FLEXIBLE ROUTE IDEA
Dali — Lijiang · 7 days
Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang form a Tea Horse Road journey through Bai and Naxi towns, village lanes, markets and mountain scenery.
This is a planning framework, not a fixed group tour. Stops, transport and daily pace can all be changed.
Duration
7 days
Best season
All year
Travel pace
Easy
Suggested route rhythm
The day ranges below show a comfortable starting rhythm. Exact trains, flights and driving time are arranged after your dates are confirmed.
Main interests
- Days 1–2
Dali
Look beyond the old town to Erhai villages, Bai architecture, markets and the working landscape around the lake.
Continue to: Shaxi · Private car
- Days 3–4
Shaxi
Use two nights for Sideng market square, village lanes, nearby temples and the quieter Tea Horse Road landscape.
Continue to: Lijiang · Private car
- Days 5–7
Lijiang
Pair Lijiang Old Town with Baisha or Shuhe, Naxi culture and nearby mountain-and-village scenery.
Arrival and departure
Enter through Dali airport or railway station and travel north by private car through Shaxi to Lijiang. Depart from Lijiang airport or railway station, so the route does not need to backtrack to Dali.
Why this route works
Two nights in Shaxi prevent it becoming a roadside photo stop, while Lijiang time includes Baisha or nearby villages beyond the crowded old town center.
Build your version of this route
Tell me your dates, preferred pace, must-see places and what you would rather skip. I will prepare a free first version for us to review together.
Start with this route