Yunnan Mountain Villages

Arrive in Kunming, settle into the selected hotel, then use an easy orientation around Stone Forest and Green Lake. The first evening is paced gently after international travel.

Spend the day in Kunming around Green Lake, Yunnan Nationalities Village and Spring City gateway to stone forests and Yunnan diversity. Routing keeps the sightseeing in one practical city base, with meal breaks and transfer buffers planned for international travellers.

Use the last full block in Kunming for Yunnan Nationalities Village, Spring City gateway to stone forests and Yunnan diversity and Stone Forest before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.

Travel on to Dali by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with Three Pagodas and Xizhou Village. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.

Use the last full block in Dali for Xizhou Village, Bai villages, Erhai Lake cycling and Cangshan views and Erhai Lake before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.

Travel on to Lijiang by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Naxi old town under Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.

Use the last full block in Lijiang for Naxi old town under Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Old Town and Black Dragon Pool before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.

Travel on to Shangri-La by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with Tibetan highlands, monasteries and alpine meadows and Songzanlin Monastery. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.

Keep the final morning in Shangri-La light, with time for Songzanlin Monastery or nearby neighbourhoods before a private transfer to the airport or rail station.