Things to do in Yunnan

We planned about 30% of our Yunnan trip on our own and booked this tour for the rest of our journey from Dali to Lijiang and Shangri-La. Our tour advisor, Sally, was incredibly patient, and responsive. She answered all of our questions before the trip, and two days before departure we were added to a WeChat group with Sally and our driver, which made communication very easy throughout the trip. A special thank you to our driver, Mr. He Guo Zheng, who truly made our journey even more enjoyable. He was always punctual and constantly checked in on us to make sure we were comfortable. His kindness and attentiveness made us feel well taken care of from start to finish. The scenery throughout the trip was absolutely breathtaking. Every destination had something unique to offer, from majestic mountains and peaceful lakes to charming old towns.

A one-day tour of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers an excellent experience. The towering and sacred snow peaks, along with the crystal-clear waters of Blue Moon Valley, make every photo opportunity stunning. The itinerary is well-paced, and the natural scenery is incredibly breathtaking. This is a must-visit spot when in Lijiang, and I highly recommend it.

The driver was very kind and helpful. She gave great descriptions of where to go, despite the language barrier for myself and others in the group. Communication was clear via wechat which meant we were on time to see all attractions on the itinerary. She provided warm jackets so we were comfortable exploring in the mountains. Really enjoyed this tour and would recommend for anyone who wants to see Yulong Mountain!

A must-visit when in Yunnan! In my opinion, joining a day trip like this is enough to explore Shangri-La and experience the Tibetan vibes. At Tiger Leaping Gorge (TLG), you can choose to take the stairs or an escalator for 70 RMB, and at Napahai, you can go horseback riding for 160 RMB, which includes a costume. Everything else is included in the day trip cost. Use promo code MELISAKLOOK for an 8% discount.

The whole day was a delight with the assigned driver. We went during 火把节. Everywhere is crowded with vehicles. Despite that, the driver and us managed to br flexible and complete the day tour happily!

Had a really smooth and well-coordinated trip 👏 Highly Recommended! From the start, 小舟 managed everything efficiently—clear itinerary details and even arranged hotel pickup for a small additional fee (60元), which made things more convenient. The day before the trip, the driver/guide 携手 followed up with very clear instructions. Pickup was punctual at 5:35am. We were especially impressed that the team secured early tickets to ascend Yulong Snow Mountain by 7:30am (up to 4,506m). We descended by 8:30am—the higher climb to 4,680m was closed due to heavy snow the day before, making conditions slippery and unsafe. Next stop was Blue Moon Valley—transfer was seamless, we arrived around 9:20am, spending about an hour. After that, lunch was provided (simple pork hotpot with rice and vegetables). It was decent, though there’s definitely room for improvement. We then headed to the Impression Lijiang at 1:30pm, which wrapped up the experience nicely before returning to the hotel around 3:30pm.

The park brings together several major intangible cultural heritage performances, including the Jingpo ethnic group's "Manao Zongge" and the Lisu ethnic group's "Lisu Ta Ge," showcasing ethnic spirit. "Splendid Dulong" demonstrates the Dulong ethnic group's intangible cultural heritage weaving techniques. Visitors can also experience handicrafts such as Dai paper cutting and Jiamu rubbings. In the afternoon, there's the Water and Fire Carnival Grand Parade for an immersive experience of ethnic customs. Additionally, "Records of Ancient Dian" is a must-see, featuring a flagship live horse battle show that recreates the historical conflicts of the ancient Dian Kingdom, combining equestrian stunts with explosive water and fire special effects, and folk performances to immersively display the ancient Dian civilization.

The seating arrangement in the VIP area was excellent, and we were provided with sun hats and bottled water before being seated. The performance, designed by Zhang Yimou, featured performers in ethnic minority costumes, creating a beautiful spectacle. The only downside is that it's weather-dependent; as an open-air theater, a heavy rain would detract from the experience.

Great show, worth seeing. If you select "tomorrow" when booking your tickets, remember to double-check your ticket confirmation details (for example, I booked tickets for July 13th for "tomorrow," but the issued ticket was for July 15th).