See the lake first, then explore the alleys
A seven-day itinerary starts in Kunming, enters Dali, includes Erhai Lake and the Old Town, and then heads to Lijiang. The expansive views along the shores of Erhai Lake and the narrow alleys of the Old Town offer two distinct experiences; there’s no need to rush from one lakeside photo spot to another in a single day. Choose a stretch of shoreline suitable for walking, then set aside time to stroll leisurely through the Old Town—this will create a more balanced pace.
Exploring Dali’s Lake and Old Town Separately
After arriving in Dali from Kunming, there’s no need to rush through the fields of Xizhou, the shores of Shuanglang, and the streets of the Old Town all in the same afternoon. If you arrive late, start by exploring the area around your lodging; the next day, choose the side of Erhai Lake you’d like to explore in more depth.
The lakeside is ideal for taking in the panoramic view of Cangshan Mountain, while the Old Town offers a close-up look at the alleys and local shops. Both experiences require time, so there’s no need to disrupt your travel plans to Lijiang just for a specific “Instagram-worthy” roadside photo spot.
After arriving in Dali from Kunming, although Xizhou and Shuanglang are both on the shores of Erhai Lake, you’ll need to arrange separate transportation to each. In Xizhou, you can see how the streets connect with the fields, while Shuanglang is better suited for a continuous lakeside walk; if you arrive in the afternoon, there’s no need to circle the lake repeatedly just to capture sunsets at both locations. First, decide which side of the lake your accommodation is on, then choose the stop that’s most convenient for that day.
Following itineraries from other cities, place Dali before Lijiang and Shangri-La to give your high-altitude journey a relatively relaxed start. Our seven-day itinerary also suggests reserving the first segment for walking and rest, rather than treating a car rental to drive around the lake as a default activity. Traffic and parking regulations along the Erhai Lake shoreline should be verified on-site, and your itinerary should focus on streets and lakeshores that can be safely accessed.
in your travel plans.
Traveling from Kunming to Dali and then on to Lijiang requires realistic travel time. If train schedules or weather conditions change, it’s better to skip repetitive photo spots than to cut back on rest time. Activities by the lake and transportation options should be confirmed based on your actual itinerary, rather than following the fixed sequence outlined in the guide.
If your one-day itinerary in Dali includes both the Old Town and Erhai Lake, decide first which part you’d like to explore at a leisurely pace. Along the lakeshore, you’ll need to factor in wind, sunlight, and traffic, while the Old Town is better suited for wandering aimlessly down its streets and alleys. Since your itinerary also includes Lijiang and Shangri-La, your first stop in a city doesn’t have to carry the weight of all your expectations for the entire Yunnan trip.
