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CHINA – A two-week Yunnan itinerary travel guide: Kunming to Shangri-La

Table of Contents

Chinese visa

A summary of this yunnan travel guide for your private use to copy paste, yunnan itinerary day 1 & 2: arrival & kunming, yunnan itinerary day 3: shilin stone forest, yunnan itinerary day 4 & 5: to dali & city trip, yunnan itinerary day 6: to lijiang via shaxi, yunnan itinerary day 7: jade dragon snow mountain hike, yunnan itinerary day 8: lijiang, yunnan itinerary day 9: tiger leaping gorge hike, yunnan itinerary day 10: yuhu, baisha and shuhe old towns, yunnan itinerary day 11: to shangri-la, yunnan itinerary day 12: shangri-la, yunnan itinerary day 13: potatso national park hike, yunnan itinerary day 14: departure.

Yunnan is one of China’s most diverse provinces and this two-week Yunnan itinerary will take you to all the highlights. I have been to China plenty of times and this travel guide describes my trip from Kunming to Shangri-La. It’s suitable for a first time visit to China but best recommended for a second visit unless you do not care about China’s big five sights. I’ll give you some ideas on how to combine this China itinerary together with other area’s at the end too. Yunnan is so large that it’s impossible to cover every single point of interest but those I did cover are all the must-see places. I’ll give a few ideas on how to extend the trip too. When you read my day trip reports please note that I have re-scheduled this itinerary for better planning after my own experiences. Now join me by car, train and plane on this Yunnan travel adventure.

Planning a Yunnan itinerary

Planning a Yunnan trip is a lot of fun and there are many varieties. This Yunnan itinerary however does contain all the highlights along the Kunming to Shangri-La route. Keep in mind Shangri-La is sometimes called Zhongdian or Diqing. The latter is also the name of the airport.

This itinerary can be done in both ways but unless you’re already in China you probably arrive in Kunming. Kunming Changshui International Airport has several international flights worldwide and if that doesn’t suit you, you might want to check Chengdu. From Chengdu it’s a 1:30 hour flight to Kunming or you can combine the trip with a Sichuan itinerary from Chengdu. Diqing Shangri-La Airport doesn’t offer international routes but only to a few airports in China including Lhasa, Tibet. If you want to visit Tibet too that’s easily combined  with my 7 days in Lhasa Tibet itinerary . If you don’t combine further trips in China, you can return to Kunming with a direct flight from Shangri-La and return home from there.

For the rest of the trip you must book the following:

  • Kunming hotel: In Kunming I recommend staying at the Intercontinental Kunming or Crowne Plaza Kunming .
  • Kunming to Dali: Book the train in advance and have the tickets delivered to your hotel. At the time of my travel there wasn’t a highspeed option yet but there will be in the future. My trip took about 6-7 hours.
  • Dali hotel: In Dali make sure to stay in a hotel in one of the old houses that are hotels now.
  • Dali to Lijiang to Shangri-La: If you want to visit Shaxi on the way from Dali to Shangri-La as a half day trip you must hire a car with driver for this part. You can keep the driver also for the day trips in Lijiang and the transport to Shangri-La.
  • Lijiang & Shangri-La hotels: In Lijiang the Intercontinental Lijiang or the Indigo Lijiang are great choices located in the old city. In Shangri-La try a homestay!

That’s all! In all the cities you can use local taxi’s as they are very cheap. Now let’s look at a day by day description of this perfect Yunnan itinerary.

Several cities in China have the option for 24-144 hours visa on arrival but if you do a road trip they won’t be of any use. You can’t leave that city and you must continue to another country and not return to the same. I’m from the Netherlands and getting a Chinese tourist visa is straightforward and usually takes just a few days to approve. This should also be the case for other European Union countries. I recommend checking with the Chinese Embassy in your country for specific information as they know the best.

Yunnan itinerary day 1 & 2: Kunming, Yunnan itinerary day 3: Shiling Stone Forest, Yunnan itinerary day 4 & 5: to Dali & city trip, Yunnan itinerary day 6: to Lijiang via Shaxi, Yunnan itinerary day 7: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hike, Yunnan itinerary day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge hike, Yunnan itinerary day 9: Lijiang & small towns, Yunnan itinerary day 10 & 11: Lijiang town and to Shangri-La, Yunnan itinerary day 12: Shangri-La, Yunnan itinerary day 13: Potatso National Park hike, Yunnan itinerary day 14: departure

Kunming is the logical place to start a Yunnan itinerary as the city can be reached by international flights. I never like to do much on the day of arrival and normally just go to a spa for a massage, sleep early and be fit the next day without jetlag.

Kunming is also called the City of Eternal Spring because weather is nice year-round. Spending a day in Kunming should be enough to explore the places of interest. In the morning I recommend going to Guandu Old Town which is a well restored old town. There are two Buddhist temples, pagoda’s, and many shops in the old streets. You can take lunch there in one of the many outlets that serve street food.

In the afternoon go first to Yuangtong Temple in downtown Kunming. It’s a temple that’s famous throughout South East Asia as it has a unique layout. You’ll probably spend an hour there. After that it’s time to explore modern Kunming. Go shopping or just relax. I spend the remainder of the day at the pools of the Intercontinental Kunming .

