The Ultimate Northwest Yunnan: 11-Day, 10-Night Grand Loop of Sacred Lakes in the Snowy Highlands

We will meet you at Kunming Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kunming. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore—we recommend visiting Kunming Old Street, Nanping Street, and Nanqiang Street to sample authentic local cuisine.

Take a high-speed train to Dali around 9:00 AM (a two-hour journey). Upon arrival, head to Shuanglang Ancient Town—renowned as the premier ancient town on Erhai Lake—and stroll through it to experience the local atmosphere.
Next, head to Wenbi Village—a picturesque spot on the eastern shore of Erhai Lake—to visit the famous "Rainbow Road," enjoy a coffee, and take in the magnificent scenery of the lake.
Finally, we headed to Lixiangbang Resort Town, often referred to as the "Santorini of Dali." With its unique architectural style set against the stunning scenery of Erhai Lake, it is well worth a visit.

Set out early for Longkan Pier in Dali to witness the sunrise over Erhai Lake and the serene atmosphere of this ancient ferry crossing amidst the morning light. Afterward, cycle along the ecological corridor—winding through wetlands, villages, and bald cypress groves—to reach the famous "S-Bend," where you can capture the soothing beauty of Erhai Lake’s most picturesque curve.
In the afternoon, head to the ancient town of Xizhou to try your hand at the traditional tie-dyeing craft within a century-old Bai-style courtyard, creating a unique souvenir using indigo dye derived from the Isatis plant. Afterward, stroll through Sifang Street, sample the local Xizhou baba (flatbread), and take a ride on a charming small train that winds through the wheat fields, allowing you to experience the sight of the wind rippling across the golden stalks.

Set off in the morning for Dali Ancient City; stroll through this thousand-year-old former capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake; wander amidst the artistic atmosphere of Foreigner’s Street and Renmin Road; ascend Wuhua Tower for a panoramic view of the ancient city; and immerse yourself in the leisurely pace and rich heritage of Bai culture.
After a drive of approximately two and a half hours, you arrive at Lijiang Old Town in the afternoon. Amidst Sifang Street, the Mu Residence, and the Great Waterwheel, you can sense the enduring legacy of the Naxi people—listening to the sounds of streams flowing beneath small bridges and gazing at the myriad lights of the town. As folk music drifts from the bar street, you experience the gentle, romantic charm of this living "Tea Horse Road" town.

Set off for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the morning and take the large cable car directly to Glacier Park; at an altitude of 4,680 meters, gaze up at the towering peaks capped with eternal snow and experience the vastness and sanctity of the high-altitude landscape.
Next, descend the mountain to visit Blue Moon Valley; stroll along the terraced white travertine pools and gaze at the dreamlike Tiffany-blue waters—colored by rich copper ion content—while capturing the stunning "Little Jiuzhai" scenery framed by the reflection of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain peaks.
In the afternoon, I headed to the ancient town of Shuhe. I wandered through a Tea-Horse Road outpost—quieter than the Dayan Old Town—walked across the smooth stone slabs of the Qinglong Bridge, listened to the murmuring waters of Jiuding Longtan, and enjoyed a cup of tea in a Naxi-style courtyard, immersing myself in the leisurely pace of life in this ancient town with a thousand-year history.

Depart from Lijiang Old Town in the morning for Yuhu Village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; explore this ancient Naxi village built from volcanic stone, gaze at the reflection of the snow-capped peaks in Yuhu Lake, step into the former residence of Joseph Rock to trace the footsteps of an expedition from a century ago, and immerse yourself in the pristine tranquility where snow-capped mountains, meadows, and stone houses intertwine.

In the afternoon, head to Baisha Ancient Town and stroll through the ancestral heartland of the Naxi people. Amidst streets that have preserved their thousand-year-old character, view the Baisha Murals and gaze out at the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; wandering between artisan workshops and rustic courtyards, experience the legacy of the Ancient Tea Horse Road—an atmosphere more tranquil than Dayan and more authentic than Shuhe.

