8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS · PRIVATE JOURNEY
An eight-day private route through Yunnan’s lakeside towns, historic streets, snow mountains and highland landscapes, with the main transfers arranged for you.
Lakeside towns beside Erhai. Old streets and snow mountains in Lijiang. Tiger Leaping Gorge, then the highlands of Shangri-La.
The transfers between airports, stations, hotels and the main visits are arranged for you.✓A first visit covering Yunnan’s principal highlights
✓A private party for couples, families or friends
✓Help with trains, transfers and hotel pickups
✓Interest in both scenery and local cultures
✓Comfort with high altitude, walking and longer travel days
—Consecutive stays of two nights or more
—Fewer hotel changes and more free time each day
—Avoiding high altitude or long road days
—A large coach group
—The lowest-cost package tour
Not additions made to fill an itinerary—moments chosen to give you more time with a place.
Travel only with the people in your booking, without being combined with unrelated travelers.
Private vehicles and a driver-host make the connections between Yunnan’s major destinations easier.
Experience lakeside towns, historic streets, snow mountains, dramatic gorges and the highlands of Shangri-La in one eight-day journey.
Receive help with pickups, route coordination, local recommendations and day-to-day travel arrangements.
YOUR 8 DAYS IN YUNNAN
Airport pickup · First night in Kunming
Meet the local representative at Kunming airport and transfer by private vehicle to the hotel. No formal sightseeing is scheduled, leaving time to rest and prepare for the journey ahead. If you arrive early, you can walk near the hotel or try Yunnan food at your own pace.
THE DAY Overnight in Kunming. No meals included. Pace: relaxed.
High-speed train · Erhai’s eastern shore
After breakfast, take a second-class high-speed train to Dali. Check in, then begin beside Erhai Lake in Shuanglang Ancient Town and on Yuji Island. Continue by ferry to Jinshuo Island, visit Longgong Cave and watch the Haicaihua cultural performance inspired by Bai traditions and life around the lake. Later, visit Ideal State for its hillside architecture and open lake views before returning to the hotel. The order of visits may be adjusted according to the train arrival time, performance schedule and local traffic.
THE DAY Overnight in Dali. Breakfast included. Transport: high-speed train, private vehicle and ferry. Pace: full.
Lake basin · Road transfer to Lijiang
Explore Dali Ancient Town, where historic streets and everyday local life meet beneath the Cangshan Mountains. Continue to Longkan Wharf for a walk beside Erhai Lake. In winter, the lakeside is known for red dawn redwoods and migratory gulls. Visit Xizhou Ancient Town for Bai architecture, tie-dye traditions and Tea Horse Road history. Finish at the S-Bend section of the Erhai Ecological Corridor before transferring by private vehicle to Lijiang.
THE DAY Overnight in Lijiang. Breakfast included. Transport: private vehicle. Pace: moderate.
Cable car · Outdoor performance · High-altitude day
Begin in Shuhe Ancient Town, where old lanes and waterways reflect the area’s Tea Horse Road and Naxi heritage. Continue to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take the Yunshanping cable car to an alpine meadow and forest area. Later, explore Blue Moon Valley and watch the outdoor Impression Lijiang performance before returning to the hotel. Cable cars, performances and attraction arrangements remain subject to weather, operation and ticket availability.
THE DAY Overnight in Lijiang. Breakfast included. Transport: private vehicle, scenic transport and cable car. Pace: full.
Longer road day · High-altitude travel
Travel north through the mountain and river landscapes of northwest Yunnan. Stop at the First Bend of the Yangtze before continuing to Tiger Leaping Gorge. In the afternoon, visit Pudacuo National Park for highland lakes, forests, wetlands and meadows. An optional Tibetan-style dinner and cultural performance may be available in the evening at additional cost. This is one of the longer road and sightseeing days; timing will be adjusted to road, weather and attraction conditions.
THE DAY Overnight in Shangri-La. Breakfast included. Transport: private vehicle. Pace: active.