Read all about my Kunming day trip in my trip report: CHINA – A day in Kunming, the City of Eternal Spring

The Shilin Stone Forest UNESCO World Heritage Site day trip from Kunming is one that you must include on your Yunnan itinerary. It’s not a real forest of course but has stones that look like they “grow” from the earth. Getting there takes 2-3 hours by car/taxi so make sure to depart early and arrive around 9-10AM if possible. The area is large and expect to walk around for 3-4 hours to get a good impression.

The formations at the Shilin Stone Forest were formed millions of years ago when and old sea evaporated, and the surface lifted. Soft stone has eroded leaving the hard ones behind. This formed arches, caves, and all kinds of sculptures. One looks just like an elephant!

After the visit you can either return to Kunming or explore a bit more of the area. There are more caves, lakes, and interesting small rural towns. Suogeyi town is part of the UNESCO inscription and a nice non-touristic rural town. From there continue to Changhu Lake before heading back to Kunming. Alternatively go to one of the other places of interest; directions are easy.

Want to know more about the Shilin Stone Forest UNESCO site ? Check my complete day trip report: Shilin Stone Forest UNESCO World Heritage Site day trip from Kunming

EXTEND YOUR TRIP : Are you a history buff? Or a UNESCO site collector? Then check my 520 million years of history at Cambrian Chengjiang Fossil Site day trip report. This site can be reached as a day trip from Kunming, but I only recommend doing this if it interests you. Decide yourself if you want to extend your trip by a day.

The trip from Kunming to Dali takes 7 hours by soft sleeper train. There will be a highspeed connection some day in the future too reducing time to just 2 hours. I’ll update this article once it’s finished. I recommend spending 2 nights in Dali so that you have a full day to explore town. To be honest I rushed my Yunnan itinerary with just a night stay, and I can’t recommend that. On the day of arrival, you won’t have much time left to explore town. Just go out for street food but I can’t directly recommend one place as places change so often and thus, I don’t cover them in this Yunnan blog.

Dali is a beautiful “new” old town. This means that most houses are restored and rebuild in traditional way. That doesn’t matter much as the atmosphere is great. If you want real old towns then  Xidi and Hongcun (in east China) are two worth checking out. Before exploring Dali go first in the morning to the Chongsheng Temple 3-pagoda temple. It’s a must see just outside of Dali. Then go for lunch back to Dali and check out the gates, temples, the narrow streets, and other Yunnan highlights. If you go during Chinese holidays you can walk over the people as you can see in the photo below. Try to avoid that as it ruined my visit a bit as I could not enjoy this lovely town to the fullest.

Want to know more about the Dali day trip and Shaxi day trip then check my complete in depth trip report: CHINA – Exploring beautiful Dali & Shaxi on the way from Kunming to Lijiang

The best way from Dali to Shaxi (2 hours), and further to Lijiang (1.5 hours) is by car. This allows you to visit Shaxi on the way to Lijiang for a few hours and if you go early even have an early morning stop at Erhai Lake too. I recommend to hire the car for the next days too until arrival in Shangri-La. It will make your trip much more convenient then looking for transport each day again.

Shaxi is a beautiful authentic town and one of the oldest surviving horse Caravan towns in China. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants where you can see what locals do. It’s not over touristic. Make sure to visit the Bai Buddhist Xingjiao Temple and the arch bridge. Two iconic sights in Shaxi. I wandered around Shaxi for several hours after which I continued to Lijiang where I would stay at the Intercontinental Lijiang which is located inside the old town.

I love to make a hike now and then and that’s why I added some great Yunnan trekking in this itinerary too. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hike is the first just 30 minutes outside of Lijiang. With an altitude up to 4800 meters it’s a long hike but the first part is by cable car as otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to go up and down in a day. A tough hike the last 1000 meters as oxygen is low. If you’re not used to altitude you can buy oxygen at the entrance which will help you get there.

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain gets its name from the 13 peaks resembling a jade dragon. At the top the altitude is almost 6000 meters, but you can’t go there unless you are an experience mountain climber. Once you reach the top make sure to buy a medal engraved with your name. You did well! Just a few stairs down you can make a slide in the snow but keep in mind it’s not actually allowed. Be carefully of rocks below the snow. It’s on your own risk. If you have energy left, you can go hiking in the country side. The scenery is amazing there. I went back to Lijiang where I changed hotels to Indigo Lijiang where I had a private BBQ in my villa.

Check my day trip report about Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for more information: CHINA – A Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day trip from Lijiang

With a history of over 1000 years Lijiang wasn’t known to the outside world until after the earthquake of 1996. The old town was mostly destroyed but reconstructed quickly. In 1997 it got the UNESCO World Heritage Site status together with the small towns Yuhu, Baisha and Shuhe. These events made Lijiang a Yunnan highlight and known to the world and within China. Lijiang has a beautiful old town where I stayed in luxury at both the Intercontinental Lijiang and the Indigo Lijiang .

