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This route uses one direct flight each way and high-speed trains in between, so there is very little backtracking and no domestic flights. It keeps a gentle pace for the altitude.
The route
| Days | Base | Nights | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kunming | 1 | Direct flight from Singapore |
| 2 to 5 | Dali | 4 | High-speed train from Kunming, about 2 hours |
| 6 to 9 | Lijiang | 4 | High-speed train from Dali, about 1.5 hours |
| 10 | Home | Train or flight to Kunming, then fly to Singapore |
Day by day
Day 1, Kunming. Land, check in near the city centre or the high-speed rail station, and take an easy evening at Green Lake Park. Kunming is about 1,900 m.
Day 2, to Dali. Morning train to Dali. Walk the old town and the city wall at sunset.
Day 3, Dali. Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in the morning, Bai three-course tea in the afternoon.
Day 4, Erhai Lake. Cycle or e-bike the west shore from Caicun towards Longkan; lunch by the lake.
Day 5, Xizhou and Zhoucheng. Bai courtyard houses, Xizhou baba from the market, and a tie-dye workshop.
Day 6, to Lijiang. Train to Lijiang (about 2,400 m). Rest, then wander Lijiang Old Town in the evening.
Day 7, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. A day trip with the cable car and Blue Moon Valley. The summit area is far higher than the towns; ask a doctor first if you have heart or breathing conditions, and turn back if you feel unwell.
Day 8, Shuhe and Baisha. Quieter old villages near Lijiang, Naxi murals in Baisha.
Day 9, slow day. Black Dragon Pool in the morning, then free time. Optional: the Impression Lijiang show.
Day 10, home. Train to Kunming (about 3 hours) or a short flight, then fly to Singapore.
Where to stay
Before you go
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay. Book trains on Trip.com as soon as tickets open, and bring layers: mornings are cold and the sun is strong.
Related
Dali travel guide
Dali's old town, Erhai Lake and Bai villages: how to get there from Singapore without a direct flight, where to stay, what to eat and how many days you need.
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