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Private route · 9 days
Lijiang, Shangri-La and Dali: 9-Day Private Tour (2027)
Lijiang's old town and snow mountain views, Shangri-La's highland monasteries and Erhai Lake in Dali, with a private car and guide throughout and rest built into every stop.
- Duration
- 9 days · 8 nights
- Pace
- Easy-going (1 of 4)
- Cities
- Lijiang → Shangri-La → Dali
- Best for
- Travellers seeking unhurried, high-end Yunnan
Who it's for
This route suits travellers who want Yunnan's mountains and old towns without rushing, and who value comfortable hotels and quiet afternoons. Each stop has time to settle in, and the rail days are kept light, with rest planned around them. Shangri-La sits at high altitude, so the first afternoon there is rest only. A private car and guide stay with you throughout.
The route
- 1. Lijiang3 nights
- 2. Shangri-La3 nights
- 3. Dali2 nights
- Days 1–3Lijiang3 nightsHigh-speed rail
- Days 4–6Shangri-La3 nightsHigh-speed rail
- Days 7–9Dali2 nights
Highlights
- Baisha village and its murals, with your guide
- Black Dragon Pool, with views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain when the weather allows
- Songzanlin Monastery, visited at an easy pace
- Xizhou village and its Bai architecture
Day by day
- Morning
Arrive at Lijiang Sanyi airport, where your private guide and driver meet you for the transfer to a proposed top boutique courtyard hotel near Lijiang Old Town, subject to consultant confirmation.
AfternoonRest at the hotel, with nothing planned so that a late arrival or an early start does not matter.
EveningAn easy walk through the old town lanes with your guide, followed by a relaxed dinner nearby.
- Morning
Drive with your guide to Baisha village to see its murals and the quiet lanes around them.
AfternoonBack at the hotel for a long rest, lunch at your own pace and time to read or sleep.
EveningIn late afternoon, your private car takes you to Black Dragon Pool for views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, weather permitting, then back to the old town for dinner.
- Morning
Visit Shuhe old town with your guide, with time for tea and a walk along its stream and lanes.
AfternoonFree time. Your guide and car are on call if you want to stay out, or you can rest at the hotel.
EveningA Naxi dinner, with your guide happy to suggest dishes and explain the local flavours.
- Morning
Your private guide and driver take you to Lijiang station, where you board a train to Shangri-La with your guide.
AfternoonA private car takes you to a proposed top boutique hotel near Dukezong old town, subject to consultant confirmation. Shangri-La sits at high altitude, so this afternoon is rest only.
EveningA quiet dinner at or near the hotel and an early night.
- Morning
Visit Songzanlin Monastery with your guide at an easy pace, leaving time to sit and take in the courtyards and halls.
AfternoonReturn to the hotel for a rest block, with lunch and a quiet afternoon.
EveningA gentle evening walk in Dukezong old town with your guide, then dinner in the old town.
- Morning
Private car to a viewpoint over the Napa Lake grasslands (seasonal), with unhurried time to walk and take photographs.
AfternoonFree time. Rest at the hotel, or ask your guide to arrange a short outing nearby.
EveningA quiet dinner, kept simple before tomorrow's rail day.
- Morning
A quiet morning before your guide and driver take you to Shangri-La station.
AfternoonTake a direct train to Dali with your guide, then transfer by private car to your proposed hotel near Erhai Lake, subject to consultant confirmation. Train times depend on your travel date.
EveningSettle in and have dinner near the hotel; a short lakeside walk is optional if arrival time allows.
- Morning
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas with your guide, at a steady and comfortable pace.
AfternoonReturn to the hotel for lunch and a proper rest.
EveningIn late afternoon, visit Xizhou village with your guide to see its Bai architecture, then dinner nearby or back at the lake.
- Morning
A slow breakfast and, if time allows, a last walk by the lake before your guide and private car take you to Dali airport or Dali station, timed to your departure.
AfternoonOnward travel from Dali, with the transfer timed to your departure.
EveningDeparture day, with no further arrangements.
When to go
Spring and autumn usually suit all three stops, with mountain views more likely in the drier months. Shangri-La is cold in winter, and the Napa Lake grasslands are seasonal.
“I keep the first afternoon in Shangri-La for rest only, and plan Black Dragon Pool for late afternoon, with the mountain views depending on the weather.”
Two ways to take this route
Same route. Travel on your own, or with a guide every day.
Independent
From $2,400 per person
We book hotels, high-speed trains and tickets, and you travel on your own with the LocalKey app. Add a private guide for the days you choose.
- Guide
- No full-time guide; add a guide for set times or sights
- Car
- On request
Private Guided
From $3,900 per person
Your own guide and private car throughout, so sights, meals and transfers are handled with you.
- Guide
- English-speaking private guide throughout
- Car
- Private car throughout
Included on both
- Hotels selected by us, confirmed by you, usually with breakfast
- Transport inside China: high-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers, including 12306 handling
- Entrance tickets for the sights in your itinerary
- Restaurant bookings made ahead where China requires it
- 24h WhatsApp / WeChat support while you travel, plus the LocalKey app
Not included
- International flights — we can book them on request, quoted separately
- Visa fees — many passports can enter China visa-free. Check your passport
- Personal spending and shopping
- Travel insurance
Make it yours
Keep the shape. Change the details.
Shorter or longer
Drop a stop for a shorter trip, or add a city or extra nights where you want more time.
Different hotels
Boutique, international brand or family rooms, in the area that suits your days.
Slower pace
An extra night in a city and fewer early starts.
Your interests
Food, photography, museums or kung fu, swapped into the free time.
Related itineraries
A few more starting points.
5 daysShanghai · SuzhouShanghai + Suzhou: 5 Days, Soft Landing
- Independent
- from $1,400 per person
- Private Guided
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9 daysBeijing · Xi'an · ShanghaiFirst Time China: 9 Days, Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai
- Independent
- from $2,400 per person
- Private Guided
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7 daysShanghai · Hangzhou · SuzhouModern + Poetic: 7 Days, Shanghai + Hangzhou + Suzhou
- Independent
- from $1,800 per person
- Private Guided
- from $2,900 per person
Per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included. Upgraded hotels, extra car or guide time and special requests can raise the price. Your consultant sends a written quote before you pay anything. Reference prices for 2027 trips.
Start planning
Where would you like to begin in China?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A specialist replies within 24 hours with questions, then a written proposal; nothing is booked until you approve it.