*Colorful Yunnan!!!*

Here's a brief Yunnan travel guide: ⌚⌚Best Time to Travel Yunnan is located on a low-latitude plateau, with small annual temperature differences but large diurnal temperature differences. There are no distinct four seasons, but distinct dry and rainy seasons. Travel is possible year-round. However, rainfall is heavier from July to September, and some scenic spots experience snowfall from December to March. Mid-to-late April is a great time to visit Tengchong for its lush greenery and singing birds, while mid-November to early December is the best time to see the ginkgo trees in Tengchong's Ginkgo Village and enjoy the hot springs. Currently, the Water Splashing Festival is being held in Xishuangbanna and will last until April 20. 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️Popular Route Planning Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Lugu Lake (approx. 7 days) Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, 24-hour airport pickup, and check in to the hotel. Day 2: Visit the 5A National Scenic Area, the Stone Forest, in the morning. In the afternoon, travel to Chuxiong Yi Ancient Town. In the evening, participate in a bonfire party and enjoy a wild mushroom hot pot. Day 3: Take a tour around the Erhai Lake in Dali. Choose from an open-top jeep or a luxury private yacht. Watch a cormorant fishing show and visit the Luoxia Peninsula. In the afternoon, visit Cangshan Mountain and Butterfly Spring. In the evening, savor local "Tu Ba Wan" cuisine and Erhai casserole fish. Day 4: Stroll through the Foreigner Street in Dali Ancient City. In the afternoon, visit Lashihai Lake, then overlook Lijiang Ancient City from Mu's Residence. Enjoy the "Lishui Jinsha" dance performance. In the evening, participate in a Naxi wedding feast. Day 5: Stroll through Shuhe Ancient Town in the morning. In the afternoon, ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain via the Glacier Cable Car. Visit Blue Moon Valley and White Water River. Day 6: Visit the Asian flower market, then transfer to the airport or train station according to your flight schedule. Day 7: Visit Lugu Lake and experience the matriarchal society and culture of the Mosuo people, as well as the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains. Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La (approx. 7 days): The first five days are similar to the above route. On the sixth day, travel to Shangri-La. On the seventh day, visit Pudacuo National Park and other attractions. Kunming - Xishuangbanna (flexible schedule): If time permits, visit Xishuangbanna to experience the wildlife and Dai culture. The Water Splashing Festival is currently being held in Xishuangbanna (April 11-20), featuring a grand water splashing carnival, Lancang River open water swimming race, beach concerts, electronic music parties, Dai New Year's Eve gala, and intangible cultural heritage experience activities. 🌈🌈Recommended Attractions Lijiang Ancient City A World Cultural Heritage site, famous for its well-preserved historical architecture and unique Naxi culture. The buildings within the ancient city are built along the mountains and rivers, with winding stone-paved roads. Sifang Street is bustling with activity, and attractions such as Mu's Residence and Wufeng Tower each have their own unique characteristics, allowing visitors to deeply experience the customs and culture of the Naxi people. Walking through the ancient city is like traveling back in time. Its architectural style blends Naxi, Bai, and other ethnic characteristics, holding high historical and artistic value. Lijiang Ancient City is the core attraction of Lijiang tourism, drawing tourists from all over the world. It is an excellent place to learn about Naxi culture and experience the ancient city atmosphere. Erhai Lake A plateau lake in Dali and the second largest lake in Yunnan. The lake water is clear and sparkling, surrounded by picturesque scenery. Cycling around the lake is a popular activity, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and pass through Xizhou Ancient Town and Shuanglang Ancient Town. Xizhou Ancient Town preserves many Bai ancient buildings with unique styles, while Shuanglang Ancient Town is known as the "best town for Cangshan and Erhai scenery" with stunning lake views. Erhai Lake is not only a scenic spot but also a great place to experience the slow-paced life of Dali. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain One of Yunnan's iconic landscapes and the closest permanently snow-capped mountain range to the equator in the Northern Hemisphere. Visitors can take a cable car to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains. After reaching the summit, you can overlook the rolling mountains and the sea of clouds below, experiencing the magnificence and wonder of nature. The Blue Moon Valley at the foot of the mountain has jewel-like blue water, stunning under the sunlight. