Do you offer private and/or customized trips?

Private trips can be arranged based on availability. This is ideal for families, large groups, or guests who don’t want to join with other travelers. An additional private trip fee will be charged (which is waived for groups of 8 or more). Simply contact us to book so we can check availability.We are happy to make simple customizations to private trips, such as the start time/date or the duration of the trip.Beyond that, we generally do not arrange customized tours. We work very hard to create our tour routes and build strong relationships with our vendors to ensure the quality and service they provide. It’s also important for us to share the stories of each destination and vendor that we visit. If your request involves visiting a destination or vendor that we don’t have an existing relationship with, we will politely decline.

Is this trip family-friendly and what is the price for children?

We generally recommend join-in tours for children aged 8+. With that said, we ask parents to use their own judgement to determine whether the itinerary of this trip is appropriate for their children without impacting the experience of other guests. Due to the schedule each day, it is important that we stay on time and there may not always be an opportunity for you to take breaks or go back to your hotel for rest. With that said, this trip has a good amount of built-in free time. Due to the limited capacity on our join-in trips, discounts are not generally provided for children. This is always determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the size of your family, the ages of your children, and how many hotel rooms you will require.Booking a private trip for your family is always an option, based on availability. This allows you some added flexibility during the itinerary to make sure nothing starts too early/late and so you have time to rest when needed.Travelers with children should always contact us before booking so we can provide detailed prices for you.

Do you recommend this trip for elderly travelers?

We welcome all travelers, but ask that guests use their own judgement to determine whether the itinerary of this trip is appropriate without impacting the experience of other guests. We do not recommend this trip for anyone who is unable to be on their feet for 1-2 hours at a time, or requires mobility assistance such as a wheelchair or walker.Booking a private trip is always an option. This gives you some added flexibility during the itinerary to make sure you have extra time when needed during the day.

Can solo travelers join this trip and why do you charge a single occupancy fee?

Yes! Our join-in trips are perfect for solo travelers because it gives you the ability to travel with others and the advantage of being able to try a large variety of food. All of our join-in trips have a minimum of 4 people. Our website will accept your solo booking and we’ll keep in touch to let you know when the minimum number of people has been met. If it’s not met, and we are unable to reschedule you to another date that works for you, we will provide a full refund for your booking. The single occupancy fee for this trip is $309 USD. This is necessary because accommodation is the largest cost of the entire trip, and it is designed to be split by two people. While we do our best to make this reasonable (the single occupancy fee doesn’t cover the entire gap), it is necessary for us cover this cost.Feel free to contact us at any time if you’d like us to check your dates of interest and we’ll let you know if anyone else has booked the trip or if there are nearby alternative dates.

How much food and drinks will I get?

If you know anything about Lost Plate, you know that you’ll never go hungry. All meals are included on this trip. You can expect simple yet hearty breakfasts, plus lunches and dinners that offer a huge variety of dishes in large quantities. We often visit family-owned restaurants that specialize in one type of cuisine or dish, and there’s a reason why we visit every single place. Our goal is to make food the highlight of your trip!Meals include local beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.

What if I’m vegetarian or have special dietary requests?

All dietary requests must be communicated at the time of booking. When booking online, you will have the opportunity to let us know if you have any dietary requirements or special requests. Please use the following information to understand if this trip is right for you.This tour can accommodate vegetarian travelers, including those who are pescatarian and those who do not eat beef, pork, seafood, shellfish, and/or mutton. However, there will not always be direct substitutes for every dish that we try on the tour. Instead, we’ll order extra vegetarian items. Please note that every stop we visit during the trip does use meat in their kitchen. It is important for us to know how flexible your restrictions are (ie; are you able to have meat broth used for hotpot). This tour can also accommodate gluten-free travelers since rice and rice noodles are the primary staple foods. However, soy sauce is widely used in Chinese cuisine and will be difficult to avoid. Please communicate your strictness with us. This tour cannot accommodate severe allergies as we do not have full control over the preparation for your food. Travelers that don’t eat nuts are welcome, but kitchens do use nuts and cross-contamination is possible.If you have any questions not answered here, please contact us prior to booking.

Am I able to arrive early or stay late?

