Our DIY trip to Yunnan, China, covering Kunming, Lijiang and Dali. We share our actual experiences, hotel prices, food, transport costs and useful travel tips.<\/p>\n
China Eastern Airlines<\/span><\/p>\n – Return flight: SGD 1,063<\/p>\n Hotels<\/span><\/p>\n Mengjing Xiyue Hotel \u68a6\u666f\u00b7\u559c\u6708 \u2014 SGD 72.68<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Lijiang Puzhi Designer Holiday Villa \u2014 SGD 246.87 for 3 nights (approximately SGD 82 per night)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Dali Yueshan Yuehai Villa \u2014 SGD 117.82<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Dali Ancient City Heyiju Holiday Courtyard \u548c\u610f\u5c45 \u2014 SGD 247.68 (SGD 82.56 per night)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Best Yuehang Hotel near the airport \u2014 SGD 35<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n We arrived at Kunming Airport at around 6pm and took a Didi to our hotel.<\/p>\n Distance: Approximately 28km.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Travel time: 30\u201340 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Didi fare: RMB 72.90, including RMB 10 toll.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We stayed at Mengjing Xiyue \u68a6\u666f\u00b7\u559c\u6708 Hotel.<\/p>\n After checking in, we headed to Nanping Pedestrian Street and the old town area.<\/p>\n One important tip: We initially walked to Mengjing Wangyue \u671b\u6708 instead of our actual hotel. Google Maps was not accurate enough for this area.<\/p>\n If you are travelling in China, I recommend using Amap (Gaode Maps).<\/span> It is much more useful for checking locations, walking directions and navigating around the city.<\/p>\n We ordered a set meal for two from Meituan.<\/p>\n Set meal for 2: RMB 99<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Additional chrysanthemum walnut dessert: RMB 24<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Biscuits and bread: SGD 26.18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Peach: SGD 5.90<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Mango taro dessert \u591a\u8292\u828b\u5706: RMB 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We also bought two handmade pouches for RMB 110 (RMB 85 + RMB 25).<\/p>\n It was a simple first evening after arriving in Kunming. We had time to eat, explore the streets and settle into our hotel.<\/p>\n We planned to have breakfast at 7:30am.<\/p>\n Breakfast choices:<\/span><\/p>\n Rice noodles with braised pot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Douhua rice noodles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n After breakfast, we took a Didi to Green Lake.<\/p>\n Hotel \u2192 Green Lake: RMB 3.60<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Green Lake \u2192 Hotel: RMB 3.60<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Hotel \u2192 Kunming Railway Station: RMB 3.20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We bought a horse keychain for RMB 15 and enjoyed a short walk around the lake.<\/p>\n Before boarding our train, we had lunch at the station.<\/p>\n We ordered:<\/p>\n \u9752\u6912\u8089\u4e1d \u2014 Shredded pork with green pepper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n \u56de\u9505\u8089\u76d6\u996d \u2014 Twice-cooked pork with rice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Total: RMB 58 for two.<\/p>\n Important train station tip:<\/span> Kunming has three different railway stations:<\/p>\n Kunming Railway Station.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Kunming South Railway Station.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Kunming North Railway Station.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Make sure you check the correct station on your ticket before leaving the hotel.<\/p>\n When entering the station, use your passport to scan and access the platform. Check the train information and carriage number on the display.<\/p>\n We booked our train tickets for two people.<\/p>\n Our hotel:<\/p>\n \u6734\u81f4\u00b7\u8bbe\u8ba1\u5e08\u5962\u4eab\u5ea6\u5047\u00b7\u82b1\u56ed\u9152\u5e97 Holiday Villa\uff08\u4e3d\u6c5f\u53e4\u57ce\u5357\u95e8\u5e97\uff09<\/span><\/p>\n Address:<\/p>\n \u4e91\u5357\u7701\u4e3d\u6c5f\u5e02\u53e4\u57ce\u533a\u5927\u7814\u8857\u9053\u529e\u4e8b\u5904\u4e49\u5c1a\u5c45\u59d4\u4f1a\u4e49\u5c1a\u8857\u6587\u534e\u5df717\u53f7<\/p>\n Room price: Approximately SGD 82 per night.<\/p>\n We took a Didi from Lijiang Railway Station to the hotel, costing SGD 21.10.<\/p>\n The hotel was a pleasant surprise. Besides the accommodation, it offered several services and facilities that made our stay more comfortable.<\/p>\n Dyson hair dryer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Large projector for watching movies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Afternoon tea from 2:30pm to 5:00pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Free fruits, cakes and drinks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Smoke-free restaurant compound.