Eight days is enough to photograph four very different places in Yunnan, if you plan the nights around light and keep each transfer short. This route goes north in steps, so the altitude rises slowly and your best mornings fall at the lake, in the old town and on the plateau.
If past tours rushed you past a view, that is a planning problem rather than your fault. Here the travel days are held lightly and the golden hours are protected.
Who is this route for?
It suits photographers and scenery lovers who are happy to wake early. It is not a rest-heavy plan, though it includes one slow day. For a longer, quieter version see the seven versus ten days guide.
Route at a glance
- Day 1: Land in Kunming.
- Day 2: Train to Dali, evening light on the old town.
- Day 3: Erhai Lake at sunrise, Xizhou in the afternoon.
- Day 4: Move to Lijiang, dusk in the Old Town.
- Day 5: Baisha at dawn, then a slow afternoon.
- Day 6: Train to Shangri-La.
- Day 7: Plateau and monastery light.
- Day 8: Return and depart.
Day by day
Day 1: Land in Kunming
Land, check in and rest. Kunming is at about 1,892 m[1], a gentle start. Charge every battery tonight.
Day 2: Train to Dali
High-speed trains run between Kunming and Dali about once an hour[2]. Bring your passport for the ticket and the gate[3]. In the late afternoon walk the old town walls for warm light.
Day 3: Erhai Lake at sunrise
Erhai Lake lies at 1,972 m[4]. Go to the shore before sunrise, when the water is calm. After breakfast and a rest, spend the afternoon in Xizhou, where courtyard houses give shade and quiet frames. Our Erhai cycling guide helps you choose a stretch.
Day 4: Move to Lijiang
Plan most of the morning for the transfer. Lijiang’s Old Town stands at 2,400 m[5]. Walk the lanes at dusk, when the lamps come on and the crowds thin.
Day 5: Baisha at dawn
Go to Baisha early, before tour groups arrive. Rest after lunch and keep the late afternoon for the Old Town rooftops. The peak of Yulong Snow Mountain is 5,596 m[6]. Read our Jade Dragon Snow Mountain guide before deciding whether to go up.
Day 6: Train to Shangri-La
The Lijiang to Shangri-La railway takes about 1 hour 20 minutes[7]. Shangri-La sits at roughly 3,160 m[8]. Check in, drink water and keep the afternoon quiet.
Day 7: Plateau and monastery light
Rise early for the open plateau, then visit monastery courtyards when the sun is low. Winters here are cold but sunny[9]. Pack hats, gloves and a windproof layer, and keep spare batteries warm.
Day 8: Return and depart
Take the train back to Lijiang, then continue to Kunming or fly out. High-speed trains from Kunming to Lijiang take about 3 to 3.5 hours[10]. Choose a late flight home, or add a night in Kunming.
How long are the travel legs?
Day 2, Day 4, Day 6 and Day 8 all involve moving. Only Day 8 is a full travel day. Keep photo plans on those days to the destination, not the road. A rail guide for the corridor lists stations and times.
Where should you stay?
- Dali: the lakeside for sunrise, or the Old Town for evening walks.
- Lijiang: the edge of the Old Town, so a taxi can reach the door.
- Shangri-La: the old town area, close to evening views.
How can you adapt it?
- Shorter: skip Shangri-La and add a night by Erhai.
- Seniors: stay two nights in Lijiang before any higher stop.
- Halal meals: look for the green 清真 sign. Hui-run restaurants avoid pork[11].
- Longer: extend to the nine-day photography route if you like terraces and big landscapes.
What should you book ahead?
Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[12]. Book rooms with a view early. Ask your agent to write down dawn and dusk slots, and to say which days start late.
What if the sky stays grey?
Cloud and rain can sit on a lake for days. Keep one half day loose so you can move a sunrise to the next morning. In wet weather, shoot courtyards, markets and temple detail instead, where soft light helps.
Ask your agent whether a day can be swapped on the spot, or whether each day is fixed in the contract.
What about the budget?
Prices move with season and hotel area, so use the budget planner with current quotes, then check any package in the package comparator. For similar routes, see the itineraries topic page.