Go to Dali! 💕 Experience a Different Yunnan with the One You Love

Have you ever wondered what the true meaning of travel really is? Is it about checking off trendy Instagram spots, or is it about measuring unfamiliar land with your own footsteps? For me, travel feels more like a ritual completed together with the one you love—getting to know each other again, and rediscovering yourselves, against the backdrop of unfamiliar scenery. And Yunnan, especially Dali, is that place where love can ferment and memories can truly shine.

Last autumn, my partner and I set off from Shenzhen and spent a week traveling through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang. For a budget of around three thousand yuan per person, with no luxury hotels and no perfectly staged photos, we gained something far more genuine than any filter could ever capture. This article is my way of sharing every little detail of that journey—the money-saving tips, the pitfalls we stumbled into, and those tender moments that only happen when you're on the road.

Before We Left, We Crunched the Numbers

Flights: Plan Ahead, but Don't Be Too Rigid

Our budget was tight from the very beginning. Round-trip flights from Shenzhen to Kunming were originally planned at 1,188 yuan, but we ended up spending 1,666 yuan. Why the overspend? Because we had to change our tickets at the last minute. The cancellation fee plus the fare difference ended up costing us enough to buy several hotpot meals of wild mushrooms. So, if you're planning to fly, my advice is this: try to finalize your itinerary before booking tickets—the cost of changing them is often higher than you'd expect.

But if you're like us and make impulsive decisions, don't panic. The train ticket from Kunming to Dali was originally 203 yuan, but after we changed it, it became 128 yuan—we actually saved money. That taught us a valuable lesson: the beauty of travel lies in uncertainty; sometimes surprises bring unexpected gifts.

Train Tickets: From Hard Seats to Express Buses, Every Ride Has a Story

Our original budget for train tickets was: Kunming → Dali 203 yuan, Dali → Lijiang 68 yuan, Lijiang → Kunming 178 yuan, totaling 449 yuan. But in reality, because we missed the train from Kunming to Dali (don't laugh—it really happened), we spent 128 yuan on a rebooking; and the Dali to Lijiang train ticket was canceled and replaced with an express bus ticket costing 170 yuan.

Lesson one: Don't schedule your time too tightly. Kunming train station is crowded and chaotic; allow at least one hour to get through security and find your platform. Lesson two: Express buses are a bit more expensive, but they're faster than trains and the seats are much more comfortable. If you're in a hurry, it's worth checking local express bus schedules.

Accommodation: We Stayed Right Inside the Scenery

Accommodation was the most delightful surprise of the entire trip. Originally, we planned four nights: one night in Kunming for 129 yuan, two nights in Dali (120 yuan + 128 yuan), and one night in Lijiang for 256 yuan, totaling 632 yuan. But because we missed the train on the first night in Kunming, we ended up spending the night on the train itself—saving 129 yuan and unexpectedly experiencing the romance of a green-skinned sleeper train.

Our final accommodation costs: two nights in Dali (129 yuan + 128 yuan) and one night in Lijiang for 256 yuan, totaling 513 yuan. We saved 119 yuan compared to our budget, but gained an entire night of starlight and the sound of train tracks.

Recommendation: The "Encounter Inn" in Dali offers incredible value for money at 128 yuan per night. The rooms were clean, and the owner even gave us a bottle of homemade plum wine. The inn in Lijiang was a bit pricier, but its location was unbeatable—open the window and you could see the snowy mountains.

Dali: Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon—None Compare to Walking Beside You

Erhai Lake Isn't a Sea, but It's Gentler Than One

Many people say Dali is synonymous with "wind, flowers, snow, and moon"—the wind of Xiaguan, the flowers of Shangguan, the snow of Cangshan, and the moon over Erhai. But standing by the shores of Erhai Lake, I realized that the most beautiful sight isn't the scenery itself, but the person you're sharing it with.

We rented two electric scooters and rode slowly along the lakeside road. Sunlight scattered across the water's surface, shattering into thousands of golden flakes. In the distance, the misty clouds wrapped around Cangshan like an ink-wash painting. When we got tired, we stopped at a roadside stall for a bowl of cold chicken rice noodles—sour and spicy, so refreshing that we drank every last drop of the broth.

Tips: Cycling around Erhai Lake takes about 4 to 5 hours. I recommend starting early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. Electric scooter rentals cost around 50 yuan per day. Make sure to check the battery level—running out of power halfway would be quite embarrassing.

