Yunnan Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,592 reviews)- Choose from 21 Yunnan tours
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The best Yunnan tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaYunnan travel expert at TourRadar
The route winds through Yunnan's highlights from Dali's Three Pagodas to Lijiang's ancient waterways. Green Lake Park in Kunming beckons visitors, while Yuanyang's terraced landscapes offer stunning views. Xizhou's thousand-year-old architecture stands as a testament to time, complemented by traditional workshops and visits to minority villages.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Sapa, Hanoi Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $2,299
17% Off- US$1,908You save $390
Essence of Southwest China
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Tour was excellent. Better than expected. Great itinerary - a lot packed into a short time.”
SallyJaneStephenLaura, traveled in October 2019
Yunnan's diverse landscapes stretch from Kunming's eternal spring to Shangri-La's snow-capped peaks. The Three Pagodas rise in Dali, Lijiang's ancient lanes beckon, and Tiger Leaping Gorge awaits trekkers. Kunming Longteng Hotel provides comfort while Bai and Naxi communities share their traditions.
Duration 13 days Destinations Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La, Yangshuo, Hong Kong Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Truly China Travel From
17% Off- US$3,965
Gems of China: Shangri-La, Yunnan, Snow Mt. Meili & Yubeng Village (Private Custom)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Pristine wilderness unfolds from Shangri-La to Yubeng Village. The Mingyong Glacier presents stunning vistas, while ancient Feilai Monastery and Balagezong Scenic Area's emerald waters captivate visitors. Authentic guesthouses provide local cultural experiences for around $2,400.
Duration 7 days Destinations Shangri-La Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator Odynovo From
17% Off- US$2,392
China Exploration: From Ancient Capitals to Shangri-La (Private Custom)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Starting with the process of building and adjusting all the details of the trip to our wish, all was perfect.”
Marijana, traveled in June 2024
Mystical landscapes unfold from Dali's Erhai Lake to Shangri-La's Pudacuo National Park. The Naxi culture thrives in Lijiang, where ancient towns and distinctive properties like The Bivou Lijiang welcome travelers.
Duration 13 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Chengdu Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator Odynovo From
17% Off- US$2,905
What people love about Yunnan Tours
- China Exploration: From Ancient Capitals to Shangri-La (Private Custom)
Wonderful tour. Well organized and very informative. I have been on guided tours with another company and this was the best by far. The excursions/ daily itinerary were informative and interesting. The guides were all local guides and knowledgeable about the culture of their cities and spoke English well.
- Tailor-Made Yunnan Tour to See Minority Culture, Daily Depart & Private Guide
Amazing tour, guides change in every city, but each guide got us safely to the airport for our transfers and checked us in, got our boarding passes etc. so convenient and hassle free. The tour itself was excellent - a blend of historical sites and modern cities with vetted shopping experiences - government sponsored jade, pearl and ceramic shops, minority ethnic group silk embroidery school and showrooms. Good pace, nice food, friendly guides who went above and beyond expectations, it was the most amazing tour. I fell in love with China on this holiday and can't wait to go back - you can book individual city / region tours with the company (TravelChinaGuide.com) and have a bespoke tour - perfect to see the parts we missed for our next trip. i highly recommend this tour company.
- Wild Yunnan 8D: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La
Since we were traveling in an unpopular travel time, we had our own private tour guide. Our guide, Nancy, was also our driver for Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. The whole itinerary was very good scheduled and not to packed, so we had time to stroll around the cities by ourselves as well. We were very happy overall and will definitely recommend this tour
Top operators in Yunnan
Both companies get good feedback for their China tours, but they each have their own strengths. Odynova's travelers, like Rebecca R, often mention how well they organize everything - from the daily schedule to having really solid drivers and local guides who know their areas inside out. TravelChinaGuide.com seems to excel particularly with the logistics - they've got the airport pickup and transfers running like clockwork, and their itineraries give you enough time to properly take in each place without feeling rushed. What makes them stand out though are their guides, who our travelers say regularly go beyond what's expected. They'll help with little things that make a big difference, like finding specific local foods you want to try or recommending the best spots for photos. Looking at the feedback we get, TravelChinaGuide.com tends to be the top pick for people who want to explore China's historical sites and busy cities without worrying about the details. They handle all the complicated bits like transport and timing, which lets you focus on actually enjoying the experience rather than stressing about logistics.
- 4.5 (22 reviews)
"Tour was excellent. Better than expected. Amy (the tour leader) was particularly good. Great itinerary - a lot packed into a short time.
