Yunnan and Tibet: one is picturesque and romantic with diverse cultures while the other is mysterious and majestic with sacred landscapes. These neighboring regions make an ideal travel combination.
This page would give you some tips and inspiration for your Yunnan and Tibet trip plan.
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How Many Days Are Needed for Yunnan and Tibet?
A classic itinerary for Yunnan and Tibet needs at least 12 to 14 days to cover the essence of the two destinations.
Suggestions for Time Spent in Yunnan
A trip to Yunnan usually takes about 1 week. It could cover Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang, including most of Yunnan's famous attractions. It is recommended to spend about 2 days in each city.
Shangri-La, another famous city in Yunnan, could be skipped if your time is limited, as, being part of the Tibetan region, its scenery and culture are somewhat similar to those of Tibet. However, if you have ample time, we highly recommend visiting Shangri-La for 1 or 2 days. Check out our 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour.
The highland scenery in Shangri-La is more gently picturesque, with herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the grasslands, and the sounds of pastoral songs echoing in the air.
Tibet, on the other hand, is more vast and majestic. Colorful prayer flags flutter on the approach to towering Mount Everest, and the solemn lama temples resonate with the sounds of devout chanting. So, the contrast is worth appreciating.
See more on How Long to Spend in Yunnan.
Suggestions for Time Spent in Tibet
If you just want to focus your Tibet tour on Lhasa, you should set aside at least two full days for that. Therefore, it takes about 4 days for a classic Tibet trip including the arrival and departure days.
A 1-week-minimum itinerary is needed if you want to go to Everest Base Camp. See our 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Private Tour.
If you want to extend your Tibet exploration out of Lhasa, you would need a few extra days for places such as Shigatse (2–3 days), Nyingchi (1–2 days), and Namtso Lake (1–2 days).
See more on How Long to Spend in Tibet.
12-Day Yunnan and Tibet Itinerary Suggestion
If you want to experience the essence of natural beauty in Yunnan and Tibet, this itinerary is highly recommended.
- Days 1–2: Kunming
- Day 3: Dali
- Days 4–5: Lijiang
- Day 6: Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Days 7–8: Lhasa
- Day 9–11: Nyingchi and Bome
- Day 12: Departure
This itinerary offers a comfortable way to take in stunning landscapes with minimal concern about altitude sickness, as the rich vegetation and lower altitude in eastern Tibet help reduce the likelihood of altitude issues.
Along the journey, you'll encounter diverse highland scenery including snow-capped mountains, lakes, canyons, forests, and rivers. You'll also have the chance to learn about minority cultures, taste local ethnic cuisine, and enjoy unique Tibetan costume experiences.
The best times to travel are in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). Spring is the ideal time to view the peach blossoms in Nyingchi; as you travel along National Highway 318 from Nyingchi to Bome, you could enjoy the beautiful sea of peach blossoms along the way.
Autumn's scenery is equally impressive, rivaling that of Xinjiang's Kanas Lake.
Winter is also a recommended time. Although vegetation may lack its green hues, Yunnan and Tibet generally have sunny days, providing good conditions for sightseeing and increasing your chances of seeing the rarely visible Mount Namcha Barwa.
Best Times to Visit Yunnan and Tibet
The best time to visit really depends on your personal preferences, so we offer a variety of options to match different needs below. The scenery in Yunnan and Tibet is charming in every season, ensuring beautiful views no matter when you choose to visit.
Autumn: Recognized Top Choice
Autumn (September and October) is undoubtedly the best season for travel, with more sunny days and comfortable temperatures. In Lijiang Old Town, golden ginkgo leaves create a beautiful backdrop for the small bridges and flowing waters.
Er Lake in Dali shimmers, with golden fields on both sides. Lhasa's bright sunshine and blue skies make the Potala Palace look especially majestic. Namtso Lake's water is crystal clear, mirror-like, and blue.
Early Winter: Hidden Gems
It is also the best time to see sunlight shining on the Meili Snow MountainAnother overlooked best time to visit is from November to December. The weather in Yunnan and Tibet remains pleasant, although the day-to-night temperature differences increase. Early winter in Lhasa isn't as cold as you might expect, with warm midday sun on most days.
Additionally, there are fewer tourists during this time, making the old towns, Tibetan villages, and solemn temples particularly peaceful. Seagulls return to Er Lake, dawn redwoods turn red, and Lhasa's streets are filled with the scent of butter tea.
Summer: Less Altitude Sickness
Yunnan and Tibet are both summer retreats. If you're worried about altitude sickness, summer is the best time of year to reduce altitude sickness risks because of the higher oxygen content in the air.
Summer is also one of the best times to enjoy the scenery of the plateau. The grassland beside lakes in Shangri-La is full of green grass and herds of cattle and sheep. The snowy peaks of Mount Everest glint silver in the sun.
Spring: Peach Blossoms
Peach blossoms in NyingchiSpring is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy the seas of flowers: rapeseed flowers in Luoping, Yunnan and peach blossoms in Tibet from Nyingchi to Bome.
How to Travel between Yunnan and Tibet
There are direct flights between Yunnan and Tibet. Flights to Lhasa are available from Kunming, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, with a flight duration of 2 to 2½ hours.
Typically, we recommend starting your journey from Kunming and then flying from Lijiang or Shangri-La to Lhasa. At the end of the trip, departing from Lhasa via Kunming or another China city is advisable.
This is especially convenient for guests from Singapore due to direct flights between Kunming and Singapore, making the travel arrangements smoother for entry and exit.
Costs for a Trip to Yunnan and Tibet
The average cost for a private Yunnan and Tibet tour is approximately $220–230 per person per day. This price includes domestic trains within Yunnan, flights between Tibet and Yunnan, accommodation in 4- or 5-star hotels, lunches, entrance fees to attractions, guides, and private transportation. Children under 10 typically receive a 30–50% discount.
Most of Tibet's tourism supplies need to be transported from the mainland, making the travel costs relatively higher than in many other Chinese cities. Expect to pay about $20–30 more per person per day for a private tour there.
Some Tips
1. You would need to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit.
Independent travel in Tibet for foreign travelers is not allowed. You would need to apply through a travel agency in order to travel to Tibet.
2. Tibet closes to foreign travelers from mid-February to March each year. If you're planning a trip to Tibet, please be aware of and avoid this period.
3. How to reduce altitude sickness?
Shangri-La and Tibet have a relatively high risk of altitude sickness. We recommend the following:
- Avoid washing your hair and taking a shower on the first day. Keep warm, conserve your energy, and prevent worsening altitude sickness by avoiding unnecessary exertion.
- Rest on the first day after arriving: Allow your body to acclimate to the environment and prevent fatigue from exacerbating altitude sickness.
- Avoid strenuous activities: Minimize physical exertion to reduce the risk of altitude sickness on all days.
- Carry chocolate or glucose drinks: a quick dose of sugar can help your body cope with altitude changes.