Eight Days and Seven Nights, Enjoy a Dream Journey in Kunming and Its Surrounding Areas

1. Overview

Embark on an eight day, seven night in-depth tour of Kunming and its surrounding areas, experiencing the charm of the Spring City, feeling the tranquility of Dali, the tenderness of Lijiang, and the sanctity of Shangri La

This itinerary will take you through the beautiful mountains and waters of Yunnan, experiencing the rich and colorful ethnic culture. Starting from the spring like seasons in Kunming, feel the historical charm and modern vitality of this city. Continuing on to Dali, strolling through the quaint and peaceful ancient city, admiring the lake and mountain scenery of Erhai Lake. The ancient city of Lijiang feels like traveling back to ancient times, and the magnificent scenery of Yulong Snow Mountain is even more stunning. Shangri La, on the other hand, is a sacred place. The pristine forests and high mountain lakes of Pudacuo National Park are unforgettable, and the Tibetan culture of Songtsen Monastery is profound and extensive

Throughout the journey, there are not only beautiful natural scenery, but also various specialty foods waiting for you to taste. In Kunming, you can taste authentic Yunnan snacks, such as Crossing the bridge noodles, tofu pudding Rice Noodles, etc. Dali's grilled fish, milk fans and other delicacies are full of Bai ethnic characteristics. Lijiang Baba and Crossing the bridge noodles in Lijiang are memorable. Shangri La's butter tea and barley wine can allow you to experience the rich Tibetan style

In short, this eight day and seven night trip will be an unforgettable experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the charm of Yunnan

2. Daily itinerary

(1) First day: Arrival in Kunming

When the plane lands at Kunming Changshui International Airport, an exciting journey begins. After taking a short break at the hotel, I couldn't wait to head to Kunming Old Street. Kunming Old Street carries the historical memory of Kunming, and the antique architecture makes people feel like they have traveled back in time. There are a variety of Yunnan snacks here, and Crossing the bridge noodles is a must. Hot chicken soup, rich side dishes, pour the rice noodles into it, and the aroma instantly fills the air. Tofu pudding rice noodles also have a special flavor. The tender and smooth tofu pudding rice noodles are matched with the strong rice noodles, and together with various spices, the taste is rich and memorable. Strolling through the old street, feeling the charm of history, and looking forward to the journey ahead

(2) The next day: Kunming Shilin and Chuxiong cuisine

In the morning, take a bus to Shilin Scenic Area

(III) The third day: Dali Old City and the scenery of Erhai Lake

came to Dali Old City and was immediately attracted by the Bai culture. The stone paved road in the ancient city winds and turns, with antique Bai ethnic buildings on both sides, white walls and black tiles, and upturned eaves. The woman is dressed in white clothing, with headwear representing the "flowers, snow, and moon" of Dali, holding a whip and dancing gracefully. The man was dressed in a tie dye vest, holding an octagonal drum with a melodious sound. Here, you can taste Dali grilled fish, with fresh and tender meat and a delicious taste. Milk fans are also a must try delicacy, made from milk and with a rich and mellow taste. At night, you can choose to camp by the Erhai Lake and enjoy the beautiful night view. Erhai Lake shimmers in the moonlight, with a gentle breeze brushing against the face, making people feel at ease. Alternatively, you can take a boat tour of Erhai Lake, watch a fish eagle performance, and experience the tranquility and beauty of Erhai Lake. Take a photo of the open top car around the sea, check in at internet celebrities, and leave beautiful memories

(IV) the fourth day:LijiangThe beautiful scenery of the ancient city and the sea of flowers

Take a bus to Huayu Pasture, which is like a sea of flowers. Various flowers are blooming in a colorful and enchanting manner. Take a photo as a souvenir and record this beautiful moment. Then go to the Old Town of Lijiang. The ancient city is full of primitive flavor. The bluestone roads and wooden buildings make people feel as if they have passed through the ancient times. Lijiang Baba is a specialty food here, with two flavors of sweet and salty to meet the needs of different people. Crossing the bridge noodles is also memorable. Alternatively, you can choose to visit Lashihai and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. Watch the Lishui Jinsha performance and experience the ethnic culture of Lijiang. In the evening, you can visit the Old Town of Lijiang with brilliant lights and bustle

(Fifth) Day 5:Jade Dragon Snow MountainBlue Moon Valley

Go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the snow mountain shines brightly in the sunshine, magnificent and incomparable. Take a cable car to climb up the snow capped mountains and enjoy the beautiful scenery and natural scenery. The lake water in Blue Moon Valley is deep blue and crystal clear, like a fairyland on earth. Here, you can take photos to your heart's content and leave beautiful memories. Or go to Shuhe Ancient Town to experience its tranquility and antiquity. Next, go to the Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, and Baishuitai in Yulong Snow Mountain to enjoy different natural landscapes

