วีดีโอ

For our first train ticket from Kunming to Lijiang, we bought the ticket before we flew at www.12306.cn. However, not easy to buy. We were successful after many attempts

I’m glad that you find the video useful. Part 2 is available. Go to my channel.

That’s true. Thanks for sharing.

We arrived at Kunming Airport very early that day at around 2+am. So, we wanted a relaxed day since we would be tired. Considering the number of places we wanted to visit on this trip, we would only have time in Kunming for the Stone Forest and Western Hills. That would be too tiring to do on the first day. By proceeding to Lijiang, we could rest on the train, spend some time at the ancient town and still be able to turn in early that day. The day was not wasted.

We used Baidu map. Google map is not usable.

We were there in April.

Visiting Shangri-La does not require a travel permit

I am not sure. We did not drive.

Thanks. It is at Zhongyi Night Market. Name of Restaurant - 五湖汽锅鱼 (Five-Lake Steamed Fish). You have fun in Sept.

To travel independently, you will need the Baidu App for navigation and the Didi App to book a private hired car. The Baidu App is only in Chinese. While the DiDi App has the English version, I am not sure how well it works. Nevertheless, you may check with your hotel. Some hotels do help their guests book local tours and transport. Hope this helps.

@@holidayingyourway513 thankyou very much! 😊 great video btw very helpful 💕

Generally, they were all quite good. Clean, good location, great room size and staff were helpful. Also generous in providing bottled water (except at Shaxi). Lijiang - Xilu Xiaoxie Inn Within Lijiang ancient town but at a corner away from the noisy bustling area & near the south gate. But in the room, can hear noise if guests were to talk in the corridor. Helped to bring our luggage from the south gate. Shangri-La - Floral Hotel-Shangri-La Blue Sky Walking distance to Dukezong ancient town North Gate & the parking area to take the tour bus to Balagezong; Staff helped to reserve a booking for the Balagezong tour. Other attractions are also just a short drive away. Shaxi - Wuyuenian Renwen Inn Within Shaxi Ancient Town. No air conditioning but no problem for us as the weather was cooling. Staff helped to bring luggage to the Inn. Dali - Dali Yunxi Boutique Inn Just outside Dali Ancient Town, Great Hospitality. Gave us useful advice on the routes for the various attractions. Kunming - Fairfield by Marriott Kunming Xinying Walking distance to the nearest Metro station. Next to the Shopping Mall. Breakfast included. Our accommodations were all 3 in a room. I don't think the rates will be relevant to you. You may check the current rate at booking.com.

It was in April. Lijiang was cool, Shangri-la was a little cold while Kunming and Dali were warm

That depends on individual. For us, we did not have to use it. Anyway, if you join private or group tour, an oxygen can will be provided.

五湖汽锅鱼 (Five-Lake Steamed Fish) at Zhongyi Night Market

@@holidayingyourway513 - thank you so much

Thank you!

Glad you like it. Yes, we love to travel on our own, planning our own itinerary and seeing the world at our own pace and time. 3 in our group and about S$1k per person (excluding air ticket, travel insurance, data roaming). We had a great time on this trip even though we had to miss some places due to limited time. We like Shangri- la best, immersing in nature. Lijiang is too commercial especially the Jade dragon snow mountain tour, just too crowded.

Thank you for you kind reply. There's no better way than to travel on your own. You go where you like, eat the food you like and meet the locals, You just cant do that on a guided tour. Its always rushing here and there. We plan to travel to Yunnan somewhere in mid April next year and your videos and commentaries are very helpful indeed. Thank you once again and keep this up on your next and future travels.

Flora Hotel - Shangri-La Blue Sky No. 70, Dava Road, Jiantang Community, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Shangri-La, 674400

携程旅行 (ctrip.com) App - Shaxi Booking.com App - All others

The trip was in August 2023. We could see those beautiful scenery on the way from Tateyama station to Murodo station. I took the video from the Bus.

建新圆 near Wuyi Rd (五一路） station

We were told will take about 5 hrs. Have no idea of ropeway cost

You didn't go to the popular 3 pagodas in Dali. May I know what make you choose (your intention) hiking up Changsan mountain instead of visiting the popular 3 pagodas.

No particular reason. Just a preference.

Thank you

Here you go: 3 Days Lijiang Day 1 - Kunming Airport, Lijiang Ancient Town Day 2 - Zhongyi Market, Baisha Ancient Town Day 3 - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Show 3 Days Shangri-La Day 4 - Dukezong Ancient Town, Guishan Park Day 5 - Balagezong Day 6 - Songzanlin Monastery, Yila Grassland, Napa Lake 1.5 Days Shaxi Day 7 - Shaxi Ancient Town Day 8 Morning - Shaxi Friday Market 2.5 Days Dali Day 8 Afternoon - Xizhou Ancient Town, Erhai Eco Corridor, Erhai S-Bay Day 9 - Shuanglang, Little Putuo Island, Lixiangbang - Santorini, Dali Ancient Town Day 10 - Dali North Market, Cangshan Mountain Jizhao Temple 2 Days Kunming Day 10 Evening - Kunming Old Street Day 11 - Kunming Stone Forest Day 12 - Kunming Western Hills Dragon Gate

Toilets are available and clean but may encounter no toilet paper

Thanks, btw which month of the year in that video? If i plan to go december any tips or tricks as i plan to go with 2 young kids and 2 elderly. Thanks!

