In-Depth Dali Trip with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang

Base in Dali Old Town to explore Cangshan, Erhai Lake, and Jizu Mountain, then take the high-speed train to Lijiang for two nights.

Stay in Dali Old Town for the first four days, exploring the Old Town, Cangshan, a circuit of Erhai Lake, and Jizu Mountain in Binchuan. On day five, take the high-speed train about 1.5 to 2 hours to Lijiang and stay two nights in the Old Town to see the Mufu Palace, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park, and Blue Moon Valley. On day seven, visit Shuhe in the morning, then take the high-speed train back to Dali Railway Station to leave. This suits travelers with a one-week holiday who want to focus on Dali without missing the snow mountain.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's large cable car requires advance real-name booking. Dress warmly for high altitudes.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Dali Old Town

Dali（Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple、Dali Old Town、Renmin Road (Dali Old Town)）

Take a taxi about 40 minutes from Dali Fengyi Airport into the Old Town. In the afternoon, visit the Three Pagodas, then stroll Renmin Road in the evening.

Stay: Dali Old Town

Day 2 · Cangshan and Temples at the Foot of the Mountain

Dali（Cangshan Mountain、Gantong Temple、Jizhao Nunnery）

Take a taxi to the Ganton cable car, go up Cangshan, then come down past Ganton Temple and Jizhao Nunnery. Return to the Old Town in about 20 minutes.

The cable car is best ridden in the morning.

Stay: Dali Old Town

Day 3 · A Day Around Erhai Lake

Dali（Panxi Village & S-Bay、Xizhou Ancient Town、Shuanglang、Xiaoputuo Islet）

Charter a car or drive around the lake, about 120 kilometers. The western shore includes Panxi S-Bend and Xizhou, and the eastern shore includes Shuanglang and Xiaopu'tuo.

Stay: Dali Old Town

Day 4 · Day Trip to Jizu Mountain in Binchuan

Dali（Jizu Mountain）

Charter a car on the expressway for about 1.5 hours to Zhusheng Temple. Take a sightseeing shuttle and cable car up to the Golden Summit, then return to the Old Town in the evening.

Tickets require advance booking. The last return bus leaves early.

Stay: Dali Old Town

Day 5 · High-Speed Train to Lijiang and the Old Town

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)、Mu Mansion、Wangu Pavilion (Lion Hill)）

Take a taxi from the Old Town to Dali Railway Station, then ride the high-speed train about 1.5 to 2 hours to Lijiang. Take a taxi into the Old Town.

Lijiang Old Town requires advance entry booking through the mini-program.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 6 · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Jade Dragon Snow Mountain、Glacier Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain、Blue Moon Valley）

Take a scenic-area shuttle or charter a car from the Old Town about 1 hour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Ride the large cable car up to the Glacier Park, then visit Blue Moon Valley in the afternoon.

Book the large cable car in advance, and bring oxygen and a thick jacket.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 7 · Shuhe Ancient Town and Return to Dali

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Shuhe Ancient Town）

In the morning, take a taxi about 20 minutes to Shuhe. At noon, take the high-speed train back to Dali Railway Station to leave.

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