Another option instead of looking for direct flights or short layovers, is to stopover somewhere in-between, and just make the stopover city part of your vacation travel. For example, a couple of years ago, I did PEK to Chengdu on CAAC, and then bought a ticket for Chengdu nonstop to Lijiang from a TA. Flexible travel and and a few days in Chengdu made it possible for me to get a discount on Yunnan Airlines' full-fare price from Chengdu to Lijiang.

I'm not saying Chengdu is as nice as Lijiang, but maybe it or another city would be a good stopover option.