Departing from Lijiang in the morning, drive through the magnificent canyon scenery of the "Lijiang-Ninglang Eighteen Bends" to reach Lugu Lake. There, board a traditional "pig-trough boat" to visit Liwubi Island—one of the three islands in the lake known collectively as the "Three Islands of Penglai" (alongside Xiewa'e Island and Lige Island)—and soak in the serene atmosphere of this secluded lakeside sanctuary, framed by the Liwubi Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and its pristine white stupas.
Next, embark on a tour around the lake: stroll along Lover's Beach in the Wakua Bay, gazing at the reflection of Goddess Gemu Mountain amidst the soft sands and swaying willows; ascend to the Lige Observation Deck to look down from the hillside at the iconic panoramic view of the heart-shaped Lige Peninsula jutting into the water; then visit Xiaoluoshui Village—surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the water on the other—an ancient Mosuo settlement hailed as a "living fossil of the matriarchal clan system," where you can experience the most authentic Mosuo culture at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan.
As night falls, join the Mosuo people’s Jiacuo dance gathering beside a roaring bonfire; hand in hand with locals dressed in traditional finery, immerse yourself in the enduring cultural legacy of the "Oriental Kingdom of Daughters" amidst the music, dance, and starry sky.

At dawn, I waited by the shores of Lugu Lake for the first rays of light, watching the rising sun slowly illuminate the silhouette of Goddess Gemu Mountain and turn the lake’s surface into a shimmering expanse of scattered gold; amidst the morning mist, "pig-trough boats" appeared and vanished like visions in a fairyland. Afterward, I ventured into a Mosuo village and stepped into a traditional "grandmother's house" to hear an elder recount stories of the "walking marriage" custom and the matrilineal family structure; while savoring butter tea and tsampa, I immersed myself in the timeless rhythm of life in this "Kingdom of Women." In the afternoon, I bade farewell to this pristine sanctuary and traveled back to Lijiang along the winding "Lining Eighteen Bends" mountain road, reflecting—amidst the magnificent scenery of the Jinsha River Gorge—on the lake, the mountains, and the warmth shared around the hearth.

In the morning, we will depart from Lijiang and head to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest gorges. We will witness the Jinsha River roaring like an angry dragon and galloping like ten thousand horses between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and stand on the viewing platform to overlook the magnificent spectacle of Tiger Leaping Rock.
In the afternoon, arrive at Pudacuo National Park—China’s first national park. Stroll along the boardwalk at Shudu Lake, gaze out at herds of yaks grazing on the Militang Alpine Meadow, and immerse yourself in the serenity and clarity of Bitahai Lake, a sparkling gem of the plateau. Amidst a "spiritual sanctuary" where primeval forests, alpine meadows, wetlands, and lakes intertwine, experience the purest gifts of nature that Shangri-La has to offer.

In the morning, visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery—often hailed as the "Little Potala Palace." Built against the backdrop of Foping Mountain, it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province. Gaze up at the complex of ancient structures—where the main hall’s gilded bronze tiles intermingle with white watchtowers—amidst the morning light; capture the iconic image of the golden roof reflected in the waters of Lamu Yangcuo Lake; and immerse yourself in the purest expressions of faith and cultural heritage found in the Kham Tibetan region.

Spend the afternoon strolling through Dukezong Ancient Town—a key hub on the historic Tea Horse Road and a "City of Moonlight" (its Tibetan name translates to "Castle Built on Stone"). Wander among Tibetan-style watchtowers with whitewashed walls, climb Guishan Park to join others in turning the world’s largest gilded prayer wheel (standing 21 meters tall), and immerse yourself in the unhurried pace of highland life, where snow-capped peaks and prayer flags blend with the rhythms of everyday human existence.

In the evening, take the bullet train to Kunming and rest.

In Kunming, airport drop-off is arranged based on your return flight time, concluding your delightful journey through Yunnan.