Food and nature day trip
About this Journey
Yunnan is not one landscape. It is a collection of entirely different worlds connected by mountain roads, high-speed rail and old trade routes.
This six-day journey begins in Kunming, the provincial capital and gateway to southwest China. From there, you travel through the Stone Forest, where wind and water have shaped towering limestone formations into one of Yunnan’s most distinctive natural landscapes.
The route then moves west to Dali, a city shaped by Erhai Lake, the Cangshan Mountains and the long history of Bai culture. Here, the pace slows down. You will walk through the old town, explore lakeside roads and see the softer, more relaxed side of Yunnan.
From Dali, continue north to Lijiang. Lijiang has long been an important meeting point between mountain communities, trade routes and different ethnic cultures. Its old town, waterways and surrounding villages reflect the influence of Naxi heritage and the region’s position along historical routes between Yunnan, Tibet and the wider Himalayas.
The journey reaches its highest point at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley and the dramatic mountain landscape offer a completely different side of Yunnan. You will also experience Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River cuts through one of China’s most powerful mountain canyons between Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
This route is designed for travelers who want more than one city or one type of scenery. In six days, you move from stone forests to lakeside towns, from ancient streets to high mountain valleys, and from city life to some of northwest Yunnan’s most unforgettable landscapes.
Itinerary
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Dali Wild Mushroom Foraging
Dali
08:00 — Meet at Sanyue Street and Depart
Meet your guide at the designated meeting point near Sanyue Street in Dali.
During the drive, the guide will introduce Yunnan’s wild mushroom culture, explain common mushroom varieties and share stories about life in the mountains.
10:30 — Arrive at the Mountain Guesthouse
Arrive at a countryside guesthouse surrounded by mountains and forests.
Take a short break and enjoy a local farmhouse lunch. Most ingredients are locally grown or sourced from nearby villages.
13:00 — First Mushroom Foraging Experience
Follow the guide into the forest to begin searching for wild mushrooms.
The route passes through pine forests and natural mushroom-growing areas. Depending on the season, rainfall and forest conditions, possible varieties may include:
•Boletes
•Termite mushrooms
•Green russula mushrooms
•Other seasonal wild mushrooms
The guide will explain how to search safely, where mushrooms commonly grow and how to avoid damaging the surrounding forest environment.
15:00–15:30 — Return to the Guesthouse
Complete the first mushroom-foraging session and return to the guesthouse for a short rest.
15:30–17:00 — Mushroom Sorting and Identification
Sort and clean the mushrooms collected during the afternoon.
The guide will help identify different varieties and explain which mushrooms may be edible, inedible or potentially dangerous.
Guests who still have enough energy may join a second short foraging session, depending on the weather and forest conditions.
18:00 — Countryside Dinner
Enjoy a traditional local dinner prepared with seasonal countryside ingredients.
Possible dishes may include:
•Local pork
•Free-range chicken
•Mountain vegetables
•Properly prepared seasonal wild mushrooms
The exact menu may change according to the season and availability of ingredients.
19:00 — Bonfire Gathering
Gather around the bonfire for music, conversation and group games.
Snacks will be provided, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere after a full day in the mountains.
19:30 — Activity Ends
The full-day experience officially ends. Return transportation to the designated drop-off point in Dali will be arranged.
Scenic Highlights
Scenic highlights
Stone Forest
Walk through a dramatic limestone landscape shaped by nature over millions of years.
Erhai Lake & Panxi S Bay
See the calm, open landscapes of Dali, where lakeside roads, mountain views and slow village life create one of Yunnan’s most relaxed settings.
Dali Ancient Town
Explore historic streets, local shops, Bai-style architecture and a slower side of Dali.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Experience one of Yunnan’s most iconic snow mountain landscapes, with Glacier Park offering high-altitude views and mountain scenery.
Blue Moon Valley
See bright blue water, waterfalls and mountain reflections beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Impression Lijiang Show
Watch a large outdoor cultural performance set against the snow mountain backdrop.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Stand above the powerful Jinsha River and experience one of northwest Yunnan’s most dramatic canyons.
Green Lake Park & Kunming City Centre
Enjoy a softer final day in Kunming, with parks, local streets and everyday city life.
Vehicle Reference
Vehicle reference
The vehicles below are common references. Final arrangements depend on guest count, luggage, road conditions, and local fleet availability.
5-seat
Comfort
7-seat
Business
12-15 seat
Comfort
12-15 seat
Luxury
Capacity notes
- 1. Passenger and luggage figures are comfort references. The final vehicle type is confirmed by our team before departure.
- 2. Please tell us in advance if you need a child seat, booster seat, or similar equipment. Any supplier fees are confirmed before booking.
- 3. Reducing one passenger usually creates room for one additional piece of luggage, subject to the actual trunk or cargo space.
Details
Details
What's included
5 nights of accommodation in your selected hotel category
Daily hotel breakfast
Second-class high-speed rail tickets listed in the itinerary
Private vehicle with driver for the scheduled itinerary
Airport and railway station transfers
Local travel support and itinerary coordination
What's excluded
Lunches and dinners
International flights or transportation to and from China
China visa fees
Tips for drivers or guides
Personal travel insurance
Personal expenses, drinks and shopping
Optional hotel upgrades
Any activity, ticket or service not clearly listed in your final quotation
Important notes
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a high-altitude destination. Oxygen and warm outerwear can be arranged, but travelers should move slowly and listen to local advice.
Attraction schedules, cable car access and show availability may change because of weather, maintenance or official capacity controls.
Day 5 includes a full day of sightseeing before the high-speed rail journey back to Kunming. Train timing will be arranged carefully, but mountain road conditions may affect the schedule.
We recommend booking your international departure for Day 6 evening or the following day where possible.
Hotel selection can be adjusted to suit your budget and preferred style.
Hotels outside the recommended list can also be arranged, as long as the location is practical for the itinerary.
Muslim-friendly food and mosque visits can be arranged in Dali and Kunming on request.
Please bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a light rain jacket and warm layers for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Weather in Yunnan can change quickly, especially in mountain areas. The itinerary may be adjusted for safety and the best possible experience.
After a booking is confirmed, cancellation charges are calculated according to the time before the scheduled tour start date. Final terms are confirmed before payment.
Reference cancellation rules
30 days or more before departure: 0% cancellation charge.
14-30 days before departure: 10% of the confirmed tour cost.
7-14 days before departure: 50% of the confirmed tour cost.
Within 7 days before departure: 100% of the confirmed tour cost.
Why Travel With Us
Why us
Yunnan-based planning with first-hand route knowledge and local supplier coordination.
Private, flexible arrangements shaped around your pace, interests, and travel dates.
Clear communication before booking, including accommodation style, guide availability, vehicle reference, and practical travel notes.
English-speaking support can be arranged on request, with final details confirmed before you reserve.