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers visitors the opportunity to get close to the snow-capped mountains and enjoy the plateau scenery, making it a must-see attraction in Lijiang. Shangri-La Known for its Tibetan culture and magnificent natural scenery. Pudacuo National Park boasts vast primeval forests, clear lakes, expansive meadows, and a variety of rare plants and animals, making it a great place to get close to nature and breathe fresh air. Songzanlin Monastery, known as the "Little Potala Palace," has magnificent and solemn architecture, allowing visitors to experience the profoundness of Tibetan Buddhism. Shangri-La is a pure land in people's hearts, bringing tranquility and awe of nature. Xishuangbanna Famous for its wildlife and Dai culture. The recent Water Splashing Festival offers a variety of activities, blending excellent traditional culture with modern fashion and creativity. In addition to the water splashing carnival, there are swimming races, beach concerts, electronic music parties, and intangible cultural heritage experience activities such as water fetching ceremonies, Kongming lantern releases, and water lantern releases, allowing visitors to deeply experience Dai folk culture and the beauty of intangible cultural heritage. Xishuangbanna is an ideal place to experience tropical customs and ethnic minority cultures. 🦐🍚Recommended Food Wild Mushroom Hot Pot Wild mushrooms are diverse and delicious. Enjoy them at Fang Pangzi Kitchen in Dali to experience the unique flavors of the mushrooms in the hot pot. Their stir-fried dishes are also exceptional. Wild mushrooms are rich in nutrients and are a Yunnan specialty, allowing diners to experience the gifts of nature. Grandma's Cured Ribs The cured ribs are marinated in advance, fragrant and flavorful, and the meat is tender. The more you eat, the more flavorful it becomes. It is a classic Yunnan dish, offering a unique marinated flavor. Xizhou Crispy Baba Available in sweet and savory flavors. The sweet ones have rose filling or traditional no filling, with a crispy and sweet taste. It is a specialty snack of Xizhou Ancient Town in Dali, carrying the local food culture. Zaihuishou Cold Chicken Rice Noodles The rice noodles are flavorful but not salty or greasy, leaving a lasting impression. This is a common yet unique Yunnan dish, reflecting the unique cooking methods of Yunnan people for rice noodles. Chickpea Jelly Gray-green jelly noodles served with special seasonings, super appetizing. It is a Lijiang specialty, offering a unique taste experience for tourists. 🚗🚗Transportation Guide Airports: Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi Airport, Dali Fengyi Airport, Shangri-La Diqing Airport, Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport. Some airports have subway or airport bus connections to the city center. High-speed Rail: Covers Kunming Railway Station, Kunming South Railway Station, Dali Railway Station, Lijiang Railway Station, Shangri-La Railway Station, and Xishuangbanna Railway Station. Intercity Transportation: Lijiang to Shangri-La by high-speed train: 1 hr; Dali to Lijiang by high-speed train: 1.5 hrs; Lijiang to Lugu Lake by bus: 4.5 hrs, by car: 3.5 hrs. 🏠🏠Accommodation Recommendations Kunming: Wuhua District/Panlong District near Green Lake and the old town area offer convenient transportation and concentrated attractions. Consider Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre or InterContinental Kunming. Dali: Stay in the ancient city to experience the lively atmosphere, or by Erhai Lake for stunning views and a peaceful retreat. Consider Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai or The Wind Colour International Youth Hostel. Lijiang: Stay in the ancient city to experience the ancient charm, but be aware of the narrow streets. Hotels around the ancient city offer convenience and tranquility. Consider InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort or Floral Hotel · Fan Tu Inn Lijiang Ancient City. Shangri-La: Guesthouses around Dukezong Ancient City offer the most distinctive experience. ❤️Important Notes Yunnan is a plateau region with high altitude. Be prepared for altitude sickness. Prepare altitude sickness medication in advance. Breakfast is essential in plateau areas to prevent altitude sickness. Large temperature differences between day and night. Pay attention to keeping warm and bring a light jacket. The weather is changeable, so an umbrella is necessary. Strong UV rays. Take adequate sun protection measures. Bring sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. Also, hydrate frequently as Yunnan is relatively dry. Prices inside scenic areas are relatively high. Consider shopping in surrounding commercial areas. There are many unlicensed taxis at airports and train stations; avoid them. Also, avoid hotel recommendations from touts. Book the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car in advance. There are no shortcuts. Anyone claiming to offer a shortcut is trying to scam you. It is recommended to buy oxygen tanks in the ancient city. Bargaining is possible for horseback riding at Lashihai Lake. Be wary of "merit money" and free tea offerings inside temples.