Slow Time in the Ancient Town

Dali's ancient town is quieter than I imagined. It lacks the noise of Lijiang and the kitschy charm of Fenghuang. Instead, it feels like a reclusive poet, its stone-paved streets filled with stories.

Our favorite thing to do was to wander aimlessly along Renmin Road in the evening. The melody of "Xiao Qian" drifted from a hand-drum shop, and the air was filled with the aroma of flower cakes and grilled milk fans. Occasionally, we'd step into a small shop, buy a pair of silver earrings, or send a postcard to a friend far away.

Must-try: You absolutely have to try the grilled milk fan ( roast milk curd ). The first bite might seem strange, but it gets more fragrant the more you chew. Also, Dali's yogurt is incredibly thick, almost like ice cream. Drizzle it with honey—absolutely divine.

Lijiang: The City of Romance Can Also Be a Place of Healing

A Guide to Getting Lost in the Ancient Town

Lijiang's ancient town is like a giant maze—every alley looks the same. We followed our phone's GPS, but kept ending up back where we started. Eventually, we turned off the navigation and just wandered freely. That's when we discovered all sorts of delights: a corner bursting with bougainvillea, a café hidden deep in a narrow lane, and a cat basking in the sun on a doorstep.

Don't be afraid to get lost—every corner of Lijiang is a scene worth seeing.

At the Foot of the Snowy Mountain, We Made a Wish

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the soul of Lijiang. We skipped the big cable car (the queues were terrifying) and chose Yunshanping instead. Taking the small cable car up to an elevation of 3,200 meters, the view suddenly opened up before us—a vast alpine meadow, with pure white snow in the background.

At that moment, neither of us spoke. The wind was strong, making it hard to keep our eyes open, but inside, we felt an unprecedented calm. I silently made a wish: that every year, I could go to a new, unfamiliar place with the person beside me.

Practical info: The cable car ticket for Yunshanping costs 60 yuan, plus a mountain access fee of 100 yuan—much cheaper than the big cable car. It's cold up there, so remember to bring a jacket.

Kunming: A Transit Hub with Surprises

Slow Life at Cuihu Park

Kunming was just a transit point for us, but it unexpectedly became the most relaxing day of the trip. In Cuihu Park, retired locals practiced tai chi and sang Yunnan opera, while seagulls circled overhead. We bought two baked potatoes, sat on a bench in the sun, and did absolutely nothing—and it felt incredibly happy.

Flower Market: Bringing Spring Home

Kunming's Dounan Flower Market is the largest fresh flower trading market in Asia. Roses cost 10 yuan a bunch, lilies 15 yuan—so cheap it feels like they're giving them away. We bought dried flowers and sachets, carefully carrying them all the way back to Shenzhen. They still fill our home with the scent of Yunnan.

Budget Breakdown: How Did We Spend 3,000 Yuan?

Finally, here's a detailed account for you:

• Flights: 1,666 yuan (round trip for two)
• Trains/Express Buses: 128 + 170 + 178 = 476 yuan
• Accommodation: 129 + 128 + 256 = 513 yuan
• Food: Approximately 600 yuan (about 100 yuan per day, and we ate very well)
• Tickets/Transport: Approximately 300 yuan (Erhai cycling, snow mountain cable car, etc.)
• Souvenirs: Approximately 200 yuan

Total: Approximately 3,755 yuan (for two people), less than 1,900 yuan per person.

Of course, this reflects our spending level. If you're willing to stay in hostels and eat at street stalls, you can save even more. But don't skimp on the things that are worth it—like the snow mountain cable car, or a proper hotpot of wild mushrooms.

In the End: The Meaning of Travel

After returning to Shenzhen, a friend asked me, "Was Yunnan fun?" I couldn't answer. Because the word "fun" feels too light—it can't hold the nights spent swaying on the train, the wind that blew across Erhai Lake, or the tears of laughter we shed in the ancient town.

The meaning of travel has never been about how many places you've been or how many photos you've taken. It's about getting lost, being surprised, and feeling moved together with the one you love, on unfamiliar ground. And then realizing—that life can be lived this way, that the world is so vast, that we are so small, yet so important.

So, go to Dali. While the sun is still warm, while the breeze is still gentle, while you still love him, while he is still by your side.

Finally, here are three key words for you:

• Slow down: Don't rush the road; feel the road.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Missed trains, getting lost, upset stomachs—they're all part of the story.
• Walk together: The most beautiful scenery is always on the road you walk side by side.

This article is original content, with some data referenced from real travel records. Please contact the author for reprint requests.