Highland visits · Return train to Kunming
Visit Songzanlin Monastery for an introduction to Tibetan Buddhist culture and the history of northwest Yunnan. Continue to Dukezong Ancient Town and its large prayer wheel, followed by a local home and cultural visit. Later, visit Napa Lake–Yila Grassland, a seasonal highland wetland where changing water levels create a mixture of lake, grassland and marsh scenery. Horse riding at Napa Lake is optional and extra. Return to Lijiang and take a second-class high-speed train to Kunming. This is one of the journey’s longest transfer days; the sequence depends on road conditions and the confirmed train schedule.
THE DAY Overnight in Kunming. Breakfast included. Transport: private vehicle and high-speed train. Pace: active.
City and lake · Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles
Visit the Western Hills for mountain scenery, historic temples and views across Dianchi Lake. Continue to Haigeng Dam, where migratory red-billed gulls can often be seen during winter. Later, walk through Guanshang Old Street for a more local side of Kunming. A Yunnan crossing-the-bridge rice noodle meal is included.
THE DAY Overnight in Kunming. Breakfast and crossing-the-bridge rice noodles included. Transport: private vehicle. Pace: moderate.
Private airport transfer · End of the journey
Enjoy free time after breakfast before the private transfer to Kunming airport.
THE DAY Breakfast included. Transport: private airport transfer. Pace: relaxed.
MAKE THE ROUTE YOURS
Words from guests who explored this route with Joy and our local partners.
“The private tour was fantastic! We gained a lot—not only beautiful scenery but also exposure to ethnic minority cultures. Driver Chen drove very steadily, was very kind, extremely patient, and provided superb service.”
Guest names may be shortened. Some reviews were translated from Chinese for clarity.
PRIVATE TRAVEL, LOCAL SUPPORT
Share your dates, group size and pace.
Review the hotels, driver-host and private transport in a written proposal.
Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. handles the contract and operates your journey.
Joy shapes the plan with you. Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. confirms the proposal, handles the travel contract and operates the journey. The driver-host and vehicle are confirmed in writing.
A Chinese- or English-speaking driver-host is included. They handle the listed pickups, private transport and route coordination, and can offer local context and restaurant suggestions. This is not a professional attraction-guide service. The driver usually does not accompany you inside attractions. A specialist site guide can be arranged separately.
A profile from the local guide team. Final assignment depends on your dates.
A seven-seat vehicle gives more room for people and luggage. A five-seat vehicle suits a smaller party. These are examples from the private-vehicle catalog, not a promise of one exact model. The final vehicle is confirmed in your written proposal.
Exterior, captain seats and rear seating.
Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. (云南美珍国际旅行社有限公司) is the licensed operator for these journeys. It confirms the services, handles the travel contract and operates the trip. Its travel agency permit number is L-YN-1017500. Its unified social credit code is 9153001111MACHIXW95XT.
“Living abroad taught me how different a place feels when you have someone local you can trust.”
Joy Liu was born and raised in Yunnan. He helps you shape the route around what matters to you, then Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. arranges and operates the journey.
MEET JOY →Premium is our recommended option. Starting prices on cards and listings use the Comfort rate. Prices are per person for the complete 8-day journey, based on two adults sharing one room. It is not a daily rate.
Local quality 4-star and highly rated boutique hotels.
International 4-star+ and light luxury 5-star hotels.
A higher-end stay with more exclusive hotels throughout the route.
Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, hotel selection, service language and travel availability. Higher rates may apply during Chinese public holidays and peak travel periods. The licensed operator confirms the quotation and contract before you decide.
A group size, a month and a budget are enough. You will get a route sketch and a range before anyone asks you to book. Prefer a chat? Use WhatsApp and send the same three facts.
