# Northwest Yunnan Grand Loop: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake & Shangri-La A private 11-day loop through northwest Yunnan — Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake and Shangri-La — with your own car and driver-guide, no shopping stops, and a gentler version of every single day. Snow mountains, sacred lakes and old towns, climbing from 1,890 m to a highest night at 3,300 m. ## At a glance | | | | --- | --- | | Route | [Kunming](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/kunming) · [Dali](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/dali) · [Lijiang](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/lijiang) · [Lugu Lake](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/lugu-lake) · [Shangri-La](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/shangri-la) | | Length | 11 days / 10 nights, private, your group only, no shopping stops | | Highest night | 3,300 m — Shangri-La, Day 9 | | Highest point | 4,680 m on Day 5 (the gentle version goes lower) | | Walking | 2k–12k steps a day; gentle version ≤5k steps | | Longest drive | ~4 h, Lijiang ↔ Lugu Lake, winding road | | Best months | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov | | From, per person | ¥7,888 CNY (≈ US$1,181 · €1,053 · S$1,511 at site reference rates; the written quote is in CNY) | The from-price is per person, based on 6 guests sharing twin rooms, 4-diamond hotels, regular season. Asking for a price is free, and you get a written quote. ## Is this trip right for you? Great for: - Travellers who want mountains, lakes and culture in one trip - Grandparents who can walk 30–40 min at a time (gentle option each day) - Kids 6+ who enjoy boats, bikes and campfires Think twice if: - Anyone advised by a doctor to avoid altitude above 3,000 m - Travellers who get badly car-sick (Day 7–8 winding road; we offer a skip-Lugu version) - Travellers who want a hotel-based, very low-walking city break What the trip gives you: - Private car and driver-guide for your family only. No shopping stops. - Five places in one loop, with high-speed trains for the long legs. - Unhurried pace: a gentler option is ready for every single day. ## Altitude, step by step Sleeping altitude climbs gradually: 1,890 → 1,980 → 2,400 → 2,690 → 2,400 → 3,300 → 1,890 m. If anyone has heart or lung conditions, please check with a doctor before booking. Steps and drive times are estimates for planning. Altitudes are from public data. Your guide adjusts on the day. ## Day by day, standard and gentle versions ### Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, the Spring City - **Stay:** Kunming, sleeping altitude 1,890 m - **Standard plan:** Airport pickup. Free evening on Kunming Old Street and Nanqiang Street for local snacks. About 4,000 steps, highest point 1,890 m. - **Gentle plan:** Airport pickup, rest at the hotel, dinner a short walk away. About 1,500 steps, highest point 1,890 m. - **Stairs:** None - **Travel:** Airport → hotel ~40 min - **Meals:** Own arrangement · try “crossing-the-bridge” rice noodles on the old streets - **Rest:** Whole evening free ### Day 2: High-speed train to Dali — Shuanglang & the lakeside - **Stay:** Dali, sleeping altitude 1,980 m - **Standard plan:** Start 08:00, about 9,000 steps, highest point 2,100 m. 09:00 train to Dali. Shuanglang Ancient Town, Wenbi Village "Rainbow Road" with lake views, then the white "Santorini" resort town. - **Gentle plan:** Start 08:30, about 5,000 steps, highest point 2,100 m. Same train. Shuanglang by the water, lakeside coffee stop, drive to the resort town's top terrace for photos. - **Stairs:** Many steps in the hillside resort town; gentle version skips the hill climb and views from the upper terrace - **Travel:** Train 2 h + car ~1.5 h in total (gentle: train 2 h + car ~1 h) - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · Lunch by Erhai Lake: Bai-style fish and local cheese (rushan) - **Rest:** Coffee break by the lake (~45 min) ### Day 3: Erhai sunrise, bike the lake path, tie-dye in Xizhou - **Stay:** Dali, sleeping altitude 1,980 m - **Standard plan:** Start 06:30, about 10,000 steps, highest point 1,990 m. Sunrise at Longkan Pier, cycle the eco-corridor to the famous S-bend, afternoon tie-dye workshop in a Bai courtyard, little train through the fields. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:00, about 4,500 steps, highest point 1,990 m. Sleep in, electric sightseeing cart instead of bikes, seated tie-dye class, little train. - **Stairs:** Flat - **Travel:** ~1 h in short hops - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · lunch and dinner as on Day 2 - **Rest:** Long, unhurried lunch - **With kids:** Kids love the tie-dye and the little train; child bikes available ### Day 4: Dali Old Town, then drive to Lijiang - **Stay:** Lijiang, sleeping altitude 2,400 m - **Standard plan:** Start 09:00, about 9,000 steps, highest point 2,400 m. Morning in Dali Old Town and Wuhua Tower. Afternoon drive to Lijiang; evening in the old town by the waterwheel. