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Private Yunnan Journey: Kunming to Shangri-La

Follow a northbound Yunnan route linking Kunming with Dali, Lijiang and the higher landscapes around Shangri-La.

Route map

Schematic route · not to scale

KunmingDaliLijiangShangri-La
Route stop

Explore this destination

Begin in Kunming

Use Kunming as the starting point for the journey and agree on how much time to spend there before continuing. Flight or rail arrival, hotel check-in and any first-day visit need to fit the actual arrival time. A relaxed opening can be preferable to adding a long transfer immediately after an overnight flight.

Continue to Dali

The next stage brings a different pace and setting. The program can be shaped around the old town and its surrounding landscape, with the individual visits and walking time selected during planning. The point of a private route is to leave room to look around rather than treat Dali simply as a stop between hotels.

Spend time in Lijiang

Lijiang forms another overnight base in the retained itinerary. Discuss whether you want more time for streets and local culture or a greater emphasis on excursions outside the town. Transfer days and sightseeing days are balanced before the number of nights is fixed.

Travel toward Shangri-La

The final stage reaches a higher-elevation environment. The route, accommodation and daily pace should reflect that change. Your proposal identifies the departure point for the end of the trip, whether you continue elsewhere in China or retrace part of the journey.

Planning your visit

We confirm the transport between each base and the attractions included at each stop. Share your interests, available nights and altitude concerns before the itinerary is priced.

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