Clara Bennett
April 10, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Set across the breathtaking landscapes of southwest China’s Yunnan, this 10-day adventure tour visits all the region’s top unmissable spots, including Kunming, the vibrant red countryside, Dali, Lijiang, and the mystical highland gem Shangri-La. Curated to deliver the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and cultural discovery, this carefully selected itinerary is designed to give you the most immersive, memorable Yunnan experience possible. We offer this top-rated route at an unbeatable value, with secure, trusted payment processes to keep your entire booking simple and stress-free.
This 10-day curated journey takes you through the full breadth of Yunnan, China’s most culturally and ecologically diverse province, starting in the laid-back capital of Kunming. You’ll first venture out to capture the otherworldly colors of Dongchuan Red Land before heading west to the scenic lakeside town of Dali, where you’ll experience traditional Bai ethnic culture. From Dali, you’ll travel north through dramatic mountain gorges to the alpine wonderland of Shangri-La, before finishing your adventure in the historic Naxi city of Lijiang at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The route blends nature photography, adventure, cultural immersion and relaxation, packing all of Yunnan’s can’t-miss highlights into one seamless trip.
Your Yunnan adventure officially begins today upon your arrival in Kunming. There are no scheduled activities, so you can take your time settling in and getting acclimated to the Yunnan climate. You’ll stay overnight at Howard Johnson Life GUANDU KUNMING 🏨.
Start your day with a filling included breakfast 🍽️ before departing Kunming for the vivid hills of Dongchuan Red Land. Your first stop is Music Hollow (Yuepuao), located near Flower Stone Village, where you can wander through terraced, multi-colored fields. Later, you’ll head to Wafang Liangzi to set up for sunset, capturing stunning shots of the golden afterglow painting the red hills. The day wraps up with a stop at Luoxianggou Valley for more golden-hour sunset photography before turning in for the night.
Wake up before dawn today to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the rolling hills at Damakan, where the first light of day turns the red landscape even more vivid. After sunrise, enjoy your included breakfast 🍽️ before exploring the sweeping, rolling red fields of Jinxiuyuan. Once you’ve soaked in all the red landscape magic, travel back to Kunming and check into your overnight accommodation at Howard Johnson Life GUANDU KUNMING 🏨.
Kick off the day with included breakfast 🍽️, followed by a leisurely stroll around Green Lake, Kunming’s charming urban oasis dotted with willow trees and local activity. Next, you’ll visit the otherworldly Stone Forest, a dramatic karst landscape made up of thousands of towering limestone spires. After exploring, board a comfortable second-class bullet train from Kunming to Dali, then check into HAWTHORN BY WYNDHAM DALI ERHAI PARK for the night 🏨.
After your included morning breakfast 🍽️, head to the ancient town of Xizhou to experience a traditional Bai ethnic three-course tea ceremony, sampling the three distinct flavors that represent the journey of life. Next, travel to Zhoucheng village, the birthplace of Yunnan’s famous traditional tie-dye craft, where you’ll tour a working tie-dye workshop and learn about this centuries-old art form. Finish the day with a relaxing visit to the stunning shores of Erhai Lake, before returning to your Dali hotel 🏨.
Today you’ll head north into the alpine highlands of Shangri-La, starting with your included breakfast 🍽️. Your first stop is the scenic First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the great river carves a dramatic turn through towering mountain peaks. Next, explore the world-famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons on Earth, with thundering rapids and sheer cliff walls. By evening, you’ll arrive at Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La, where you can stroll the cobblestone lanes and spin the giant Grand Prayer Wheel on Guishan Hill. Check into Holiday Inn Express Shangri-La (Dukezong Ancient Town) for the night 🏨.
