Encounter Mountains and Seas: A 6-Day Wind-Swept Journey to Dali and Lijiang | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Fengyangyi Village, Lijiang Old Town, Dali Old Town, Xizhou Rice Paddy Train Ride, Jeep Tour Around Erhai Lake, and Afternoon Tea at the Sun Palace

[Pre-Trip Note] Wherever the wind blows, life’s poetry scatters along the way. If you, too, long for a brief escape for the soul—just like in the series “Meet Yourself”—set aside daily routines, slow your pace, and let this itinerary be crafted just for you.

From Dali to Lijiang, from the ancient Tea-Horse Road to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, from indigo-dyed handkerchiefs to Dongba pictographs, spend six days surrendering yourself to the mountains, seas, and breezes.

Today, fly independently to Dali. As you glimpse that highland blue from your airplane window and set foot on Dali’s soil, your story begins. Upon arrival, our dedicated staff will greet you at the airport. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your own rhythm—rest, stroll, and unwind as you gently acclimate to Yunnan’s gentle breezes and warm sunshine, gathering energy for the leisurely mountain-and-lake journey ahead, and quietly awaiting your encounter with wind and poetry.

Some paths are meant to be taken slowly; some people meet in the wind. Step into Fengyangyi Village, the primary filming location of the drama “Meet Yourself,” and retrace the footsteps of Xie Zhiyao and Xu Hongdou. Follow the ancient “Horse-Guiding Stones” along the millennium-old Tea Horse Road, where the flagstone pavement has been polished smooth and gleaming by time. At a quiet corner, you may find yourself recalling how the characters walked through these very scenes.

At the Indigo Dye Workshop, hand-dye your own small indigo scarf. Watch as the white cloth soaks in the woad dye bath, oxidizes, and gradually turns blue—like droplets of Dali’s sky seeping into the fabric’s weave.

Embark on a city walk through Dali Ancient Town. Listen as your guide shares the town’s past and present, catch glimpses into the everyday lives of ordinary Bai people, and savor a variety of local delicacies. Here, it’s not about rushing from place to place—it’s about strolling, lingering, and truly living.

In Xizhou, the wind has color and carries its own song.

Before dawn, head to Xin Di Café to await a sunrise over Erhai Lake. As the first rays of light spill across the water’s surface, you’ll understand why so many people are willing to rise early for this very moment.

Afterward, make your way to Xizhou Ancient Town. Join the locals at the morning market, where fresh mushrooms and freshly baked Xizhou baba (a local flatbread) create a lively yet grounding atmosphere, offering an authentic glimpse into daily Bai ethnic life. Then, stroll through traditional Bai residences, listening to the stories embedded in time and appreciating the refined elegance of Bai architecture. Hop on a small train that winds through the rice paddies of Xizhou, where the sound of wind rustling through the fields feels like the earth whispering softly.

For dinner, savor a specially arranged Bai-style meal in Dali, immersing yourself in the most authentic local flavors amid the aromatic warmth of home-cooked cuisine.

Chase the wind from Erhai Lake to Lijiang. After breakfast, board a coach to Erhai Lake. Upon arrival, switch to a Jeep for a scenic tour along the lake’s eastern shore, where picturesque vistas unfold at every turn. Gaze upon the shimmering waters of Erhai, take in the harmonious blend of lake and mountain scenery, and immerse yourself in the romance between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake—an experience brimming with artistic charm.

The eastern route includes Xingsheng Bridge, the Santorini-inspired Ideal邦 Town, Little Putuo Island (viewed from afar), Shuanglang Ancient Town, Nanzhao Style Island, and afternoon tea at the Sun Palace. The ever-changing landscapes resemble scenes from a film. Listen to the waves lapping against the shore at Nanzhao Style Island, savor afternoon tea at the Sun Palace, and watch Cangshan Mountain’s reflection dance on the lake’s surface.

Afterward, travel by coach to Lijiang Old Town, where you’ll experience a highland version of the classic Jiangnan water-town ambiance—willows swaying gently, small bridges arching over flowing streams, and homes nestled along the waterways—evoking the timeless charm of Suzhou.

Where the sky feels closer, the wind carries the scent of snow.

Today, we headed to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, taking the grand cableway up to Glacier Park. We climbed to the 4,680-meter-high viewing platform, where we were awestruck by nature’s majestic grandeur. Afterward, we visited Blue Moon Valley, whose waters shimmer in a striking Tiffany blue. Locals affectionately call it “Little Jiuzhai,” as the valley seems to gather the wind while the water mirrors the hue of the sky.

In the afternoon, we made our way to Yuhu Village, a small settlement nestled at the foot of the sacred mountain. There, we toured traditional Naxi courtyards, donned Naxi ethnic attire, and tried our hand at grinding soybeans and making tofu pudding. We also learned Dongba pictographic script from local Naxi people, touching upon the thousand-year cultural heritage of the Naxi ethnicity. Through this leisurely cultural immersion, we came to appreciate Lijiang’s gentle charm and profound depth.

The wind will remember that you were here, and you will remember the way the wind felt.

Today, you woke up naturally, without an alarm. We’ll see you off to the airport in time for your flight, bringing your six-day journey of chasing the wind through Dali and Lijiang to a close. The mountains, seas, and breezes of these past days have been carefully packed into the satchel of your memories.

Closing words: In the series “Meet Yourself,” there’s a line that says, “You can’t catch the wind, but its traces linger in the heart.” Over these six days, you weren’t just a tourist—you were someone who briefly turned life down to a slower pace. You heard the clatter of hooves along the ancient Tea-Horse Road, rediscovered your youthful spirit amidst the wheat fields of Xizhou, and forgave all your past unhappiness in the sunrise over Erhai Lake. May you carry a gentle, free-spirited breeze within you long after you return home.