Yunnan Kunming & Dali & Lijiang 6-Day Tour (Includes Travel Photography + Aerial Photography Dual Experience)

Yunnan packs a remarkable range into six days: Kunming’s Stone Forest, Dali’s lakeside scenery and Lijiang’s old streets, with a high-altitude snow mountain stop along the way. I like the free portrait and aerial photography and the chance to see both the famous sights and smaller places such as Xizhou’s rice fields.

I also like that the tour includes five hotel nights, several meals and entry to key attractions, which can simplify a first trip through the region. The trade-off is a lot of time on the road, plus uncertain English-language support: guides may communicate through translation software, and at least one English-speaking guide named Carol has been praised, but English is not guaranteed.

Key points before you book

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• Stone Forest is the first major outing: Visit Kunming’s UNESCO-listed karst formations, with the scenic-area electric car included.
• Erhai day brings the variety: Cruise the lake, visit Ideal State, ride a pony cart through rice paddies and cycle along the ecological corridor.
• Blue Moon Valley and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain share one day: The mountain cable car is weather- and ticket-dependent, so the planned ride may change.
• Photography is included, but limited: Each family receives four electronic photos; each group receives one 60-second video.
• Expect long bus legs: The route crosses several Yunnan destinations, and the schedule can shift with traffic and weather.
• Clarify transport and shopping details: The tour advertises a 2+1 first-class cabin, while the inclusions also describe a regular tourist bus. A final-day distribution center visit is planned despite the no-shopping-stop promise.

👉 See our pick of the 8 Best Shopping Tours In Kunming

A six-day sweep across Yunnan

This is a guided circuit for seeing several headline destinations without arranging each hotel, transfer and ticket yourself. The route starts and ends in Kunming, travels through Stone Forest, Dali and Lijiang, then returns to Kunming for the final night.

That convenience comes with a brisk pace. You change hotels repeatedly and cover long distances by road, including a return journey from Lijiang to Kunming on Day 5. Think of this as a sampler of Yunnan’s best-known sights, not a slow stay in one town.

The listed price starts at $469.29, while the Featured Hotels package is also shown from $408.09. Prices can vary by package and date, so check the exact option before booking. The value comes from bundling five hotel nights, selected meals, a guide, transport and entrance tickets. You still pay for some dinners, personal expenses, insurance and any single-room supplement.

Day 1: Arrive in Kunming and settle in

The tour begins with airport pickup at Kunming Changshui International Airport and transfer to a hotel. The scheduled arrival and hotel timing are listed as 10:00 and 12:00, but flight arrivals and actual check-in arrangements should be confirmed with the operator.

The first day is free time, with meals at your own expense. Use it to rest after your flight rather than count on a full sightseeing day. The hotel is assigned from a list of possible properties or an equivalent, and you cannot choose a specific hotel.

Day 2: Stone Forest’s limestone maze

After breakfast, the group heads to Stone Forest, a major karst area formed over millions of years. Its jagged stone pillars and narrow passages make a striking change from the city, and the park’s scale gives you a sense of the region’s geological age as you walk among the formations.

The visit is listed as self-guided and lasts about an hour. That is not much time for a sprawling site, so follow the guide’s meeting instructions and keep an eye on the clock. The scenic electric car is included in the stated admission package, though the tour terms say unused meals and experiences are not refunded.

Lunch is a Sani-style group meal, followed by a drive to either Xiangyun or Chuxiong for the night. The overnight location can vary. Dinner is on your own, and the day’s sightseeing is followed by a substantial transfer, so pack a snack if you tend to get hungry between meals.

Day 3: Erhai Lake, Xizhou and the photo stop

Day 3 is the tour’s most varied outing. After breakfast, you travel toward Dali and board the pink luxury cruise on Erhai Lake. If that boat is suspended or unavailable, the operator says it will substitute a large lake cruise. The cruise is self-guided, so enjoy the water and views without expecting a lengthy guided account on board.

Next comes Dali Ideal State, a cluster of Mediterranean-inspired buildings above the lake. It is a photogenic stop, but the visit is only about an hour. The itinerary then moves to lunch and Xizhou, where a pony cart takes you through the rice-growing area to the photo stop called I Have a Field in Erhai. The cart ride adds a slower, rural note to a day otherwise shaped by bus transfers and scheduled visits.

At the Erhai Ecological Corridor, you can choose a bicycle ride. This is also where the complimentary photography session is planned, with portrait and aerial photography. The package specifies four electronic photos per family and one 60-second video per group, not unlimited images. In peak season, a queue is possible, and the photo experience is non-refundable if you skip it.

The day also includes a Bai dance activity, described as Jinhua leading the dance. It offers a chance to join a local-style group celebration, though the exact format may depend on the day’s arrangements. Dinner is at your own expense, and you stay in Dali.

Day 4: Dali’s old streets and the mountain

The morning starts at Dali Ancient City, including Foreigner Street. The old city dates to the Ming dynasty and has gates and walls, while its lanes give you time to browse at your own pace. This is a self-guided visit, so it helps to note the meeting point and return time before wandering.

After lunch, the bus heads to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley. The tour includes the Spruce Meadow ropeway as specified, but cable car operations depend on wind, maintenance, ticket availability and other conditions. If the larger ropeway cannot operate, the supplier may switch to the smaller one and refund the stated difference of 60 yuan per person. If neither operates, the listed refund is 120 yuan per person. An upgrade to the Snow Mountain Grand ropeway costs an additional 100 yuan per person and is not recommended for children or older people because of altitude concerns.

