Yunnan Six-Day Light Luxury Itinerary

Explore the essence of Yunnan for 6000 RMB! A cost-effective six days and five nights guide｜Tested by an experienced travel blogger, covering Kunming + Dali + Lijiang in one trip

As a seasoned travel blogger who visits Yunnan deeply every year, I must say: the real Yunnan is not on the typical tour group checklist, but in the morning light at the Dounan Flower Market, the cycling breeze on the east shore of Erhai Lake, the coffee aroma in the alleys of the ancient towns, and the spruce forest at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
This time, using years of scouting experience, I’ve customized a 6000 RMB budget, six days and five nights light luxury slow travel guide for you—no rushing, no shopping stops, no staying in overrated trendy hotels, easily connecting Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang, the three classic destinations, packing the poetic mountains and rivers of the Land of Eternal Spring into your bag.

Day 1: Arrive in Spring City Kunming → Night tour of Dounan Flower Market + Old Street vibes
It’s recommended to choose an early flight landing at Changshui Airport (round-trip tickets from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen controlled within 2200 RMB), then take the subway directly to the city center.
Stay at an artsy guesthouse near Green Lake (600 RMB for two nights), and head straight to Dounan Flower Market in the evening:
✅ Flowers are discounted after 5 PM, get a big bouquet of roses + eustoma for 99 RMB
✅ The dazzling lights at night make it feel like a dream in a sea of flowers
Stop by for a bowl of tofu rice noodles or three-flavor tofu to start your Yunnan culinary journey.

Day 2-3: Take the high-speed train to Dali → Free travel around Erhai Lake + Slow life in the ancient town
Take the high-speed train for 2 hours to Dali Station (second-class seat 145 RMB), then carpool to Caicun Pier and check into a designer guesthouse by Erhai Lake (800 RMB for two nights).
Day 2 cycling around Erhai Lake: rent an electric bike (80 RMB/day), recommended route:
✅ Caicun → Xizhou Ancient Town (check out the corner tower and rice field café)
✅ Try Xizhou baba (local pancake) + butter beer, full of pastoral vibes
✅ Return towards Xiaguan, capturing stunning shots of the S-shaped road along the way

Day 3 hike Cangshan Mountain via the Gantong Cableway (one-way 120 RMB), trek the Qingbi Stream trail, listen to the mountain spring’s tinkling, and see the thousand-year-old ancient temple hidden in the forest.

Day 4-5: High-speed train to Lijiang → Light hiking at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain + Relax in the ancient town
2-hour high-speed train to Lijiang Station (second-class seat 80 RMB), stay at a quiet and artsy guesthouse in Shuhe Ancient Town (700 RMB for two nights).
Day 4 at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area:
✅ Buy the “Main Cableway + Eco Bus” ticket (220 RMB)
✅ Reach the Glacier Park summit (4506 meters), enjoy the distant snowy peaks
✅ Optional free visit to Blue Moon Valley, where the lake water looks like emeralds set in the valley
Book tickets in advance, bring oxygen bottles and sunscreen.

Day 5 slow tour of Shuhe Ancient Town:
✅ Visit Baisha Murals and Jiuding Longtan
✅ Read and sunbathe at a corner café
✅ At night, go to Zhongyi Market for Naxi-style barbecue and chicken bean jelly

Day 6: Take Yunnan flavors home before departure
Spend the last half day at Lijiang Ancient Town South Gate vegetable market or return to Kunming for shopping:
✅ Rose cakes, fresh flower jam (freshly made is more fragrant)
✅ Wild mushroom dried goods, Pu’er tea cakes
✅ Small-batch coffee drip bags (recommended local roasting brand)

💰 Budget breakdown:
✅ Round-trip airfare: 2200 RMB
✅ Accommodation for five nights: 2100 RMB (average 420 RMB/night)
✅ High-speed train + taxis + rentals: 450 RMB
✅ Food + snacks: 800 RMB
✅ Tickets + cableways + experiences: 650 RMB
✅ Souvenirs + shopping: 800 RMB

Total: 5980 RMB, comfortable and decent, no hidden costs throughout!

📌 Tips:
✔️ Yunnan has large temperature differences between day and night, bring a windbreaker
✔️ Move slowly in high-altitude areas, prevent altitude sickness
✔️ Download the “Railway 12306” app in advance for flexible ticket purchases

The real Yunnan is the dew at the flower market in the early morning, the skirt fluttering in the Erhai breeze, and the distant Naxi ancient music at the foot of the snow mountain.

I am a seasoned travel blogger, focusing on authentic, in-depth, and heartfelt travel sharing.
Follow me, and next time I’ll take you deep into the rainy season in Shangri-La and the secret golden sunlight on Meili Snow Mountain!