Discover the Beauty of Yunnan on an 7-Day Self-Driving Adventure
- tourmaster
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Kunming(1N)-Dali(2N)-Shaxi(1N)-Shigu-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang(2N)
Embark on an 7-day yunnan self-driving tour, perfect for self-driving enthusiasts. Start in Kunming, the 'City of Eternal Spring,' and explore the Stone Forest. Drive to Dali to experience the rich cultures of 25 ethnic minorities and the serene Erhai Lake. Continue to the ancient town of Shaxi. Visit the breathtaking The First Bend Of Yangtze River and Tiger Leaping Gorge before reaching Lijiang, where you'll marvel at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the vibrant old town. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion, scenic drives, and natural beauty, making it ideal for those who love the freedom and thrill of self-driving.
Day 1 Kunming
Arrive in Kunming, which is the capital city of Yunnan Province, is known as 'the City of Eternal Spring' for its pleasant climate and flowers that bloom all year long be met and transferred to hotel.(If time permits, we can arrange bus tour to Stone Forest. Stone Forest covers an area of 350 square kilometers, is known as ‘First Wonder of the World’. With magnificent, strange and steep landscape, geologists say the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography.)
Day 2 Kunming-Dali (360KM)
Take bus to the Traffic Police Office; apply certification, physical examination and car test.
After this, drive to the suburbs for driving practices.In the afternoon, we will drive to Dali. With 300 kilo-meters northwest of Kunming, the city of Dali is the economic and cultural center of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. The area is surrounded by mountains on the east, west and south, and has the Erhai Lake in its center. In this area, you will find 25 ethnic minorities and feel the unique cultures of local people.
Day 3 Dali (120KM)
After breakfast at hotel, self-driving visit Xizhou(morning markets and local villages) to see grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses. Continue to visit Erhai Lake, relax tour with mild climate and stunning scenery.Zhoucheng including tie-dye and Benzhu Monastery, Zhoucheng Village near Butterfly Springing is famous as the 'Hometown of Bai People's Tie-dyeing Art'. Then visit Wase and Shuanglang town.Drive back to the old town of Dali for overnight.
Day 4 Dali-Shaxi (180KM)
Drive to Shaxi, visit Jianchuan Shaxi Ancient Town, and Shibao Mountain.
Day 5 Shaxi-Shigu-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang (280KM)
Drive to Shigu for a visit of The First Bend Of Yangze River, then continue to Tiger Leaping Gorge which is one of the deepest gorges in the world, after that drive to Lijiang for overnight. Lijiang, an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province, is considered a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snowy mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by friendly people. It exercises jurisdiction over four counties and an Old Town District. This is the main region inhabited by the Naxi People, one of China's 55 minority ethnic groups.
Day 6 Lijiang
Drive to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mt with cable car to Yunshanping and Impression of Lijiang Show, the mountain with an attitude of 5600meters, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds; hence we got the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then continue to visit Baisha villages, which used to be a Naxi settlement and the birthplace of local Mu Family Governors. Filling the day with Yufeng Temple, Shuhe Old Town, Lashi Lake tour. In the afternoon, end of the rent of the cars.
Day 7 Departure
Take bus to Lijiang airport for flight to other cities.