Lijiang was once part of the Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail and ruled for five centuries by the Mu family. The Mu family complex is the main attraction in Lijiang old town. All streets are lined with beautiful typical Naxi houses. Walking through the narrow streets will get you “lost” at some point but that’s the beauty of exploring. A day is easily spent in Lijiang old town which is one of Yunnan’s highlights.

Read all about Lijiang Old Town including all highlights in my day trip report: CHINA – Two days in Lijiang old town and outlying small villages

Tiger Leaping Gorge is located between two snowcapped mountains called Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Each of them are holy mountains and Haba Snow Mountain area is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gorge is one of the deepest in the world with a length of 15 kilometers. A true Yunnan highlight. To reach Tiger Leaping Gorge it takes just over an hour by car from Lijiang. A taxi is not a good option as it can’t cross into the Shangri-La county so make sure to have a private driver.

This Tiger Leaping Gorge hike is amongst the best Yunnan trekking you can get. First make a short stop at the start of the gorge and see the spot where legend says a tiger jumped across the river escaping a hunter. The full hike is difficult to do in a day, so I went with car all the way up to Halfway Guesthouse. I had a very early lunch there and hiked from there to the end at Tina’s Guesthouse. The 2 nd half of the full trail is the most beautiful part and takes up to 4 hours. I went back to Lijiang for the night.

Read all about my Tiger Leaping Gorge hike in my day trip report: CHINA – A day trip from Lijiang: the Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike

EXTEND YOUR TRIP: It’s possible to hike the full gorge too. You can extend this Yunnan itinerary by going to the Tiger Leaping Gorge before the day you go to Shangri-La. Do the first part of the trek the first day. Stay overnight in the gorge and finish the second part (the part I did) the next day and go to Shangri-La. If you want to go trekking in Yunnan the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike is the most famous to do.

On day 10 of this Yunnan itinerary you will explore Naxi minority villages and see rural China. There are 3 small old towns inscribed together with Lijiang as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. I visited Yuhu, Baisha and Shuhe on a day trip from Lijiang by car. Yuhu is famous for its Naxi houses made of stones and mud. It doesn’t see many visitors and kept its authentic look. Baisha Old Town was once the center of the Naxi people before they moved to Lijiang. It’s about 10 kilometers away. It’s not yet fully commercialized but Shuhe Old Town is. Shuhe is just 2 kilometers from Lijiang. Each town has family houses, temples, and workshops you can visit. Expect to spend 2-3 hours in each. You won’t have time to explore each single street but the core area you can see. If you want more time, I recommend skipping Baisha even though Shuhe is more commercialized. I always enjoy going away from the tourist and therefore Yuhu is my favorite.

Read all about Yuhu, Baisha and Shuhe in my day trip report: CHINA – Two days in Lijiang old town and outlying small villages

SHORTEN YOUR TRIP : If you want to shorten your trip by a day, I recommend visiting one of the small towns after your trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Do go early to the mountain preferable before opening time to be in the front of the queue. You won’t be able to visit more as one in this case.

I started the day with relaxing in the morning at the pool of the Intercontinental Lijiang . After lunch the driver picked me up for my transfer to Shangri-La. The drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La takes probably 4-5 hours which can be faster as this totally depends traffic. During the drive you’ll pass various food stalls along the road selling dried Yak meat. Make sure to buy some. It’s delicious. The altitude increases throughout this Yunnan itinerary so that altitude sickness won’t be a problem. One more reason to start in Kunming. I arrived late evening at my hotel in Shangri-La. Traffic was bad.

Check also my Lashi Lake day trip report if you extend your trip: CHINA – Lashi Lake from Lijiang: horseback riding & canoeing

EXTEND YOUR TRIP : You for sure have time to make a stop at Lashi Lake if you go in the morning to Shangri-La but to fully experience the area you won’t. My original Yunnan itinerary was longer as I planned a full day leisure at Lashi Lake . The area is famous for horseback riding which I did in the morning. After lunch I enjoyed various water activities including canoeing at the lake. A completely different day compared to most other days of this Yunnan itinerary.

Day 12 was a day off for me. I did check out a bit of old Shangri-La including the Golden Temple. The rest of the day I used to catch up with work emails. I did that because I combined this Yunnan itinerary with a Tibet itinerary which totaled over 3 weeks. This day was in the middle. I have plans to return to the area anyway but if you don’t make sure to go to Songzanlin Monastery. It’s a Tibetan monastery just 30 kilometers away. I will visit another time when I’ll go deeper into the mountainous Tibetan area. In the evening I went with the driver to a local place for Yak meat. That was the spiciest yet delicious dish I ever had. I don’t know where it was exactly but just ask around and you’ll find a great place too.

If you arrive at Potatso National Park (also called Pudacuo National Park) you might think I have added a weird street food place on this Yunnan itinerary. The entrance is a kind of alley with many food stands. A good place to buy some local yak dishes to have new energy for the walk ahead. The altitude is 3600 meters so you might want to buy some chocolate too. It will help with the lack of oxygen.

