Shanghai & Yunnan Highland Discovery

Upon arrival in Shanghai, your private guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area.

During the transfer to your pre-booked city-centre hotel, your guide will introduce some of Shanghai’s major landmarks and their historical background.

After settling in, visit Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park and the City God Temple commercial district.

Continue with a leisurely walk along the Bund, where historic architecture lines the Huangpu River, before taking a Huangpu River cruise to enjoy views of Shanghai’s illuminated skyline.

Begin the day with a visit to Xintiandi, known for its distinctive Shikumen architectural style and combination of historic buildings with contemporary city life.

Continue to the Shanghai Starbucks Reserve Roastery, followed by the iconic Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower, including an ascent to its observation area.

Later, visit the Shanghai History Museum to learn more about the city’s transformation and development.

Return afterwards and prepare for the following day’s journey to Yunnan.

Leave Shanghai and travel to Kunming.

Upon arrival at Kunming Changshui International Airport or the railway station, your guide will meet you and arrange your private transfer.

If your arrival time allows, enjoy a relaxing walk around the hotel or explore the city centre.

This provides an opportunity to experience Kunming’s mild climate and laid-back urban rhythm before beginning the higher-altitude portion of the journey.

Explore Kunming Old Street, walking through preserved historic lanes where traditional architecture and everyday local life reveal the cultural character of Yunnan’s provincial capital.

Continue to a local market to discover regional flavours and browse for local products and souvenirs.

Depending on the route, you may also visit city landmarks such as the historic Wine Cup Building and learn more about Kunming’s modern urban development and architectural heritage.

Afterwards, travel to Dali by road or high-speed train.

Spend the morning exploring Dali Ancient Town.

Walk through historic streets lined with traditional Bai residences, cafés and handicraft shops while experiencing the town’s famously relaxed atmosphere.

Located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, the ancient town has a history extending back more than a thousand years and remains one of Yunnan’s most celebrated historic destinations.

There is no need to rush between attractions. Take time to photograph the traditional gateways, wander through quiet lanes or relax in a street-side café.

In the afternoon, continue to the Ideal State area on the southern shore of Erhai Lake.

Enjoy views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake framed by distinctive blue-and-white architecture, open skies and peaceful waterfront scenery.

Begin at Xizhou Ancient Town, known for its well-preserved Bai residences, traditional streets and surrounding rural landscapes.

Walk through the old neighbourhoods and experience a quieter side of Dali, where local architecture and community life remain important parts of the town’s character.

Continue towards Lijiang and visit Black Dragon Pool Park.

On clear days, the park offers one of the classic views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected across the water.

Later, explore Lijiang Ancient Town.

Walk along its stone-paved lanes and waterways, then spend the evening around Sifang Street, where traditional Naxi culture, local music and glowing red lanterns create a lively night-time atmosphere..

Begin at the peaceful Shuhe Ancient Town.

Compared with Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe offers a quieter atmosphere with streams, traditional houses and relaxed streets ideal for walking and photography.

Visit Jiuding Longtan, where clear water adds to the tranquil atmosphere of the town.

Continue to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Depending on weather conditions and your physical condition, take a cable car to a higher section of the mountain and admire the glaciers, snow-covered peaks and dramatic valleys.

The mountain’s thirteen connected peaks also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Naxi people.

Afterwards, explore Blue Moon Valley and the Ganhaizi Wetland.

Blue Moon Valley is known for its vivid turquoise water, while Ganhaizi presents a contrasting landscape of open alpine meadows at the foot of the mountain.

Leave Lijiang and travel towards Shangri-La.

Along the way, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of Yunnan’s most dramatic natural landscapes.

Watch the powerful Jinsha River rush through the narrow gorge between steep mountain walls, revealing the immense natural forces that shaped the region.

After arriving in Shangri-La, explore Dukezong Ancient Town.

The town combines traditional Tibetan architecture with prayer-wheel culture and preserves the historical character of an important settlement along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Walk through the stone-paved streets and visit Moonlight Square and Guishan Park, where prayer flags and the giant prayer wheel create a distinctive highland atmosphere.

In the evening, enjoy free time to explore the old town, discover Tibetan culture or experience the quiet night-time streets.

Visit Songzanlin Monastery, often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace.”

Built against the mountainside, the monastery features layered Tibetan architecture, golden rooftops and ceremonial halls that create one of Shangri-La’s most recognisable cultural landscapes.

Inside the monastery complex, prayer wheels and Buddhist traditions reflect the long history of Tibetan Buddhism in the region.

Continue to a large prayer-flag site before visiting Napa Lake Grassland.

Napa Lake changes dramatically with the seasons, appearing at different times as open grassland, wetland or lake.

The surrounding landscape may include grazing cattle and sheep, mountain scenery and migratory birds, while colourful prayer flags connect the natural environment with local Tibetan spiritual traditions.

Spend the final morning enjoying some relaxed time in Shangri-La and browsing for local Yunnan souvenirs.

Popular regional products featured in the itinerary include flower cakes and wild-mushroom soup packages, offering a final taste of Yunnan to take home.

Later, depart for the airport or railway station according to your travel arrangements, bringing this journey from Shanghai to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La to a memorable conclusion.