CN Expedition巷陌经纬

China itineraries for Yunnan, Guangxi and Qinghai–Gansu

Three sample routes: 7 days in Yunnan from Kunming to Shangri-La, 7 days in Guangxi from Guilin to Detian Waterfall, and a 10-day Qinghai–Gansu loop from Xining. Each one comes from our own travels in the region. Use them as they are, or as the starting point for a plan built around your dates.

Snow mountain above a green valley and stream in northwest Yunnan

Southwest China

Yunnan itinerary: 7 days from Kunming to Shangri-La

A 7-day Yunnan itinerary through Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La, with daily drive times, elevations, best months and where to stay.

Yunnan route elevation: Kunming 1,890 m, Dali 1,980 m, Shaxi 2,100 m, Lijiang 2,400 m, Tiger Leaping Gorge 1,800 m, Shangri-La 3,300 m. Highest stop 3,300 m. 3,000 m 1,890 mKunming1,980 mDali2,100 mShaxi2,400 mLijiang1,800 mTigerLeapingGorge3,300 mShangri-La
Karst peaks and a winding river in Guangxi

South China

Guangxi itinerary: 7 days from Guilin to Detian Waterfall

A 7-day Guangxi itinerary covering Guilin, Longji rice terraces, the Li River, Yangshuo, Mingshi and Detian Waterfall, with drive times, best months and where to stay.

Guangxi route elevation: Guilin 150 m, Longji 800 m, Yangshuo 110 m, Mingshi 250 m, Detian 300 m, Nanning 80 m. Highest stop 800 m. 3,000 m 150 mGuilin800 mLongji110 mYangshuo250 mMingshi300 mDetian80 mNanning
Highway G315 crossing red desert hills in Qinghai

Northwest China

Qinghai–Gansu itinerary: a 10-day loop from Xining

A 10-day Qinghai–Gansu road trip from Xining: Qinghai Lake, Chaka and Qarhan salt lakes, the Mogao Caves, Zhangye Danxia and Qilian, with elevations and drive times.

Qinghai–Gansu route elevation: Xining 2,261 m, Qinghai Lake 3,196 m, Chaka 3,100 m, Golmud 2,780 m, Dunhuang 1,139 m, Zhangye 1,461 m, Qilian 2,787 m, Xining 2,261 m. Highest stop 3,196 m. 3,000 m 2,261 mXining3,196 mQinghaiLake3,100 mChaka2,780 mGolmud1,139 mDunhuang1,461 mZhangye2,787 mQilian2,261 mXining

Compare the three routes

RegionLengthBest monthsHighest nightDriving
Yunnan7 daysMarch to June, September to NovemberShangri-La, about 3,300 mMostly 2 to 4 hours a day; one longer gorge day
Guangxi7 daysApril to OctoberLongji terraces, about 800 mShort days, plus one 5 to 6 hour drive west
Qinghai–Gansu10 daysMay to SeptemberChaka, about 3,100 mSeveral 4 to 6 hour days

Elevations are approximate town elevations. Choose Guangxi for a first trip without altitude, Yunnan for culture and mountains, and Qinghai–Gansu for a long road journey.

Tell us where you want to go.

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