Yunnan: Pack Your Camera, Slip Into a Maxi Dress, Take My Hand, and Keep a Date with Romance

Some say Yunnan is a land forgotten by time. There, the sky is a shade of blue so piercing it breaks your heart, the pace of life slow enough to make you forget to breathe, and there are countless people who have talked about visiting this faraway place their whole lives—yet never made it. My travel companion and I were two of those people who had talked about it endlessly. Until one day, we finally stopped hesitating—we booked tickets, packed our bags, and set off. A spontaneous trip, like a sudden romance, felt too precious to delay.

As it turned out, this impulse was entirely worthwhile. The beauty of Yunnan surpassed everything I had ever imagined. Especially that blue—the sky over Erhai Lake, the water of Lugu Lake, the clear skies of Shangri-La—so stunning it defies description, so beautiful it makes you want to cry.

Preview: Moments That Make Your Heart Skip a Beat

(Photos would go here, but words can paint the picture: the shimmering ripples on Erhai Lake at dawn, the golden roof of Songzanlin Monastery gleaming in the sunlight, the Lugu Lake Walking Marriage Bridge casting a long shadow in the sunset...)

Photography Gear: Tools to Capture Beauty

After posting my travel journal, many friends asked about my photography equipment. Here's a unified reply:

• Camera: Canon 6D
• Lenses: 16-35mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4
• Post-processing Software: Lightroom (color grading), Photoshop (detail work and logo design)

The equipment isn't what matters most. What matters is whether you're willing to wait—crouching in one spot for a beam of light, a passing cloud, or a smile.

Itinerary Overview: A Spontaneous 15-Day Adventure

Since we hadn't done much planning, our itinerary was essentially crafted on the road. Hotels were booked as we went, and our route changed according to our mood. Over 15 days, we traveled from Kunming to Dali, then to Lijiang, Shangri-La, Lugu Lake, and finally back to Lijiang.

Average Cost Per Person: 5,622.3 RMB (covering only food, accommodation, and transportation, excluding incidental shopping)

I'd like to recommend a budgeting app—Circle Account Book—which makes it very convenient to track expenses synchronously during a trip.

Pre-Trip Preparation: Don't Overlook These Details

Protective Gear

1. Sunscreen: Yunnan is located on a low-latitude plateau with extremely strong UV rays. You can get sunburned and peel within just a couple of hours, so bring plenty of sunscreen.
2. Moisturizing Skincare: The climate is dry. Lip balm, hydrating face masks, facial mist, and body lotion are all essential. I forgot to bring body lotion, and as soon as I arrived in Yunnan, my entire body started peeling—I regretted it deeply.
3. Windproof Jacket: The temperature difference between morning and evening is significant. Even in summer, I recommend bringing a jacket.
4. Face Mask and Sunglasses: If you plan to rent an electric scooter for riding, these two items are essential—they protect against both sun and wind.

Transportation Guide: Save Money and Hassle

Airfare

Traveling during the off-season, airfare is quite affordable. Commonly used price comparison platforms: Qunar, Ctrip. Remember one principle—book tickets at least ten days in advance—it's more than half the price compared to booking the day before departure.

We chose to fly from Wenzhou to Kunming (668 RMB/person, including fuel surcharge and airport tax), then from Kunming to Dali (200 RMB/person, 50 minutes). For the return trip, we took a direct flight from Lijiang to Wenzhou.

Ground Transportation

• Dali to Xizhou: Take a bus from the airport to Dali Ancient Town (don't take a taxi—they'll charge you 100-200 RMB easily). Walk to the North Gate and take another bus to Xizhou. You can also ask your hotel to arrange pickup.
• Xizhou to Shuanglang: Ask your hotel to arrange a shared ride, or find one in town—25 RMB/person.
• Shuanglang to Lijiang: Similarly, take a shared ride—80-100 RMB/person. Make sure to request the expressway route.
• Lijiang to Shangri-La: Take a Didi to the bus station, then catch a bus—about 4 hours.
• Lijiang to Lugu Lake: Important reminder—the bus station has limited departures, and the ride takes about 8 hours, costing around 80 RMB. I recommend canceling the bus ticket and taking a shared ride instead (100 RMB/person), which only takes 5 hours.

