ChinaSlow travel · Cities and culture · Nature and scenery
Seven unhurried days in Dali and Lijiang
Spend three nights each in Dali and Lijiang, giving Erhai’s shores, nearby villages and old-town streets their own days. Travel between the cities by rail and keep arrival and transfer days light, with time to adjust to the altitude.
Enquire about this itinerary
Places along the way
View the route on a map-
Dali
-
Lijiang
Pace, season and who it suits
Pace Three nights in Dali and three in Lijiang, keeping arrival and transfer days light.
Season Spring and autumn are generally comfortable; prepare for rain and noticeable day-to-night temperature changes.
Who it suits Travellers who prefer longer stays, village walks and scenery over demanding mountain hikes.
Erhai’s lakeside and fields
Dali and nearby villages
Lijiang old town and Baisha
01 Day 1
Dali
Arrive and settle into a slower pace
Check in and rest after reaching Dali, with a short walk near your accommodation later. Leave Cangshan and long cycling routes aside on arrival and settle into comfortable meals and sleep.
02 Day 2
Three Pagodas, Dali
Focus on the Three Pagodas with a short old-town walk
Focus on the Three Pagodas, choosing a visitor route suited to your energy and looking toward the Cangshan backdrop. Rest at midday, then keep any old-town stroll short rather than adding a mountain excursion.
03 Day 3
Erhai lakeside
Choose one side of Erhai Lake
Focus on one lakeside area and nearby villages, choosing a gentle route and a midday break. There is no need to circle the entire lake; select transport around current access rules and your energy.
04 Day 4
Lijiang
Take the train to Lijiang and settle in
Take the confirmed train to Lijiang and allow for the transfer to your accommodation. Arrange the final luggage connection over cobbled streets, then keep the evening to a short local walk and rest.
05 Day 5
Lijiang old town
A morning among waterways and wooden houses
Walk a short old-town route in the morning, noticing waterways, bridges, courtyards and wooden houses. Return for an afternoon break and choose one cultural venue if interested, rather than following crowds all day.
06 Day 6
Baisha
Baisha village and distant mountain views
Spend a half-day or longer in Baisha’s lanes and craft spaces, with a seated afternoon pause. Mountain views depend on visibility; reaching a high-altitude attraction is not a requirement for a worthwhile day.
07 Day 7
Lijiang
A quiet morning for departure
Have breakfast, pack and enjoy a final short old-town walk if time allows. Confirm the correct airport or station transfer and protect connecting travel time rather than adding a last-minute mountain excursion.
DATES, COMPANIONS AND STOPS
Where would you like to spend more time?
Bring this itinerary and tell us your dates, travel companions and the places you most want to keep.
Enquire about this itinerary’s arrangementsBefore you travel3
- Choose the right accommodation base
- Choose between old-town, outer-town and lakeside stays, checking vehicle access and the final luggage transfer.
- Decide on high-altitude visits separately
- High-altitude visits are not assumed; consider elevation, individual circumstances and official access before adding them.
- Slow down in the villages
- Ask before photographing people or entering courtyards, and arrange cultural activities around genuine local availability.
Itinerary and preparation
The itinerary can adapt to your dates, companions and interests. Bookings, transport and services are confirmed for the actual plan.
MORE ITINERARIES
Another view might be just right.
Cities and culture
Beijing palaces and the Great Wall in five days
Cities and culture
Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou in seven days
Cities and culture