Enjoy your included breakfast 🍽️ before setting out to explore Shangri-La’s top cultural and natural highlights. First up is the majestic Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan’s largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, perched on a hillside with sweeping views of the surrounding valley. Next, visit the scenic Napahai Lake, a grass-fringed high-altitude wetland that attracts hundreds of species of migratory birds. In the afternoon, get an intimate look at local life with a visit to a traditional Tibetan family, learning about their customs and daily routines. Return to your Shangri-La hotel for the night 🏨.
After your included morning breakfast 🍽️, depart alpine Shangri-La and travel south to the historic city of Lijiang. Once you arrive, wander the UNESCO-listed winding lanes of Lijiang Old Town, with its gurgling canals and traditional wooden Naxi architecture. Next, visit the lush Black Dragon Pool Park, where you’ll get a postcard-perfect view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the pool’s still waters. You’ll also stop at the Dongba Culture Museum to learn about the unique ancient written language and traditions of the Naxi people. Check into Laifeng Lijiang Ancient City Branch for the night 🏨.
Start your day of alpine adventure with included breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel. First, stop at the open grasslands of Ganhaizi Meadow, which sits at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and offers sweeping views of the snow-capped peaks. Next, visit the stunning turquoise waters of Baishui River, also known as Blue Moon Valley, where you can walk along the river banks and capture photos of the vivid blue waters against the mountain backdrop. Take a chairlift up to either Glacier Park or Spruce Meadow, depending on your preference, to explore the high alpine terrain. End the day with the world-famous open-air Impression Lijiang show, which celebrates the diverse ethnic cultures of the region. Return to your Lijiang hotel for the night 🏨.
Enjoy your final included breakfast 🍽️ of the tour this morning in Lijiang. Your 10-day Yunnan adventure concludes here, with plenty of unforgettable memories to take home as you depart for your next destination.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 10, 2026
Ten days flew by and I already want to plan my next trip back to Yunnan.
February 19, 2026
I came to Yunnan wanting to see stunning natural scenery and experience local ethnic culture, and this tour delivered both perfectly. We got enough free time in Dali to wander the old town and relax by Erhai Lake, and the crisp mountain air in Shangri-la felt like a total reset. Our guide knew all the best hidden photo spots for the Red Land at sunrise, so I came home with hundreds of incredible shots. I’d recommend this trip to anyone who loves outdoor adventure mixed with relaxed cultural exploration.
January 5, 2026
The contrast between the vibrant red countryside and the alpine landscapes of Shangri-la is something I’ll never forget. Lijiang’s ancient cobblestone town is so charming, and we had plenty of time to explore it at our own pace.
September 22, 2025
I’ve done dozens of adventure tours across Asia, and this Yunnan trip is one of the best organized I’ve ever joined. The pacing is perfect, so you never feel rushed between destinations even when driving between Kunming and Shangri-la. I loved getting to try local specialties at every stop, from crossing-the-bridge noodles in Kunming to creamy yak butter tea in Shangri-la. If you’re nervous about planning a Yunnan trip on your own, this tour takes all the stress out and lets you just enjoy the adventure.
July 14, 2025
As a hiking lover, this tour checked every box on my wishlist. Waking up for sunrise over the Red Land was 100% worth the early start. I can’t recommend this 10-day adventure enough for anyone visiting southwest China.
May 2, 2025
All the landscapes on this tour are absolutely incredible and every top spot was included. We traveled during the May public holiday, so popular spots in Dali and Lijiang were much more wonderful than I anticipated, which cut into a bit of our sightseeing time. Still, it was an unforgettable adventure.
March 12, 2025
This 10-day Yunnan adventure was the best trip I have ever booked.
January 18, 2025
My consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust my booking when my incoming flight got delayed, and the whole tour went off without a hitch. Every landscape from Kunming’s green hills to Shangri-la’s snow-capped peaks was more beautiful than the last. This is a must-book trip for any first-time visitor to Yunnan.
December 28, 2024
Every stop on this itinerary was perfectly chosen. The rolling rust-colored hills of the Red Land and the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang took my breath away.
