
1. Route Planning
 
- Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri La Line
- Kunming: Dianchi Lake, Shilin Scenic Area, etc
- Dali: Erhai Lake, Dali Old City, Chongsheng * Three Towers, etc
- Lijiang: the Old Town of Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain, Shuhe Ancient Town, etc
- Shangri La: Pudacuo National Park, Songzanlin *, Dukezong Ancient City, etc
- Kunming Xishuangbanna Line
- Kunming: as mentioned earlier
2. Travel Preparation
 
- Vehicle inspection: Ensure good vehicle performance, including tires, brakes, oil, etc
- Documents: Bring relevant documents such as ID card, driver's license, and driving license
- Clothing: Prepare suitable clothing according to the season. Yunnan has a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so it is recommended to bring a jacket
- Medications: commonly used cold medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastrointestinal medicines, etc
III. Scenic Spots Along the Way
 
- Erhai Lake
- Erhai Lake is one of the four scenic spots in Dali"Wind, Flowers, Snow, Moon""Erhai Lake Moon". The lake water is clear and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. You can choose to take a boat tour or ride by the lake

- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is called"Oulu"in Naxi language, meaning"Tianshan". Its thirteen snow capped peaks stretch endlessly, resembling a giant dragon soaring and dancing, hence it is called the Jade Dragon
IV. Food Recommendations
 
- Kunming
- Crossing the bridge noodles: delicious soup, rich side dishes
- tofu pudding Rice Noodles: fresh and refreshing, with special flavor
- Dali
- Crispy Rice Cake: There are two flavors: sweet and salty, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior
- Bait silk: Soft and glutinous in taste, with a rich broth
- Lijiang
- Braised pork ribs hotpot: full of preserved flavor and rich nutrition
- Naxi grilled fish: crispy skin, tender meat, and delicious taste
- Shangri La
- Crispy tea: with rich Tibetan characteristics
- Qingke Cake: Sweet and delicious, with a strong sense of satiety
- Xishuangbanna
- Dai style barbecue: Don't miss the lemongrass grilled fish, roasted chicken, etc
- Bamboo tube food: rice with bamboo fragrance
V. Accommodation Arrangements
 
- Kunming: You can choose hotels in the city center or near Dianchi Lake, with convenient transportation and complete surrounding facilities<
- Dali: Recommended homestays by the Erhai Lake, where you can enjoy beautiful lake views
- Xishuangbanna: There are many hotel options in Jinghong city area with high cost-effectiveness
VI. Precautions
 
- Yunnan has complex terrain and some road sections have poor road conditions, so it is necessary to be careful and cautious when driving
- Respect local religions and customs, especially in ethnic minority areas
- Pay attention to sun protection, Yunnan has strong ultraviolet rays
Yunnan Tourism Guide
I. Travel Arrangement
 
- First day
- Arrived in Kunming, rested for a while, went to Dianchi Lake to enjoy the lake view, and in the evening went to Kunming Old Street to taste delicious food
- The next day
- In the morning, visit the Shilin Scenic Area and experience the unique karst landforms. Go to Dali in the afternoon
- On the third day
- You can choose to rent a car or charter a car to travel around Erhai Lake. Passing through Xizhou Ancient Town, Shuanglang Town, etc
- On the the fourth day, visit Dali Old City in the morning and Lijiang in the afternoon
- The fifth day
- visit the Old Town of Lijiang and experience the tranquility and prosperity of the ancient city
- On the sixth day
- Go to Yulong Snow Mountain and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow mountain
- On the seventh day
- Depart for Shangri La and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way
- Day 8
- Visit attractions such as Pudacuo National Park and Songtsen Forest
- The ninth day
- Return or continue playing in Xishuangbanna
II. Detailed explanation of scenic spots
 
- Dali Old City
- carrying Dali's history and culture, religious culture and ethnic culture, it is the core tourism area of Dali
- The streets in the city have a typical chessboard layout, with many ancient buildings and traditional handicraft shops
- the Old Town of Lijiang
- is one of the world cultural heritage, with a long history and unique ethnic customs
- The ancient city is brightly lit and bustling at night
- Pudacuo National Park
- The original ecological environment is well preserved, with clear mountain lakes, beautiful grasslands, wetlands with blooming flowers, and primitive forests where birds and animals often appear
III. Shopping Recommendations
 
- Kunming: flower cakes, cloud smoke, etc
- Dali: Tie dye, silver jewelry, etc
- Lijiang: Dongba paper, wood carving, etc
- Shangri La: dried yak meat, Tibetan blankets, etc
- Xishuangbanna: dried tropical fruits, Pu erh tea, etc
IV. Traffic Guide
 
- Transportation in the province is mainly by car, and there are direct buses from Kunming to Dali, Lijiang and other places
- Some scenic spots are far away from each other, so you can choose to charter a car or take a train
Yunnan, this magical land is full of endless charm and is an excellent choice for self driving tours
In Dali, be sure to drive around Erhai Lake, feel the gentle breeze brushing your face, and appreciate the lake and mountain scenery. You can stop at Xizhou Ancient Town to experience the traditional culture of the Bai ethnic group and taste specialty foods such as crispy rice cakes. Next, head to Shuanglang Town and stay at a lakeside inn to enjoy the stunning sunset over Erhai Lake
Leave Dali for the Old Town of Lijiang. Strolling along the ancient stone road, feeling the sedimentation of time. You can also go to Yulong Snow Mountain and appreciate its magnificence. Remember to prepare warm clothing and oxygen cylinders in advance
From Lijiang to Shangri La, Pudacuo National Park is a must visit destination, where the plateau scenery is enchanting. The architectural style of Songtsen Lin is unique and filled with a mysterious religious atmosphere
Be fully prepared before traveling. Check the condition of the vehicle to ensure safety. Prepare commonly used medications, clothing, and sunscreen. The weather in Yunnan is unpredictable, so it is also necessary to bring rain gear<555
During self driving tours, it is important to follow traffic rules, especially when driving in mountainous areas and on roads with many bends. Respect local customs and habits, take care of the environment, and make this self driving trip an unforgettable and wonderful experience