✓Airport and railway station transfers listed in the itinerary
✓Private sightseeing transport in each destination
✓Driver service, fuel, road tolls and parking
✓Second-class high-speed train tickets from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang to Kunming
✓Seven hotel nights in the chosen hotel style: Comfort, Premium or Luxury
✓Seven hotel breakfasts
✓The crossing-the-bridge rice noodle meal on Day 7
✓Attraction tickets and related services listed in the final quotation, including scenic transport, cable cars, ferries and performances named in that quotation
✓Chinese- or English-speaking driver-host
✓Travel insurance for the confirmed journey period
✓Pre-departure coordination and on-trip support
—Flights to and from Yunnan
—Meals not listed as included
—Single-room supplements, hotel upgrades and personal expenses
—Professional attraction guide service
—Optional Tibetan dinner and Napa Lake horse riding
—Attraction services not listed in the final quotation
—Visa, passport and excess baggage costs
—Voluntary gratuities
—Additional costs caused by weather, transport disruption or temporary attraction closure
Check these practical points as you choose your dates and pace.
The driver-host handles the listed pickups, private transport and route coordination, and can offer local context, restaurant suggestions and general travel help. This is not a professional attraction-guide service. The driver usually does not accompany you throughout the inside of attractions. A specialist site guide can be discussed in advance and arranged separately.
A five- or seven-seat vehicle is arranged according to group size, luggage, the route and vehicle availability. A specific brand or model cannot be requested. Vehicle service is usually from 08:00 to 18:00, with flexibility around the confirmed itinerary. Drivers and vehicles may change between destinations and around high-speed train transfers.
Seven hotel nights are included: three in Kunming, one in Dali, two in Lijiang and one in Shangri-La. Choose Comfort, Premium or Luxury. The Comfort starting price assumes two adults sharing one twin or double room. Hotel names and room types are listed in the formal quotation. Single occupancy can be requested when you enquire.
The journey includes high-altitude destinations around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Shangri-La and Pudacuo. Assess your health before booking and tell the travel planner about any medical, mobility or support requirements.
Children’s pricing depends on age, height, whether a bed is required and attraction policy. A child may share an existing bed where the hotel allows it. One adult traveling with one child may still be priced as a full room.
Apart from the meals listed as included, lunches and dinners are at your own expense. The driver-host can suggest restaurants according to the day’s route and your preferences.
Weather, roads, attraction opening, cable cars, performances and tickets may affect the itinerary. Reasonable changes will be discussed before they are made. Extra transport, tickets or overtime from added or cancelled visits will be explained before the change is made.
There are no mandatory shopping stops. Activities marked as optional, including the Tibetan-style dinner and Napa Lake horse riding, are entirely voluntary and do not affect the other confirmed services if you skip them.
For medical questions about high-elevation travel, consult your clinician and the CDC high-altitude guidance ↗.
Use these guides to understand the places, choose your pace and arrive with more useful context.
This is a private journey for your own party. You will not be combined with travelers from other bookings.
The driver-host looks after transport, route coordination and general travel help. The driver usually does not accompany you throughout the inside of attractions and does not provide a professional site commentary.
Hotels, some visits and the daily pace can be adjusted around your dates, interests and available services. A larger change to the route will be re-quoted.
No. US$580 is the Comfort starting price per person for the complete 8-day journey, based on two adults traveling together and sharing one room. Premium is US$630 and Luxury is US$680.
Apart from the meals listed as included, other main meals are your own choice. The driver-host can suggest local restaurants.
Hotel names, room types, train times and the final services are listed in the formal quotation and booking confirmation.
Chinese or English. Other languages need to be confirmed in advance.
Yunnan Meizhen International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. (云南美珍国际旅行社有限公司) is the licensed local operator. It confirms the services, handles the contract and operates the trip. Its travel agency permit number is L-YN-1017500. Hidden China Travel helps you shape the route and coordinate the proposal.
Different dates, more time, or somewhere else in mind? Start with your own plans and we’ll discuss a route shaped around you.
EXPLORE TAILOR-MADE YUNNAN →LIKE THIS ROUTE, BUT WANT TO MAKE IT YOURS?