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:30, about 5,000 steps, highest point 2,400 m. Short loop in Dali, drive with a tea stop, hotel close to the old town gate so the evening walk is short. - **Stairs:** Wuhua Tower stairs and cobblestones in Lijiang; gentle version skips the tower and does a short old-town loop - **Travel:** Dali → Lijiang ~2.5 h (gentle: ~2.5 h with a rest stop) - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · Naxi dinner in Lijiang; your guide can order mild dishes for kids and grandparents - **Rest:** Tea stop on the drive - **Note:** First night at 2,400 m — drink water, go easy tonight ### Day 5: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Blue Moon Valley - **Stay:** Lijiang, sleeping altitude 2,400 m - **Standard plan:** Start 08:00, about 11,000 steps, highest point 4,680 m. Big cable car to Glacier Park (4,506 m), optional climb to 4,680 m. Blue Moon Valley lakes, afternoon in quiet Shuhe Old Town. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:15, about 4,500 steps, highest point 3,240 m. Swap to the Spruce Meadow cable car (~3,240 m, flat boardwalk). Blue Moon Valley by electric cart. Back to Lijiang for an unhurried lunch and a tea break. - **Stairs:** ~450 boardwalk steps at 4,500 m+; gentle version is minimal — flat forest boardwalk - **Travel:** ~45 min each way - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · simple lunch near the mountain or back in Lijiang town; bring snacks for the cable car - **Rest:** Gentle version: tea break in town after lunch - **With kids:** Under-12s — we recommend the gentle option too - **Note:** Highest point of the trip. For 70+ or anyone with heart/lung conditions we recommend the gentle option; please ask a doctor first. ### Day 6: Yuhu Village & Baisha Old Town - **Stay:** Lijiang, sleeping altitude 2,400 m - **Standard plan:** Start 09:00, about 7,000 steps, highest point 2,700 m. Stone-built Naxi village under the snow peaks and Joseph Rock's former home. Afternoon murals and craft workshops in Baisha. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:30, about 4,000 steps, highest point 2,700 m. Yuhu lakeside viewpoint by car, Baisha courtyard tea. A recovery day after the mountain. - **Stairs:** Some uneven stone paths; gentle version has short flat sections only - **Travel:** ~40 min each way - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · courtyard lunch in Baisha - **Rest:** Easy day, free late afternoon ### Day 7: Over the mountains to Lugu Lake - **Stay:** Lugu Lake, sleeping altitude 2,690 m - **Standard plan:** Start 08:00, about 7,000 steps, highest point 2,900 m. Scenic drive through the "Eighteen Bends". Wooden boat to Liwubi Island, Lovers' Beach, Lige viewpoint, Xiaoluoshui Mosuo village, bonfire dance at night. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:00, about 4,000 steps, highest point 2,900 m. Rest stop every hour on the road. Boat ride, viewpoint by car, early night; bonfire optional. - **Stairs:** Steps up to Lige viewpoint; gentle version goes by car to the viewpoint top - **Travel:** ~4 h winding mountain road (gentle: ~4.5 h with a stop every hour) - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · Mosuo-style dinner by the lake: grilled fish and yak butter tea - **Rest:** Hourly road stops; bonfire optional - **Note:** Winding road — not great for car sickness. Skip-Lugu version: 2 more relaxed days around Lijiang. ### Day 8: Lugu Lake sunrise, Mosuo village, back to Lijiang - **Stay:** Lijiang, sleeping altitude 2,400 m - **Standard plan:** Start 06:30, about 6,000 steps, highest point 2,900 m. Sunrise over the lake, visit a Mosuo "grandmother's house" for butter tea and stories, drive back along the Jinsha River. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:00, about 3,000 steps, highest point 2,900 m. Watch sunrise from a lake-view room (we request one), Mosuo home visit, unhurried drive back. - **Stairs:** Flat - **Travel:** ~4 h back to Lijiang (gentle: ~4.5 h with stops) - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · roadside lunch stop; dinner back in Lijiang - **Rest:** Hourly road stops ### Day 9: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Pudacuo National Park - **Stay:** Shangri-La, sleeping altitude 3,300 m - **Standard plan:** Start 08:00, about 12,000 steps, highest point 3,700 m. One of the world's deepest gorges, down to Tiger Leaping Rock. Afternoon boardwalks at Shudu Lake and Bitahai in Pudacuo. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:00, about 5,000 steps, highest point 3,700 m. Gorge from the upper platform. Pudacuo by park bus with one short boardwalk section. - **Stairs:** Steep stairs down to the river and back up; gentle version uses the upper viewing platform only - **Travel:** ~2 h + ~1.5 h - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · Tibetan hotpot or yak meat dishes in Shangri-La - **Rest:** Lunch stop between the two sites - **Note:** Highest night of the trip (3,300 m). Walk slowly, no hot shower right after arrival, tell your guide if you feel unwell. ### Day 10: Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong, train to Kunming - **Stay:** Kunming, sleeping altitude 1,890 m - **Standard plan:** Start 08:30, about 9,000 steps, highest point 3,300 m. The "Little Potala Palace" in morning light, then Dukezong Old Town and the giant prayer wheel. Evening train to Kunming. - **Gentle plan:** Start 09:00, about 4,500 steps, highest point 3,300 m. Monastery reflection photo from the lake path, slow lunch, old town café, evening train. - **Stairs:** ~150 steps to the main hall, plus Guishan Park steps; gentle