5 days and 4 nights! Explore Dali + Lijiang, students go for it!

Itinerary Day 1:
Dali Ancient Town - Free stroll
Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Dali (budget option: hard sleeper train, depart in the evening and arrive in the morning to save money and time)
Accommodation: Hostel inside the ancient town (recommended "Dali Camel Youth Hostel," 40-50 RMB/night, great atmosphere and easy to find travel buddies)
Activities: In the afternoon, stroll along Renmin Road to find handmade crafts and try grilled milk fan cheese (5 RMB/portion)
Climb Wuhua Tower at night to see the panoramic view of the ancient town (free)
Food: Dinner at "Zai Huishou Cold Chicken Rice Noodles" (10 RMB/bowl)
Night market must-try: Yangbi rolled rice noodles (8 RMB/portion)

Day 2: Erhai Lake cycling + Xizhou Ancient Town
Transportation: Rent an electric scooter (30 RMB/day, can carry 2 people)
Route: Ancient Town → Caicun → S Bay → Xizhou (all free scenic spots)
Check-in spots: Caicun Pier: watch the Erhai Lake sunrise (arrive before 7 AM to secure a spot)
Xizhou Corner Tower: free photo of vintage architecture
Xizhou rice fields: lush green in spring and summer, golden in autumn, perfect for photos!
Food: Xizhou "Su Xiangyuan Monk Xizhou Baba" (sweet and savory flavors, 10 RMB)

Day 3: Dali → Lijiang - Shuhe Ancient Town
Transportation: Carpool/high-speed train to Lijiang (carpool 50 RMB/person, 2 hours)
Accommodation: Shuhe hostel (recommended "K2 International Hostel," 35 RMB/night, close to the ancient town)
Activities: Afternoon stroll in Shuhe Ancient Town (quieter than Lijiang Ancient Town, free admission)
7:00 PM join the hostel bonfire party (free, great for socializing!)
Food: Try "Naxi grilled rice cake" (6 RMB each)

Day 4: Free alternative to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain! Ganheba hiking
Transportation: Bus to "Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area Entrance" (15 RMB/person)
Money-saving tip: Don’t buy the snow mountain ticket! Instead, take the Ganheba hiking route (ask locals for the free entrance)
See the same snow mountain background + Milk Lake, about 3 hours hiking
Alternative: If tired, visit Baisha Ancient Town for coffee with a snow mountain view (coffee shop average 25 RMB/person)

Day 5: Lijiang Ancient Town - Return trip
Morning: Rush to Sifang Street before 7 AM for empty shots of the ancient town
Recommended souvenirs at the "local market": wild mushroom dried goods (20 RMB/small pack)
Transportation: Bus directly to airport/train station (about 1 hour)

💰 Cost breakdown (per person)
Accommodation: 4 nights in hostels ≈ 200 RMB
Transportation: High-speed train/carpool/bus ≈ 400 RMB
Meals: 50 RMB daily (snacks + main dishes) ≈ 250 RMB
Others: Vehicle rental + snacks ≈ 150 RMB
Total: 1000 RMB (excluding major round-trip transport, flexible and controllable!)

✅ Budget travel tips:
Save on tickets: Most ancient towns in Yunnan are free, avoid commercialized spots
Transport hack: WeChat mini program "Dian Yue Travel" carpooling is cheaper than high-speed train
Off-peak meals: Local restaurants offer discounts on set meals after 2 PM!
Sun protection warning: Strong UV on the plateau, use physical sun protection + sunscreen for double protection!

📸 Photo recommendations:
Erhai Lake S Bay (morning with good light and fewer people)
Xizhou rice fields (soft light in the afternoon)
Ganheba snow mountain photo spot (more stunning with a telephoto lens)

Yunnan is perfect for slow and budget travel, the scenery is everywhere~ Remember to bring your student ID (some spots offer discounts), and share meals and rides with fellow travelers you meet on the road for double the fun!