(VI) Day 6: Nature and Culture of Shangri La

Go to Shangri La and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way. The water of Tiger Leaping Gorge is surging and majestic. After arriving at Shangri La, visit Pudacuo National Park. There are primitive forests, high mountains and lakes here, and the ecological environment is intact. You can choose to hike the secluded trail and experience the tranquility of nature. Take a boat tour of the lake and enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains. Or participate in the Tusi's home visit to collectors' song and dance party to experience Tibetan culture. During free activities in Shangri La, you can visit Songzanlin Monastery to experience the vast and profound Tibetan culture. Tasting local cuisine, such as butter tea and barley wine, allows people to experience the rich Tibetan style

(Seventh) Day 7: Exploration and Reflection on Shangri La

Continue your free activities in Shangri La and visit the ancient city of Dukezong. The ancient city has a long history, and its ancient buildings tell stories of the past. You can buy some special souvenirs here. Afterwards, return to Lijiang and then return to Kunming. Looking back on these past few days of journey, my heart is filled with emotions and memories

(8) Day 8: Return to Kunming

Return to Kunming and select Yunnan specialties at the flower distribution center at Kunming Airport. There are various types of flowers here, with bright colors. You can choose some dried flowers or flower cakes as gifts to give to friends and family. Ending a pleasant journey and returning home with full memories

III. Food Recommendations

(1) Kunming cuisine

KunmingAs the capital of Yunnan province, Kunming has a rich and diverse variety of food. Wild mushrooms are one of the characteristics of Kunming, and every mushroom season, various types of wild mushrooms appear one after another. Boletus edulis, chicken mushroom, dried mushrooms, etc., stir fried or boiled, taste incredibly delicious. After cooking, the wild mushrooms have a smooth and tender taste, with a fragrant aroma that makes people feel like they are in the embrace of nature. Baojiang Tofu is also a delicious snack in Kunming. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When you take a bite, the sauce bursts in your mouth, bringing a unique taste experience. In addition, Kunming also has rose rice cold shrimp. On a hot summer day, a bowl of rose rice cold shrimp is refreshing and sweet. After cooking the rice slurry, it is made into the shape of cold shrimp and topped with special rose sugar water. It can not only cool down and quench thirst, but also satisfy the taste buds' needs. Jia Sha Qiao Gao is also not to be missed, made from buckwheat flour as the raw material, with fillings such as bean paste in the middle. It has a soft, glutinous and sweet taste, and has certain nutritional value

(II) Dali cuisine

Dali's milk fans and bait blocks are local specialty snacks. Milk fan is a type of cheese from various ethnic groups in northwest Yunnan, including the Bai ethnic group. It can be fried or grilled, with a crispy texture and a chewy texture when baked. Paired with rose sauce, it has a subtle rose fragrance and leaves a lasting impression. There are many ways to eat bait. Roasted bait is one of the favorite breakfast foods of Dali people. The baked bait is made of meat paste, peanut chips, Fermented bean curd, deep-fried dough sticks, ham sausage and other foods. It is delicious and full. In addition, Dali also has cold chicken rice noodles, which are topped with shredded chicken meat, marinated with walnut sauce and small flour, and seasoned with chili sauce, ginger vinegar sauce, minced garlic, peanuts, and other seasonings. The taste is particularly refreshing. The coated bean curd has participated in the China on the tip of the tongue. It is fried until it is golden and crisp. A clear bite will explode the bean curd. The taste is between bean curd and soybean milk. Mi Liang Shrimp/Cold Cake is a local sweet water shop, while Ice Powder Cold Shrimp is made by adding ice powder to cold shrimp and rose sauce ➕ Made from brown sugar water, it is a refreshing and delicious dish in summer

(III) Lijiang Cuisine

Lijiang Braised Pork Ribs is an unforgettable delicacy. Select dried pork ribs, add a lot of vegetables, and stew them together to make a braised pork rib hotpot. The quality of marinating cured pork ribs depends on the method of salting and the place where they are dried, and should not be too damp. After stewing, the braised pork rib hotpot has a white soup color and can taste the flavor of preserved meat. Paired with small wine, it is particularly warm to the body. Lijiang Baba is also one of the specialty foods in Lijiang, with two flavors of sweet and salty to meet the needs of different people

<123. Crispy tea has extremely high calories, which can eliminate coldness and supplement the body's required calories. It is the best beverage in the Shangri La region. When making butter tea, first pour the soil tea into the tea tube, add butter, salt, and refined spices, and stir repeatedly up and down with a stirrer to form a water milk mixture before pouring. Drinking it, the color, aroma, and taste are beautiful, and the aftertaste is endless. Qingke liquor is also one of the characteristics of Shangri La, with a mellow taste and rich aroma, allowing people to experience the rich Tibetan style

