WHERE
Yunnan
Into the Mountains, Back to Yourself
An 8-Day Journey of Wellness, Culture & Nature
Price
Average 412 USD per person per day (minimum 2 travelers required)
For detailed price, please contact us.
How long
8 Days / 7 Nights
The Inspiration Behind the Journey
Yunnan offers a different kind of escape—one shaped by mountains, highland landscapes and a slower way of life.
From the lakes of Kunming to the snow mountains of Lijiang, the highlands of Shangri-La and the shores of Erhai Lake, this eight-day journey follows the changing landscape and elevation of Yunnan at an unhurried pace.
Wellness is woven into the journey rather than added as an extra. Through tea rituals, floating meditation, breathwork, incense, sound healing and quiet time in nature, each stay creates space to slow down and reconnect.
Along the way, Yunnan’s living cultures add another layer to the experience—from Dongba traditions and Naxi ancient music to Tibetan monasteries and Bai folk crafts.
Here, culture is more than something to observe. It becomes a way to understand the land and reconnect with yourself.
This is not simply an escape from everyday life, but a journey to slow down, breathe deeply and rediscover your own rhythm.
Journey Highlights
Perfect for: Luxury travelers seeking wellness, natural beauty and deeper cultural experiences in China.
Deep Rest & Renewal:
Experience tea rituals, floating meditation, breathwork, incense and sound healing in carefully selected mountain retreats.
Yunnan in Layers:
Travel through Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Dali, experiencing the region’s changing landscapes, elevations and rhythms.
Living Local Culture:
Discover Naxi, Tibetan and Bai traditions through Dongba culture, monasteries, local crafts and traditional life.
Time to Simply Be:
Leave space for yourself among snow mountains, ancient towns, forests and the shores of Erhai Lake.
Memories Made by Hand:
Take home handmade heritage pieces, photographs and the memory of a journey experienced at a slower pace.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day / 01
Kunming · Green Lake · Dianchi
Arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, where your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
In the afternoon, take a gentle walk around Green Lake Park and Dianchi Lake, easing into Yunnan’s higher elevation and slower rhythm.
During winter and spring, red-billed gulls can often be seen around the lake.
Dinner is at your own leisure, with assistance available for restaurant reservations. For late arrivals, simply check in and rest.
Meals: Breakfast (/); Lunch (/); Dinner (at your own expense)
Stay: Five-star hotel in Kunming
Day / 02
Kunming to Lijiang · Snow Mountain Retreat
Take an early high-speed train to Lijiang, where your private driver will transfer you to your mountain retreat, with views directly toward Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Enjoy a refined Yunnan-style lunch at the hotel before spending the afternoon at your own pace.
Choose from a walk through the Cloud Farm, mountain biking, tennis with a snow mountain backdrop or time in the fitness centre.
As the sun sets, unwind in your private courtyard hot spring while watching the mountains change with the evening light.
Later, visit Shuhe Ancient Town after the crowds have thinned, followed by a Naxi dinner.
Please note: Tennis requires advance reservation. Spa treatments and clay-making workshops are optional paid experiences.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (refined Yunnan cuisine); Dinner (Naxi cuisine in Shuhe)
Stay: Luxury wellness retreat in Lijiang
Day / 03
Lijiang · Naxi Culture · Chieftain’s Feast
Wake to views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the morning light.
With a Naxi cultural guide, learn to write Dongba pictographic characters, take part in a traditional Naxi blessing ritual and explore the hotel’s Naxi-inspired gardens.
Enjoy lunch at the hotel, followed by a relaxed afternoon. Soak in your private hot spring or choose an optional spa treatment or clay workshop.
In the evening, experience a traditional Naxi chieftain-style feast, featuring caravan-era dishes and highland barley wine, accompanied by the customs of Naxi hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (hotel); Dinner (Naxi chieftain-style feast)
Stay: Luxury wellness retreat in Lijiang
Day / 04
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain · Yuhu Village
Set out early for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred mountain of the Naxi people and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Travel into the mountains by sightseeing train before taking the Glacier Park cable car to an altitude of 4,680 metres.
Descend to Blue Moon Valley, where turquoise pools reflect the surrounding snow peaks.
After lunch featuring local Naxi cuisine, continue to Yuhu Village for a private heritage workshop in a traditional Naxi home.
With a local instructor, learn about Dongba writing and create a traditional handmade piece in a private courtyard setting. Return to Lijiang in the evening for a relaxed local dinner.
Please note: An early train to Shangri-La departs the following morning; an early return to the hotel is recommended.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Naxi cuisine); Dinner (local Lijiang cuisine)
Stay:Luxury wellness retreat in Lijiang
Day / 05
Shangri-La · Monastery & Highland Stillness
Take an early high-speed train to Shangri-La, where your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Spend the morning resting and allowing your body to adjust gradually to the 3,300-metre elevation.
In the afternoon, visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, often known as the “Little Potala Palace.” A private guide will introduce its history and traditions, followed by views of the monastery reflected in Lamuyangcuo Lake.
In the evening, take a gentle walk around the edge of Dukezong Ancient Town before enjoying a Tibetan-style yak hot pot.
Highland note: Avoid strenuous activity and bathing on the first day at altitude. Drink plenty of water and keep the pace slow.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Tibetan set meal); Dinner (Tibetan yak hot pot)
Stay: Luxury five-star hotel in Shangri-La
Day / 06
Dukezong Ancient Town · Dali · Erhai
Explore Dukezong Moonlight Ancient Town in the morning, wandering through Tibetan homes, monasteries, stupas and prayer-flag-lined streets.
Visit Guishan Park and take part in turning the world’s largest prayer wheel.
