yunnan itinerary

Question

I posted an itinerary question in the general china forum but though I should post a specific yunnan itinerary here. Thanks in advance for any advice and I apologize if it’s bad form to post both in Yunnan and in general China (though the posts aren’t the same)

Right now, I am planning on arriving in Kunming early (like 9 AM) by flight from Guilin on May 24 and my itinerary looks like this

my concerns are:

1. I’m concerned about the may 31-june 2 dragon boat holiday. I’m currently planning on spending may 31 in Lijiang and June 1/2 on leaping gorge hike. Are those good places to spend the holiday? Obviously I’d like to minimize crowds. I don’t know how big a deal the holiday is and whether the Chinese like to go hiking on the holiday.

2. I feel like I have one day too many in Kunming so I could move that anywhere, and I also have two full days in Dali and don’t know how much is needed there. Let me know where sounds good and if anything should be moved or added, etc

3. I’m also concerned about Yunnan in early June. I’m leaving June 4 so it’s pretty early so I think I’m avoiding rainy season but am not sure. Does it seem like a good time to go and I’m missing rainy season?

Saturday – May 24 – flight lands around 9 AM so day in Kunming

Sunday – May 25 – Kunming day trip to stone forest

Monday – May 26 – Kunming (so two full days not including stone forest trip, too many?)

Tuesday – May 27 – Kunming to Dali – early train

Wednesday – May 28 – Dali

Thursday – May 29 – Dali to Lijiang via Shaxi

Friday – May 30 – Day trip to snow jade mountain

Saturday – May 31 – Lijiang

Sunday – June 1 – Lijiang to leaping gorge

Monday – June 2 – leaping gorge to shangrila

Tuesday – June 3 – shangrila

Wednesday – june 4 – shangrila flight

Answer

Your Yunnan itinerary is quite comprehensive and covers the major highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Leaping Gorge, and Shangri-La. Here’s a detailed review and advice based on your concerns:

1. Dragon Boat Holiday (May 31 – June 2)

The Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in China and many Chinese travelers do take short trips during this period. Tourist areas like Lijiang and Dali will be busier than usual, especially popular scenic spots and ancient towns. However, compared to major cities, Yunnan generally feels less crowded. Hiking areas like the Leaping Gorge may see more domestic visitors, but the trails are long and dispersed, so it’s manageable if you start early.

Lijiang: The old town will be busier; try to visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak crowd.
Leaping Gorge: Likely to see some local holiday hikers, but nature areas are spacious, so it shouldn’t feel overcrowded.

2. Kunming Duration and Stone Forest

Spending May 24–26 in Kunming may feel slightly long unless you want a relaxed pace. Two full days in the city plus a day trip to the Stone Forest is reasonable, but you could adjust:

Option to move the extra day in Kunming to Dali or Lijiang, giving you more time to explore scenic spots and nearby villages.
In Kunming, aside from Stone Forest, highlights include Green Lake Park, Yuantong Temple, and local markets. If your interest is limited, one full day in the city might suffice.

3. Dali Duration

Two full days in Dali is adequate to cover Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake (bike or boat trips), and small villages nearby. If you shorten Kunming, you can spend the extra day in Dali for a more relaxed pace or explore Shaxi in more depth.

4. Weather in early June

Early June is just before the peak of the rainy season in Yunnan. Occasional showers are possible, but heavy rains usually start mid-June. Temperatures are generally mild and comfortable for hiking and sightseeing, though higher altitude areas like Shangri-La may still be cool, especially in mornings and evenings.

5. Suggested Adjustments

Consider cutting one full day in Kunming (May 26) and moving it to Dali (May 28) or Lijiang (May 31) to reduce city time and spread out sightseeing.
Ensure early starts for hiking in Leaping Gorge (June 1) to avoid holiday crowds.
Check accommodation early in Lijiang and Shangri-La due to Dragon Boat Festival, as hotels can fill up fast.
If interested in cultural experiences, Shangri-La offers Tibetan monasteries and local villages that benefit from more time.

Overall, your itinerary is solid, but minor adjustments to Kunming and Dali could optimize your experience and avoid unnecessary downtime. Early June is a good time for Yunnan, and crowds are manageable if you plan early visits to popular sites during the holiday.

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