You’ll be planning with Joy.
Joy Liu was born in Yunnan and plans from Kunming. You speak with him from the first enquiry through the trip.
Meet Joy →
FIRST ENCOUNTER
6-Day Private Yunnan Tour
A private journey from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang.From US$680 per person for the complete 6 days- Private driver-guide · no shopping stops
- One night in Shaxi · between Dali and Lijiang
- Jade Dragon as its own day · not departure day
- 20% after you sign · 80% after pickup
At a glance.
6 Days / 5 Nights
- Kunming → Dali → Shaxi → Lijiang
- 2 nights in Dali
- 1 night in Shaxi
- 2 nights in Lijiang
Your Journey
- Private journey
- English-speaking driver-guide
- No shopping stops
- Fully customizable
Meals
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Local dining recommendations
- Flexible lunch & dinner choices
From US$680 per person
- Based on two travelers
- Premium hotels included
- Private journey throughout
A PRIVATE PARTY
At the 4,506 m platform and Blue Moon Valley. These photographs are not tied to a named review.
Why travel with us?
Private party
- Your own driver-guide and vehicle
- No shopping stops
- Arranged around your dates
Planned with Joy
- Joy Liu plans from Kunming
- You speak with him from the first enquiry through the trip
- He was born in Yunnan
Licensed agency
- Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency
- Permit L-YN-1017500
- The contract and payments are with this agency
Guest notes
- From guests on this journey
- Your driver-guide is named in writing
- Read them further down this page
Planned with Joy. Contracted with a licensed Kunming agency.
Licensed agency
Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. (云南美珍国际旅行社有限公司). Permit L-YN-1017500. Office: Room 1915, Floor 19, Building 4, Dadu Motian Shopping Center, Xiaobanqiao Subdistrict, Guandu District, Kunming, Yunnan. The contract and payments are with this agency: 20% after you sign, 80% after your first pickup.
Liability insurance →
Couples, friends and small private groups on a first Yunnan trip who would rather give Jade Dragon a full day than pack the glacier onto a departure.
March–May and September–November are the most comfortable. Summer is lush and busier; winter is quieter, with a colder mountain day.
Signature experiences
The moments this route is built around: Erhai’s west shore, indigo in Zhoucheng, one night in Shaxi, and a full day on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Wake up beside Erhai Lake
Cycle or walk the Panxi S-bend on the west-shore ecological corridor. You stay with one stretch of lake and mountain, not a full-day circuit of Erhai.
Meet Dali's living traditions
Step inside a working Bai tie-dye workshop in Zhoucheng, where centuries-old indigo techniques remain part of everyday life.
An evening in Shaxi
One night on the Tea Horse Road. Sideng Square after the coaches leave, then Shibaoshan in the morning before the drive to Lijiang.
Stand beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The core of the six days: a full mountain day for the sightseeing train, a cable car and Blue Moon Valley, with a night in Lijiang before it and after it. It is not squeezed onto the day you leave.
YOUR 6 DAYS IN YUNNAN
Your Journey Through Yunnan
Six days between lakeside towns, mountain landscapes and some of Yunnan's most rewarding cultural experiences.Day 1Arrival in Dali and the Slower Rhythm of Yunnan
High-speed rail from Kunming · First night in Dali
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Arrival in Dali and the Slower Rhythm of Yunnan
High-speed rail from Kunming · First night in Dali
Arrive in Dali and ease into western Yunnan's slower pace. Spend the evening wandering the old town's stone lanes, cafés and local shops beneath the backdrop of Cangshan Mountain.
MEALS No meals on the train day. You sleep in Dali.
Day 2Life Along Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake · Xizhou · Bai culture
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Life Along Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake · Xizhou · Bai culture
Explore the western shore of Erhai Lake before visiting Xizhou's historic Bai courtyards. Later, discover traditional indigo dyeing in Zhoucheng, where local craftsmanship remains part of daily life.
MEALS Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own. You sleep in Dali.
Day 3Into the Ancient Town of Shaxi
Three Pagodas · Mountain roads · Shaxi
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Into the Ancient Town of Shaxi
Three Pagodas · Mountain roads · Shaxi
Visit Dali's famous Three Pagodas before travelling into the mountains to Shaxi. As the day-trippers leave, the town reveals its quiet lanes, old courtyards and timeless Tea Horse Road atmosphere.
MEALS Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own. You sleep in Shaxi.
Day 4From Shaxi to Lijiang
Shibaoshan · Mountain landscapes · Lijiang
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From Shaxi to Lijiang
Shibaoshan · Mountain landscapes · Lijiang
Explore the hillside grottoes of Shibaoshan before continuing north to Lijiang. Along the way, mountain scenery gradually gives way to one of Yunnan's most iconic historic towns.
