If you are looking for an organized trip to Yunnan, you are in the right place. Traveling in China can be complicated by the language barrier so the route includes an experienced guide who has lived in Yunnan for years and will make your trip much easier.
Also, getting around China, looking for stations, buying tickets, taking taxis, etc. can sometimes be a real hassle. That’s why the route is planned to be done with a private driver to take you everywhere. Without a doubt, it is a lifesaver for any trip in China and, above all, for Yunnan, the deep China, a province that is not yet used to foreigner tourism.
As the Lonely Planet says in his book “Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & the Greater Mekong”: “If you want to go to China, but only have time to see one province, that should definitely be Yunnan.
Organized trip to Yunnan – Itinerary through Yunnan:
The following is a step-by-step account of the 13-day route through Yunnan. In total, it would be 12 nights and 13 days.
It is plan this way since you get 15 days of visa upon arrival, and then you would have two nights left to visit the city of entry to China, which is usually Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Hong Kong. Of course, we can also help you to organize your trip in those cities, either to book hotels, look for a private driver and local guides.
| Day 1 | Arrival at Kunming – Shilin Limestone Forest | Night at Shilin |
| Day 2 & 3 | Yuanyang Rice Terraces and its unique villages | Two nights at Yuanyang |
| Day 4 | Jianshui and its famous Double Dragon Bridge | Night in Jianshui |
| Day 5 | Wieshan Ancient Town | Night in Weishan |
| Day 6 & 7 | Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake | Night in Dali |
| Day 8 | Shibaoshan Mountain and Shaxi | Night in Shaxi |
| Day 9 & 10 | Tibetan Shangrila and its surroundings | Two nights in Shangrila |
| Day 11 & 12 | Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lijiang | Two nights in Lijiang |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Lijiang airport/return to the airport of entry | – |
Price of the 13 day trip to Yunnan
The price of the trip varies according to the people who come on the trip. The more people who sign up, the cheaper it is:
- 2-3 Persons: From 2350 euros per person + Airline ticket
- 4-6 Persons: From 2150 euros per person + Airline ticket
- 7-8 Persons: From 1950 euros per person + Airline ticket
- 9-10 Persons: From 1790 euros per person + Airline ticket
Prices are approximate and may vary according to the requirements of each group and the season in which they travel.
Services included in the trip to Yunnan
To make your trip around Yunnan easier, the price of the route we offer is almost all included:
- 12 days hotel accommodation with breakfast included.
- Private English speaking guide for the whole trip and local guides.
- Van with private driver every day.
- Tickets to temples and parks.
- High speed train tickets.
- Transfers from the airport and train station to the hotel and vice versa.
- Visa for China. News! No visa fee is required for a 15-day stay! For citizens of Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malaysia, until December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders of these countries will be able to do business or travel to China without a visa for up to 15 days.
Services not included in the trip to Yunnan
- Lunches and dinners (We have not included it to give more flexibility to the travelers to choose want they want day by day. It’s difficult to spend more than 10-20 euros a day per person. If you want, we can also include the food in the total price, but we do not recommend it.)
- Plane ticket. We can advise you on dates, combinations and flights, but it is recommended that you pay for your flight ticket individually and personally.
- Travel insurance, since it is better to make them individualized. (Recommendation: 5% discount on your Mondo travel insurance)
Yunnan travel itinerary: ¡our day-to-day plan!
Day 1: Arrival Kunming – Shilin Limestone Forest
Arrival in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Transfer directly to Shilin Limestone Forest. The Shilin Limestone Forest, located 86 km from Kunming, is a park noted for its tall boulders emerging from the ground, forming an impressive stone forest.
This place was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and offers a unique and unforgettable experience among extraordinary geological formations. Accommodation in Shilin.
Day 2 & 3: From Shilin to Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Drive to the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, 250km from Shilin, making several stops along the way to visit villages with lots of charm and history. In Yuanyang, we will explore the most famous rice terraces in the area, such as Bada, Duoyishu and the famous Laohuzui viewpoint. Two days accommodation in Yuanyang.
Day 4: Yuanyang to Jianshui and its famous Double Dragon Bridge
From Yuanyang Terraces we will drive to Jianshui, which is 110km to the north. On the way, we will stop to see the Double Dragon Bridge (Shuang Long Qiao) built during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century and visit TuanShan, a well-preserved ancient village 13Km from Jianshui.
We will also enjoy the ancient part of Jianshui, the main wall similar to what one can find in the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Confucius Temple, the second largest temple in China dedicated to Confucius. We will stay in Jianshui.
Day 5: The ancient city of Weishan
From Jianshui we will go to Kunming and take the high speed train to reach Weishan in 3 hours. Located in Dali County, Weishan is a beautiful city that has managed to preserve its old town built in the Ming Dynasty, 600 years ago.
In Weishan we will also visit Weibao Mountain, located just 15Km away, is one of the 14 Taoist mountains in China. This mountain, full of different temples dedicated to different deities and historical characters, is a must visit place if you come to Weishan.
