This route reaches four photographic highlights in nine days, but it spends three of them on the road. It is best for people who find early light more exciting than hotel pools, and who book a driver.
If you have seen the usual Dali and Lijiang pictures and want something with more colour, the red land and the terraces are the answer. They are far apart, so the order matters.
Who is this route for?
It suits photographers and keen scenery lovers who can handle early starts and long car days. It is not for seniors or small children. For a gentler version, see the eight-day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La route.
Route at a glance
- Day 1: Land in Kunming.
- Day 2: Road to Dongchuan, red land at dusk.
- Day 3: Dongchuan dawn, then to Dali.
- Day 4: Dali and Erhai Lake.
- Day 5: Move to Lijiang.
- Day 6: Baisha and Lijiang light.
- Day 7: Return to Kunming.
- Day 8: Road to Yuanyang.
- Day 9: Terraces at dawn, then home.
Day by day
Day 1: Land in Kunming
Kunming is at about 1,892 m[1]. Check in and charge every battery. Confirm the driver for tomorrow.
Day 2: Road to Dongchuan
Plan most of the day for the road with a driver. Arrive in time to catch the late light on the red earth. Ask your agent to write down the driving time, since it varies with traffic and road work.
Day 3: Dongchuan dawn, then Dali
Photograph at dawn, then return towards Kunming and take a train to Dali, which runs about once an hour[2]. Everyone needs a passport for the ticket and the gate[3]. This is a long day, so sleep early.
Day 4: Dali and Erhai Lake
Go to the lake before sunrise. Erhai Lake sits at 1,972 m[4]. Spend the afternoon in Xizhou and rest. Our Erhai guide helps you choose a stretch of shore.
Day 5: Move to Lijiang
The Old Town stands at 2,400 m[5]. Allow the morning for the transfer, then walk the lanes at dusk.
Day 6: Baisha and Lijiang light
Go to Baisha early, before groups arrive. The peak of Yulong Snow Mountain is 5,596 m[6], so check the snow mountain guide before going up. Remember that about 80 percent of Lijiang’s rain falls between June and September[7].
Day 7: Return to Kunming
High-speed trains between Lijiang and Kunming take about 3 to 3.5 hours[8]. This is a travel day. Rest in the evening.
Day 8: Road to Yuanyang
This is the second long road day. Arrive in time for sunset over the terraces if the sky allows. Read the Yuanyang viewpoints guide first.
Day 9: Terraces at dawn, then home
Shoot at first light, then drive back to Kunming for a late flight. Do not book an early evening departure.
How long are the travel legs?
Day 2, Day 3, Day 8 and Day 9 all involve long roads. Rail covers Dali and Lijiang, but Dongchuan and Yuanyang need a driver. Treat these as full days. Our Honghe and Yuanyang region guide explains how practical the south is.
Where should you stay?
- Dongchuan and Yuanyang: close to the viewpoints, so you can leave in the dark.
- Dali: lakeside for dawn light.
- Lijiang: the edge of the Old Town, with a car at the door.
How can you adapt it?
- Shorter: skip Dongchuan and spend the extra night in Lijiang.
- Longer: add a night in Yuanyang so the last day is not a rush.
- Halal meals: look for the green 清真 sign. Hui-run restaurants avoid pork[9].
- Easier: use the Yuanyang and Honghe five-day plan as a separate trip.
What should you book ahead?
Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[10]. Book your driver and rooms near the viewpoints early, and ask for a late flight home on Day 9.
What if the weather turns?
A grey dawn on the terraces or a closed road can undo a plan. Keep Day 9 flexible and ask your agent what happens if the light fails: can a sunrise move to the next morning, and who pays for an extra night?
In the mountains, rain can close viewpoints for a day. Keep an indoor option, such as a market or a courtyard house, for those hours.
What about the budget?
A driver adds cost, and prices move with season, so use the budget planner with current quotes. For other routes, see the itineraries topic page.