The Potatso National Park was the first national park in China and for sure a Yunnan highlight. It is home to both the Bita and the Shudu lakes of which the first is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike goes along the two lakes over a wooden walkway so that you really get close to the nature without having to climb over trees or walk through mud. The area is magnificent with crystal clear water, smelling pine trees and fields full of yaks.

Read all about the short hikes in Potatso National Park in my day trip report: CHINA – A hike through the Potatso national park near Shangri-La

Everything comes to an end and so does this Yunnan itinerary. I hope my selection of Yunnan highlights, Yunnan trekking and everything else Yunnan will make you want to go to. This Yunnan travel guide for sure covers all the main places of interest. I continued to make a 7 days trip in Tibet but if you must return home you can catch a flight back to Kunming. You can also fly elsewhere in China as it’s a huge country. I’ll add more China itineraries over time!

If you don’t want more China, I recommend checking my 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary , 2 weeks Thailand itinerary , 2 weeks Japan itinerary or my 3 weeks in Indonesia itinerary . Completely different cultures but just a few hours away. Do let me know how you travelled in Yunnan after you have visited in the comments below!

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Did you visit Yunnan province in China too or do you have questions? Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Love to hear from you!

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Backpacking in Yunnan, China: Costs, Tips and Places to See

By Author Jon Algie

Posted on Last updated: January 5, 2016

Categories Blog , China , East Asia

Backpacking in Yunnan, China: Costs, Tips and Places to See

Choosing a destination to travel to in China can be daunting. There is so much to see and do, but rather than try and cram too many places into a short trip it’s better to focus on one area. I chose Yunnan ( followed by a week relaxing in Yangshuo ) and it was a great decision. I weaved my way through old towns, amazing mountain scenery and otherworldly karst formations – it’s not an easy to place to travel though, so hopefully this guide to backpacking in Yunnan helps.

Getting there

I flew from Malaysia to Kunming, the biggest city in Yunnan. It was a cheap flight (around $150 1 way), which makes it a budget-friendly detour. Another common way to get into Yunnan is through the land borders with Laos and Vietnam. I talked to some travellers who did it and it seems like a pretty painless experience.

Getting a Visa

You’ll have to organise this in advance. I saw so many signs in Laos and Vietnam offering to take care of it for you, so if you decide last-minute to head north to China it shouldn’t be a problem. I got mine in Singapore. It took 3 days and cost about $100 SGD (80 USD).

How much does it cost to travel in Yunnan?

$1000 USD a month is my rough budget while travelling long term. During my month in China (Yangshuo included) I spent around $1400, including flights to and from Malaysia and the visa. Day to day expenses aren’t too bad, but entrance tickets to attractions really start to add up. The stone forest cost about $30, and the ticket to visit Yubeng was around $35. Almost any attraction you visit will have a fee that’ll make you think twice about whether to actually pay it, but the attractions and scenic areas are almost always worth it.

I’m not a fan of Chinese food, so I ate western food quite a lot and it added up. Accommodation was fairly cheap, but I slept in more dorms than ever before which wasn’t really ideal. Dorms cost anywhere between ¥30-60 ($5-10 USD), with single rooms usually priced between ¥60-150 ($10-25 USD). Keep reading for more specific information on accommodation in Yunnan.  Buses and trains are pretty expensive. A typical 4 hour bus ride costs around ¥65 ($10USD).

Yunnan (and I’m assuming China in general) is a tough place to travel, mainly due to the language barrier. It’s hard to get around if you don’t speak Chinese, and in some towns it seems like you’re the only one who speaks English. The people are generally friendly though, and will usually help as much as they can. Once you get out of the bigger towns you’ll notice a drop in the quality of bathrooms, until eventually a toilet with a working door feels like luxury. Attractions and tourist towns in Yunnan often get swamped by local day-tripping tourists, so try and get places early and avoid popular attractions on weekends.

Transport while backpacking in Yunnan

Transport in Yunnan is quite expensive, especially the buses. Trains are far more comfortable and surprisingly a lot cheaper, so try and travel by train as much as possible. I took 2 overnight trains and 1 overnight bus – the nights spent on the trains were 2 of the best night’s sleep I got in Yunnan, and the night on the bus was a cramped, uncomfortable experience.

The best places to visit in Yunnan fall into 2 categories: Old towns and places with amazing scenery.

This is the most westernised town in Yunnan and makes for a great place to relax for a few days. It was a former backpacking heavyweight which has been taken over by Chinese tourists in recent years, but it still retains its backpacking roots. English is widely spoken and you can find pretty much any food you might happen to be craving. The scenery around Dali is really nice, and I’d recommend shelling out for the 3 Pagodas. I stayed at the Tibetan Lodge, which was right on the main tourist street in Dali. It did get a little loud, but it was such a nice room, the staff were friendly and spoke excellent English, and it only cost ¥80. Read a full article on Dali here .

Dali is a popular stop-off while backpacking in Yunnan, China

On purely superficial terms, Lijiang is better than Dali. The streets are among the nicest you’ll see in any old town in Asia, but with beauty comes admirers, and there were just too many tourists stalking the streets of Lijiang to make it enjoyable. It becomes bearable on the outskirts of town, but the whole atmosphere of the town was a little off, so I left pretty quickly. The scenery surrounding Lijiang is great, and it’s definitely worth heading to the Black Dragon Pool to catch the view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. I stayed in a nice guesthouse for ¥80 but the staff didn’t speak any English, which made it difficult to organise onward travel.