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Non-smoking signs in the breakfast and dining areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Free red bean soup at night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These small details made the hotel feel more welcoming, especially after a long day of travelling.<\/p>\n Dinner:<\/span> \u81ea\u7531\u83cc\u706b\u9505 \u2014 RMB 197.88<\/p>\n After dinner, we bought an animal pink bag for RMB 138.<\/p>\n Later, we visited \u6a31\u82b1 Pub.<\/p>\n One beer and one pear juice: RMB 71.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n At around 10pm, we enjoyed complimentary red bean soup from our hotel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n It was a relaxed evening in Lijiang, without needing to plan too many activities.<\/p>\n We had breakfast at 8:00am.<\/p>\n Breakfast choices:<\/span><\/p>\n \u8fc7\u6865\u7c73\u7ebf \u2014 Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n \u9984\u9968 \u2014 Wontons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n One of the fun experiences during our Lijiang trip was taking photos in traditional-style clothing.<\/p>\n Additional edited photos: RMB 30 each.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Total: Approximately SGD 77.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Additional photos: 14 pieces, with 1 free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you enjoy taking travel photos, this is an experience worth considering. Just confirm the photo package, additional photo charges and the number of edited pictures before booking.<\/p>\n We had a simple lunch consisting of:<\/p>\n We returned to the hotel at around 1:00pm.<\/p>\n At 2:30pm, we enjoyed the hotel’s complimentary afternoon tea, including fruit, cake and drinks.<\/p>\n This was one of the advantages of staying at a hotel that offers complimentary refreshments. We could take a break before heading out again.<\/p>\n We took a Didi to the show.<\/p>\n Didi to the venue: Rmb 15.80.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Tickets for two: SGD 110.51. Booked via Trip.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Didi back to the hotel: RMB 23.80.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The show is a popular cultural performance in Lijiang. If you plan to attend, check the show schedule and ticket availability ahead of time.<\/p>\n We had dinner at \u9c9c\u4e91\u96c6, a restaurant located just outside Dayan Ancient Town.<\/p>\n Dinner: RMB 86.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Beef snack: RMB 39.90.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Two pastries: RMB 19.60.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We also bought two mini blind boxes and one umbrella from Miniso in Lijiang ancient town, costing RMB RMB187.90.<\/p>\n It was another full day of sightseeing, food and shopping in Lijiang.<\/p>\n We had breakfast at 8:00am, with porridge and noodles.<\/p>\n At around 9:00am, we visited Baisha Ancient Town.<\/p>\n Fresh hair flower: RMB 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Matcha milk tea: RMB 48.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Didi to Baisha: RMB 38.30.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Baisha is a good place to include in a Lijiang itinerary if you want to explore an old town with a different atmosphere from the main Dayan Ancient Town.<\/p>\n We took a Didi from Baisha to Shuhe Ancient Town \u675f\u6cb3\u53e4\u9547.<\/p>\n Didi: RMB 11.70.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Mixue passion fruit drink: RMB 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We had Sichuan food for lunch.<\/p>\n Dishes:<\/p>\n \u849c\u6ce5\u767d\u8089 \u2014 Sliced pork with garlic sauce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n \u9c7c\u9999\u8304\u5b50 \u2014 Fish-fragrant eggplant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Two dishes: RMB 80.<\/p>\n Later, we stopped at a restaurant for a latte, costing RMB 48.<\/p>\n We tried a 40-minute horse-riding experience.<\/p>\n RMB 200 per person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Total: RMB 400 for two.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you’re travelling with older family members, check the riding route and horse-riding conditions beforehand to make sure the experience suits everyone.<\/p>\n Didi from Shuhe to Lijiang Ancient Town: RMB 24.40.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Dinner at \u9694\u58c1\u8001\u738b: RMB 90.50.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Food: \u70e4\u9c7c (grilled fish) and one bowl of rice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n It was a busy day exploring two ancient towns and trying a horse-riding activity.<\/p>\n We took a Didi to the railway station.<\/p>\n Didi fare: RMB 22.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n The driver was waiting outside the old town and agreed to our displayed Didi fare.