Blue Moon Valley, also called Baishui River, is known for its blue water and crescent-shaped valley beneath the mountain. A complimentary battery vehicle is included. Allow for changing weather and altitude: Lijiang is high, and the operator advises taking it easy, particularly if you have heart or blood pressure concerns.

The evening is free for Lijiang Old Town, where you can walk the stone-paved lanes and visit Sifang Street. This is another self-guided stop, and dinner is not included. You stay overnight in Lijiang.

Day 5: Shuhe, then the long ride back

After breakfast, the group visits Shuhe Ancient Town, an old Naxi settlement linked to the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Its market-town history and traditional buildings make it a quieter counterpoint to Lijiang Old Town, though the visit is scheduled for the morning rather than a leisurely half-day.

Lunch is included, then the group boards the bus back to Kunming. The tour gives an estimated arrival at the hotel around 20:00, but traffic can affect the timing. This is a long transfer day, and one practical point from the trip feedback is worth keeping in mind: ask the guide about planned rest stops and food opportunities before setting off. A missed meal or an unannounced stop can make a long ride feel longer.

Day 6: Kunming departure and a shopping stop

The final morning includes a visit to an Independent Traveler Distribution Center, where you can browse flowers and local specialties. This deserves a clear-eyed note: the tour says there are no shopping stops, but this center is part of the schedule. Some trip feedback also describes herbal and jade shops during the journey. You are not required to buy anything, but if avoiding retail stops matters to you, confirm the current arrangements before paying.

The planned airport departure is at 12:10 from Kunming Changshui International Airport. The tour says flights before noon cannot include the distribution-center visit, so coordinate your flight time with the operator rather than assuming a morning sightseeing stop will fit.

Guides, language and group communication

The tour includes a full-time Chinese-speaking guide, with the schedule and order of stops adjusted according to conditions. The stated guide standard is more than five years of experience, and guide feedback has singled out Wang for attentive, engaging care. Sally is described as a responsive travel concierge, while Carol has been praised for speaking some English and helping people who needed extra support.

That does not mean you should count on an English-speaking guide. Some international participants have found communication difficult, and the tour notes that guides may use translation software. If you do not speak Chinese, prepare essential addresses and instructions in writing, and make sure you can access your booking and messaging apps in China. Ask specific questions about airport pickup and daily meeting points in advance.

Comfort, hotels and what the price covers

The tour advertises a 2+1 first-class cabin with wider seating, but the inclusions describe a regular tourist bus with one seat per person. These descriptions do not fully match. Confirm the actual vehicle type and seat layout before booking, especially if comfort on long drives is a priority.

Five hotel nights are included, with properties assigned from reference lists or equivalent alternatives. The hotels cannot be selected in advance, and the operator may change them during busy periods. The accommodation descriptions are not a promise of a particular hotel or luxury standard; feedback has been mixed, with some reports of comfortable stays and others of lower-than-expected rooms. A single room costs extra, and no single rooms are provided as part of the standard arrangement.

The package includes five breakfasts, three formal lunches and one packed lunch, along with listed admission tickets for Stone Forest, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’s Spruce Meadow ropeway and Blue Moon Valley. Not every meal is covered: dinners are generally on your own, and the first and final days have no included meals. Group meals are shared at tables of about ten, so food choices may not suit everyone.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I’d consider this trip if you have limited time and want the main Kunming, Dali and Lijiang sights arranged in one booking. Families and first-time visitors may appreciate the bundled transfers and tickets, while solo participants can join without arranging a private itinerary. The photography and variety of scenery add value if you enjoy a busy schedule and quick stops.

I would think twice if you want slow mornings, reliable English guiding, guaranteed hotel names or long stays in each town. The route includes several long bus rides, and the operator can adjust the order of stops for traffic, weather or other conditions. For a more relaxed visit, compare it with a small-group or private tour that spends extra nights in Dali or Lijiang.

Should you book this Yunnan circuit?

Book it if coverage and convenience matter more than a leisurely pace. You get an efficient run through karst formations, lake scenery, old towns and mountain views, with useful inclusions and a memorable photo session. Before committing, confirm the bus specification, hotel standard, English support, airport pickup details and the final-day shopping stop. Those answers will tell you whether the package fits your style, not just your schedule.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes five hotel nights, a Chinese-speaking guide, tourist-bus transport, five breakfasts, three formal lunches, one packed lunch and listed attraction tickets. It also includes the Erhai travel photography experience. Dinners, personal expenses, insurance and any single-room supplement are not included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts in Kunming, with airport pickup at Kunming Changshui International Airport and transfer to a hotel. It returns to Kunming for the final night, then provides airport transport on Day 6 according to the arranged schedule.

Are the hotels confirmed before booking?

No specific hotel can be selected. The operator assigns a hotel from the named reference properties or an equivalent, and may make changes when rooms are limited.

Is an English-speaking guide guaranteed?

No. The tour includes a Chinese-speaking guide, who may use translation software. Some guides have spoken some English, but English-language service is not guaranteed.

What does the photography package include?

Each family receives four electronic photos, and each group receives one 60-second video. Queues may occur in peak season, and the complimentary session is non-refundable if you do not use it.

Is the Erhai pink cruise guaranteed?

No. If the pink cruise is suspended or tickets are unavailable, it will be replaced by a large Erhai Lake cruise.

What happens if the Spruce Meadow ropeway is closed?

The operator may switch to the smaller ropeway and refund 60 yuan per person. If the smaller ropeway is also unavailable, the stated refund is 120 yuan per person.

Are there shopping stops?

The tour describes itself as having no shopping stops, but Day 6 includes a distribution center where you can browse flowers and local specialties. Confirm whether any additional retail stops are planned for your departure date.

How many bags can I bring?

The stated luggage allowance is three pieces of standard-sized luggage.