Yunnan and jiuzhaigou

Question

Hi is it doable to visit Dali, lijiang shangrila and jiuzhaigou in 14days and thinking of traveling free and easy without tours

Answer

Yes, it is technically doable to visit Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Jiuzhaigou in 14 days, but it will be a tight schedule and will require careful planning, especially if you are traveling independently without tours.

1. Travel Considerations:

Yunnan province (Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La) and Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan) are quite far apart, so transportation time is significant.
Flights are often the fastest option between major cities, but some routes may be limited, so plan ahead and book early.
Long-distance buses and trains are available, but journeys can take many hours or even overnight.

2. Suggested Itinerary Flow:

Days 1–3: Dali – explore the old town, Erhai Lake, and local villages.
Days 4–6: Lijiang – visit the Old Town, Black Dragon Pool, and consider a day trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Days 7–9: Shangri-La – explore Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, and Tibetan culture.
Days 10–14: Jiuzhaigou – allocate 2–3 days to explore the national park, plus travel days from/to Chengdu if flying in/out from there.

3. Logistics Tips:

For independent travel, consider booking flights where possible to save time (e.g., Kunming–Lijiang, Lijiang–Shangri-La, Chengdu–Jiuzhaigou).
Make sure to check domestic flight availability, as some routes may not operate daily.
Jiuzhaigou airport is small, so tickets can sell out; early booking is recommended.
Accommodation in all these areas can be booked independently, but in peak season, it’s better to reserve in advance.

4. Pros and Cons:

Pros: Freedom to explore at your own pace, flexibility with activities.
Cons: Tight schedule, potentially stressful travel logistics, risk of flight delays, and less guidance for scenic spots or local insights compared to organized tours.

In conclusion, 14 days is enough to cover these destinations, but you will spend a fair amount of time in transit. For a smoother experience, prioritize flights for longer legs and consider 1–2 flexible days to absorb any delays.

Yunnan and jiuzhaigou

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