5-Day Yunnan Itinerary 2026: Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

Three Yunnan icons in 5 days. Kunming (Stone Forest), Dali (Erhai Lake + Old Town), Lijiang (Naxi culture + Jade Dragon Snow Mountain).

5 天

total trip length · 4–10月 best

18 公里

total walking (3.6 km/day avg)

UNESCO World Heritage sites

$1,200

total per person (mid-range)

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What is this 5-day itinerary like?

中国UNESCO世界遗产行程:长城、故宫、兵马俑等。

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逐日行程

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Five days is the perfect Yunnan intro. Day 1: arrive Kunming, Stone Forest. Day 2: HSR to Dali, Erhai Lake, Dali Old Town. Day 3: Three Pagodas + drive to Lijiang (3h). Day 4: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day trip. Day 5: Lijiang Old Town, depart. Connects by HSR (fast) and the Lijiang-Dali highway (scenic). Best for travelers who want a taste of Yunnan's ethnic cultures, mountain scenery, and slower pace — a counterpoint to the busier Beijing/Shanghai cities.

Day 1 · 周一

Kunming: Stone Forest

Arrive Kunming · Day tour: Stone Forest (UNESCO, 1.5h drive, ¥175) · Green Lake Park evening

09:00Arrive Kunming
Arrive Kunming
11:00Day tour: Stone Forest
UNESCO, 1.5h drive, ¥175
13:00Green Lake Park evening
Green Lake Park evening

🏨今晚住宿Kunming central· L, D

Day 2 · 周二

Kunming → Dali

Morning: Yuantong Temple + Kunming Old Street · HSR Kunming → Dali (2h, $30) · Evening: Dali Old Town walk

09:00Morning: Yuantong Temple + Kunming Old Street
Morning: Yuantong Temple + Kunming Old Street
11:00HSR Kunming → Dali
2h, $30
13:00Evening: Dali Old Town walk
Evening: Dali Old Town walk

🏨今晚住宿Dali Old Town· B, D

Day 3 · 周三

Dali: Erhai Lake + Three Pagodas

Erhai Lake bike ride (full day, ¥100 bike rental) · Three Pagodas (¥75) · Local Bai minority village lunch

09:00Erhai Lake bike ride
full day, ¥100 bike rental
11:00Three Pagodas
¥75
13:00Local Bai minority village lunch
Local Bai minority village lunch

🏨今晚住宿same Dali· B, L

Day 4 · 周四

Dali → Lijiang + Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Morning drive Dali → Lijiang (3h, scenic) · Afternoon: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (¥200, cable car to 4500m) · Evening: Lijiang Old Town (UNESCO)

09:00Morning drive Dali → Lijiang
3h, scenic
11:00Afternoon: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
¥200, cable car to 4500m
13:00Evening: Lijiang Old Town
UNESCO

🏨今晚住宿Lijiang Old Town· B

Day 5 · 周五

Lijiang: depart

Morning: Black Dragon Pool + Naxi music · Depart from Lijiang Sanyi airport (flights to Kunming, Shanghai, Chengdu)

09:00Morning: Black Dragon Pool + Naxi music
Morning: Black Dragon Pool + Naxi music
11:00Depart from Lijiang Sanyi airport
flights to Kunming, Shanghai, Chengdu

✈️离开—· B