A slow Yunnan trip is easy to plan if you keep the sleeping altitude moderate, stay three nights in each town and avoid the steepest sights. This plan has three nights in Dali and three in Lijiang, so there is always a morning with nothing to rush for.
It is natural to worry that your parents will tire, slip on a cobbled lane or feel the altitude. All three are manageable with the right order and a few questions to your agent.
Who is this route for?
It suits seniors, parents and anyone who needs fewer stairs and more rest. It leaves out Shangri-La on purpose. For regional guidance, see the Yunnan for seniors guide.
Route at a glance
- Day 1: Land in Kunming.
- Day 2: Train to Dali.
- Days 3 to 4: Dali, two rest days.
- Day 5: Move to Lijiang.
- Days 6 to 7: Lijiang, two easy days.
- Day 8: Depart.
Day by day
Day 1: Land in Kunming
Kunming sits at about 1,892 m[1]. The airport is about 24.5 km from the city centre[2], so ask for a car transfer. Keep dinner light and bedtime early.
Day 2: Train to Dali
Trains run to Dali about once an hour[3].
Arrive early: major stations ask for 30 to 40 minutes before departure, plus an X-ray bag check[4]. First class has wider 2+2 seats[5]. Everyone needs a passport for the ticket and the gate[6]. Rest in the afternoon.
Day 3: A flat morning in Dali
Dali City is at about 1,975 m[7]. Take a short, flat walk by Erhai Lake and sit by the water. Keep lunch long and rest in the hotel after.
Day 4: Old Town, softly
Visit Dali Old Town for an hour in the cool of the morning or evening. Our Dali Old Town guide shows the gates and quieter lanes. Take a taxi between stops.
Day 5: Move to Lijiang
Leave after breakfast and allow the whole morning for the road or the train. Lijiang’s Old Town is at 2,400 m[8]. Check in and rest. Walk a flat lane before dinner.
Day 6: Villages, not mountains
Visit Shuhe or Baisha in a car. Skip Yulong Snow Mountain, whose peak is 5,596 m[9], and Shangri-La at roughly 3,160 m[10]. Take a long lunch.
Day 7: A free day
Leave this day open. Walk if you feel strong, or sit in a tea house and watch the lanes. A free day protects the rest of the trip.
Day 8: Depart
Lijiang Sanyi Airport is about 28 km south of the city centre[11]. Leave plenty of time, and avoid a tight connection at Kunming.
How long are the travel legs?
The high-speed train from Kunming to Lijiang takes about 3 to 3.5 hours[12]. Day 2 and Day 5 are therefore half-travel days. Allow for the walk through the station, stairs and queues.
Where should you stay?
- Kunming: next to the station you will use.
- Dali: a quiet hotel with a lift, a short taxi ride from the Old Town.
- Lijiang: the edge of the Old Town, with a car drop-off at the door.
How can you adapt it?
- Less walking: use a private car, and read our guide to private car and driver.
- Heart or lung conditions: speak to a doctor first and consider staying in Dali only.
- Halal meals: look for the green 清真 sign. Hui-run restaurants avoid pork[13].
- With grandchildren: see our family plan with kids.
What should you book ahead?
Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure[14]. Ask for lift-equipped rooms and a car with a driver. Save the Consulate General of Malaysia in Kunming, +86 871 6316 5088[15], and the ambulance number, 120[16]. Carry medicine in its original packaging with a note in Chinese.
What should you pack for comfort?
Pack for cool mornings and strong sun. Bring a light jacket, a hat, comfortable shoes with grip for cobbles, and a small bag that is easy to carry.
A walking stick folds into a case and helps on stairs. Keep medicines, a spare supply and a doctor’s note in your hand luggage, not in the main bag.
What about the budget?
Prices move with season, hotel area and the cost of a car, so use the budget planner with current quotes. For other routes, see the itineraries topic page.