Ten days lets you see the cold mountains of the northwest and the warm tropics of the south in one trip, if you move in the right order. This plan climbs gradually to Shangri-La, then drops back to Kunming and flies south.
If you have already done the classic Dali and Lijiang loop, this is the version that adds what you missed. It is also a long holiday, so the pace matters more than the number of stops.
Who is this route for?
It suits return visitors and scenery lovers who are fit enough for a few early starts. It is not a gentle first visit. If this is your first time, read the seven versus ten days guide before you commit.
Route at a glance
- Days 1 to 2: Kunming, then train to Dali.
- Day 3: Full day in Dali.
- Days 4 to 5: Lijiang, with a rest day.
- Day 6: Train to Shangri-La.
- Day 7: Return south to Kunming (the long day).
- Days 8 to 9: Fly to Xishuangbanna, two nights.
- Day 10: Fly back through Kunming and home.
Day by day
Days 1 and 2: Kunming to Dali
Land in Kunming, rest and keep dinner simple. Next morning take a high-speed train to Dali, which has a link running about one train per hour[1]. Bring your passport for tickets and the platform gate[2]. Spend the afternoon in Dali Old Town.
Day 3: A full day in Dali
Walk or cycle by Erhai Lake, which sits at 1,972 m[3]. Visit Xizhou in the afternoon. Keep the evening open, because the next day is a transfer.
Days 4 and 5: Lijiang with a rest day
Move to Lijiang, whose Old Town stands at 2,400 m[4]. Day 4 is for settling in and a dusk walk. Day 5 is for Shuhe or Baisha, or the snow mountain if the weather is clear. Yulong Snow Mountain peaks at 5,596 m[5], so go slowly and read our Jade Dragon Snow Mountain guide first.
Day 6: Train to Shangri-La
The Lijiang to Shangri-La railway opened in November 2023 and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes[6]. Shangri-La sits at roughly 3,160 m[7]. Arrive, rest, drink water and keep the afternoon free. Winters here are cold but sunny[8].
Day 7: The long way back
This is the hard day, so schedule nothing else. Take the train back to Lijiang, then continue to Kunming. High-speed trains between Kunming and Lijiang take about 3 to 3.5 hours[9], plus the first leg and transfers. A flight from Lijiang is the alternative; Lijiang Sanyi Airport is about 28 km south of the city centre[10].
Days 8 and 9: Xishuangbanna
Fly to Jinghong, the main town of Xishuangbanna. The air is warm and humid after the mountains.
Spend Day 8 settling in and walking by the river in the evening. Use Day 9 for a gentle forest, temple or tea outing. Choose indoor-friendly hours at midday.
Day 10: Fly home
Fly back through Kunming. Book an international connection with a generous gap, because a domestic delay could otherwise cost you the onward flight.
How long are the travel legs?
Four legs matter: Kunming to Dali, Dali to Lijiang, Lijiang to Shangri-La and the flight south. Only Day 7 is a true travel day, and Day 6 is half a day. For rail rules, our Kunming to Dali and Lijiang rail guide lists stations and passport checks.
Where should you stay?
- Kunming: next to the station you will use.
- Dali and Lijiang: the Old Town edge, where a taxi reaches the door.
- Shangri-La: the old town area for an easy first evening.
- Xishuangbanna: near the river in Jinghong, away from late-night noise.
How can you adapt it?
- Shorter: skip Xishuangbanna and follow the seven-day classic circuit.
- Seniors: remove Shangri-La and use the extra night in Lijiang.
- Halal meals: look for the green 清真 sign. Hui-run restaurants avoid pork[11].
- Southern focus: use our Xishuangbanna six-day plan as the base instead.
What should you book ahead?
Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[12]. The flight south is the item to confirm first. Ask your agent for a written list of legs, hotel areas and what is not included.
What if the weather turns?
Mountain weather changes fast, and a closed road or a cloudy peak is common enough to plan for. Keep Day 5 loose so the snow mountain can move to another morning. Ask your agent which sights have an indoor alternative, and which fees are refundable.
In the south, heavy rain can cut an outdoor day short. Have a market, museum or tea tasting ready as the fallback.
What about the budget?
A ten-day plan has more moving parts, so prices are best checked with the budget planner using current quotes. Then compare the final package in the package comparator. For other routes, see the itineraries topic page.