lanes and mountain air
A week of Erhai shores, Lijiang lanes and Shangri-La’s monastery, with a slower six-day Dali–Lijiang option.
Why this itinerary works
Starting in Dali puts lakes, old towns and mountains at the heart of your week. Choose it once your arrival connection fits.
Two nights at each base let you settle in before the main outing the next day.
For six days, stop at Lijiang and add a slow village day; keep the three-base route for the full week.
The itinerary
Dali (大理) → Lijiang (丽江)
Plan around two hours for the journey; allow at least half a day for stations and hotel transfers.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Lijiang
2 nights · North edge of Dayan Old Town
Walk into the lanes, but keep vehicle access close for bags and the mountain day.
Lijiang (丽江) → Shangri-La (香格里拉)
About 1 hour 18 minutes aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.Shangri-La
2 nights · Dukezong old-town edge
Short evening walks with easier road access than a room deep inside the pedestrian lanes.
See the itinerary on a map
The moments you’ll remember
Warm plates on an old-town table for your first Dali evening.
Dali Ancient City ›
Morning lake breeze on your face along Erhai’s village edge.
Erhai Ecological Corridor ›
A turn through Xizhou’s doorway, cool shade inside a Bai courtyard.
Xizhou Ancient Town ›Water murmurs beside Lijiang’s stone lanes as evening lamps come on.
Lijiang Ancient Town ›
Cold mountain air, Glacier Park’s slopes filling your gaze.
Pair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley ›The cableway climbs beneath Jade Dragon, mountain slopes filling the glass.
Pair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley ›A warm dinner table after Dukezong’s first evening lanes.
Shangri-La Dukezong Ancient Town ›Songzanlin’s roofs rise above you on the morning climb.
Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery ›8 moments · swipe →
Before you go
- Pair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley — Official Glacier Park cableway mini-program: sales open at 20:00 China time for the next seven days. The scenic-area entry mini-program sells entry tickets within a seven-day window.
Choose a dated rail or flight service before booking.
Day by day
MorningAfternoonEvening
Dali · 2 nights
Day 1
Arrive in Dali, then find an old-town table
Keep morning and afternoon for arrival. Travel through Kunming must still fit your real arrival day.
Arrive in Dali
Free
Day 2
A lakeside day with one village
Stay on the west side of Erhai. Skip Xizhou if you prefer more time by the water.
Free
Lijiang · 2 nights
Day 3
Move to Lijiang, then explore near the hotel
Protect at least half the day for rail and station transfers; no Baisha or Shuhe detour before checking in.
Free
Free
Day 4
Jade Dragon’s heights and Blue Moon Valley
Glacier Park and Blue Moon Valley are one full-day outing. The afternoon belongs to this route.
Free
Free
Shangri-La · 2 nights
Day 5
Into the highlands, an easy Dukezong evening
Daytime belongs to the move and check-in. Keep the first highland walk short. For six days, stay in Lijiang, visit Baisha gently today and depart tomorrow.
Free
Free
Day 6
Monastery roofs and a wide horizon
Keep these as the day’s two outings; leave the evening free.
Free
Day 7
Departure day
Keep the day clear for the booked connection. If returning through Lijiang or Kunming, count that travel before choosing a flight.
Departure day
Free
Free
Comes with the plan
Before you go
- Pair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley — Official Glacier Park cableway mini-program: sales open at 20:00 China time for the next seven days. The scenic-area entry mini-program sells entry tickets within a seven-day window.
Rail or flight legs need a dated service before booking.
On the ground
Buying and boarding trains →Dali practical card →Lijiang practical card →Shangri-La practical card →Perks on this itinerary
Browse perks and check eligibility →Your dates, checked
Use the calendar to check holidays and typical weather. Published sessions and opening days depend on your exact dates.
Check dates →Not quite your case? Ask it.
Make it yours
Pick your dates and review how the itinerary fits your trip.