Southwest China
Yunnan
Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang, with time for craft and village life.
Make it part of your journey
A sense of the place.
01
Start with village life around Dali.
02
Slow down in the trading-town setting of Shaxi.
03
Balance Lijiang with a personal-interest day.
Leave a little time to explore.
4–5 days
Choose Dali and Lijiang; avoid trying to fit every side trip.
7 days
Include Shaxi and allow time between towns.
9 days
Add a craft experience, countryside day and room to rest.
A few practical thoughts.
Getting around
Discuss road and rail choices for each leg. Keep long transfers separate from ambitious sightseeing plans.
When to go
Conditions vary with altitude and region. Choose clothing and daily plans for the actual route, rather than treating Yunnan as one climate.
Your pace
Disclose altitude and mobility concerns during planning. Mountain visits are optional and require a separate suitability discussion.
