2024 Spring Festival Travelogue for a Family of Three: Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, and Kunming

Number of days：8 days
Time: February
Average cost: 10,000 yuan
With whom：parents and children
Updated: 2024.02.24

On the evening of February 9, 2024, my family of three arrived at Beijing Capital Airport T2 and boarded a flight from Beijing to Chengdu. After landing, we took a taxi to our hotel near Tianfu Square in Chengdu.

On February 10, 2024, we went to the food court in the basement of Tianfu Square in the morning. We found that few shops were open, but we also saw tons of panda stuffed animals. In the morning, we visited People's Park and witnessed the history of the Sichuan Army's journey out of Sichuan to fight against the Japanese. We also stopped by Heming Teahouse to experience the cozy atmosphere of old Chengdu. At noon, we met up with an old classmate we hadn't seen in 19 years, having graduated from high school in 2005. He had stayed in Chengdu and worked at Huawei since graduating with his master's degree. We remarked on the challenges of working and how we all wanted to retire early and relax. In the afternoon, we visited Jinsha Ruins Park, which was quite nice and allowed us to experience the Bashu culture. That evening, we visited Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road, where we saw the giant panda's butt facing us. On Chunxi Road, we had a blast shooting bamboo dragonflies with our kids using slingshots.

On February 11, 2024, I visited Panda Valley this morning to see the giant and red pandas. It was a wonderful experience. In the afternoon, I visited Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Entering through the Qinyan Tower, I saw the Fish Mouth and Feisha Weir, and felt the wisdom of this 2,000-year-old hydraulic engineering project. That evening, I walked all the way to Nanqiao Bridge for a stunning night view. On February 12, 2024, as it was my last day in Chengdu, I began my special forces day. At noon, I visited Wenshu Monastery to pay my respects to the Bodhisattva. In the afternoon, I visited Du Fu's Thatched Cottage and listened to a lecture on Du Fu's poem "The Thatched Cottage Was Destroyed by the Autumn Wind," which evoked his deep concern for his country and his people. In the evening, I visited the Wuhou Temple to experience the culture of the Three Kingdoms period. That night, I checked into my hotel near the airport. On February 13, 2024, I took a morning flight to Lijiang. After getting off the plane, China-TravelNote picked me up at the airport and took me to my hotel. After checking in, I went straight to the Jiaxing Supermarket at the south gate of the ancient city. I bought some Thai pineapples (super sweet and delicious) and a down jacket for my daughter for 40 yuan. It was quite affordable. In the afternoon, I wandered around Lijiang Old Town and found lots of succulents. Then, in the evening, I went to Lijiang Eternal Love. The outdoor fireworks display at night was particularly stunning.

On February 14, 2024, since I couldn't get tickets to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, I visited the Mu Mansion in Lijiang Old Town and the Wangu Tower on Lion Mountain. I took the train to Dali that night.

20240215, Dali chartered car day trip. Due to time constraints, we drove from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM, completing a 13-hour coastal tour. In the morning, we circled Haidong, checking out the Xingsheng Bridge, then visiting Zhangjia Garden to experience the Bai ethnic minority's "Three Courtyards and One Screen Wall" architectural style. We stopped at the "Most Beautiful Highway" and then visited the Tea Horse Ancient Road to see the "Windy Courtyard." For lunch, we enjoyed local specialties by the Erhai Lake: steamed fish, carved plum spare ribs, and potato cakes. They were truly delicious. Then we went to Xizhou Ancient Town for a stroll, and then started driving all the way to Haixi. When we arrived at Shuanglang, there was a traffic jam, and it continued all the way to Wase, then Haidong, Santorini, and back to the hotel.

20240216, I got home late yesterday, so I slept in today. I woke up and had some rice noodles, which I found really hard to get used to. Then I went to Erhai Park and walked to the pier to catch a round-trip boat. In the afternoon, I went to Dali Ancient Town and visited the General's Mansion. Then I went to Haiyan Restaurant to eat some authentic local Bai ethnic food. My daughter especially loved the potato cakes. That evening, I took the train to Kunming. On February 17, 2024, I went to Jiahua Flower Cake Shop near Tangzixiang subway station in Kunming and ordered eight boxes of flower cakes. (I later realized they weren't enough to share when I got back to Beijing, so I ordered six more boxes for delivery.) Each freshly baked flower cake cost 5 yuan, and they were really delicious. At noon, I went to Haigeng Dam to watch the seagulls. In the afternoon, I ventured to Kunming Wildlife Park to see all the animals, mainly so my daughter could interact with them up close. My flight back to Beijing was at 9 PM.