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 79 years old
- Adventure type
- Active
- Response time
- 7h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $393
- 5.0 (22,799 reviews)
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $246
- 5.0 (393 reviews)
"We have just finished a private Indian Tour with Odynova. I suggested my rough itinery and they did the rest, organizing sightseeing, hotels and travel between cities. We had an excellent driver and local guides in the cities we visited making it a stress free adventure. Don Li my main contact with the company always answered my queries promptly and honestly. I would highly recommend this company. Rebecca R
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 2 to 85 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 12h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $394
Yunnan tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
15 tours in YunnanExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Yunnan. We have 15 adventures that vary from 4 days to 14 days. With the greatest number of departures in November, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
10 tours in YunnanVisit Yunnan with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
6 tours in YunnanOur private tours excel at cultural connections by blending Tea Horse Road heritage with real local experiences. You'll work alongside Naxi artisans making traditional paper, join tea harvests at historical estates and share yak butter tea in Tibetan homes. The altitude planning works well - starting in Kunming's gentle valleys before moving up to Shangri-La's mountain terrain. What's great is how our guides read the group and adjust the pace so everyone stays comfortable. The 12-14 day journeys are particularly popular, connecting Dali's Bai villages through Lijiang's Naxi areas and into Tibetan regions. The mix just works - you might be hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge one day and watching monks give alms in Luang Prabang the next. Our guides know all the sweet spots - like exactly when to catch the soft morning light over Yuanyang's rice terraces or the perfect time to see monk debates at local temples. They really add those special touches that turn a good trip into something memorable.
Top Yunnan travel itineraries to fit your plans
Ten-day explorations give you more time to discover Yunnan's contrasts, beginning in Kunming then moving to Dongchuan's remarkable red earth terraces. Our photography enthusiasts particularly value those early morning drives to Damakan, where first light creates something special across the crimson landscape. The journey continues through Jianshui, where you'll find a 700-year-old Confucian temple and also the Zhu Family Garden. We've balanced cultural visits with outdoor experiences - there's time to explore Shibaozhai's red sandstone formations and learn traditional bacon-making techniques in Bai villages. The final days in Shangri-La include visits to both Songzanlin Monastery and the wild beauty of Pudacuo National Park.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La
Two-week journeys follow the historic Tea Horse Road from Chengdu all the way to Luang Prabang. After morning visits with the giants pandas in Chengdu, you'll head into Yunnan's mountains. These tours really shine in their exploration of tea culture - you'll pick leaves at Guangmangshan plantation, learn processing methods and take part in traditional ceremonies. The cultural elements run deep too, with homestays in Dai villages and visits to the Jinuo people, one of China's smallest ethnic groups. The final days in Laos are consistently praised by our travelers, especially the dawn alms-giving with monks in Luang Prabang and hands-on farming experiences at local community projects.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Guangzhou, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La
Demographics
The Essence of Southwest China tour really works well if you're traveling solo. It kicks off with a welcome meet-up in Kunming before diving into Yunnan's cultural core. You get a good balance - join the group to wander through Dali's old markets and streets, then take evenings at your own pace to find local spots to eat and relax. The Tiger Leaping Gorge trek tends to bring people together naturally as they tackle those famous 24 bends together. Our guides are great at creating a friendly group feeling while helping individual travelers get comfortable with local experiences, like trying traditional Bai snacks in Xizhou or joining the morning crowd at Kunming's Green Lake Park.
Couples tend to connect well with our cultural immersion tours through Yunnan. The Tailor-Made routes let you move at your own rhythm, which pairs really appreciate. It's those quiet moments that make the trip special - sharing tea with Naxi families in their courtyards, watching the sun set over Erhai Lake and finding peaceful spots in Lijiang's old quarters. The private transfers between stops give couples quality time to take in the changing views, from Cangshan's snowy peaks to Yuanyang's stepped rice fields. Our guides have a good sense of when to add cultural context and when to step back and let couples explore on their own.
Young travelers usually go for our active routes that mix cultural experiences with physical challenges. You'll do proper hiking through Tiger Leaping Gorge - about 4-6 hours daily - plus options to cycle around Dali's lake and climb up to viewpoints above ancient towns. The pace keeps you moving but leaves room to explore night markets, try cooking classes and hang out in Lijiang's cafe scene. These tours work because they blend the must-see spots with local life - you might spend your morning picking tea with local farmers and end up trading stories with other travelers in a Tibetan guesthouse near Shangri-La.
Solo Travelers16 tours- Seniors (50+)11 tours
Best time to visit Yunnan
Contact our Yunnan travel experts
Joseph
Expert in Yunnan at TourRadar
Joseph is one of our seasoned Yunnan Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Yunnan tours answered!
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