IV. Introduction and Precautions for Scenic Spots

(1) Must visit Scenic Spots

1. Shilin Scenic Area: This is a World Natural Heritage site with numerous stone peaks and numerous sinkholes. Under the warm sunshine, the strange peaks and rocks have various shapes, and the scenery is very pleasant. Some peaks are like sharp swords piercing into the clouds, while others are like cute and playful mushrooms, as if they are carefully crafted works of art by nature. Strolling through it, it feels like entering a magical world of stones, making one marvel at the incredible craftsmanship of nature<144. The stone paved roads in the ancient city are winding and twisting, with antique Bai ethnic buildings on both sides, white walls and black tiles, flying eaves and upturned corners. Women wear white clothing, and their headwear represents the "flowers, snow, and moon" of Dali. They hold a whip and dance gracefully; The man was dressed in a tie dye vest, holding an octagonal drum with a melodious sound. Delicious and fun things are hidden in the alley, waiting for tourists to explore and discover
2. Erhai Lake: Erhai Lake is a must visit attraction, and its most beautiful place is on the Ring Road. The lake is clear and blue, with a gentle breeze blowing and creating layers of ripples. Riding or taking a boat tour along the Ring Road, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Cangshan and Erhai Lake. Along the way, you can also check in at various popular tourist attractions, and take a quick snap to get a big picture
3. the Old Town of Lijiang: The antique the Old Town of Lijiang is full of the unique customs of the Naxi nationality. The stone roads, small bridges, flowing water, and wooden buildings in the city make people feel as if they have traveled back to ancient times. Here, you can freely explore and experience the historical charm of the ancient city. The Old Town of Lijiang also has many special foods, such as Lijiang Baba, Crossing the bridge noodles, which are memorable
4. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: If lucky, you can see the magnificent scenery of "Rizhao Jinshan". Standing under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, feeling the shock it brings. Yulong Snow Mountain has attractions such as Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, and Baishuitai, each with its own unique charm. By taking the cable car to climb up the snow capped mountains, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery and natural scenery of the mountains; The lake water in Blue Moon Valley is deep blue and crystal clear, like a fairyland on earth

(II) Precautions

When traveling in Yunnan, the following points should be noted:

1. Pay attention to sun protection and hydration: Yunnan has strong ultraviolet rays, so it is necessary to take sun protection measures, such as wearing sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, etc. At the same time, Yunnan's climate is relatively dry, so it is important to replenish water in a timely manner, drink plenty of water, and bring moisturizing skincare products
2. Caring for the Environment: Yunnan's natural scenery is picturesque, and we must cherish the environment and protect nature. Do not litter and keep the scenic area clean. Do not discharge sewage indiscriminately in waters such as Erhai Lake to protect water resources. At the same time, it is necessary to comply with the regulations of the scenic area and not damage the natural landscape and cultural relics

V. Folk Customs to Pay Attention to in Yunnan Tourism

(1) Customs and Habits of the Bai Ethnic Group

In Dali, the Bai ethnic group is one of the main ethnic groups. The Bai people are hospitable and pay attention to etiquetteSan Dao Chais a traditional hospitality etiquette of the Bai ethnic group, with one bitterness, two sweetness, and three aftertaste, symbolizing different stages of life. When you are invited to taste three teas, you should take the tea bowl with both hands, take a sip lightly, and express respect to the host. The architectural style of the Bai ethnic group is unique, with white as the main color tone, reflecting the Bai people's yearning for purity and beauty. When visiting a Bai family, one should pay attention to respecting elders and not enter the master's bedroom casually. The traditional costumes of the Bai ethnic group are brightly colored, and the headwear of women is particularly exquisite, representing the "wind, flowers, snow, and moon" of Dali. When appreciating Bai ethnic costumes, avoid touching or damaging them

(II) Customs and Habits of the Naxi Ethnic Group

Lijiang is mainly inhabited by the Naxi ethnic group. The Naxi people have a long history and rich culture

(III) Tibetan customs and habits

InShangri La, Tibetans are the main ethnic group. The Tibetan people believe in Tibetan Buddhism, and Songzanlin Monastery is a sacred place in their hearts. When entering the temple, take off your hat and sunglasses, and do not make loud noises. Do not touch religious objects such as Buddha statues, prayer flags, and prayer wheels at will. When interacting with Tibetan people, we should respect their religious beliefs and customs. Offering Hada is a traditional Tibetan ritual. When you receive a Hada, you should take it with both hands and bow your head slightly to express gratitude. Tibetan cuisine mainly consists of butter tea, barley wine, and yak meat. When tasting Tibetan cuisine, one should follow the Tibetan dietary customs and not waste food