5-Day Tour of Dali & Lijiang, Yunnan | A Must-See Destination

Lijiang and Dali, Yunnan, are synonymous with "poetry and distant lands" for countless people. The romance of Cangshan and Erhai Lake, the bustling streets of the ancient city, the blue of Bai tie-dye, the white of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain… Here, you'll find both the magnificence of nature's gifts and the culture of a thousand years. Now that the Lunar New Year of 2025 has passed, it's the perfect time for off-season travel. Keep this guide handy and unlock "A Yunnan Kind of Life"! I. 🌟Itinerary: Days 1-2: Slow Living in Dali Morning: Stroll through Dali Ancient City, try Xizhou Baba and roasted Rushan cheese, and climb the Five-Flower Building for a panoramic view. Afternoon: Cycle along the west bank of Erhai Lake (from Caicun to Panxi S Bay) and check in at the popular metasequoia trees and cafes. Evening: Lakeside dinner in Shuanglang. We recommend the spicy and sour fish with carved plum wine. Day 3: Cangshan Mountain and the Market Morning: Take the Cangshan cable car to the summit and visit the succulent garden at Jizhao Temple. Afternoon: Explore the market at the Bedspread Factory art district and find handmade silver jewelry and retro cultural and creative products. Evening: Enjoy hot tea around a brazier in Dali Ancient City while listening to live folk music. Days 4-5: Lijiang Ancient City and Snow Mountain Morning: Travel to Lijiang, visit Mu's Residence and Sifang Street, and try the Jidou Liangfen (chickpea jelly). Afternoon: Take the Glacier Cableway up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, check in at Blue Moon Valley, and take stunning photos in ethnic costumes with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. Evening: Enjoy a bonfire party in Shuhe Ancient Town and check in to a Naxi courtyard guesthouse. II. 🍱A Taste of Yunnan 1. Must-try foods in Dali Roasted Rushan cheese: A blend of rose sugar and milky aroma. Available on the street for CNY 5 per skewer. Raw pig skin: A Bai ethnic specialty of raw pork served with a spicy and sour dipping sauce. For the adventurous only. Wild mushroom hot pot: Best enjoyed from June to October. Boletus and Termitomyces mushrooms create a soup that is "out-of-this-world" delicious. 2. Lijiang Flavors Cured pork rib hot pot: Savory and flavorful, paired with Ottelia acuminata (a local aquatic vegetable). Lijiang Baba: A perfect match for butter tea. Try the sweet and savory combo for an extra treat. Yak jerky: The top souvenir in the ancient city. The spicy flavor is the most popular. III. 🏠Accommodation and 🚗Transportation Guide 1. Accommodation Recommendations Dali: Guesthouses in Caicun on the west bank of Erhai Lake (cost-effective) or waterfront view rooms in Shuanglang (for those with a larger budget). Lijiang: Naxi courtyards in the ancient city (for a cultural experience) or quiet guesthouses in Shuhe (to avoid the crowds). 2. Transportation Tips: ✈️By air: Dali Fengyi Airport → approx. CNY 62 by taxi to the ancient city; Lijiang Sanyi Airport → CNY 20 per person by shuttle bus to the ancient city. 🚄By high-speed rail: Kunming → Dali, 2 hrs (CNY 143); Dali → Lijiang, 1.5 hrs (CNY 70). Around Erhai Lake: Rent an electric scooter for CNY 50/d or charter a car for CNY 300/d. IV. Tips and Warnings 1. Beware: Be cautious when buying silver jewelry and medicinal herbs in the ancient city. Wild mushrooms must be thoroughly cooked! Book Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tickets in advance on the official "Lijiang Tourism Group" WeChat account. 2. Sun protection: The plateau has strong UV rays, so sunglasses and SPF 50+ sunscreen are essential. 3. Cultural respect: Maintain silence when visiting Bai Benzhu temples and Naxi Dongba courtyards. Do not touch sacrificial objects. The gentleness of Dali and the laid-back atmosphere of Lijiang are the perfect antidote to city life. Whether it's cycling by Erhai Lake, exchanging vows beneath the snow-capped mountains, or enjoying a bowl of hot soup at the market, there's always a way to fall in love with life here. In 2025, bring this guide and head to Yunnan for a time of "natural beauty and romantic charm"! For a longer trip (7 days), consider visiting Lugu Lake. Check my homepage for a guide.