In February, we visited Lijiang , Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Dali,all in a week. We flew from Kunming to Lijiang because it was the same price and saved 8 hours. The important thing to know is that old city of Lijiang is pedestrian only, so if your hotel is there, a taxi cannot take you to it.You must arrange for your hotel to pick you up. Lijiang is clean, safe, and spectacular. Be sure to be in the old city in the evening for the lights and in mid day for minority dancing. Winter is best because high season is too crowded.

We also loved Dali,a well preserved ancient walled capital just a 4-hour bus trip south. Dali is quieter, less spectacular, but in a way, more believable. There is lots to do on a one-day tour with a guide, plus you can do your own 1/2-day tour of the 1000-year-old Three Pagodas.

There are several important, well defined and dignified minorities thriving in that part of Yunnan Province. If you take the bus back to Kunming, along the superhighway you get to see the very different styles of architecture and decoration that help identify them.

fastest way to Lijiang from Kunming is by air. www.ctrip.com in english, you can search through different airlines, their schedules and prices. it is an hour or less flight. approx $90 USD.

to get to shangri la from kunming, it is, i hear from different sources, a 3 to 5 hour bus ride, and very cheap. about $6 USD. tickets can be purchased in person at the long distance bus station. you can get the address from your hotel or hostel, sometimes they will even book for you from the hotel.

i'm sorry, i meant to say the bus ride is from lijiang, not kunming. if you take a bus from kunming to shangri la, it is an 11 hour day ride or a 13 hour sleeper bus overnight.