Enjoy a Tibetan-style lunch in the old town before taking the high-speed train to Dali.
After checking in and resting at your hotel, enjoy a lakeside dinner beside Erhai Lake, as the evening light settles over the water.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Tibetan cuisine); Dinner (lakeside cuisine)
Stay: Five-star hotel by Erhai Lake
Day / 07
Erhai Sunset · Bai Heritage Craft
Enjoy a slow morning at the hotel, with time to take in views of Erhai Lake from the terrace.
After lunch featuring the local Xizhou baba, head to the Erhai Ecological Corridor during the golden hour for a private photography session.
Continue to Xizhou for a private Bai traditional craft workshop focused on Wamao clay sculpture.
Learn about the protective roof-top guardian figures of Bai architecture, then shape and paint your own piece. Finished works will be fired and can be shipped to you afterwards.
End the evening with a traditional Bai courtyard feast, known as Eight Bowls, bringing the Dali experience to a close.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Xizhou baba set); Dinner (Bai Eight Bowls courtyard dinner)
Stay: Five-star hotel by Erhai Lake
Day / 08
Kunming · Farewell to Yunnan
After breakfast, transfer to Dali Railway Station and take the high-speed train back to Kunming.
Your private driver will then transfer you to Kunming Changshui International Airport for your onward flight.
Your journey through Yunnan’s mountains, cultures and restorative landscapes comes to an end.
Important: We recommend allowing at least 3 hours for the transfer to your international flight. When schedules are tight, a direct flight from Dali to Kunming may be considered as an alternative.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (/); Dinner (/)
Accommodation Portfolio
Kunming | Five-Star Hotel
Lijiang | Luxury Wellness Retreat
Shangri-La | Luxury Five-Star Hotel
Dali | Five-Star Hotel by Erhai Lake
Pricing & Details
[Pricing Note]
This is a high-end, customized itinerary. Quotes are flexible and tailored based on travel dates, group size, hotel tier, and selected experiences. Please consult our customer service for a detailed quote.
To proceed with booking, a $500 USD per person itinerary planning fee is required to secure your arrangements. This fee will be applied to your total trip cost and deducted from your final balance. Full payment is required 30 days prior to departure. If booking within 30 days of departure, immediate full payment may be required.
[Inclusions]
• Seven nights of accommodation according to the itinerary
• All meals specifically marked as included
• Second-class high-speed rail tickets between Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Dali and Kunming
• Private vehicle and driver throughout the journey
• Airport and railway station transfers
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain entrance and required transportation, including the mountain sightseeing train, Glacier Park cable car, Blue Moon Valley and shuttle bus
• Sumtseling Monastery entrance, sightseeing shuttle and guide
• Full wellness experience package at the Songtsam Linka retreat, including: Eastern tea ceremony, Floating meditation, Sleep-inducing singing bowl session, Breathwork meditation, Tibetan herbal Vajra Hammer DIY, Traditional wellness tea and incense practice, Evening wellness ritual
• Private heritage experiences in Yuhu Village and Xizhou
• Private photography session along the Erhai Ecological Corridor
• English-speaking guide throughout the journey
• English-language guiding at the included attractions
• Driver service fees and parking fees
[Exclusions]
• Dinner on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 8
• International round-trip flights
• Visa or transit-without-visa related services and documentation
• Personal expenses, including drinks, laundry, spa treatments and souvenirs
• Optional paid experiences, including spa treatments and clay-making workshops
• Shipping fees for Wamao clay sculptures
• Local transportation within scenic areas not specifically included
• Any other expenses not expressly included in the itinerary
Important Notes & Terms
Itinerary Flexibility: As a customized tour, activities can be flexibly adjusted based on arrival time, weather, and personal preferences. The guide reserves the right to adjust the sequence of the tour for an optimal experience without reducing the core attractions.
Check-out Policy: Hotel check-out time is before 12:00 PM. For late check-out, please consult the front desk directly. Luggage can be stored at the reception while you wait in the lobby; please keep valuables with you.
High-Altitude Travel: The journey follows a gradual elevation route from Kunming → Lijiang → Shangri-La → Dali. Shangri-La is approximately 3,300 metres above sea level, while Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reaches 4,680 metres. Strenuous activity and bathing are not recommended on the first day at high altitude. Stay hydrated and keep the pace slow. If you feel unwell, individual wellness sessions may be cancelled without refund.
Tibetan Etiquette: Walk clockwise around the prayer route at Sumtseling Monastery. Please ask permission before photographing local residents, monks or Buddhist statues. Do not step on Mani stones or pull prayer flags.
Wellness Experiences: Some wellness activities are scheduled at fixed times. Please follow the hotel’s arrangements and inform the hotel in advance of any relevant physical conditions.
Heritage Crafts: Wamao clay sculptures require kiln firing and shipping after the workshop; shipping is at your own expense. Dongba craft pieces can be taken home directly.
Photography: The Erhai photography experience is weather dependent. In poor weather, the timing may be adjusted or the session moved to another suitable period.
Road & Rail Travel: The journey combines high-speed rail and private vehicle transfers. Road travel may take longer during the rainy season, and additional flexibility has been built into the itinerary.
Cancellation & Changes: If you are unable to travel for personal reasons, please notify us at least 30 days before departure. We will do our best to arrange a date change. If rescheduling is not possible, the remaining amount will be refunded after deducting any incurred hotel, ticket and train booking fees. No refund will be provided for no-shows on the day of departure or for leaving the journey early. Please refer to the Booking Terms for full details..
Why travel with us
Beyond
the Landmark
Living Heritage
Experiences
Tailored
Journeys
Local Stories,
Real Connections
Thoughtful
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We will use it as the first thread in a journey designed around you.