Yes! Feel free to arrive early in Dali or stay in Lijiang after the trip. In fact, it’s a good idea if you need some time to adjust to the higher altitude. We are able to pass on our special hotel rates to you so you don’t need to switch hotels as well. Just let us know your dates and we will check rates and availability for you. Please note that airport pick-up/drop-off is not available if arriving/departing outside of our itinerary.

How do I apply for a Chinese visa and is this a service you provide?

We ask all travelers to independently apply for their tourist visa to China. We typically are not arranging your entire trip to China, so this gives you flexibility on the dates and duration for your visa application. We are able to provide documents such as your trip itinerary and hotel confirmations to aid with your visa application. The price of obtaining this visa is not included in the tour price.Visa policies change often and vary by nationality. You should do your own research to understand if your nationality will require a visa, and what the process and timeline is for your nationality.

What is not included in the price of this trip?

Your tourist visa for China.Transportation/flight tickets to and from Yunnan. This gives you the flexibility to arrive and depart when you would like, on the flights of your choice.Shopping and activities during your free time.While basic travel insurance will be provided by Lost Plate, coverage is not all-encompassing. Each guest should obtain their own health and travel coverage.Optional gratuities for your guide.

How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy this trip?

We’ve rated this trip a level of 2 out of 3. While there are no strenuous activities required during the itinerary, you will need to be on your feet for a few hours at a time while visiting some destinations. The itinerary also involves changing hotels 4 times during the trip, and includes multiple car rides of approx. 2-3 hours.The hiking activities in Tiger Leaping Gorge are the most demanding of the trip, but they are optional. You can still experience incredible views without taking part in these activities.

What is the weather like?

This entire trip takes place at elevations between 2,000–2,700m (6,500–8,858ft) above sea level, where lower oxygen levels may be noticeable, especially during activities like climbing stairs or hiking.Yunnan has earned the phrase “the place of eternal spring” due to it’s generally pleasant weather year-round. Winters are sunny, dry and mild, while summers are known as “rainy season,” when showers are common (which also block the sun’s heat). There really isn’t a bad time of year to visit this region of Yunnan.

What information is provided in your China Travel Guide PDF and online pre-trip briefing?

We’re excited to provide all of our trip guests a self-curated travel guide to China. This detailed PDF includes information about the following:Visa policiesMobile plans, internet, and VPNsEssential mobile apps for payment and travelCultural overview & etiquetteLanguage guideHealth & safetyApproximately 1-2 weeks before the trip begins, we will host an online pre-trip briefing and Q&A session for all travelers joining your trip. This will cover important information you need to know before arrival, a review of your itinerary, and time for Q&A. It will last approximately 30 minutes, and a recording will be available for those who are unable to attend the live session.

Eat Your Way Through Yunnan's Tea & Horse Road, from Dali to Lijiang

8 days / 7 nights

Start: Dali (DLU) End: Lijiang (LJG)

Activity Level 2

From $1500 USD per person

Activity Level 1:

These trips have a relaxed itinerary with modern and comfortable accommodations, have less time in the car, and require low physical fitness (ie; walking during sightseeing for 1-3 hours at a time).

Activity Level 2:

These trips require changing hotels/cities at least once. Locally owned boutique accommodations are comfortable with modern amenities. Some longer car rides exist. Activities like hiking or cycling may be included in the itinerary but are optional.

Activity Level 3:

These longer trips require an adventurous spirit and a moderate level of physical fitness due to the sights that we visit and the varying weather conditions we may experience. Longer car rides will happen due to remoteness or distances traveled.

You can review detailed itineraries for all of our multi-day trips on our website to gain a better understanding about each trip’s activities.

The Essentials:

Eat and explore your way through Yunnan’s Tea & Horse Road, from Dali to Lijiang, plus a unique overnight stay in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Plentiful local meals, cooking classes, market tours, and hot pots galore – the perfect way to explore Yunnan’s diverse culture is through their equally diverse cuisine.

Price

Join-in trips start at $1,500 USD per person, which may increase slightly due to seasonality. You can browse the calendar for each trip’s specific price. A $500 USD per person deposit is required to reserve your spot. Click here for more pricing details.

