A week through Kunming, Dali, Weishan and Lijiang works well for Muslim travellers, because Dali has a neighbouring Hui county and the rail legs are short. This plan builds in halal checks and prayer breaks from the start.
It is natural to worry about food on a first trip to China, especially when the menus are in Chinese. Plan one meal at a time and the worry shrinks.
Who is this route for?
It suits Malaysian families, couples and small groups who eat halal and do not speak Mandarin. It also suits parents who want a gentle pace. It skips Shangri-La so that nobody has to deal with high altitude.
If you need a different shape, compare it with the classic seven-day circuit, which is faster and not planned around halal meals.
Route at a glance
- Day 1: arrive in Kunming and rest.
- Day 2: rail to Dali, then a slow evening in the Old Town.
- Day 3: Erhai Lake and an easy walking day.
- Day 4: day trip to Weishan.
- Day 5: rail to Lijiang.
- Day 6: Lijiang morning, then rail back to Kunming.
- Day 7: fly home.
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming
Land, check in and keep the afternoon free. Pray at the hotel, then eat a simple meal near it. Ask the front desk to write the hotel name and address in Chinese for taxis.
Look for a Hui-run noodle or beef restaurant with the green 清真 sign. The Hui follow Islamic dietary laws and avoid pork[1], so these kitchens are the easiest starting point. Ask about lard and shared woks anyway.
Day 2: Rail to Dali
Take a morning high-speed train. Dali has been linked to Kunming by high-speed rail since July 2018, with about one train an hour[2]. Pray before you leave, and carry your passport, because train tickets and platform gates both need it[3].
After lunch, walk the Old Town gently and watch the sunset from the walls. Our Dali Old Town guide shows the quieter lanes.
Day 3: Erhai Lake
Spend the morning by the water: a short cycle, a lakeside walk or a slow taxi ride. Dali has strong sun and wind, so carry a hat and a layer. Keep the afternoon free for prayer and rest.
Dinner is a good time to use the phrase card below. Show it, ask the cook, and choose the dishes you can see being made.
Day 4: Weishan day trip
Weishan is a Yi and Hui county that borders Dali City to the north[4]. Hire a car and driver for the day, and ask the driver in advance to stop where lunch is Muslim-run. Go for the old town’s quiet lanes and unhurried meals.
Come back to Dali by late afternoon. If a parent is tired, skip the trip and spend a second day in Dali.
Day 5: Rail to Lijiang
Plan the morning for this leg and keep lunch light. Lijiang’s Old Town sits at 2,400 m[5], so walk slowly and drink water. Pray at the hotel on arrival, then wander the lanes before dinner.
Day 6: Lijiang, then back to Kunming
Take a gentle morning in Lijiang or in one of its quieter villages. After lunch, take the train to Kunming, which high-speed rail covers in about 3 to 3.5 hours[6]. Eat dinner near your hotel and pack.
Day 7: Fly home
Leave plenty of time for the airport. Book your flight in the afternoon or evening so the last morning stays calm.
What to carry
Screenshot this phrase card, which you can show at any counter.
- 我是穆斯林，不吃猪肉。 I am Muslim and do not eat pork.
- 请不要用猪油。 Please do not use lard.
- 厨房有猪肉吗？ Is pork cooked in the same kitchen?
- 这个有肉汤吗？ Is there meat stock in this?
Screenshots matter because WhatsApp and Google services are blocked in mainland China[7]. Download your translation app and offline maps before you fly.
Is a Chinese halal label enough?
Not on its own. In February 2025 JAKIM (Malaysia’s Islamic development department) removed the China Islamic Association from its list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies[8]. Chinese labels therefore cannot be assumed to meet Malaysian recognition.
Read our guide for Muslim travellers and check halal.gov.my before you rely on any label.
Where to stay
Think in areas, not names. In Kunming choose an area near the rail station for an early train. In Dali, the Old Town suits evening walks, and a lakeside base suits quiet. In Lijiang, stay at the edge of the Old Town so a taxi can reach your door.
How to adapt it
- Shorter: drop Weishan and Day 4 becomes a free day in Dali.
- Gentler: add a second night in Dali or Lijiang.
- Longer: add a night in Kunming at the end.
- With children: keep the Weishan trip short and pack snacks.
What to book ahead
Book trains as soon as the sale window opens, and keep your passport details ready. Reserve your car and driver for Weishan early, and ask whether the driver can help with halal lunch stops. Hotels can arrange a packed lunch if you ask a day ahead.
Budget lines
Count flights, rail tickets, hotels, a driver for Weishan, entry tickets and meals separately. Prices move with the season, so the budget planner lets you plug in today’s quotes. Use the package comparator before you pay any agency.
See more routes in the itineraries topic hub, and test the pace with the pace checker.