yunnan itinerary for late may

Question

Hello, I am visiting China in may and plan on going to Yunnan. Here is the itinerary i currently have. I will be traveling solo which is a bit daunting. It's going to be in late may

day 1 - Arrive in kunming early – how to spend this day? yunnannationalities village/green lake park

day 2 - stone forest day trip (with jiuxiang caves?)

day 3 - kunming to dali – early 2.5 hour bullet train – do ancient dali and three pagodas on same day?

day 4 - dali to lijiang – early 2.5 hour bullet train – black dragon pool – old town of lijiang

day 5 - jade dragon snow mountain day trip

day 6 - lijiang to tiger leaping gorge

day 7 - tiger leaping gorge to lijiang

day 8 - lijiang to shangrila – early 3.5 hour bus – songzanlin

day 9 - Flight from shangrila

how does it look? what would you change or add? I can add a day or two if necessary.

Also, can ancient dali and three pagodas be done on the arrival day in Dali?

Thanks for any advice

Answer

Your Yunnan itinerary is quite well-structured, and it covers the major highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Shangri-La. Here’s a detailed breakdown and some suggestions to optimize it for a solo traveler in late May.

Day 1 – Kunming Arrival:

Arriving early gives you almost a full day. Visiting Yunnan Nationalities Village is a good introduction to local culture and ethnic minorities.
Green Lake Park is ideal for a relaxing stroll and people-watching. You could also explore nearby Nanping Street for local snacks.

Day 2 – Stone Forest (and optional Jiuxiang Caves):

The Stone Forest is about 1.5 hours from Kunming; it can take 3–4 hours to explore.
Jiuxiang Caves are further away and might make for a very long day if combined with Stone Forest. Consider visiting Jiuxiang separately or skip if you prefer a more relaxed pace.

Day 3 – Kunming to Dali:

The 2.5-hour bullet train is early, which allows for half a day in Dali.
Visiting both Ancient Dali Town and the Three Pagodas is feasible on the same day. Start with the Three Pagodas in the morning (less crowded), then explore the Ancient Town and the surrounding alleys.

Day 4 – Dali to Lijiang:

Early 2.5-hour train allows for arrival around midday. Check in and have lunch.
Visit Black Dragon Pool in the afternoon, followed by a stroll in Lijiang Old Town in the evening when it is lively and illuminated.

Day 5 – Jade Dragon Snow Mountain:

Full-day tour recommended. Take the cable car to get close to the glacier and enjoy scenic spots. Consider renting a local guide for better understanding of the area.

Day 6 – Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge:

Traveling by car or bus; start early. Hiking some sections is possible depending on your stamina. Overnight at the gorge village is recommended for early morning views.

Day 7 – Tiger Leaping Gorge to Lijiang:

Return to Lijiang. Use the rest of the day to relax or explore areas you may have missed in Old Town.

Day 8 – Lijiang to Shangri-La:

Bus is about 3.5 hours through scenic areas. Early departure recommended.
Visit Songzanlin Monastery in the afternoon. Consider walking around the old town for a relaxed evening.

Day 9 – Flight from Shangri-La:

If your flight is later in the day, you may have time to stroll through Shangri-La Old Town or visit Napa Lake nearby.

Suggestions & Adjustments:

If possible, add an extra day in Lijiang or Dali for flexibility, especially for acclimatization in Lijiang and exploration in Dali.
If you enjoy hiking, consider adding a half-day for scenic hikes around Dali’s Erhai Lake.
Late May can be warm and occasionally rainy; carry a raincoat and good walking shoes.
Solo travel is feasible as these towns are tourist-friendly, but using local guides or organized tours for places like Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can enhance safety and experience.

Overall, your itinerary is solid and achievable. Combining Ancient Dali and Three Pagodas on Day 3 is doable, but make sure to start early and prioritize attractions based on your interest.

yunnan itinerary for late may

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