Yunnan is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because...........

Yunnan Travel Guide: 7 Days 6 Nights, 3000 RMB Per Person to Explore the Land of Colorful Clouds Yunnan, a land embraced by mountains and rivers, is famous for its "spring-like all year round" climate, diverse ethnic cultures, and magnificent natural scenery. From the shimmering Dianchi Lake in Kunming to the cobblestone streets of Lijiang Old Town, from the moonlit Erhai Lake to the tie-dye in Dali Old Town, every place hides stories of poetry and distant lands. Below is a 7-day itinerary covering classic attractions, local delicacies, and cost-effective accommodations, with a budget of 3000 RMB per person (excluding major transportation), to help you explore Yunnan. 1. Itinerary Overview Route: Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La Duration: 7 days 6 nights Budget Allocation: Accommodation: 800-1000 RMB (hostels/economy guesthouses) Food: 700-900 RMB (100-150 RMB per day) Tickets & Transportation: 1000-1200 RMB Others (entertainment/shopping): 300-500 RMB 2. Daily Itinerary and Expenses Day 1: First Impressions of Kunming Keywords: Dianchi Lake, Old Street, Mushroom Hotpot Morning: Arrive at Kunming Changshui Airport, take the subway to downtown (6 RMB), check into a youth hostel (50-80 RMB/night). Noon: Eat "Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodles" at "Jianxinyuan" on Old Street (35 RMB/bowl), stroll around historic buildings like Duiyuelou and Jiubeilou. Afternoon: Walk at Haigeng Park by Dianchi Lake (free), feed red-billed gulls in winter (bread 10 RMB/bag). Evening: Try grilled tofu (5 RMB/10 pieces) and papaya juice (8 RMB) at Nanping Street Night Market, dinner with mushroom hotpot (80 RMB per person). Accommodation: Kunming youth hostel (50 RMB) Total cost: about 200 RMB Day 2: The Romance of Dali Keywords: Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, Old Town Nightlife Morning: Take high-speed train to Dali (145 RMB/person, 2 hours), check into a guesthouse in Dali Old Town (80-120 RMB/night). Noon: Eat Bai ethnic stone-grilled dishes in the old town (60 RMB per person), recommended "Zui Liuli Private Dishes". Afternoon: Rent an electric bike to circle the west side of Erhai Lake (50 RMB/day), visit Panxi S-bend and Xizhou Ancient Town (free, perfect for rice field photos). Evening: Explore handmade shops on Renmin Road in the old town, listen to folk songs on Foreigner Street (minimum spend 50 RMB), overnight in the old town. Accommodation: Dali Old Town guesthouse (100 RMB) Total cost: about 400 RMB Day 3: Secrets of Cangshan and Tie-Dye Time Keywords: Jizhao Nunnery, Zhoucheng Tie-Dye, Shuanglang Sunset Morning: Taxi to Jizhao Nunnery on Cangshan (20 RMB), have vegetarian meal (20 RMB/person, served at 11:30), admire succulent garden. Noon: After descending, head to Zhoucheng (15 RMB taxi), experience tie-dye making (80 RMB for a scarf, bargaining possible). Afternoon: Take minibus to Shuanglang (15 RMB/person), check into a lakeside inn by Erhai (150-200 RMB/night, off-season negotiable). Evening: Watch sunset by Shuanglang lakeside, dinner with Bai-style sour and spicy fish (70 RMB per person). Accommodation: Shuanglang inn (180 RMB) Total cost: about 400 RMB Day 4: Slow Time in Lijiang Old Town Keywords: Lijiang Old Town, Mu Palace, Black Dragon Pool Morning: Take bus to Lijiang (80 RMB/person, 3 hours), stay in Shuhe Ancient Town (quieter than Dayan Old Town, 80-100 RMB/night). Noon: Eat cured pork rib hotpot (50 RMB per person), recommended "Ama Yi". Afternoon: Tour Dayan Old Town (free, Mu Palace ticket 40 RMB), climb Lion Hill for panoramic views (35 RMB). Evening: Join bonfire dance at Sifang Street (free), order a "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon" beer at a bar (30 RMB). Accommodation: Shuhe guesthouse (90 RMB) Total cost: about 300 RMB Day 5: The Blue and White of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Keywords: Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Morning: Join a small group day tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (350 RMB/person, includes main cable car + eco bus + cold-proof clothing + oxygen bottle). Noon: Eat simple meal inside the scenic area (bring snacks or group meal 30 RMB). Afternoon: Visit Blue Moon Valley (optional electric cart 50 RMB), watch "Impression Lijiang" show (280 RMB, open-air spectacular). Evening: Return to Lijiang, dinner with Naxi-style grilled fish (60 RMB per person). Accommodation: Shuhe guesthouse (90 RMB) Total cost: about 700 RMB (including show) Day 6: Tibetan Style in Shangri-La Keywords: Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Old Town, Tibetan Cuisine Morning: Take bus to Shangri-La (65 RMB/person, 4 hours), stay in Dukezong Old Town (70-100 RMB/night). Noon: Eat yak meat hotpot (70 RMB per person), recommended "Regong Artist Pavilion". Afternoon: Visit Songzanlin Monastery (ticket 90 RMB, includes guided tour), spin the world’s largest prayer wheel (requires 10 people working together). Evening: Experience Tibetan costume in the old town (50 RMB/set including makeup), take night photos. Accommodation: Dukezong Tibetan-style guesthouse (100 RMB) Total cost: about 400 RMB Day 7: Ecological Tour of Pudacuo Keywords: Plateau Lakes, Primeval Forest, Tibetan Home Visit Morning: Hire a car to Pudacuo National Park (ticket 138 RMB, includes sightseeing bus), hike the Shudu Lake boardwalk (3.3 km). Noon: Eat self-heating rice inside the park (bring your own) or return to town for a meal. Afternoon: Return to Lijiang/Kunming (depending on flight), end of trip. Total cost: about 300 RMB (including transportation) 3. Money-Saving Tips Transportation: Prioritize high-speed trains and buses within the province, avoid private car hires; carpool from Lijiang to Shangri-La (80 RMB/person). Accommodation: Off-season (November to March) prices drop by 30%, book one month in advance. Tickets: Student ID gets half price; group tours to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are 50-100 RMB cheaper than solo trips. Food: Avoid main streets in old towns; local eateries in alleys are more affordable. 4. Notes Altitude Sickness: Shangri-La is at 3300 meters, avoid strenuous exercise, bring Rhodiola. Sun Protection: Yunnan has very strong UV rays, SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential. Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night; bring a light jacket in summer and a down jacket in winter. Cultural Respect: Avoid short skirts and hats in temples; spin prayer wheels clockwise. 5. Summary Yunnan’s charm lies in its unhurried pace—you can daydream by Erhai Lake all day or encounter a rain shower in the alleys of the old town. This guide focuses on classic attractions while balancing cost-effectiveness and deep experiences. With 3000 RMB per person, you can unlock snow mountains, lakes, ancient towns, and Tibetan culture. Take this guide and turn your days in Yunnan into poetry!