Lijiang is one of the busiest towns you'll see while backpacking in Yunnan

I’m sure Shangri-la was once nice, but the fire that ripped the heart out of the old town in early 2014 put an end to that. There isn’t much of the old town left, and the new city that grew up around it is completely unappealing. The best thing about Shangri-la is Helen’s Pizza. It’s run by an Italian guy and has some of the best pizza and calzones money can buy. Accommodation in Shangri-la consists mainly of dorms and isn’t particularly memorable. Expect to pay between ¥30-40 for a bed, and over ¥80 for a room.

Further reading : The legend of Shangri-la (this town definitely isn’t it though!)

Shangri-la was destroyed by a fire, but you'll probably still end up there while backpacking in Yunnan, China

Mind-blowing scenic areas

Tiger leaping gorge.

It takes 2 or 3 days to trek from one end of Tiger Leaping Gorge to the other, and it really is a must-do if you are backpacking in Yunnan. It’s a fairly easy trek and there are some great little guesthouses along the way. I stayed at the Naxi Family Guesthouse and got a tiny private room for ¥30. It is one of the coolest guesthouses I have slept in during my travels in Asia, and I’d recommend the trek for this guesthouse alone.  I also stayed at the Tea Horse Guesthouse, which was almost as good. Read a full article on Tiger Leaping Gorge here .

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a great trek while backpacking in Yunnan, China

If someone asked me to recommend them 1 place in Asia that they had to visit, I’d probably say Yubeng. It’s home to some of the best scenery I’ve ever seen, and is also one of the most peaceful places I’ve been. A fairly gruelling trek is required to get to the village, but those willing to put in the hard yards are richly rewarded. Read a full article on Yubeng here .

Yubeng was my favourite place when I was backpacking in Yunnan, China

The Stone Forest

Are you writing a screenplay set on a far-off planet? Visit the Stone Forest for some inspiration. It’s an amazing place and is definitely worth the high price tag. You can visit the Stone Forest on a day trip from Kunming; it’s a bit of a hassle though. Read a full article on The Stone Forest here .

The Stone Forest is one of the coolest things to see while backpacking in Yunnan, China

Kunming: The unavoidable big city

If you are backpacking in Yunnan you’ll almost definitely end up in Kunming. It isn’t such a bad place; it actually reminded me a lot of where I used to live in Taiwan. It’s very clean and has a couple of great hostels. I stayed at both The Hump Hostel and The Kunming Cloudland International Youth Hostel, which both had dorms for around ¥50. The Hump Hostel is in a slightly better location and has better beds and more helpful staff, but the food and common areas of the Cloudland were a lot better. I didn’t really check out the sites in Kunming, but I heard there is a temple that’s worth seeing, and some decent hiking in the surrounding hills.

Kunming, the biggest city you'll see while backpacking in Yunnan, China

Places I didn’t get time to visit

Yunnan is huge, and it’s not possible to go everywhere you want unless you have a few months. I had my heart set on seeing the Yuanyuang Rice Terraces, but my detour to Yubeng meant I ran out of time. There are also heaps more old towns to explore, and so many more scenic areas that I’ve heard are amazing.

Have you been backpacking in Yunnan, or do you want to know any other details? Leave me a comment!

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Wednesday 11th of July 2018

Great post Jon! Im visiting the Yunnan province in November and cam definately take something useful with me from your article! Besides fron the places you mentioned I also plan to spend some time by the Yuanyang rice terracces, and Deqin :)

Monday 16th of July 2018

Hey Niclas, yeah I had planned to visit those rice terraces and a few other places but ran out of time. Enjoy the trip and let me know how it goes if you remember!

Bernard chan

Monday 2nd of April 2018

Hi I am traveling to yunnan in May. Is my first trip I will be spending 8 day in Yunnan. 1. Can you give me some information how do I make use of my stay over in Yunnan. 2. Or can you cater a simple itinerary for me and my friends. 3. Possible to recommend us a local guide to bring us around. 4. We are all retired travel on a budget holiday. Looking forward to hear from you. Have a blessed day😇.

Monday 9th of April 2018

Hi Bernard -- it really depends on what you like doing. Tiger Leaping Gorge / Lijiang / Dali could be done in 8 days, or you could head straight up to Yubeng and spend most of your time in that region. You could even do both Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng if you really loved hiking. Good luck with the trip!

Sanne Nijsten

Friday 29th of September 2017

Hi Jon, i've been in China before. Once for 7 months and once for 2 weeks. During july/august 2018 I want to return and I want to visit the Yunnan province. Do you need to book everything in advance? I also so a trip from a travelingagency, but it will cost me around 3000 euros for 25 days. In my opininion this is very expensive for China. Like to hear your point of view on this.

