Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La: A Self-Driving Adventure in Timeless Yunnan

Day 1: Dali

Arrival, check-in at Dali Hotel

Pickup of rental car, completion of all formalities

In the evening, optional walk through the Old Town of Dali

Day 2: Dali

Morning route along the western shore of Erhai Lake: Longkan Pier → Dali Old Town → scenic section from Caicun to the S-bay → Xizhou Old Market

Afternoon route along the eastern shore: Shuanglang Old Market (Lunch at a sea-view café) → Santorini Viewpoint → return to Dali Old Town

Day 3: Lijiang

Morning cable car ascent to the Cangshan Mountain via Ximatan to the summit, visit the Cangshan range

Visit Wuwei Temple

Afternoon about 2.5 hours’ drive to Lijiang

Check-in at hotel, evening visit to Lijiang Old Town

Day 4: Lijiang

Full-day visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley

Visit Baisha Old Market

Day 5: Shangri-La

Depart Lijiang along the O-string Road to Shangri-La

On the way, stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge, at the Haba Snow Mountain viewpoint, and at Baishui Terrace (Limestone Terraces)

Afternoon arrival and visit to Songzanlin Monastery

Evening visit to Dukezong Old Town, check-in at hotel

Day 6: Shangri-La

Morning visit to Napahai Lake

End of trip

Hotel accommodation in the mentioned hotels in double occupancy with bath/shower and toilet, including breakfast
6 days of rental car costs
Fees for processing a provisional Chinese driver’s license
English-language assistance for processing a provisional driver’s license and car rental (only on the first day)

April - May, September - November

Transportation costs to Dali and on departure from Shangri-La
Personal expenses (tickets must be purchased on the same day. If the visit is without a tour guide, both tickets and tolls for through-traffic and high-speed roads must be paid directly on site.)
China visa (the trip is visa-free for Germans, Austrians, and Swiss according to current regulations)
Meals
Required documents, translations, and other fees for applying for a provisional Chinese driver’s license