China itinerary
Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan in 14 Days
Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan in 14 Days is a route-card itinerary built in the same practical format as the Japan Golden Route sample: quick facts, day-by-day pacing, photo notes, base advice and planning tips.
Quick facts
Know the shape before you book.
Chengdu -> Guizhou villages -> Kunming -> Dali -> Lijiang
14 days / 13 nights
Best in spring or autumn; avoid major Chinese holiday peaks where possible.
Moderate to slow
Food, mountains and slower southwest travel
Before you go
Sort the practical layer early.
This section is prepared for affiliate tools: eSIM, travel insurance, hotel search and transport booking modules. China planning usually works best when phone access, payment apps and transfer legs are solved before arrival.
Day by day
The route at a practical pace.
This follows the structure of the Japan Golden Route sample: quick facts, daily pacing, photo notes, base advice and tips.
Chengdu teahouses
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Leshan or Qingcheng Mountain
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Guizhou transfer
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Kaili or village day
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Guiyang and Huangguoshu option
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Kunming reset day
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Dali old town
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Erhai Lake and villages
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Dali slow day
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Lijiang arrival
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Baisha and old town lanes
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Yulong Snow Mountain option
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Flexible highland day
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Departure via Lijiang or Kunming
Keep the day focused. Add one main sight, one food or neighbourhood block and one photo window instead of treating the route as a checklist.
Photo note: early morning or blue hour will usually give the cleanest travel images.
Where to stay
Base summary.
Use these bases as a starting point, then adjust around flights, train times and hotel availability.
| Place | Nights | Best area |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 2-4 | Stay central and check station or airport access |
| Guizhou villages | 1-3 | Stay central and check station or airport access |
| Kunming | 1-3 | Stay central and check station or airport access |
| Dali | 1-3 | Stay central and check station or airport access |
| Lijiang | 1-3 | Stay central and check station or airport access |
First-timer tips
What changes the trip quality.
Small planning choices matter in China.
Keep the first arrival day light.
Check train station locations before booking hotels.
Build in one flexible buffer when routes involve mountains or long transfers.
Use the country hub for destination pages, then open this itinerary when ready for day-by-day planning.