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

Hi Sanne, sorry for the late reply. I didn't book anything in advance, just flew from KL on Air Asia and didn't have much of a plan after that. 3000 euros seems expensive (unless that includes flights, still expensive though), and since you've been there before you shouldn't have trouble doing it independently. Let me know how the trip planning goes!

Thursday 1st of June 2017

Hey Jon! Love your blogg!! Im looking to travell to Yunnan next month. I need some diary catch up from work. (Thats the only way I can go on vacation). I was wondering if you have full phone signal. Hope for your answer, thank you!!!

Thanks! I don't think I even had a phone back then haha so I'm not sure, I assume you'll get a signal in the towns and cities though, but you might struggle in Yubeng etc. Enjoy your trip!

Thursday 12th of January 2017

Hi Jon! I was wondering how much time you would suggest spending in Yunnan?

Friday 13th of January 2017

Hey Clara, I think I spent just under three weeks there and I had to skip a few places that I wanted to see. I'd say a month would be perfect if you have the time.

Unusual Traveler

10 Days Itinerary for Yunnan, the most diverse province in China

By Author Christian L.

Posted on May 25, 2021

Categories Asia , China , Destinations

China is an incredible country, brimming with epic sights, exciting experiences and a fascinating history spanning back thousands of years. However, with so much to see and so many  places to visit in China , it’s best to focus on one area when deciding on an itinerary, rather than trying to see too much. If you have only 10 days and want to see China at its most vibrant, a Yunnan itinerary is hard to beat.

Blue moon valley Yunnan China

Why you should travel to Yunnan province?

Yunnan province in southwestern China is one of the most varied and diverse provinces in China, both in terms of natural beauty and cultural experiences. This province is incredibly diverse, with steaming jungles with elephants in the south, all the way to the borders of the Tibetan plateau in the north.

Between these extremes, you’ll find some of the finest attractions in China. Whether you’re looking to explore ancient towns, see ethnic minority groups, hike the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge,   be blown away by the incredible  Blue Moon Valley , or want to indulge in unique Chinese food, Yunnan truly has it all.

Yunnan has a very pleasant climate, and can be visited throughout the year. With good infrastructure, visiting Yunnan is easy and can easily be done independently.

If you’re looking for the best Yunnan itinerary for 10 days, you can’t go wrong with the Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge route.

How to get to Yunnan

The gateway to Yunnan province is the capital city of Kunming (also known as The Spring City due it’s fantastic climate).

Kunming Changshui International Airport is well connected with the rest of China, as well as other Asian countries such as Thailand , Korea, Vietnam , Nepal and Indonesia . Lijiang also has an airport, but it’s often cheaper and more convenient to fly to Kunming.

Chinese high speed train

Kunming can also be reached from all over China with high-speed trains which make traveling to Kunming easy and comfortable, there are 10 high-speed trains between Kunming and Chengdu each day with the faster only taking 5hours and 8min. 3 high-speed trains from Beijing each day with the faster only taking 10 hours and 49 min to travel the 1,700 miles (2,735 km) distance between the two cities. 4 high-speed trains between Shanghai and Kunming each day, taking 10 hours and 39 min for the 2,266 km (1, 408 miles) long journey. This is also China’s longest east-west high-speed rail line And Kunming has more than 20 high-speed trains to Guangzhou everyday, with the fastest only taking 6 hours and 32min to complete the 1658km (1,030 miles) long journey. Once in Kunming, regular bullet trains will whisk you off to destinations further afield in Yunnan province.

10 Days Itinerary for Yunnan Overview

Day 1: Arrive Kunming – Dali

Day 2: Dali

Day 3: Dali

Day 4: Dali – Lijiang

Day 5: Lijiang

Day 6: Lijiang

Day 7 Blue Moon Valley

Day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 9 Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 10 Lijiang – Kunming

Day 1: Kunming to Dali

With only 10 days, you will unfortunately not have much time to spend in Kunming. Instead make your way to Kunming Railway station right away to catch a bullet train to Dali.

To get from the airport to Kunming Railway Station, take the airport shuttle bus from just outside the arrival terminal. Bus number 2 or 6 both go to the station, and should take about 45 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run every half hour and cost RMB 25.

Kunming Yunnan China

There is a train to Dali every 20 minutes or so, and the journey takes about 2.5 hours. For convenience, it’s best to book your train tickets online at Trip.com.

Once you arrive in Dali, make your way to Dali Old Town, which is about 30 minutes by bus away from Dali station.

Day 2,3: Dali

The  Old Town of Dali  has been a favourite amongst local and international visitors for years, yet it still retains a lot of its laid back charm and atmosphere. Dali is known as somewhat of a backpacker heaven for its laid back atmosphere, lakeside setting and great weather. People often end up staying longer than they planned. That being said, Dali has not been spoilt by mass tourism, and that is perhaps the best thing about Dali.

daily city gate yunnan

Surrounded by a city wall and 4 gates leading into the old town, Dali is a great little town to explore on foot. Spend your first day leisurely exploring the old town.  