version views the monastery from the lake and skips the Guishan steps - **Travel:** Short hops + evening train - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast · lunch in the old town; packed dinner for the train - **Rest:** Café rest before the train ### Day 11: Fly home from Kunming - **Stay:** Home - **Standard plan:** Airport drop-off timed to your flight. About 2,000 steps, highest point 1,890 m. - **Gentle plan:** Same — airport drop-off timed to your flight. About 2,000 steps, highest point 1,890 m. - **Stairs:** None - **Travel:** Hotel → airport ~40 min - **Meals:** Hotel breakfast - **Rest:** Late checkout on request ## Meals & local food Breakfast is included at every hotel. Lunches and dinners are booked by your guide and paid at the table. - **Kunming:** crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, wild mushroom dishes. Mushroom season is Jun–Sep; your guide picks trusted restaurants. - **Dali:** Erhai lake fish, rushan cheese, Xizhou baba flatbread. Many Bai dishes are sour-spicy; ask for "bu la" (not spicy). - **Lijiang:** Naxi grilled fish, chicken bean jelly, baba. Old-town restaurants are busy at 7pm; we book ahead. - **Lugu Lake:** grilled fish, preserved pork, butter tea. Fewer choices than in town; tell us about any dietary needs early. - **Shangri-La:** yak hotpot, tsampa, highland barley. Eat light on the first night at altitude. Dietary needs: - Vegetarian, allergies or no spicy food: tell your travel designer before booking - Your driver-guide explains your needs to each restaurant in Chinese - Mild dishes for kids and grandparents on request ## Hotels & transport Well-rated 4-diamond hotels with lifts. Rooms near the lift on request for older travellers. A 5-diamond upgrade is available. | Group | Vehicle | Luggage | | --- | --- | --- | | 2–3 guests | 5-seat sedan / SUV | 3 large suitcases | | 4–6 guests | 7–9 seat van | 6 large suitcases | | 7–10 guests | 14-seat minibus | 10 large suitcases | ## What your group will pay Estimate your whole group, then ask for a written quote. An estimate is not a booking. The price depends on how many adults and children travel, whether anyone needs a single room, and the season. As an example from the on-page estimator, 4 adults and 2 children (2–11, own bed), no single rooms, 4-diamond hotels in regular season comes to an estimated ¥43,384 CNY for the group, which is a per-person average across the group. Per-adult prices also step down as the group gets bigger (1–2 pax, 3–4 pax, 5–6 pax, 7+ pax). Infants under 2 travel free. Estimate only. Your travel designer sends a written quote with the currency locked, valid for 7 days. Included: - 10 nights in well-rated 4-diamond hotels (one lake-view room in Dali) - Private car the whole way, sized for your group; second-class high-speed train tickets - Entrance tickets for all listed sights - Professional driver-guide - Travel accident & liability insurance - 10 hotel breakfasts - Airport pickup and drop-off Not included: - International flights - Lunches and dinners (we book and guide you; you pay at the table) - Optional rides inside parks (electric carts, park buses) - Tips (optional, never expected) - Visa fees if your passport needs one What can change the price: - Peak dates (Chinese New Year, 1–7 Oct, Jul–Aug) cost more - Single room supplement if someone needs their own room - Snow mountain cable car may close in bad weather: refunded at cost ## Paying & cancelling 1. **Free plan & quote** — change it until it fits. You pay nothing. 2. **30% deposit** — only after you approve the written plan and sign the contract. 3. **Balance** — 30 days before arrival. Booking later? Full payment, told upfront. | If you cancel | We keep | | --- | --- | | 7 or more days before departure | 10% of the total tour price, the rest is refunded | | 6–4 days before departure | 20% of the total tour price, the rest is refunded | | 3–1 days before departure | 40% of the total tour price, the rest is refunded | | On the day the trip starts | 60% of the total tour price, the rest is refunded | | After the trip has started | 60%, plus a share of the other 40% for each day travelled | If you leave this 11-day trip early, the share we keep rises for each day already travelled, starting with the first day and going up to the last. The exact percentage for each departure day is printed in the day-by-day table of your contract. The day you leave counts as a day travelled, and the rest is refunded. Train and flight tickets we bought for you follow the carrier's own rules. Payment methods and who receives your money: [payment and licence details](https://unclepandatravel.com/licence-payment#payment). ## Who is in charge of this trip Names and phone numbers go into your confirmation pack 7 days before you fly. Travel designer: David Hu · replies 08:30–22:00 your time · asking is free. Ready to price it for your group? [Get a written quote](https://unclepandatravel.com/quote?route=YN11). --- - Source page: https://unclepandatravel.com/tours/yunnan-11d - Language: English · Updated: 2026-10-22 - Operator: Hunan Panda International Travel Service Co., Ltd. (Uncle Panda Travel), licensed China travel agency, licence L-HUN-304745 - Contact: service@unclepandatravel.com · WhatsApp +8615580812229 - Site index for AI: https://unclepandatravel.com/llms.txt