# Yunnan Travel Guide Kunming - Dali - Lijiang Travel Guide​ Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang in the land of colorful clouds are like three bright pearls embedded in the southwest

Kunming - Dali - Lijiang Travel Guide​ Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang in the land of colorful clouds are like three bright pearls embedded in the southwest, featuring both the elegance of landscape paintings and the sediment of ancient city history. This 6-day 5-night itinerary will immerse you in the natural wonders, ethnic customs, and local cuisine of these three places.​ Itinerary​ Day 1: Arrival in Kunming, encounter the gentleness of the Spring City​ Morning: Arrive at Kunming Changshui Airport. It is recommended to stay near Nanping Street or Kunming Old Street, with direct access to the subway and buses, plenty of nearby food options, and easy walking to explore the city's lively atmosphere.​ Afternoon: Visit Haigeng Dam at Dianchi Lake (from November to March, you can see Siberian red-billed gulls and interact with them by feeding), enjoy the romantic scenery of the "Spring City" amid lake and mountain views.​ Evening: Stroll through Kunming Old Street, try a steaming bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles (hot broth with rich ingredients), then bite into a freshly baked flower cake (fragrant rose filling with a crispy crust), and savor the flavors of Yunnan.​ Day 2: Stone Forest Wonders and Chuxiong Customs​ Morning: Head to the Stone Forest Scenic Area, a World Natural Heritage site. Listen to the legend of Ashima with the park guide and wander through the bizarre karst stone forest, feeling like you are in a geological museum.​ Afternoon: Drive to Chuxiong, take a short break on the way. Upon arrival, explore the Yi ethnic ancient town, admire the carved beams and painted buildings, experience Yi culture, and for dinner, be sure to try the fire pit barbecue (tender meat with a strong charcoal aroma).​ Day 3: Dali Adventures, the Romance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon​ Morning: Take a high-speed train to Dali and first visit "Santorini Ideal State," where the blue and white buildings are arranged beautifully, perfect for photos that look like you're "pretending to be in Greece."​ Afternoon: Rent a bicycle to ride along the Erhai Lake ecological corridor, enjoy the lake breeze and scenic views, and participate in a jeep photo tour at designated spots; in the evening, watch the sunset over Erhai Lake, with the glow dyeing the water red, creating a romantic silence.​ Evening: Have a meal of sour and spicy fish (the sourness of green papaya perfectly blends with the freshness of the fish), then stroll through Dali Ancient Town, see lanterns lighting up the bluestone paths, and feel the charm of the ancient town at night.​ Day 4: Lijiang Journey, a Duet of Snow Mountains and Ancient Town​ Morning: Visit Dali Ancient Town again early in the morning when it’s less crowded to enjoy its tranquil charm, then take a high-speed train to Lijiang.​ Afternoon: Head straight to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (book the Glacier Cableway ticket in advance), take the cable car up to 4,680 meters altitude, challenge your stamina while overlooking the majestic snow mountain; after descending, visit Blue Moon Valley, where the lake water is as blue as a gem, reflecting the snow mountain like a fairyland.​ Evening: Walk around Sifang Street in Lijiang Ancient Town, find a folk music bar to listen to songs, or try a pot of cured pork rib hotpot (ribs stewed until tender with a delicious broth), and experience the slow life in the ancient town at night.​ Day 5: Slow Time in Shuhe and Return to Kunming​ Morning: Visit Shuhe Ancient Town, which is more rustic and peaceful than Lijiang Ancient Town. You can relax in a café or try traditional crafts like Dongba paper making, enjoying a lazy time.​ Afternoon: Take a high-speed train back to Kunming. During free time, visit night markets to buy specialties like flower cakes and Pu'er tea, and experience the nightlife of the Spring City.​ Day 6: Departure from Kunming, pack springtime to take home​ Morning: Visit the flower market, where roses, lilies, carnations, and other fresh flowers are abundant and affordable. You can buy fresh cut flowers or dried flower products to bring the spring of Yunnan home.​ Afternoon: Head to the airport or train station according to your travel schedule, concluding this dreamy Kun-Da-Li trip.​ Transportation Guide​ External Transportation​ Fly directly to Kunming Changshui Airport (with many routes), or take a train to Kunming Station and start your trip from Kunming.​ Internal Transportation​ Kunming → Dali: High-speed train takes 2-2.5 hours, with many trains available, convenient and comfortable.​ Dali → Lijiang: High-speed train takes 1.5-2 hours, saving time compared to the bus (2.5-3 hours).​ Within cities: Taxis, buses, and shared bikes are all available; for Erhai Lake cycling, renting a bicycle or electric bike is recommended; for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can charter a car or take the park shuttle.​ Food Recommendations​ Kunming​ Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles: The broth is the soul, paired with rich ingredients, the boiling hot soup cooks the ingredients, creating layered flavors.​ Small Pot Rice Noodles: Rich and mellow broth wraps the smooth and chewy noodles, with meat sauce, chives, and other toppings, very delicious.​ Flower Cake: Best when freshly baked, with a crispy crust and sweet fragrant rose petal filling, perfectly blending floral and dough aromas.​ Xuanwei Ham: Salty and flavorful, can be eaten sliced directly or used in cooking.​ Dali​ Sour and Spicy Fish: Made with Erhai fish as the main ingredient, adding sour papaya and other seasonings, sour and appetizing, with tender fish meat.​ Grilled Milk Fan: Rich milky flavor, can be dipped in white sugar or rose sugar, crispy and sweet.​ Xizhou Baba: Available in sweet and savory flavors; sweet filling is rose sugar, savory is minced meat, with a crispy crust and soft filling.​ Sculpted Plum: Sour and sweet, can be eaten directly or used in desserts or drinks.​ Lijiang​ Cured Pork Rib Hotpot: Marinated ribs have a unique flavor, cooked in hotpot with rich broth and tender ribs.​ Naxi Grilled Fish: Fish grilled crispy outside and tender inside, served with various vegetables and unique sauces, spicy and tasty.​ Chickpea Jelly: Can be served cold or pan-fried; cold version is refreshing, pan-fried has a crispy exterior and soft interior.​ Wild Mushroom Hotpot in Summer: A variety of wild mushrooms in one pot, producing a fresh and delicious broth, incredibly tasty.​ Accommodation Suggestions​ Kunming​ Near Nanping Street / Kunming Old Street, recommended chain hotels like All Seasons and Hanting, convenient for travel and dining.​ Dali​ For proximity to Erhai Lake, choose a lakeside guesthouse (higher price); for ancient town atmosphere, stay in a characteristic inn inside Dali Ancient Town.​ Lijiang​ For lively atmosphere, stay in Lijiang Ancient Town inns; for tranquility, choose guesthouses in Shuhe Ancient Town (such as high-quality inns like Hua Jiantang).​ Travel Tips​ Sun Protection Essential: Yunnan has strong UV rays; sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are indispensable to avoid sunburn.​ Altitude Sickness: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is high altitude; prepare oxygen bottles in advance, and those with weaker constitution are advised to take altitude sickness medicine beforehand.​ Shopping Bargaining: When buying specialties like flower cakes and silver jewelry, pay attention to quality and bargain boldly (usually about 20% off).​ Booking in Advance: Tickets for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cableway and Erhai Lake photo tours should be booked in advance to avoid missing out on the day of travel.