8-day Kunming, Dali, Jianchuan, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge-Yunnan Biking Tour

Arrive in Kunming, known as the Spring City for its mild climate. At about 1,900 meters (6,233 feet) above sea level, it offers a pleasant setting for a warm-up ride. Cycle to the East and West Pagodas and Green Lake Park.

Overnight in Kunming today.

We'll take a bullet train for 2 hours to Dali. A bike ride through the ancient city with its stone-paved streets, traditional-style houses, and numerous gardens is an exciting excursion, and it will also be a memorable one. 

Ride to Dali’s Three Pagodas, set between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, about 1.5 kilometers northwest of the old town. The central pagoda is more than 1,100 years old. Together, the three towers form a distinctive triangular arrangement.

After breakfast, cycle around Erhai Lake. Its shores are lined with fishing villages, Bai farming communities, temples, and historic towns. Enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountains as you explore the area around Dali.

Cycle halfway around Erhai Lake, visiting villages, temples, and Jinsuo Island, also known as Golden Shuttle Island. Learn about local Bai communities and enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return to Dali by boat.

Cycle along the old Dali–Lijiang road toward Jianchuan, passing villages and varied countryside. Stop at Shapin, a Bai community, to explore the local market. Browse regional goods and crafts, including colorful tie-dyed textiles.

In Jianchuan, visit the Jihuashan cliff-relief grottoes to learn about Yunnan’s Buddhist art and heritage. Stay overnight at a local guesthouse.

Continue north alongside the Yangtze River to its First Bend, where the river changes direction sharply. The area was historically important as a crossing point and a place of trade between communities.

Arrive at Tiger Leaping Gorge, where steep mountain slopes frame the rushing Jinsha River. Explore the upper gorge near Tiger Leaping Boulder, where the river narrows between the mountains and powerful currents strike the banks.

For our time here we will spend two nights in the gorge in simple cabin-like lodgings. 

Spend the day hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Around midday, reach Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River, where the water narrows to about 20 meters (70 feet). Local legend tells of a tiger leaping across the river here, giving the gorge its name.

After the hike, cycle toward Lijiang, a city known for its Naxi cultural heritage. Stop in Baisha along the way to explore the historic town.

The Baisha Old Town is one of the oldest towns around Lijiang. It is the earliest settlement of the Naxi people and is the birthplace of "Tusi," chief of the Mu clan. In the town there are many ancient buildings built during the Ming Dynasty, including Dabaoji Palace, Liuli Temple, and Wenchang Palace. The well-known Baisha Frescoes are located in Dabaoji Palace. 

On arrival in Lijiang, explore the old town’s historic districts. Discover Naxi and Han architectural influences, local crafts, and the town’s heritage as a stop on the Tea Horse Road. The old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Before flying to Kunming, you’ll get one last chance to walk around the Lijiang Old Town. You’ll then go to the airport to fly back to Kunming. Once in Kunming, you will fly on to your next destination, ending your adventure tour through Yunnan.