Day 6 and 7: Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake
From Weishan we will drive to the ancient city of Dali, which is 70km to the north (2h 30). The ancient town of Dali is one of the most famous places in Yunnan. The first day we will visit the old town which is surrounded by walls and has managed to preserve the traditional architecture of the Bai ethnic minority.
On the second day we will visit the Three Pagodas of Dali and tour the Erhai Lake, one of the largest lakes in China. Both days we will stay in the old part of Dali.
Day 8: Shibaoshan Mountain and Shaxi
Shaxi, just two hours from Dali (150 km), is a quiet village historically known as a tea and horse trading center. Before arriving in Shaxi, we will visit Shibao Mountain, home to some of China’s most important stone carvings.
Shaxi, still far from tourism, is perfect to enjoy a quiet day and to immerse yourself in the China of dynasties and emperors. Overnight in the old town of Shaxi.
Day 9 and 10: Tibetan Shangrila and surroundings
220km from Shaxi is Shangrila, the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Located at an altitude of 3300m, most of the inhabitants of Shangrila are ethnic Tibetans and the architecture of the houses and temples are Tibetan style.
We will visit the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan; Songzanlin, where more than 500 monks live. In the afternoon, we will enjoy the old part of Shangrila. Overnight in the ancient part of Shangrila.
The next day we will discover the nature of Shangrila, its surroundings and the Pudacuo Natural Park, located in one of the most biologically diverse regions of the world. Although the region comprises only 0.7% of China’s land area, it contains more than 20% of the country’s plant species, about a third of the country’s mammal and bird species, and almost 100 endangered species.
Day 11 and 12: Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lijiang
At 180Km from Shangrila is Lijiang; possibly the most charming village in Yunnan, but also the most touristy. Stone bridges, streams, cobblestone streets and traditional Chinese architecture houses make it definitely worth a visit.
On the way to Lijiang, we will visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the highest river canyons in the world where we can enjoy the spectacular views of the Yangtze River. Then we will continue to Lijiang.
In Lijiang, we will learn about the Naxi culture, the ethnic minority from Tibet and currently the largest in the area. In addition, we will visit different emblematic places of Lijiang that will surely not leave us indifferent. The old part of Lijiang was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1997. Accommodation in the old part of Lijiang.
Day 13: Transfer to Lijiang airport
The next day, on the 13th, our driver will take us to Lijiang airport to leave China or return to the airport of entry in time, which is usually Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu.
Organized Trip to Yunnan: Travel as a couple, with friends or in a group
- You can choose to travel as a couple or with friends in a private group.
- In addition, we can arrange a Yunnan tour for you at any time of the year.
- If, on the other hand, you prefer to be included in a group with more people, these are usually in July and August, as there are usually more travelers.
- Attention! We have started to open groups for July and August, if you want to join one and know the exact dates, please contact us!
What goals did we set for ourselves during our 13-day tour of Yunnan?
During these 13 day trip to Yunnan the objectives we set ourselves will be:
- Get to know the different ethnic minorities in Yunnan, their customs and way of life.
- Visit mountain villages that have remained the same for over a hundred years.
- Visit villages that have managed to preserve ancient Chinese architecture.
- Walk among millenary rice terraces and enjoy the peace that surrounds them.
- Discover Yunnan’s unique passages, such as the Stone Forest and the highest river canyons in the world.
- Enjoy the beautiful temples and the varied parks of Yunnan.
- Taste the local cuisine, so different in each village we visit.
- Broaden our knowledge of Chinese culture and history.
- Experience an unforgettable trip full of unique moments.
Frequently asked questions about our 13-day route to Yunnan
- We are currently working closely with an agency in China. They take care of the legal formalities, travel insurance, invoicing, hotel bookings and arranging transport and drivers for us.
- My responsibility and my job is to plan the route, organize the groups, coordinate with the agency the requirements and needs of each group, be your guide during the trip and make sure that everything goes as agreed.
- In case I cannot be your guide due to prior commitments or other reasons, you will be accompanied by another experienced Spanish-speaking Yunnan resident guide.
- From Madrid to Kunming or from Barcelona to Kunming, a return flight ticket usually costs between 600 – 1200 euros.
- Most hostels are 3 or 4 starts. We have looked for accommodation that combine a modern style with the traditional style of each place we are going.
- Breakfast is included at all hotels.
- The best time to visit a water- filled rice terraces in Yunnan is between December and February. In Yunnan, the weather is usually good throughout most of the year, but if you come in the summer, during the rainy season, it is possible that rains.
- Although Yunnan remains largely unknown to foreign tourists, in recent years it has become very popular within China so it is possible that in high season we may find crowds of Chinese in some specific points.
- If this route is not suitable for you, we can also design/organize a more personalize route for you.
More information or contact me
Feel free to check out the blog for more information on each city. Also, here I talk about the 8 best places to visit if you are coming to Yunnan. If you decide to take a trip to China and visit Yunnan, you can get in touch with me (contacto@sindestinoaparente.com) for any questions you may have about our organized trip to Yunnan.
For the time being, until December 31, 2025, no visa will be required for 15-day stays in China. In the more distant future, who knows, so take advantage of it!
We don’t travel to escape life, we travel so that life doesn’t escape us.
