Kunming
2 nights · Green Lake / Wenlin Street
Keep the arrival stroll close and arrange a distinct out-of-town Stone Forest day.
Kunming · 2 nights
Dali · 2 nights
Lijiang · 2 nightsYunnan in a week: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
Stone Forest towers, Dali’s lake shore and old town, and a day beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Why this itinerary works
The classic three-stop rail line north: each move is around two hours, so every city keeps a full day.
Arrive in Kunming and fly out of Lijiang, so there is no backtracking down the line.
Want more time up north instead? Our Dali–Lijiang–Shangri-La week skips Kunming; the ten-day version adds Shangri-La and a Baisha slow day.
The itinerary
Kunming (昆明) → Dali (大理)
Around two hours aboard.
Planning estimate; choose a dated service before booking.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 (大理) → Lijiang (丽江)
About 1.5–2 hours aboard.
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.
The moments you’ll remember
Afternoon voices drift across Green Lake on your first slow lap.
Cuihu Park ›Footsteps squeeze between grey limestone walls taller than houses.
Stone Forest Scenic Area ›Dinner chatter spills from Dali’s old-town doorways.
Dali Ancient City ›
Lake breeze, Erhai keeping pace beside the path.
Erhai Ecological Corridor ›Lamps gleam beside the water in Lijiang’s stone lanes.
Lijiang Ancient Town ›
Cold air at Glacier Park, the snow mountain filling your view.
Pair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley ›
The snow peak floats upside down in Black Dragon Pool.
Put the bridge and snow mountain in one frame ›7 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
Kunming · 2 nights
Day 1
A lakeside arrival in Kunming
Check in and take a short Green Lake stroll only if arrival allows.
A lakeside arrival in Kunming
Free
Day 2
A day among the Stone Forest’s towers
An out-of-town visit. Leave the afternoon for the outing and return, and keep the evening open.
Free
Free
Dali · 2 nights
Day 3
Rail to Dali, old-town evening
Morning and afternoon belong to the train, station transfer and check-in. Keep the evening walk short.
Free
Free
Day 4
Three Pagodas and the lake edge
Use the west-shore ecological corridor rather than circling the whole lake.
Free
Lijiang · 2 nights
Day 5
Move to Lijiang and settle into the lanes
At least half the day belongs to the move; keep the afternoon for arrival.
Free
Free
Day 6
Glacier views and Blue Moon Valley
The mountain takes morning and afternoon. Leave the evening free; follow altitude and cableway alternatives rather than forcing the top.
Free
Free
Day 7
Snow mountain reflections, then leave
An early look at Black Dragon Pool, the mountain mirrored in still water, then fly out of Lijiang. Drop it for an early flight.
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 →Kunming practical card →Dali practical card →Lijiang 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.