Group Size

Small groups of 4-10, or contact us to ask about a private trip

Accommodations

Boutique guesthouses and hotels that offer comfort and modern amenities while exemplifying Yunnan architecture and culture.

Inclusions

Highlights

QUICK LINKS:

Day to Day Itinerary:

This itinerary is subject to changes and adjustments based on seasonality and local operations.

Dali

Arrive and check into our hotel in Dali at any time, airport pick up is available on this day until 3pm.
We’ll kick things off at dinner with a local walking food tour – Lost Plate style! Try locally-made rice noodles, fried cheese, a few street snacks, a Dai minority feast served on the biggest platter you’ve ever seen, and more!

Driving: None

Hotel: A modern boutique guesthouse near Dali’s old-town.

Dali > Xizhou

Start the day in an area of Dali that is still popular with locals, grab a popular breakfast, and explore a local market that sprawls throughout many small lanes. We’ll end at a local cafe to try a selection of Yunnan-grown coffee.
Visit a local farm that specializes in growing roses. Sip on fresh rose water while your guide instructs you on how to make one of the most popular local treats: rose cakes…and you’ll leave with plenty of leftovers!
Head to the small village of Xizhou where we’ll check-in to our guesthouse before enjoying freshly-caught fish, local chicken served with chili and rice cakes, plum-fried pork, fried eggs with jasmine flower, and much more for dinner.

Driving: Approx. 30 mins from Dali to Xizhou.

Hotel: 500 year-old courtyard inn in Xizhou village.

Xizhou > Shaxi

Explore Xizhou village’s cobblestone horse-worn streets, wooden buildings, and unique architectural styles before trying Xizhou Baba, a freshly baked bread only found in this village – stuffed with your choice of savory pork or sweet rose paste. You’ll get a first-hand look at how they are prepared and baked in a traditional charcoal oven.
Grab lunch at a lakeside restaurant to enjoy local shrimp, fish, and a plethora of other local dishes.
Visit a Bai minority fabric dying studio and learn this craft like they have for generations. This 2 hour activity will walk you through each step, and you’ll leave with your own handmade handkerchief!
Check-in and enjoy some free time in Shaxi village before our dinner at a local family courtyard restaurant. We’ll be starting out with meticulously made pork-stuffed lima beans, cured meats, some local fried cheese, and work our way through a variety of other delights based on what’s best at the local market that day.

Driving: Approx. 2 hours from Xizhou to Shaxi, with a couple stops along the way.

Hotel: Boutique courtyard guesthouse in Shaxi.

Shaxi

After a leisurely morning with time to explore the coffee shops and bakery, we’ll grab lunch at a local restaurant that serves a very special dish: steam-pot chicken, complete with locally made pickles plus fluffy rice cooked in a giant copper pot with cured pork.
Hop on tuktuks 2-hour ride through the surrounding countryside and villages, stopping at a hidden-away hillside cafe for a drink, and exploring a one-of-a-kind book store completely tucked away in an ancient neighboring village.
Our Bai minority dinner features foraged tree moss fried with free-range eggs, lemongrass rubbed pork ribs, more fried local cheese, and a range of other dishes you can only find here.

Driving: None

Hotel: Boutique courtyard guesthouse in Shaxi (same as previous night).

Shaxi > Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, we’ll head to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Our first stop will be the viewing deck at the mouth of the canyon where the upper waters of the Yangzi river are forced through one of the deepest gorges in the world. It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight to see and experience.
Optional Hiking: After lunch, we’ll be heading to the middle of the gorge for a moderately difficult, round-trip hike along the cliffs passing villages. For those not interested, you’ll have time to relax at our guesthouse for the afternoon.
Our accommodations for the night are located deep within the Tiger Leaping gorge, up a steep single-lane road. It offers some of the best views within the canyon and the surrounding mountain range. Enjoy your own balcony from your private villa, and take a dip in the (chilly) pool or hot tub overlooking spectacular views of the gorge and glaciated mountains. Truly a highlight of the entire trip!
After dinner, locals like to gather for a bonfire, music, and dancing – come and join us!

Driving: Approx. 2 hours from Shaxi to Tiger Leaping Gorge, plus a 30 minute drive to the trailhead.

