Dream of Yunnan: 5 Days 4 Nights Boutique Tour โ Lijiang & Dali
Snow mountains, ancient towns, and lakeside romance โ a cultural escape designed for international travelers.
- China
- 5 days
- January - March
Description
Embark on a 5-day journey through Yunnanโs most enchanting destinations. From the mystical Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the poetic Erhai Lake and Santorini-inspired town of Dali, this boutique tour combines natural beauty, ethnic heritage, and unforgettable experiences. Perfect for travelers seeking a curated, stress-free adventure in China.
๐งญ Tour Highlights
๐จ Charming Boutique Hotels: Stay in handpicked guesthouses located in ancient towns, blending comfort with local character.
โ๏ธ Snow Mountain Adventure: Ride a scenic cable car to Spruce Meadow on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain โ a place of myth, legend, and breathtaking views.
๐ Tea Horse Road Experience: Enjoy a guided horseback ride through Lashi Lake wetlands, retracing the footsteps of ancient caravans.
๐ธ Iconic Photo Moments: Jeep safari around Erhai Lake, Sky Mirror photography, and Santorini-style townscapes in Ideal Town.
๐ Authentic Local Flavors: Savor traditional Yunnan and Bai minority dishes โ from fresh flowers to mountain spices.
๐ Stress-Free Travel: No shopping traps, no hidden fees. Just immersive travel with everything included.
๐จโ๐ซ Expert Team: Operated by seasoned local guides and a reliable support team, fluent in English and passionate about Yunnan.
Itinerary
๐ฌ Day 1: Arrival in Lijiang โ Gateway to Yunnanโs Ancient Beauty
Welcome to Lijiang, one of Chinaโs most enchanting destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you arrive by plane or train, our local driver will greet you warmly and provide a comfortable private transfer to your boutique guesthouse nestled in the heart of Lijiang Old Town.
As you settle into your room, youโll find yourself surrounded by classic Chinese architecture โ curved rooftops, wooden beams, and stone-paved courtyards. The air is crisp, the sky vast, and the sound of trickling water from narrow streams brings instant calm.
You are free to explore the surroundings at your own pace this evening. Take a slow walk through the charming alleyways of the old town, lit by red lanterns and lined with artisan shops, tea houses, and quiet canals. Feel the rhythm of local life as music drifts from open courtyards and locals gather around small bridges.
This is not just your arrival โ itโs the beginning of a timeless journey.
๐ Highlights:
Private airport/train station pickup service
Boutique guesthouse check-in in Lijiang Old Town
Free evening to explore the cobbled streets, lantern-lit lanes, and peaceful rivers of the ancient town
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals: No meals included today โ enjoy exploring local flavors on your own
๐จ Accommodation: Boutique guesthouse in Lijiang (example: Jin Ning Zhi You, Hanbang Haoyuan, or similar)
๐๏ธ Day 2: Lashi Lake ยท Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ยท Shuhe Ancient Town ยท Lijiang Old Town
After breakfast, your day begins with a scenic drive to Lashi Lake, a peaceful highland wetland on the outskirts of Lijiang. Here, you’ll take a guided horseback ride along the ancient Tea Horse Road, a historic trade route once used by caravans transporting tea, salt, and silk across the Himalayas. The experience offers not only natural beauty, but a sense of cultural connection with the past. (Horse ride included)
Then, ascend into the clouds as we venture to the legendary Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, often called the โSwiss Alps of the East.โ You’ll ride a cable car to Spruce Meadow, a forested alpine plateau shrouded in mist and myth. According to Naxi legend, this is the gateway to the โThird Kingdom of Jade Dragonโ โ a place of eternal peace and harmony. Surrounded by ancient cloud spruce trees and backed by towering snow-capped peaks, it’s a truly magical experience.
On the way, pass through Gan Haizi meadow and visit the scenic Baishui River, where glacial meltwaters create strikingly blue streams flowing over white limestone beds.
After descending, continue to Shuhe Ancient Town, a well-preserved Naxi village with cobbled paths, willow-lined streams, and fewer crowds than Lijiangโs main town. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Lijiang Old Town, where you can stroll through Sifang Street, lined with shops, cafรฉs, and stone bridges. The gentle pace of life, traditional architecture, and soft music in the air make it a relaxing and memorable end to your day.
๐ Highlights:
Horseback riding through Lashi Lake wetland (Tea Horse Road)
Cable car to Spruce Meadow on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Scenic stops at Gan Haizi and Baishui River
Visits to Shuhe Ancient Town and Sifang Street in Lijiang
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals: Breakfast ยท Lunch
๐จ Accommodation: Boutique guesthouse in Lijiang (same as Day 1)
๐ Day 3: Erhai Lake ยท Jinsuo Island ยท Ideal Town (Santorini of China)
ย After breakfast, depart Lijiang and drive toward the scenic town of Dali, famed for its โWind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon.โ The road hugs the eastern edge of Erhai Lake, offering serene views of the crystal-clear water and distant Cangshan Mountains.
Your first destination is Shuanglang Town, where youโll board a ferry boat to Jinsuo Island. Known as the โGolden Shuttle,โ this island rests quietly in the middle of Erhai Lake. Here, youโll watch a lively cultural performance at the Dragon Palace Theater, featuring traditional dances inspired by the blooming rapeseed fields. As the boat approaches, the islandโs unique shape โ long and narrow like a weaverโs shuttle โ becomes visible, giving insight into its poetic name.