Our trip was in April 2024. Dali & Kunming were warm, Lijiang comfortable while Shangri-la was a little cold. So in December, expect Shangri-la to be very cold. Being on highlands, UV radiation is strong, air is dry, and we may be subject to altitude stress. So drink plenty of water, and apply body lotion and sunblock. Go slow upon arrival to let the body adapt to the altitude. May experience dry eyes too. All hotels and inns we stayed in, except one, provide complimentary bottled water. For accommodation, avoid those where cold air may seep through cracks. No joke to catch a cold at high altitude. Regarding Oxygen can, this cannot be brought to the train. Also, be aware that there are fake oxygen cans for sale. Whether you need oxygen can depend on individual. But for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tour, the tour agent will provide. Bring along your own toilet paper. Most public toilets run out of paper fast. All use mobile payment. Did not see anyone using cash. So, do download both Alipay and WeChat. The bank card we use offers a good exchange rate. See the link in the description box for more info.

​@@holidayingyourway513thanks again for all tips and detail. Btw, any reliable website for tour package and transport? As i'm having hard time to explore different option. For e.g Didi ride vs train/bus for 6 of us. As my itinerary of 12 days, i plan to go this route. Didi ride from kunming airport Stay 3 days in Kunming Kunming to Shangri-la via bullet train AStay 3 days in Shangri-la Shangri-la to Lijiang via train or DiDi ride? stay 4 days in Lijiang Lijiang to Dali via train or DiDi ride? Stay 3 Days in Dali Dali to Kunming airport via bullet train return back SG. Easy to get DiDi ride 7 seaters to fit 6 of us with luggages? TIA 🙏

For Shangri-La to Lijiang & Lijiang to Dali, travelling time will be shorter by train. I do not know if it is easy or not to get a 7-seater DiDi ride. Getting a chartered car (包 车）for the whole trip might be a better option for a group of 6. We ever explored this option and average charge is about CNY500 per day. Go to 携程旅行 App which is commonly used by the local Chinese tourists.

爱尚菌

We enjoyed our time at Shaxi. If going, should stay for one night so that you have more time to explore the place. Can skip the Friday Market though

License not required. When we scanned the QR code on the bike using WeChat, the relevant app required us to input China mobile number and we did not have that

Oh so if l’m using an esim (retain my local number) , l wont be able to rent the bikes?

I guess not unless at bike rental shops in Dali ancient town.

Most welcome and thank you for your support!

@@holidayingyourway513 Hi So on the 7th day, you stay in Shaxi - Wuyuenian Renwen Inn? and on the 8th at Dali Yunxi Boutique Inn? And can we leave our luggage at these inns before check in time? and is it 云溪 inn or 云栖？cos Baidu map shows so many yunxi... and what time did the bike rental end at Erhai?

Yes, we only stayed one day in Shaxi. FYI, that hotel has no air conditioning. Dali Yunxi Boutique Inn (大理云兮精品客栈) Yes, can leave luggage at Inn before check-in time. Bike rental is using App, so can be any time. But the app we tried in WeChat requires China mobile number. You might want to try the Hello App in Alipay. Not sure if it requires China mobile number too. For the electric shuttle bus, last service is at 5:30pm

@@holidayingyourway513 thank you so much ☺️

@@holidayingyourway513 i saw the inn without air-con still has high rating...was it bearable?

Give me another 1 to 2 days. It is almost done

@@holidayingyourway513 thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️

We had no problem with the altitude 😀

You will get the chance. All the best!

We bought the ticket before we flew at www.12306.cn using our email account for verification as we wanted to catch an early train. However, we were successful only after many attempts.

Thank you !

建议你提前购买，因为大理丽江是中国热门旅游路线尤其马上到来的就是学生暑假，不提前购买很容易买不到票！我就是云南人，有什么不懂的可以问我❤

@@holidayingyourway513 can you book tickets via some apps like wechat or alipay? without going to the website?

Looks like we can buy ticket via Alipay App under “TripAir-Train” icon. Didn’t know that

Thanks. Glad it was helpful!

Not sure when is the best time. We were there 2nd half of April 2024. Lijiang / Shaxi cooling, Shangri-la slightly colder, Dali/ Kunming warm

Not ready yet. Will get it done soon

We originally planned to visit that place. However, going from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge and then to Shangri-La was not economical. It is probably doable to do a day trip from Lijiang. There is a bus to go there but I have no info

Might not be relevant to you as the hotels we stayed in are room for 3. Most of our bookings are through Booking.com. Perhaps you can check there for the current rate.

Yes, we can

Yes, it is included in the tour package we booked. Lucky for us, we didn’t have to use it.

We paid CNY598 per person. It was a private tour and it included: - Round trip transportation - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ropeway & Glacier Park - Blue Moon Valley - Impression Lijiang Performance - Yak Steamboat Lunch - Internal Bus Service - 1 Oxygen Can - Dow Jacket Rental Other options like group tour, car sharing are available too

@@holidayingyourway513 can the tour guide speak english?

There is no tour guide.

Lijiang - Xilu Xiaoxie Inn Shangri-La - Floral Hotel Shaxi - Wuyuenian Renwen Inn Dali - Dali Yunxi Boutique Inn Kunming - Fairfield Kunming

Thanks a lot