Hotel: Private boutique villas deep within Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Tiger Leaping Gorge > Lijiang

Enjoy a leisurely morning with some of the best breakfast views in China. Then we’ll drive to Lijiang where you’ll get some time to explore the quaint cobblestone streets and canals near your guesthouse.
We’ll be staying in Shuhe, a less touristy old-town within Lijiang. For dinner, we’ll have cured pork-rib hot pot from the Naxi minority culture. The ingredients are cooked in a local broth made of cured pork short ribs placed in the center of the table, which is surrounded by an ultra-hot stone slab that keeps the broth warm and can be used for direct grilling.

Driving: Approx. 2 hours from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Lijiang.

Hotel: Boutique courtyard guesthouse at Shuhe old-town in Lijiang.

Lijiang

Start the day exploring Lijiang’s oldest market to shop for our cooking class. Immersion is a great way to learn about what makes Yunnan’s food culture so special. Shop shoulder to shoulder with Naxi locals and their woven-basket backpacks, before preparing lunch in a private cooking studio with a local Naxi family. Everyone will be making 3 dishes that you’ll enjoy for lunch!
Head to Lijiang’s Dayan old-town to explore the cobblestone lanes and shops. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and soak in the architecture and views of the area.
Our final dinner will be a huge selection of local Naxi minority dishes, including roast pork belly with mint, fried eggplant, spicy fish, and a ton more. The perfect way to end the trip!

Driving: A total of about 30 minutes in and around Lijiang.

Hotel: Boutique courtyard guesthouse at Shuhe old-town (same as previous night).

Lijiang

Enjoy your last moments in Yunnan before you depart. Feel free to explore Shuhe old-town for some last minute shopping or cafe hopping. Airport drop-off is included any time today.
For those departing later, we’ll be happy to make some recommendations for the day, like a day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Must-See Tour Highlights:

Visit ancient old-towns and fairytale villages as you discover the best local cuisine you'll only find with us.

Visit a beautiful rose farm while your guide instructs you on how to make one of the most popular local treats: rose cakes.

All meals are included, plentiful, and include beer! Enjoy cured meats, fried cheese, hotpots, and dozens of plates every day.

Explore Shaxi and the surrounding countryside, stopping at a hidden-away hillside cafe and exploring a one-of-a-kind book store completely tucked away in an ancient neighboring village.

Get the unique chance to spend the night in Tiger Leaping Gorge, in your own private villa, with incredible balcony and poolside views.

Explore Lijiang's oldest market to shop shoulder to shoulder with Naxi locals before preparing lunch in a private cooking studio with a local Naxi family.

Visit ancient old-towns and fairytale villages as you discover boutique cafes and the best local cuisine you'll only find with us.

Visit a beautiful rose farm that sprawls for acres while your guide instructs you on how to make one of the most popular local treats: rose cakes.

All meals are included, plentiful, and include beer! Enjoy cured meats, fried cheese, hotpots, and dozens of plates every day.

Explore Shaxi and the surrounding countryside, stopping at a hidden-away hillside cafe and exploring a one-of-a-kind book store completely tucked away in an ancient neighboring village.

Get the unique chance to spend the night in Tiger Leaping Gorge, in your own private villa, with incredible balcony and poolside views.

Explore Lijiang's oldest market to shop shoulder to shoulder with Naxi locals before preparing lunch in a private cooking studio with a local Naxi family.

Spend 8 days in the land of cured ham legs, homemade breads, bubbling bowls of rice noodles, and fried local cheese. It’s where Chinese artists come to escape the nation’s newfound love of tarmac. Local live-music bars and evening bonfire square-dance sessions are opt-ins we highly recommend on this tour. And to us, that constant ebb and flow of peoples and their appetites in a climate well suited to agriculture means it’s the perfect storm for all things crazy delicious.

We have personally curated this 7-night, 8-day food and sightseeing tour from Dali to Lijiang with a few stops in between – and it’s become one of our most popular trips! It’s a great balance between fun interactive activities and free-time to explore the old towns of Yunnan on your own.

This tour takes place at high altitude, with elevations ranging between 2000m and 2500m above sea level.

You may also want to consider our trip to Shangrila and Yunnan’s Tibetan Region if you are looking to experience remote villages off the tourist track. These two trips are often run in tandem so it is possible to join both.