After returning to shore, itโs time for a truly photogenic experience: the Sky Mirror photo spot, a lakeside area known for its glass domes, floating walkways, and surreal reflections of sky and water. This is a must-stop for iconic travel photography. (We recommend wearing bright or solid-colored clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the best photos.)
Later, youโll visit one of Daliโs most Instagram-worthy villages โ Ideal Town, also known as โChinaโs Santorini.โ Here, whitewashed buildings with cobalt blue rooftops mimic the Mediterranean aesthetic, but with a uniquely Yunnan twist. The air is soft, the pace is slow, and every corner feels like a photo shoot set.
Youโll end the day checking into a boutique hotel in Dali, where you can rest and reflect on the dreamlike scenes of the day.
๐ Highlights:
Scenic drive along Erhai Lake
Ferry ride to Jinsuo Island with live cultural show (Dragon Palace + Flower Dance)
Sky Mirror photo area with glass domes
Ideal Town (Santorini-style lakeside village)
Boutique hotel stay in Dali
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals: Breakfast ยท Lunch ยท Dinner
๐จ Accommodation: Boutique hotel or guesthouse in Dali
๐ Day 4: Dali Old Town ยท Jeep Safari Photo Tour ยท Scenic S-Bend Highway ยท Return to Lijiang
Begin your day with a stroll through the historic Dali Old Town, once the capital of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom. This charming walled town sits at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains, surrounded by traditional Bai-style architecture featuring ornate wooden balconies, blue-and-white motifs, and quiet courtyards.
Take your time exploring the Foreigner Street (Huguo Road) โ a vibrant pedestrian lane known for its cafรฉs, handicraft shops, and blend of local and international vibes. Youโll also get a sense of how Dali blends ancient traditions with modern-day creativity.
After lunch, get ready for an unforgettable experience: a convertible Jeep Safari along Erhai Lake. With a personal driver who also acts as your photographer, youโll head to one of Daliโs most iconic photo zones. The Jeep ride covers about 10 minutes on the road before reaching a scenic stop where youโll have around 50 minutes for a full photo shoot. Capture candid, windswept shots with the lake, sky, and mountains as your backdrop. Itโs a highlight designed for memories that last.
As the day winds down, youโll begin the drive back to Lijiang, following the breathtaking S-Bend Highway โ a curving stretch of road along hillsides and lakeshores that feels more like a painting than a highway. Each turn reveals a new view: fields of wildflowers, shining rooftops, and shifting clouds over the water.
Arrive in Lijiang in the evening and return to your guesthouse for a restful night.
๐ Highlights:
Explore Dali Old Town with Bai ethnic culture
Visit Foreigner Street (Huguo Road) for local crafts and coffee
Convertible Jeep tour with professional photo session (Erhai Lake)
Scenic return drive along the S-Bend Road
Return to Lijiang
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals: Breakfast ยท Lunch
๐จ Accommodation: Boutique guesthouse in Lijiang (same as previous nights)
โ๏ธ Day 5: Farewell to Yunnan โ Departure from Lijiang
After breakfast, your journey comes to a peaceful close. Depending on your departure time, our driver will transfer you to Lijiang Airport or the train station.
Take these final moments to stroll once more through the ancient alleys of Lijiang Old Town, enjoy a last cup of local tea, or simply sit quietly by the stream and listen to the gentle sound of water flowing beneath the arched stone bridges.
As you leave behind the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the serene waters of Erhai Lake, and the unforgettable charm of Dali and Lijiang, youโll take with you not just photosโbut lasting memories of Chinaโs timeless beauty and cultural soul.
Thank you for traveling with us โ we hope to see you again somewhere in China.
๐ Highlights:
Morning at leisure (optional short walk or relaxing time)
Private transfer to Lijiang Airport or train station
Tour services officially conclude
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals: Breakfast
๐จ Accommodation: โ (Check-out before departure)
And just like that, your journey through Yunnan concludes โ but the memories, the tastes, the colors, and the quiet beauty will stay with you. Until we meet again.
Accommodation
Includes & Excludes
๐ฐ Included โ All-Inclusive Package
๐ซ All entrance fees listed in the itinerary (including previous optional/extra activities)
๐จ 4 nights boutique accommodation (based on double occupancy)
๐ All ground transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
๐ฝ๏ธ 4 breakfasts & 5 local-style meals (each table with 10 dishes, adjusted for group size)
๐งญ Certified English-speaking guide for the entire trip
โ๏ธ Airport/train station pickup & drop-off in Lijiang
๐ Scenic Shuttle & Ride Tickets Included:
Lashi Lake Horse Ride (ยฅ260)
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cable Car + Spruce Meadow Shuttle
Baishui River Eco Shuttle
Dali Old Town Electric Cart (ยฅ35)
Erhai Lake Ferry to Jinsuo Island
Jeep Safari with Photographer (Erhai Lake)
๐ Bonus Cultural Experiences:
Sky Mirror Photo Stop
Santorini-style Ideal Town in Dali
Shuhe Ancient Town Walk
Naxi Cultural Legends at Spruce Meadow
๐ All activities listed above are included in the tour fee. No hidden charges, no shopping stops.