MEALS Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own. You sleep in Lijiang.
Day 5A Day Beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Glacier Park · Cable Car · Blue Moon Valley
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A Day Beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Glacier Park · Cable Car · Blue Moon Valley
The highlight of the journey. Travel into Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, ride the cable car into the alpine landscape, and later explore the turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley.
MEALS Breakfast included. Lunch near the mountain, dinner back in town, both on your own. You sleep in Lijiang.
Day 6A Gentle Farewell to Lijiang
Shuhe Ancient Town · Departure
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A Gentle Farewell to Lijiang
Shuhe Ancient Town · Departure
Spend a final morning exploring the quieter lanes of Shuhe and Lijiang's historic centre before departing. A relaxed ending to six memorable days in Yunnan.
MEALS Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own.
TRAVELER STORIES
What Travelers Remember
Notes from guests on this journey. The driver-guide for your dates is the person named in the proposal.
Names may be shortened. Some notes were translated and edited for clarity.
Get a quote for your dates.
After you sign, the deposit is 20%. The other 80% is due after your first pickup.
- ✓Personalized itinerary
- ✓Handpicked hotels
- ✓Private driver-guide
- ✓Flexible travel dates
Or send the same details by email.
INCLUDED
What’s included
A private vehicle throughout the journey, including fuel, tolls, parking, and your driver’s meals and accommodation
A driver-guide for the whole journey
Premium hotels throughout, with breakfast included
High-speed rail tickets during the journey, in second class
Entrance tickets for the sights listed in the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
What’s not included
Lunch and dinner
International flights
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
The People and Places Behind Your Journey
Every journey is private. Your driver-guide, vehicle, and hotels are selected to match your dates, group size, and travel style.
03 / YOUR HOTELS
Your Hotels Along The Journey
Premium hotels are included throughout the journey. The examples shown here reflect the style and standard you can expect.
Linyin Hotel · MixC Branch
Linyin Hotel at the MixC branch is one possible Kunming stay. Mehao Lizhi Hotel (Haile World branch) or another hotel of a similar standard may be offered depending on dates and availability.
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Good To Know
Is this journey suitable for first-time visitors to China?+
Yes. Many of our travelers are visiting China for the first time. Before departure, we provide guidance on payments, eSIMs, useful apps, transportation, and other practical preparations.
What should I pack for Yunnan?+
Comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, sun protection, and layers for mountain areas. Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be cool at higher elevations.
Do I need to worry about altitude?+
Altitude deserves real attention on this route. Lijiang is about 2,400 m (7,900 ft), while Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park reaches roughly 4,506–4,680 m (14,780–15,350 ft). At that height, some people can develop altitude-related symptoms even if they are generally healthy. We recommend discussing the glacier cable car with Joy in advance, especially if you have heart, blood-pressure or breathing conditions, are unwell, or have concerns about high altitude. Yunshanping is the usual lower-altitude alternative if the glacier route is unsuitable or unavailable. The mountain plan depends on weather, tickets and local operation; please do not treat oxygen as a substitute for a suitable itinerary or medical advice.
What type of hotels are included?+
The journey uses carefully selected premium hotels that reflect the character of each destination, from Bai courtyard stays in Dali to boutique properties in Shaxi and Lijiang.
What's included in the price?+
Private transportation, driver-guide services, premium hotels, breakfast, high-speed rail tickets, and the sightseeing experiences listed in the itinerary.
Can this journey be customized?+
Yes. This itinerary is designed as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, add extra nights, include Shangri-La, upgrade hotels, or create a completely different route around your interests.
Is this a private journey?+
Yes. You travel only with your own party. There are no group departures and no shared vehicles.
How does the journey start?+
The journey starts in Kunming, then takes the high-speed train to Dali on Day 1. Your first hotel night is in Dali; a Kunming hotel night and airport pickup can be added if your flight timing requires it.
Are there any shopping stops?+
No. We do not include factory visits, commission-based stores, or mandatory shopping stops.
What vehicle will we use?+
Private transportation is arranged throughout the journey. Vehicle size is matched to your group size and luggage requirements.
Who will accompany the trip?+
You travel with a local driver-guide who manages transportation, logistics, and practical support throughout the route.
What isn't included?+
International flights, lunches and dinners, travel insurance, personal expenses, and optional experiences not listed in the itinerary.
What happens after I contact Hidden China Travel?+
We’ll discuss your travel dates, interests, and preferred style of travel, then prepare a personalized proposal for you to review and refine.
CDC high-altitude travel guidance ↗Read the full booking and service note →