Yunnan 7-Day Budget Travel Guide
Yunnan Province 7-Day Travel Guide (Budget: 8000 RMB)
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Kunming City
Day 2: Stone Forest Scenic Area
Day 3: Dali Ancient Town
Day 4: Erhai Lake Tour & Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas
Day 5: Lijiang Ancient Town
Day 6: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Blue Moon Valley
Day 7: Shangri-La (Potatso National Park) or Free Activities
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kunming City
Morning:
Green Lake Park (capture the lake and mountain scenery, enjoy the morning tranquility)
Yunnan Provincial Museum (learn about Yunnan culture, photograph historical relics)
Noon:
Taste Yunnan specialty snacks: Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, mushroom hotpot
Afternoon:
Kunming Old Street (Nanping Street), experience local life, photograph street scenes and unique shops
Kunming Botanical Garden (rich in plants and flowers, great for nature photography)
Budget:
Transportation: Bus + taxi about 50 RMB
Tickets: Yunnan Provincial Museum free, Botanical Garden ticket 15 RMB
Meals: about 80 RMB
Day 2: Stone Forest Scenic Area
All day:
Early departure by car (chartered or carpool, about 150 RMB) to Stone Forest (about 1.5 hours from Kunming)
Explore the world-famous karst landscape, photograph unique peaks, strange stones, and forest paths
Experience ethnic minority culture, photograph traditional costumes and special performances
Evening:
Return to Kunming or stay near the scenic area (budget: 200 RMB)
Budget:
Transportation: 150 RMB
Tickets: 130 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Meals: about 80 RMB
Day 3: Dali Ancient Town
Morning:
Take high-speed train or bus to Dali (ticket about 100-150 RMB)
Check into a characteristic guesthouse inside the ancient town (about 200 RMB/night)
Afternoon:
Stroll through Dali Ancient Town, photograph ancient streets and Bai architecture
Visit Foreigner Street, a popular spot to experience exotic vibes
Evening:
Enjoy the night view by Erhai Lake, photograph reflections and lights
Budget:
Transportation: 150 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Tickets: Ancient Town free
Meals: about 80 RMB
Day 4: Erhai Lake Tour & Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas
All day:
Rent an electric scooter or charter a car to circle Erhai Lake (about 150 RMB)
Pass by Xiaoputuo, Shuanglang, Haitang Park, photograph the lake’s scenic beauty
Visit Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, photograph the ancient pagodas with mountain backdrop
Evening:
Enjoy dinner in Dali Ancient Town, photograph the ancient town at night
Budget:
Transportation: 150 RMB
Tickets: Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas 80 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Meals: about 80 RMB
Day 5: Lijiang Ancient Town
Morning:
Take high-speed train or bus to Lijiang (about 2-3 hours, ticket 100-150 RMB)
Check into a characteristic guesthouse inside Lijiang Ancient Town (about 200 RMB)
Afternoon:
Explore Lijiang Ancient Town, photograph the Mu Palace, Sifang Street, waterwheels, and alleys
Experience Naxi culture, photograph ethnic costumes and folk performances
Evening:
Capture the ancient town’s night scene, brightly lit and lively
Budget:
Transportation: 150 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Tickets: Mu Palace ticket 80 RMB (optional)
Meals: 80 RMB
Day 6: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Blue Moon Valley
All day:
Early departure by car (chartered or tourist shuttle, about 200 RMB) to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (ticket + cable car about 250 RMB)
Take the cable car up the mountain, photograph snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and blue skies
Visit Blue Moon Valley, photograph the emerald lake and snow mountain reflections, a popular photo spot
Evening:
Return to Lijiang, enjoy the ancient town’s night atmosphere
Budget:
Transportation: 200 RMB
Tickets: 250 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Meals: 80 RMB
Day 7: Shangri-La or Free Activities
Option 1:
Early departure to Shangri-La (about 3 hours, ticket about 150 RMB)
Visit Potatso National Park, photograph plateau lakes, forests, and grasslands
Explore Songzanlin Monastery, experience Tibetan culture
Option 2:
Relax in Lijiang, shop, photograph street scenes, prepare for departure
Budget:
Transportation: 150 RMB
Tickets: Potatso National Park 200 RMB
Accommodation: 200 RMB
Meals: 80 RMB
Budget Overview (Approximate Estimate)
Item Cost (RMB)
Transportation (high-speed train, bus, scenic area transport) about 2500 RMB
Accommodation (7 nights, characteristic guesthouses or hotels) about 2500 RMB
Tickets and scenic experiences about 1500 RMB
Meals about 560 RMB (80 RMB/day)
Others (shopping, photography equipment, miscellaneous) about 440 RMB
Total about 7500 RMB
Remaining budget: about 1000 RMB, can be used for upgraded accommodation, special experiences, or souvenirs.
Tips
Book train tickets, scenic area tickets, and accommodation in advance to enjoy discounts.
Download scenic area guide apps for easier photography and navigation.
Bring wide-angle and telephoto lenses, tripod, power bank to capture high-quality content.
Experience local ethnic cultures, photograph distinctive ethnic costumes and folk performances.
If you need more detailed daily check-in spots, restaurant recommendations, or photography tips, just let me know! Have a great trip and capture amazing shots!