The cobblestoned streets of the old town are filled with quirky shops selling souvenirs such as amber, Bai minority tribe handicrafts and wild mushrooms which Yunnan is famous for. Trying wild mushroom hotpot is also an excellent idea. Another snack you must try in Dali is grilled yak cheese, which Bai women grill over hot colals right on the street all over the old town.

On the second day, rent an electric scooter and head out to explore the lovely countryside around Dali.

daili Yunnan

The imposing Three Pagodas just outside town should be your first stop. These three ancient pagodas dating back to the 10 th  century are magnificent, and the setting right in front of the Changsan Mountains are a sight to behold. The main pagoda is 16 stories high and almost 70 meters tall. Surrounding the pagodas are lovely gardens and ponds, which are perfect for getting photos with the reflections of the pagodas.

Dali 3 pagodas Yunnan

After spending a few hours admiring the gardens, ponds, temples and pagodas, jump back on your e-bike and follow the signs to Lake Erhai.  The drive along the shores of the lake will take you past strawberry farms, mountain scenery and pretty rural villages.

Dali countryside Yunnan china

Notice the cat statues on the roofs of the houses as you explore the villages of Lake Erhai. The cat statues, with the mouths wide open, have a dual purpose: scare away evil spirits, and catch good luck and wealth in their wide-open mouths.

Day 4, 5, 6 : Lijiang

Catch the morning train from Daili at 10:00 to Lijiang and you should arrive in Lijiang before 13:00.

The picturesque old town of Lijiang is perhaps the most popular attraction in the whole of Yunnan province – for good reason.

Lijiang streets Yunnan China

This well-preserved ancient town dating back to the 11 th  century is drop dead gorgeous with wooden architecture, cobble stoned streets, canals running through town, friendly Naxi minority people – all backed by the snow- capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain not far away.

Old town Lijiang Yunnan China

Word of advice: Beautiful Lijiang has been popular with Chinese tourists for decades and, as a result, it can get incredibly busy. This does not mean that you should avoid visiting Lijiang. Just keep your expectations in check. To best enjoy Lijiang, get up early and enjoy the stunning town before the crowds descend. Also remember that most tourists stick to certain areas, which leaves other areas beautifully undisturbed. All things considered, Lijiang is a great place to visit, and the large number of visitors actually contribute to a lively atmosphere.

Lijiang old town in Yunnan China

Spend the next few days walking all over Lijiang and discover hidden alleys, cute teahouses and more than enough options for street food. Over the next few days, make sure to check out the following places of interest:

Lijiang yunnan china

The Black Dragon Pool

Just outside the old town of Lijiang, this incredible park has some of the most iconic views of Yunnan. At various points in the park, you’ll get a beautiful view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with an arched, stone bridge and pagoda in front of it, and the Black Dragon Pool in the foreground.

Black Dragon Pool Lijiang Yunnan

Almost as spectacular as the views and the serenity of the park is the fish in the crystal-clear ponds. Thousands of fish in all sizes and colours will keep you mesmerized for quite a while. You can also buy some fish food to join the locals in feeding these beauties.

fish yunnan china

Wangu Tower

Sitting on the highest point in Jiliang, the area surrounding the Wangu Tower offers a sweeping view over the black tiled roofs of the Lijiang Old Town. Pop into one of the many tea houses for a drink to rest your feet and enjoy the view.

Wangu Temple Lijiang Yunnan China

Dance in the town squares

You’ll find people of the local Naxi minority group dancing in the town squares throughout the day. Everyone is free to join in, and it’s good fun. This continues into the night, and it’s much livelier after dark. It’s very acceptable to get a cold beer from a convenience store and drink it in the squares while enjoying the entertainment.

Visit the Tea Market

There are hundreds of Tea houses and shops scattered all throughout Lijiang Old Town. You can pop into any of them, and you’ll be treated with a little tea ceremony and the chance to try various teas.

Yunnan province is well known for its high-quality tea, of which Pu-erh tea is the most famous.

For a less touristy (and cheaper) experience, head to the Tea Market, located just outside the old town. Vendors will be quite surprised seeing foreigners here and will go out of their way to sell you some tea. Like at the tea shops in the old town, they will put on a tea ceremony and keep the good stuff coming until you’ve found what you were looking for.

Suhe Old Town

When the crowds in Lijiang get too much, jump in a taxi and drive out to Suhe Old Town. Suhe is only 4km away from Lijiang but is a world away. Although Suhe is much smaller than Lijiang, it makes for a very enjoyable half-day trip. The Tea Horse Road Museum, set in a handsome old building offers informative displays on the history of the area and how the trade in tea has formed the history and culture in this part of Yunnan.

Day 7: Blue Moon Valley

For once, the Blue Moon Valley is more than just a catchy name and is indeed as cool as it sounds. This incredible valley, located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain makes for an excellent half or full-day trip from Lijiang.

Blue moon valley Yunnan China

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area is home to various surreal landscapes, of which the Blue Moon Valley is perhaps the most unbelievable. A series of ice-blue lakes sit right in front of the snow-capped mountain behind it, and you’ll be excused if you thought that you were dreaming and woke up somewhere in the Rockies.