Where We'll Stay:

Dali Iridescent Clouds Hotel

Yishu Ancient House

Wuliu Hotel

Yachajiao Manor

The Bivou

The villages visited during this trip do not offer well-known hotel brands. Accommodations may change based on group size and availability. If so, an equivalent will be used.

Join-in trips require a minimum of 4 people to operate. You should only purchase your transportation to/from Yunnan after you receive a tour confirmation notice. Private tours (for an additional fee) are always an option if your join-in trip does not hit the minimum amount of people.
A deposit of $500 USD per person is required to secure your spot. This deposit is non-refundable for any reason unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum group size not being met.
Solo travelers not sharing a room will incur a single occupancy fee of $309 USD. See more details in our FAQ below.
Payment of your remaining balance will be collected 14 days before the trip starts.
If you need to cancel, the amount you have already paid cannot be refunded. This is because spots on each trip is limited, and because we arrange accommodations when you reserve your spot. You are able to transfer your spot to someone else.
Payments can be made by credit card, WeChat, or Alipay.

This tour takes place at high altitude, with elevations ranging between 2000m and 2500m above sea level.

Where We'll Stay:

Dali Iridescent Clouds Hotel

Yishu Ancient House

Wuliu Hotel

Yachajiao Manor

The Bivou

Accommodations may change based on group size and availability. If so, an equivalent will be used.

Join-in trips require a minimum of 4 people to operate. You should only purchase your transportation to/from Yunnan after you receive a tour confirmation notice. Private tours (for an additional fee) are always an option if your join-in trip does not hit the minimum amount of people.
A deposit of $500 USD per person is required to secure your spot. This deposit is non-refundable for any reason unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum group size not being met.
Solo travelers not sharing a room will incur a single occupancy fee of $309 USD. See more details in our FAQ below.
Payment of your remaining balance will be collected 14 days before the trip starts.
If you need to cancel, the amount you have already paid cannot be refunded. This is because spots on each trip is limited, and because we arrange accommodations when you reserve your spot. You are able to transfer your spot to someone else.
Payments can be made by credit card, WeChat, or Alipay.

BEIJING

CHENGDU

GUANGZHOU

LIJIANG

SHANGHAI

SUZHOU

XIAN

PHNOM PENH

SIEM REAP

BANGKOK

HANOI

PORTLAND, OR

CHENGDU

GUILIN/YANGSHUO

NINGXIA

XIAN

YUNNAN

CAMBODIA

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Eat Your Way Through Yunnan's Tea & Horse Road, from Dali to Lijiang

Price

Group Size

Accommodations

Inclusions

Highlights

QUICK LINKS:

Day to Day Itinerary:

Dali

Dali > Xizhou

Xizhou > Shaxi

Shaxi

Shaxi > Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge > Lijiang

Lijiang

Lijiang

Must-See Tour Highlights:

Where We'll Stay:

Dali Iridescent Clouds Hotel

Yishu Ancient House

Wuliu Hotel

Yachajiao Manor

The Bivou

Where We'll Stay:

Dali Iridescent Clouds Hotel

Yishu Ancient House

Wuliu Hotel

Yachajiao Manor

The Bivou

Our Trips Hit Different.

Guest Reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you offer private and/or customized trips?

Is this trip family-friendly and what is the price for children?

Do you recommend this trip for elderly travelers?

Can solo travelers join this trip and why do you charge a single occupancy fee?

How much food and drinks will I get?

What if I’m vegetarian or have special dietary requests?

Am I able to arrive early or stay late?

How do I apply for a Chinese visa and is this a service you provide?

What is not included in the price of this trip?

How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy this trip?

What is the weather like?

What information is provided in your China Travel Guide PDF and online pre-trip briefing?

Our Other Multi-Day Trips:

Discover the Tastes, Temples, and Tales of Authentic Cambodia

Discover Chengdu’s Flavors, Culture and Pandas 4-day Trip

Wine Taste Through Ningxia 3-day Trip

Uncover Xian’s Ancient Wonders and Hidden Eats 3-day Trip

Get Lost and Escape in Guilin & Yangshuo 4-day Trip

Go Beyond Shangrila for Wine & Tibetan Culture of Yunnan

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