Private Car Rental and Car Rental

• Lugu Lake: I don't recommend riding an electric scooter. The mountain roads are old, winding, and narrow—too dangerous. Instead, hire a private car—50 RMB/person.
• Erhai Lake: You can rent a bicycle (30 RMB/day) or an electric scooter (60-120 RMB/day, requires ID card as deposit).

Day 1: A Night in Kunming

After arriving in Kunming, we checked into Kunming Yunshui Star Hotel (includes airport transfer). There were restaurants near the hotel, and we randomly walked into a Yunnan local cuisine restaurant. The food was average, but the service was warm—they even performed a drinking song ceremony when serving dishes. Yunnan flavors tend to be quite strong, and I simply couldn't stomach that local specialty soup.

Tip: If you have an early flight the next day, prepare breakfast in advance. Airport breakfast is both expensive and unappetizing.

Day 2: Xizhou, First Glimpse of Erhai Lake

Looking down at Erhai Lake from the plane, surrounded by the red soil plateau and a stretch of turquoise, I was already thrilled before we even landed.

Arriving in Xizhou, the blue sky, sunshine, and gentle breeze—everything was just perfect. The hotel had a nice environment and was reasonably priced. In the afternoon, we took photos on the rooftop terrace. The evening Erhai Lake was so beautiful it made you feel peaceful.

Day 3: Cycling Around the Lake

I got up at 7 a.m. to watch the sunrise. The sun leaped above the lake's surface, casting shimmering reflections like scattered gold coins across the water.

After watching the sunrise, I asked the hotel owner to rent an electric scooter and began cycling around the lake. The wind roared past my ears, sunlight fell on my back—that feeling of freedom is beyond words.

Day 4: Shuanglang, Encountering Xiaoputuo Island

We took a shared ride from Xizhou to Shuanglang (25 RMB/person) and checked into Shuanglang Leiaozu Seaview Inn. We had wanted to book a sea-view room, but even in the off-season, they were all taken—so a reminder: if you want a sea-view room, book well in advance.

After dropping off our luggage, we rented two electric scooters again and rode around the other half of the lake, with our final destination set at Xiaoputuo Island. By the shore, some aunties were dancing, their joyful atmosphere infectious to everyone around.

After waiting for a long time, I finally managed to capture a satisfying photo. On the way back, sunlight streamed through the clouds, casting a glow over Xiaoputuo Island standing alone on the water. At that moment, my emotions felt as open and vast as Erhai Lake.

In the evening, we found a bar and listened to wandering musicians sing. With applause, they were content.

Day 5: Shuhe Ancient Town, Backpack Ten Years

The little white chairs in Shuanglang had a queue for photos, so we just wandered around a bit before heading to Lijiang.

We chose to stay in Shuhe Ancient Town because we heard it was less commercialized. We checked into Backpack Ten Years Youth Park (Xiaopeng's place), booking a standard room (275 RMB/night). The environment was comfortable, and the bed was very cozy. The walls were covered with photos and stories, each room representing a different place.

I had originally planned to book a two-day Shangri-La tour on Ctrip (880 RMB/person), but after paying, I noticed a notice board at the inn with invitations to join groups. When I canceled the booking, I was charged a 400 RMB penalty—ouch. So a reminder: think carefully before paying when joining a tour group.

Day 6-7: Shangri-La, Encountering Snow and Light

We left our luggage at the inn and set off for Shangri-La with two travel buddies. On the bus, we met a few more new friends and checked into On the Cloud Youth Hostel together.

After dropping off our bags, we hired a private car to visit Songzanlin Monastery. Back at the hostel, the volunteer Peng Peng cooked dinner herself, and we gathered around the stove table waiting to eat. That night, travelers from Taiwan, Beijing, Qingdao, and Fujian gathered together, chatting happily. We forgot to take photos, but we added each other on WeChat.

