Live updates on China travel restrictions for 2022. Learn more
7-Day Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour

A Feast of Landscapes and Ethnic Minority Culture

7-Day Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour

This is a tour for people who would like to skip the big city (Kunming), and visit the most-recommended destinations in Yunnan at a comfortable pace. Not only enjoy awesome plateau scenery, but also discover the colorful cultures that Chinese minority people have created, and have some exclusive experiences that will help you get to know the real Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La.

Tour 'Wow' Points

Dive into the Daily Life of Bai People

Walk into a traditional Bai village virtually untouched by tourism. See the villagers shopping in the market and chatting in front of the temple. Experience their traditional tie-dyeing and enjoy home cuisine in a Bai family's courtyard. Discover the beauty they create in their daily life.

Bai ladies
tie-dyeing workshop

Soar on the Wind of the Erhai Lake

Have a bike ride alongside Erhai Lake. Feel the wind, enjoy the flowery meadows and rice fields, and see the clouds floating above the majestic Cangshan mountians.

biking along the lake
the red and yellow trees

Listen to a Naxi Shaman's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Stories

Pilgrimage to the holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and stop at a quite Naxi village to visit a Shaman's home. Learn some mysterious Naxi characters, and enjoy a piece of Naxi music. Be impressed by the Naxi people's passion for their lifestyle, homeland, and love.

the jade dragon snow mountain
shaman of Naxi

Visit a Nonpublic Dormitory of Songzanlin Monastery

Discover the beating heart of local Tibetan belief. Talk with a local Tibetan lama in his dormitory's study room, which is not normally open to tourists. If you are lucky, you might meet a living Buddha!

give a white ribbon to lama
a lama in his dormitory

Why Choose Us

Your Wellbeing is Our Priority

Your Wellbeing is Our Priority.

  • 1-to-1 travel expert
  • Vaccinated guides
  • Private Rides
Your Trip is Perfectly Planned

Your Trip is Perfectly Planned.

  • No crowds
  • Exclusive Exciting Experiences
Your Booking is Risk-Free

Your Booking is Risk-Free.

  • No cancellation fee
  • Free changes

Finish Your Booking in as Quick as 1 Day

1. Tell us your dream travel idea

2. Work out your unique plan with 1 to 1 expert advice

About China Highlights

Since 1998 we've guided everyone ranging from US presidents, Australian Geographic and retired backpackers. Our goal is to create unique trips that take you off-the-beaten path, helping you discover China in a more authentic way. Our motto: "Discovery Your Way!"

Tour Map

km-7 Tour Map

Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.

DAY 1 Dali | Arrival and Dali Old Town

Meet your private guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Explore Dali Old Town after checking in. Read the splendid history of Dali recorded on the ancient gates, the old temples, the stone-paved streets and the Chinese-style church.

DAY 2 Dali | Bai Village Visit and Bike Ride along Erhai Lake

Visit Zhoucheng village, at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains, in the morning when it is full of life. Enjoy the beautiful architectures of the Bai ethnic minority. Say hello to the ladies wearing their traditional dresses. Experience tie-dyeing, and make your own souvenir from Dali.

Be hosted by a local Bai family. Taste the hostess's cooking in her beautiful courtyard.

Have a bike ride along Erhai Lake in the afternoon. Enjoy the wind, the flowers, the blue lake, and the gorgeous Cangshan Mountain view.

DAY 3 Dali to Lijiang | Lijiang Ancient Town

Your personal guide and driver will transfer you directly from Dali to Lijiang. Enjoy lunch and start the tour in Lijiang. Lijiang Ancient Town is the best-preserved minority ancient city. Climb up to Lion Hill to have a bird's-eye view of the whole town.

Then pay a visit to the Black Dragon Pool Park, where the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the most famous postcard-perfect sceneries in southwest China.

DAY 4 Lijiang | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Naxi Shaman Visit

Welcome to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the holy mountain of the Naxi people. Ascend by cable car and find yourself in a real paradise as you overlook stunning and varied natural beauty, including spruces, meadows, yaks, and brooks.

Enjoy lunch in a restaurant run by a local Naxi family in Baisha village. You can try to make your own Naxi pancake (Naxi baba) as the main dish for your lunch.

Visit a shaman (called dongba, which means ‘wise man' in the Naxi language) of the Naxi ethnicity at his home. Learn some Dongba characters and enjoy a piece of Naxi music. You will be impressed by the Naxi people's passion for their lifestyle, homeland, and love.

DAY 5 Lijiang to Shangri-La | Tiger Leaping Gorge

Visit one of the world's deepest and most marvelous gorges — Tiger Leaping Gorge. The dashing water of the magnificent Jinsha River (Yangtze) roars through a narrow valley with a rock in the center.

Walk around Shangri-La Old Town in the afternoon. Don't miss the Tibetan dancing in Sifang Jie ('Square Street', the town's center square) in the evening.

DAY 6 Shangri-La | The Cultural and Natural Beauties

Visit the largest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan Province — Songzanlin Lamasery. Be impressed by the splendid architecture as you ascend to the entrance. Then be embraced by the holy atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism as you enter the hall with huge Buddhas and colorful murals. Feel the piety of Tibetan people who are praying and listen to the chants of the lamas.

Visit the dormitory of a lama, which is not normally open to tourists. If you are curious about their lifestyle, religious beliefs, practices, and discipline, this is a great chance to get ask a lama face to face.

In the afternoon, visit Pudacuo National Park, which retains a well-preserved ecosystem in its virgin forests.

DAY 7 Shangri-la | Departure

Transfer to Shangri-La Airport.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

dali hotel
lijiang hotel

shangri-la hotel
FromCNY7,290 / USD1,120 p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Tour code: dal-3

china highlights' wechat code
Quickly inquire about this tour via our WeChat: chinahighlightstour

Or submit an inquiry below

*

*

*

China Highlights' wechat
Contact us via WeChat
We are here to help you...
start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

The China Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made by your personal travel advisor — a destination expert. Every reply will be within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy your personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have unparalleled flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Discover the hidden gems. Experience local culture by practicing it. Try new and exciting activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people.

Well-Selected Local Guides

Well-Selected Local Guides

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!

China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China their way. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience, more ...
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
Corporate Number: 914503003486045699
Featured on