Lijiang, Dali, Lugu Lake | 7 Days and 6 Nights in Northwest Yunnan

| A 7-day, 6-night in-depth travel guide to Northwest Yunnan. Follow me to unlock the same healing experience as seen in "Meet Yourself," and capture stunning travel photos to share on social media! 📅 Itinerary Overview Days 1-2: Lijiang Old Town Slow Life → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Days 3-4: Dali Erhai Lake Cycling → Xizhou Pastoral Hideaway Days 5-7: Lugu Lake Mosuo Culture → Poetry and Dreams Under the Stars 👏👏👏 You can slow down the pace and don't have to visit every place. Travel is not about rushing through. Each place has its unique scenery. Perhaps leaving some regrets will give you a reason to return in the future. 🏔️ Lijiang | A Millennium Dialogue Between Snow Mountains and Ancient City 📌 Must-Do Experiences 1. Exploring Dayan Old Town - 7:00 AM: Enjoy the empty Sifang Street, capture the serene atmosphere of the ancient alleys with the sound of flowing water. - Evening: Ascend Lion Hill to Wangulou Pavilion for a panoramic view of the old town, bathed in the golden glow of the sunset. - Nightlife: Check out the hidden gem "Hope You Are Here" for hand-drip coffee and folk music, away from the bustling bar street. （☺️ There are also Shuhe Ancient Town and Baisha Ancient Town. Follow your heart and go wherever you want.） 2. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Day Trip - Glacier Park Cable Car: Book tickets 3 days in advance! Ascend to 4,680 meters. Remember to bring oxygen and a windproof jacket. (Tickets for the main cable car are hard to get, usually reserved for higher-priced tours. Also, it may be closed due to weather conditions. You can visit the Spruce Meadow on the smaller cable car, which is close to Blue Moon Valley.) - Blue Moon Valley: Avoid the midday sun. Shoot at 10:00 AM or 3:00 PM for emerald-blue waters. Don't miss the White Water Terraces! - Hidden Gem: Explore the Naxi ancient village of Yuhu Village on horseback at the foot of the mountain. It's less crowded and more authentic. 🌊 Dali | 130 km Around Erhai Lake, Encountering Romance 📌 Itinerary Highlights 1. Cycling along the West Bank of Erhai Lake - Route: Longkan Wharf → Caicun → Panxi S-bend (Arrive at 7:00 AM to capture the iconic bend without the crowds.) - Hidden Spot: The Lone Tree on the Covered Bridge (search for "Haiyu No.1 Seaview Inn" on your map). It's perfect for cinematic shots. 2. Xizhou Ancient Town In-depth Tour - Rice Paddy Cafe: Pessoa Cafe. Order a Lava Coffee and watch the wind blow through the fields. - Tie-Dye Experience: Create your own blue and white scarf at the Puzhen Tie-Dye Museum in Zhoucheng (80 CNY/person). 3. Shuanglang Sunset Feast - Lakeside Restaurant: Muxi Dali Dessert Garden. Minimum spend is 200 CNY per person, but the sunset over Erhai Lake is worth every penny! 🚗 Transportation Tips - Rent a pink Volkswagen Beetle for Erhai Lake (approx. 300 CNY/day) for amazing photos. For cycling, choose shared e-bikes for easy stops. 🌌 Lugu Lake | Mosuo Secrets and the Milky Way 📌 Unmissable Experiences 1. Pig Trough Boat Trip - Route: Liwubi Island → Flower Sea (water lilies in summer). Depart at 8:00 AM for dreamy morning mist on the lake. - Boatman's Secret Spot: Ask the boatman to take you to the reed beds behind the "Dear Inn" for stunning light and shadow. 2. Self-Drive Around the Lake - Route: Luoshui Village → Lige Viewpoint (heart-shaped lake panorama) → Lover's Bridge (sunset over the grasslands) → Goddess Bay (mirror-like lake reflections). - Photo Outfit: White dress + ethnic shawl to contrast with the lake's blue. 3. Mosuo Cultural Immersion - Home Visit: Join a Mosuo grandmother's fireside dinner (approx. 150 CNY/person). Hear stories of walking marriages and enjoy Sulima wine. - Starry Night: Stay at a lakeside guesthouse in Langfang Village and capture the Milky Way at 2:00 AM (use the Star Walk 2 app to locate it). 🍲 Food List - Steamed Stone Pot Fish: Try "Yu Yue Mosuo Stone Pot Fish" for delicious soup and special dipping sauce. All-you-can-eat for 60 CNY per person! - Mosuo Baba: The sweet, buttery flavor of freshly baked baba from roadside stalls is the most authentic. 📸 Photography Equipment and Post-Processing - Equipment: Wide-angle lens for snow mountains/Erhai Lake, telephoto lens to compress the lake and mountains for depth. - Filters: Lightroom "Teal and Orange" preset for the old town, VSCO A6/A8 filters for a Japanese film look for Erhai Lake. ⚠️ Things to Avoid 1. Bring a jacket or down coat to avoid catching a cold. 2. When renting a car in Dali, be sure to check the car's condition and record a video to avoid scams. 3. Lugu Lake and the snow mountains are at high altitudes. Avoid strenuous exercise. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential!