5-Day, 4-Night Yunnan Snow Mountain Tour Guide

A 5-day, 4-night in-depth tour guide to Lijiang and Dali, Yunnan, featuring the classic snow mountain and Erhai Lake route. Capture stunning photos of the sunrise illuminating the golden mountain! Day 1: Arrive in Lijiang and Explore the Old Town Arrive at Lijiang Sanyi Airport in the afternoon and check in to a guesthouse near the old town (recommended near the south gate or Zhongyi Market for convenient transportation). - Evening: Stroll through Lijiang Old Town, visit the Water Wheel, Sifang Street, and Mu's Residence, and experience the Naxi culture. Enjoy the nightlife on Bar Street or climb Lion Hill to the Wangu Tower for a panoramic view of the old town at night. Food recommendations: Grandma's Preserved Pork Rib Hot Pot, Chicken Pea Jelly. --- Day 2: Day Trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Ganhaizi + Glacier Park + Blue Moon Valley) - 6:00 am: Take a chartered car or shared car to Ganhaizi (40-minute drive) to watch the sunrise over the golden mountain (check the weather forecast in advance, sunrise is around 6:30-7:00 am). - Morning: Take the Glacier Park cable car to the top of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (altitude 4,680 meters). Bring oxygen and a down jacket (available for rent at the scenic spot). - Afternoon: Visit Blue Moon Valley (electric cart: CNY 50/person). The lake's blue-green gradient resembles a gemstone, perfect for photos. Stop by Yunshanping (cable car: CNY 60) and hike through the primeval forest boardwalk to the snow-capped meadows. - Return: Around 5:00 pm, return to Lijiang Old Town. Dinner recommendation: "Yunxueli" Yunnan cuisine. --- Day 3: Lijiang → Dali, Erhai Lake West Coast Slow Tour - Morning: Take the high-speed train to Dali (2 hours, CNY 80). Check in to a guesthouse on the west bank of Erhai Lake (recommended in Caicun or Longkan Wharf). - Afternoon: Cycle along the Erhai Ecological Corridor (bike rental: CNY 20/day), passing through Caicun, the Panxi S-bend, and the covered bridge. Visit popular cafes. - Evening: Watch the sunset over Erhai Lake at Longkan Wharf. Try Dali sour and spicy fish or rawhide for dinner. --- Day 4: Classic Dali Lake Tour (Shuanglang + Xizhou) - Morning: Charter a car or rent an electric vehicle to tour the east coast of Erhai Lake, arriving at Shuanglang Ancient Town. Visit Yang Liping's Sun Palace (reservation required) and enjoy the view from a lakeside cafe. - Lunch: Bai-style restaurant in Shuanglang (recommended: "Siji Yunye" mushroom hot pot). - Afternoon: Head to Xizhou Ancient Town, capture photos of the windswept wheat fields (rapeseed flowers in March-April, rice paddies in September-October), taste Xizhou Baba, and visit Yan's Compound. - Evening: Return to Dali Old Town, explore the night market on Renmin Road, and experience the "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon" bars. --- Day 5: Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple + Return Trip - Morning: Visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (CNY 75), nestled against the Cangshan Mountains and facing Erhai Lake, and experience the history of the Nanzhao Kingdom. - Lunch: "Zaihuishou" cold chicken rice noodles in Dali Old Town. Purchase local specialties such as flower cakes and Rushan cheese. - Afternoon: Return according to your flight/high-speed train schedule (the last high-speed train from Dali to Lijiang is around 7:00 pm). --- Budget Reference (per person) - Transportation: CNY 800 (including high-speed rail, chartered cars, and rentals) - Accommodation: CNY 600 (Lijiang CNY 200/night, Dali CNY 150/night) - Tickets: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain entrance fee CNY 100 + cable car CNY 140, Three Pagodas CNY 75 - Food: CNY 500 - Total: Approx. CNY 2,500-3,000 --- Pre-trip Tips 1. Altitude sickness: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has a high altitude. Prepare Rhodiola and oxygen in advance, and avoid strenuous exercise. 2. Ticket booking: Book Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car tickets one day in advance at 8:00 pm on the "Lijiang Tourism Group" official WeChat account. 3. Clothing guide: Lijiang has a large temperature difference between day and night. Down jackets are needed for the snow mountain. Light clothing and sun protection are recommended for daytime in Dali. 4. Tips to avoid pitfalls: The electric cart in Blue Moon Valley is optional; walking offers a more immersive experience. Choose shared bikes for cycling around Erhai Lake for convenient parking.