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Travel tip:<\/span> When leaving an old town, check your Didi pickup location carefully. Some roads are restricted, and drivers may wait outside the pedestrian area.<\/p>\n Before boarding the train, we had KFC at Lijiang Railway Station.<\/p>\n – KFC: RMB 82.<\/p>\n We then took the train from Lijiang to Dali.<\/p>\n We stayed at Dali Yueshan Yuehai Hotel \u5927\u7406\u60a6\u5c71\u6d77\u9152\u5e97<\/span>. SGD\u00a0118.<\/p>\n Our check-in was delayed, but the hotel upgraded us to a sea-view room. While waiting for the room to be ready, the hotel provided tea and drinks.<\/p>\n We finally checked in at around 4:00pm.<\/p>\n Although we had to wait, the complimentary refreshments and room upgrade helped make the delay a more pleasant experience.<\/p>\n After checking in, we went out for a walk and visited Dali University.<\/p>\n We bought some local snacks:<\/p>\n Three pieces of bread: RMB 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Egg tart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Durian puff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n French toast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Fruits: RMB 31.50, including yellow berry and peach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Dinner was at \u8001\u5802\u53e3\u91cd\u5e86\u706b\u9505.<\/p>\n Total: RMB 131.<\/p>\n It was our first evening in Dali, and we kept the evening simple after travelling from Lijiang.<\/p>\n We had breakfast at 8:00am.<\/p>\n After breakfast, we took a Didi to the Three Pagodas.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> We only took the one-way tram. If you plan your route properly, there is no need to buy a return tram ticket.<\/p>\n For lunch, we ate vegetarian food inside the temple.<\/p>\n The food was simple. We were told to take our own vegetables.<\/p>\n We also bought a soft toy for RMB 38.<\/p>\n After the Three Pagodas, we continued to Cangshan Mountain.<\/p>\n Cangshan was one of the highlights of our Dali trip. There are different cable car routes, so check carefully which one you are buying before paying.<\/p>\n For dinner, we went to \u6885\u5b50\u4e95 Restaurant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
Day 1 \u2014 26 June 2026, Friday<\/h2>\n
Arriving in Kunming & Exploring Nanping Pedestrian Street<\/h3>\n
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Dinner at \u853c\u82e5\u6625<\/h3>\n
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Day 2 \u2014 27 June, Saturday<\/h2>\n
Kunming Green Lake & High-Speed Train to Lijiang<\/h3>\n
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Morning Visit to Green Lake \u7fe0\u6e56<\/h3>\n
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Lunch at Kunming Railway Station<\/h3>\n
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High-Speed Train to Lijiang<\/h3>\n
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Checking In at Lijiang<\/h3>\n
Hotel Highlights<\/h3>\n
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Dinner & Evening Drinks<\/h3>\n
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Day 3 \u2014 28 June, Sunday<\/h2>\n
Lijiang Breakfast, Photoshoot & Lijiang Romance Show<\/h3>\n
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Traditional Costume Photoshoot<\/h3>\n
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Lunch<\/h3>\n
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Afternoon Tea at the Hotel<\/h3>\n
Lijiang Romance Show \u4e3d\u6c5f\u5343\u53e4\u60c5<\/h3>\n
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Dinner Near Lijiang Old Town<\/h3>\n
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Day 4 \u2014 29 June, Monday<\/h2>\n
Baisha Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town & Horse Riding<\/h3>\n
Baisha Ancient Town \u767d\u6c99\u53e4\u9547<\/h3>\n
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Baisha \u2192 Shuhe Ancient Town<\/h3>\n
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Lunch & Coffee Break<\/h3>\n
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Horse Riding<\/h3>\n
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Returning to Lijiang Old Town<\/h3>\n
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Day 5 \u2014 30 June, Tuesday<\/h2>\n
Lijiang to Dali \u2014 Hotel Upgrade & Local Exploration<\/h3>\n
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Train Journey to Dali<\/h3>\n
Check-In at Dali Yueshan Yuehai Hotel<\/h3>\n
Exploring Dali University<\/h3>\n
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Dinner \u2014 \u8001\u5802\u53e3\u91cd\u5e86\u706b\u9505<\/h3>\n
Day 6 \u2014 1 July, Wednesday<\/h2>\n
Three Pagodas, Cangshan Mountain & Meizijing Restaurant<\/h3>\n
Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas \u5d07\u5723\u5bfa\u4e09\u5854<\/h3>\n
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Cangshan Mountain \u82cd\u5c71<\/h3>\n
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Dinner at \u6885\u5b50\u4e95<\/h3>\n
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