Yunnan Secret Realm: Unveiling the Mysteries of Southern Yunnan's Mountains and Waters

Yunnan 5 Days 4 Nights Travel Guide (Budget 6000 RMB)
Destinations: Kunming → Dali → Lijiang (Classic Northwest Yunnan Route)
Suitable for: Couples/Friends/Families, preferring natural scenery + cultural experiences
Budget Allocation: Transportation 40% + Accommodation 20% + Food 15% + Tickets/Experiences 20% + Others 5%

📅 Itinerary
Day 1: Kunming · First Impressions of the Spring City

Morning: Arrive in Kunming

✈️ Transportation: Recommend early flight (e.g., Beijing → Kunming, round-trip ticket about 2000 RMB/person)
🚇 Airport → City: Metro Line 6 (about 5 RMB) or taxi (about 50 RMB)

Afternoon:

🌸 Dianchi Haigeng Dam (Free): See red-billed gulls in winter, suitable for cycling in other seasons.
🏯 Yunnan Nationalities Village (Ticket 90 RMB): Experience the cultures of 25 ethnic minorities (optional).

Evening:

🍜 Nanping Pedestrian Street: Try small pot rice noodles, steam pot chicken (about 40 RMB per person).
🏨 Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Kunming city (e.g., near "Cuihu Hotel," about 350 RMB/night).

Day 2: Dali · Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon

Morning:

🚄 Kunming → Dali (High-speed train 2 hours, second class seat 145 RMB).
🏨 Accommodation: Guesthouse in Dali Old Town or by Erhai Lake (recommended near "Erhaimen," about 400 RMB/night).

Afternoon:

🚲 Erhai Lake cycling (electric bike rental 50 RMB/day): From Old Town → Xizhou Ancient Town (check in at S-bend, covered bridge along the way).
🏡 Xizhou Ancient Town (Free): Try Xizhou baba (sweet and savory types), photograph rice fields and yellow walls.

Evening:

🌌 Dali Old Town night tour: Visit Renmin Road bars, listen to folk music (recommended "Da Bing's Little House").

Day 3: Dali → Lijiang · Snow Mountain Ancient Town

Morning:

🚗 Carpool/charter to Lijiang (2.5 hours, carpool about 100 RMB/person).
🏨 Accommodation: Lijiang Old Town or Shuhe Ancient Town (recommended "Shuhe Ancient Town" for quieter stay, about 450 RMB/night).

Afternoon:

🏔️ Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day tour (group tour about 400 RMB/person, includes ticket + cable car + oxygen + cold-proof clothing):

Ascend to 4680m Glacier Park (main cable car)
Blue Moon Valley (Free, stunning blue lake)

Evening:

🍢 Lijiang Old Town: Eat cured pork rib hotpot (about 60 RMB per person), stroll Sifang Street.

Day 4: Lijiang · Slow Life

Morning:

🚶 Shuhe Ancient Town (Ticket 30 RMB): More original than Lijiang Old Town, great for photos and relaxing.
🏞️ Baisha Ancient Town (Free): See the Naxi old village under the snow mountain, check in at "7 sea bar" café.

Afternoon:

🐎 Lashi Lake horseback riding (optional, about 150 RMB/person): Tea Horse Road experience (remember to bargain).

Evening:

🎵 Lijiang folk music bars: Recommended "Hope You Are Here Too" or "Jianghu."

Day 5: Return or Kunming Transit

Morning:

✈️ Lijiang → Kunming (flight 1 hour, about 500 RMB) or high-speed train (3.5 hours, 220 RMB).
🛍️ Kunming Dounan Flower Market (Asia's largest fresh flower market, 10 RMB for a bouquet of roses).

Afternoon:

🚗 Head to the airport for return trip.

💰 Budget Details (2 people traveling, about 3000 RMB per person)

Transportation: Airfare 2000 RMB + High-speed train/carpool 500 RMB ≈ 2500 RMB
Accommodation: Kunming 350 RMB + Dali 400 RMB + Lijiang 450 RMB×2 ≈ 1650 RMB
Food: Main meals 50 RMB/meal ×10 meals + snacks ≈ 600 RMB
Tickets/Experiences: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 400 RMB + Lashi Lake 150 RMB ≈ 550 RMB
Others: Souvenirs + insurance ≈ 200 RMB

⚠️ Notes

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tickets should be booked in advance (main cable car is hard to get in peak season).
Take sun protection when cycling around Erhai Lake in Dali; Lijiang Old Town maintenance fee has been canceled.
If budget is tight, skip Lashi Lake and replace with free visit to Baisha Ancient Town.

✨ The romance of Yunnan is the wind of Cangshan and Erhai, the night of Lijiang Old Town, and the snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This guide helps you explore Northwest Yunnan with 6000 RMB!