china

12 Days / 11 Nights
Destinations: Lijiang • Dali • Shangri-La (Yunnan)
From $1,690/person

Road Less Traveled

Adventure through Southwest China’s untouched beauty. Tibetan influences, mountain towns, and something different every day.

Day 1

Lijiang arrival

Day 2-3

Explore Old Town + Black Dragon Pool

Day 4-5

Dali – cycling, lake cruise, Bai culture

Day 6-8

Shangri-La – monastery, Tibetan village

Day 9

Snow Mountain hike or cable car

Day 10-11

Return to Lijiang

Day 12

Departure

General Information

This one’s for the explorers — the folks who want more than just the usual tourist trail. The Yunnan region in southwest China is wildly diverse, full of ethnic cultures, Tibetan influences, and dramatic natural beauty. You’ll wander through cobblestone towns, visit ancient temples, and even see snow-capped peaks. Local markets, traditional Naxi music, and yak butter tea await. The landscapes shift from valleys to mountains, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. Expect some light trekking, high-altitude views, and stories you'll tell forever. Great for travelers with a curious heart and adventurous spirit. If you want authenticity and something less polished — this is the one.

Included and Optional Services

Included Services

Boutique hotels
All domestic travel
Bilingual guide
Entry fees
Most meals

Optional Extras

Tibetan Culture Experience in Shangri-La: Join a local Tibetan family for a traditional meal and cultural exchange.
Horseback Riding in Dali: Discover the landscapes of Dali from a horseback ride through rolling hills and along Erhai Lake.
Biking Tour in Lijiang: Cycle through the charming old town and visit hidden corners of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
Stay in a Tibetan Monastery: For those wanting an immersive experience, spend a night at a Tibetan monastery in Shangri-La.

Tips

Altitude is higher in Shangri-La — pace yourself
Try yak butter tea at least once
Perfect for repeat China travelers

Region Overview

Welcome to Yunnan, one of China’s most culturally rich and geographically stunning provinces. Located in the southwest, this region borders Tibet, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and it shows in its diversity. You'll visit Lijiang, an old Naxi town with cobbled streets and lantern-lit bridges. Then Dali, surrounded by mountains and a big, calm lake — loved by artists and free spirits. Finally, you’ll head toward Shangri-La, high in the Tibetan plateau, where prayer flags flutter and snow-capped mountains dominate the skyline. The air is fresh, the culture is deeply spiritual, and the pace of life is wonderfully slow. You’ll meet different ethnic minorities, eat food you’ve never tried before, and see landscapes that feel untouched. It’s a place where adventure and tradition go hand in hand. Yunnan isn’t China’s touristy side — and that’s exactly the point.

Seeking something real and remote?

Book Road Less Traveled — adventure lives here.

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