The next morning, we discovered that the sunrise over Dukezong Ancient Town was breathtakingly beautiful. Without even eating breakfast, we rushed to the back mountain to take photos. It had snowed the night before, and the opposite mountain peak was still covered in white. Every morning, Tibetan locals would walk to the prayer wheel to perform their circumambulation rituals.

We rode electric scooters around Napa Lake, with light snow falling—we were freezing cold. After returning, we had a steaming hot Chongqing hotpot meal, then took a bus back to Lijiang and checked into Lijiang Shuhe Lanyun Huayang Inn—the best value accommodation of the entire trip. The innkeeper claimed it was equipped to five-star standards.

Day 8: The Lashihai Scam and the Long-Table Feast

Our friends wanted to go to Lashihai, so we followed along. All I can say is: scam. The horse riding on the Ancient Tea Horse Road was utterly boring. If you want to gallop freely on horseback, I suggest skipping this. In the afternoon, a strong wind picked up, so we skipped the boat ride too. We just took a quick 5-minute spin on a big boat and got off—I couldn't even be bothered to take photos.

Wednesday night was the long-table feast at Backpack Ten Years. I beat a bunch of guys at arm wrestling—wahaha. Every night, there were also Werewolf games, lively and fun.

Day 9-11: Lugu Lake, Worth Every Bumpy Mountain Road

We canceled our bus tickets and took a shared ride to Lugu Lake. The mountain roads were twisting and turning, the car swaying back and forth. The motion sickness medicine I had prepared came in handy, but my friend Xiaomei still threw up.

The driver was very friendly and explained all about the mysterious "Kingdom of Women"—the Mosuo people. We checked into Lugu Lake Liangsu Viewing Inn, which had high ratings and great value for money. From the balcony, the lake was right there on the left.

After a bumpy day, we dropped our bags, ate a little, and went straight to sleep.

The next day, we just wandered around aimlessly—we had too much time on our hands. On the third day, we visited the Walking Marriage Bridge. The Mosuo people still maintain a matriarchal family system and the custom of "walking marriages," where men and women fall in love without being restricted by social status or family background, and the woman's wishes are given the utmost respect.

Walking across the bridge, locals had set up stalls selling medicinal herbs, fruits, and handmade woven items. The children had been taught the same routine—they would rush up to tourists, crying and begging them to buy things. It was heartbreaking and frustrating at the same time.

Day 12-13: From Lugu Lake Back to Lijiang, A Bumpy Ride

On the return trip, we encountered road construction that blocked vehicle traffic. With 20 kilometers still to go to Lijiang, we had to carry our nearly bursting suitcases down a hillside, feeling like we might tumble down at any moment. After passing the construction zone, there was nobody around. We flagged down every car we saw. Luckily, a kind uncle gave us a lift for part of the way.

After arriving in Lijiang, the uncle asked for money, saying, "Nothing in this world comes for free." We had spent all our cash in Lugu Lake, and since we had paid for the shared ride via Alipay, the uncle had no choice but to let it go. This incident left me a bit disheartened.

Day 14-15: Afternoon Tea in Shuhe, and the Road Home

Back in Shuhe again, we wandered around and had afternoon tea. On the last day, we went home.

Final Thoughts: What Yunnan Taught Me

This spontaneous trip taught me a few things:

1. Impulse is sometimes the best plan. Don't wait for the "right time"—because that time will never come.
2. Sunscreen and moisturizing are survival issues, not beauty issues.
3. Shared rides are faster than buses, and traveling with companions is more fun than joining tours. Meet more people, and your journey will be richer.
4. The most beautiful scenery is often unplanned. Those unexpected detours become the most unforgettable memories.
5. Yunnan's beauty is worth every mountain you cross. Whether it's the shimmering reflections of Erhai Lake, the snow of Shangri-La, or the blue of Lugu Lake—it's all worth seeing with your own eyes.

Pack your camera, slip into a maxi dress, and take that special someone's hand. Yunnan is waiting for you.

This travel journal is original content and may not be reproduced without authorization.