Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Rest after arrival or explore a few nearby old-town lanes. No long excursion is scheduled, making the first day suitable for different arrival times.
9-Day Dali, Lijiang & Xishuangbanna Tour
Dali - Lijiang - Xishuangbanna
Private planning around your dates and interestsTOUR OVERVIEW
A route that works on the ground
Combine Dali and Lijiang with tropical Xishuangbanna in 9 days, balancing Erhai Lake, Naxi heritage and garden visits with a dedicated flight-transfer day.
- Start
- Dali
- Finish
- Xishuangbanna
- Travel rhythm
- Balanced sightseeing with time to slow down
- Best time
- November to April is generally drier and cooler; the wetter green season brings lush rainforest and dramatic tropical skies.
Mountain towns and tropical gardens in one journey
This route brings together Yunnan’s mountain-town atmosphere and tropical south without a long overland crossing. Three nights around Dali allow a relaxed lakeside day, followed by two nights in Lijiang and three in Jinghong. The middle transfer is planned around an available flight, and the final program is confirmed only when that connection works for your dates. Compare this itinerary with our wider collection of Yunnan tours.
9 days / 8 nights Itinerary at a Glance
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Route
- Dali - Lijiang - Xishuangbanna
- Long-distance travel
- Private transfers and a flight connection confirmed for your dates
- Tour format
- Customizable private tour
Trip Highlights Code: YN-06-09
- Spend three nights in Dali with time for Bai villages and lakeside scenery.
- Explore Naxi heritage around Lijiang and Baisha.
- Keep the flight to Xishuangbanna on a separate travel day.
- Finish with tropical gardens and relaxed cultural sightseeing.
Plan with Confidence: Clear inclusions, confirmed travel arrangements and a personalized itinerary before booking.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
INTERACTIVE ROUTE MAP
9-Day Dali, Lijiang & Xishuangbanna Tour
Drag to explore, use + / − to zoom, and select a numbered stop for details.
Visit Xizhou’s traditional houses and market streets, then follow a selected stretch of Erhai’s western shore. Short walks can be combined with vehicle transfers. Return to the same hotel in Dali rather than attempting a full lake circuit.
Choose a relaxed old-town morning and a visit to the Three Pagodas area or a prearranged Bai craft workshop. The afternoon is flexible for independent exploration or rest. Optional mountain activities require a separate timing and access check.
Transfer to Lijiang by a suitable road or rail connection. After settling in, take a guided old-town walk along the canals and historic lanes. Stay near convenient vehicle access if carrying luggage over cobbled streets is a concern.
Explore Baisha Village and its artistic traditions, then visit Black Dragon Pool or another nearby heritage stop. The day emphasizes village life and architecture. A mountain excursion can replace part of the program if requested and feasible.
Transfer to the airport for a flight itinerary confirmed for your dates, then continue to your Jinghong hotel. Direct services are not assumed on every date. If a connection is required, the entire day remains reserved for travel.
Spend the day among tropical plant collections, shaded paths and selected garden zones. Discuss walking distances with your guide and include proper breaks in warm weather. Return to Jinghong for another night at the same hotel.
Visit Manting Park or a selected Dai cultural area, then leave the afternoon flexible for rest and local exploration. A food-focused evening can be arranged around dietary preferences. No performance or animal interaction is assumed in the itinerary.
Your driver takes you to the airport or railway station. Allow the agreed check-in margin and avoid adding a remote attraction before departure. A Kunming extension can be arranged separately if it suits your onward journey.
Private Tour Reference Prices
Estimated starting prices in USD per adult for the full 9-day / 8-night itinerary, sharing twin or double rooms.
2 adults traveling togetherUSD 2,090from / person
4 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,650from / person
6 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,490from / person
Headline price basis: Four adults traveling together, using two twin or double rooms. City stays use comfortable 4-star hotels; village and remote stays use selected local guesthouses or boutique accommodation. The Accommodation tab shows the overnight bases.
Transport included in the estimate: Private road transfers plus a USD 220 per-person allowance for a Lijiang–Xishuangbanna economy flight, including taxes.
For this route: The flight allowance is already included in every group price. A higher fare, connecting itinerary or baggage upgrade changes the final quote; flights are not yet reserved.
Single-room supplement: From USD 400 per person for the full itinerary, added to the applicable twin-sharing group price. Solo private tours, odd-numbered groups and children receive a separate quote.
Dates and confirmation: These are planning estimates for standard-season travel, excluding Chinese public holidays, peak summer dates and major local festivals. Hotel and transport availability, room upgrades and itinerary changes can affect the price. Your dated quotation confirms the final total and inclusions before booking.
Get a Quote for My DatesTypical Overnight Bases
Only places used by this itinerary are shown below. The final hotel list follows confirmed transport, season and room availability; upgrades and room preferences can be customized.
Dali
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteLijiang
2 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteJinghong
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteLijiang
2 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteJinghong
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
✓ Price Includes
- The reference price budgets for the following services; your dated quotation confirms the final arrangements
- 8 nights in twin or double rooms: comfortable 4-star city hotels and selected local boutique or guesthouse stays; cruise cabin where specified
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Private arrival, departure and sightseeing transfers on the base itinerary
- English-speaking local guides on scheduled sightseeing days; no full-time escort on independent leisure or rail/flight sectors
- Standard admission and mandatory scenic transport for the base sightseeing program, as specified in Prices
- Private road transfers plus a USD 220 per-person allowance for a Lijiang–Xishuangbanna economy flight, including taxes.
⊘ Price Excludes
- International flights and transport to the first city or from the final city; domestic flights except any allowance expressly listed in Prices
- Lunches, dinners and drinks except the meals specifically included above
- Optional activities, alternative excursions and upgrades identified in the route-specific price notes
- Single-room supplements, extra nights, upgraded rooms and changes to the base itinerary
- Personal travel insurance, entry-document costs, personal purchases and discretionary gratuities
Who Is This Tour For?
This route suits travelers interested in tea & tropical nature who want 9 days to explore Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna.
Hotel standard, walking pace and optional experiences are agreed before confirmation. Share your priorities so the final route remains practical for your group.
Travel Tips for This Itinerary
- Confirm the Lijiang to Xishuangbanna flight arrangement before fixing hotel dates.
- Pack for the contrast between northern Yunnan and the warmer tropical south.
- This journey works best with separate arrival and departure cities.
- Review our guide to China high-speed train travel before any rail sector.
- Check current entry requirements early with the China visa guide.
- Read our practical China travel tips for packing, payments and daily preparation.
- Daily hotel breakfast is included in the estimate. Other meals are included only where specified under Prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a direct Lijiang to Xishuangbanna flight guaranteed?
No. The final itinerary uses an available service for your dates. A connecting flight or an extra night may be needed and will be discussed before confirmation.
Can families reduce the walking?
Yes. Vehicle transfers, shorter lakeside walks and selected garden zones can be planned around the ages and needs of the group.
How many nights does this itinerary include?
The published 9-day route includes 8 overnight stays. The Accommodation tab lists the actual bases and night counts. Extra arrival or departure nights can be quoted separately.
What does the starting price mean?
The estimated starting price is USD 1,650 per person for four adults traveling together and sharing twin or double rooms in standard season. The Prices tab also shows estimates for two and six adults, the single-room supplement and route-specific inclusions. Send your dates for a confirmed quotation.
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