An incredible sight to see it submerged trees standing like skeletons in that surreal and crystal-clear water. If you are looking for a unique photo opportunity, you could also dress up in the local Naxi attire and ride a yak in that unworldly scene.

As to be expected of one of Yunnan’s most beautiful attractions, it can get unbelievably busy. To enjoy this amazing sight, come here first thing in the morning, before the tour buses arrive.

Blue moon valley Yunnan China

Other than the blue lakes, you could also visit meadows and grasslands, or ride a cable car to the glacier on top of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Day 8,9: Tiger Leaping Gorge

Two hours by bus north of Lijiang, the  Tiger Leaping Gorge  is one of China’s most spectacular (and accessible) adventures. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is the deepest gorge in the world, with a height of almost 3000 meters from the river at the bottom of the gorge to the mountain tops beside it.

Tiger Leaping Gorge Yunnan China

Hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge usually takes two full days, but if you’re pressed for time, or don’t want to walk that long, it’s possible to cut it down to only a one-day walk.

If walking for two days, start walking at Qiaotou where the bus will drop you. From here it will take most of the day to reach the stunning Tea Horse Guesthouse where you can spend the night. Otherwise, get a taxi in Qiaotou to take you to Tea Horse Guesthouse. You could spend the rest of the day enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery, or take short walks in the area.

After a comfortable sleep, some delicious mountain food and bright starry skies, hike from Tea Horse Guesthouse to Tina’s Guesthouse.

Tiger Leaping Gorge Yunnan

The hike between these two guesthouses is the most beautiful stretch of the gorge, and known as the Middle Gorge, takes about 6 hours to walk, and the scenery just keeps on getting better around every bend in the path. Along the way you’ll walk past waterfalls, farmers herding sheep, sheer drop-offs and you might even spot rainbow clouds if you’re lucky.

You should reach Tina’s Guesthouse around lunch, so grab a bite to eat and perhaps something stronger to celebrate the end of hike. The bus back to Lijiang leaves from Tina’s Guesthouse at around 15:30 in the afternoon. If all goes well, you should be back in Lijiang just before sunset.

Day 10: Lijiang – Home

Today is the last day of our Yunnan itinerary. You could get a flight from Lijiang Sanyi Airport, which has good connections to most major cities in China. Alternatively, you could backtrack to Kunming in about 3 hours by fast train.

Lijiang yunnan

Yunnan Itinerary Conclusion

A 10-day itinerary for Yunnan is just the right amount of time to see the highlights of northern Yunnan, without rushing it. This itinerary allows you to see the best sights and attractions in the province. With more time, you could extend your trip to include Shangri la on the eds of the Tibetan world, or perhaps spend a day or two in Kunming or travel to the southern part of Yunnan to visit either the Yunnan Stone Forest or the Yuanyang Rice Terraces , which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. With fewer days, consider culling a day from Lijiang.

Yuanyang rice terraces in yunnan china

A journey through Yunnan is sure to be an enjoyable and interesting experience and something that will stay with you forever.

travel guide to Yunnan china

Tuesday 27th of June 2023

Is it necessary to drive? Will it be easy to find taxi ?

Christian L.

Taxis will be very very expensive for that whole route

  • 86-19138970032 (GMT+8 18:00~09:00)

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Yunnan Trip Plan

How to Plan a Yunnan Tour | Ultimate Yunnan Trip Planning Guide

Yunnan is located in the southern China, bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam as well as Chinese provinces and regions of Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan and Tibet. It is the most diverse province in all China, both in its extraordinary mix of peoples and in the splendor of its landscape .

Knowing Yunnan is an amazing place to visit but still have many questions to plan your Yunnan tour? Doing detailed research before your Yunnan tour will make you travel smoothly and in a well-organized way. We have listed some essential travel information, like best to go, how to get to and within Yunnan, top places to visit, brilliant ethnic culture, festivals & traditional handcraft to experience, where to stay, for your Yunnan trip. Hope to help you make a more reasonable and useful trip plan. Check now!

Yunnan Weather & Best Time to Go

Yunnan generally belongs to subtropical plateau monsoon climate. The highest temperature is in July with an average around 19°C~22°C and the lowest temperature is in January around 6°C~8°C. It is cool in the morning and at night; and warm or hot at noon.

To travel in Yunnan, you should make clear the best time in different regions - Northwestern Yunnan and Southwestern/Southern Yunnan . (a) Come during May to October to Northwestern Yunnan is highly recommended when various kinds of flowers are in blossom on the plateau and other natural scenery could be breathtaking. (b) To visit Southwestern or Southern Yunnan, it is better to come during October to next April when sky is azure and weather is cool.

Below are the recommended best time to visit the popular destinations in Yunnan and you can check for reference.

  • Kunming (altitude: 1895 meters): It can be visited all year round.
  • Lijiang (altitude: 2418 meters): The best time to travel is March ~ November.
  • Shangri-La (altitude: 3300 meters): The best time to travel is May ~ October.
  • Dali (altitude: 2052 meters): The best time to visit is March to May, and September to November.
  • Yuanyang (altitude: 255 meters): The best time for photography is in Late November to Early March.
  • Xishuangbanna (altitude: 1700 meters): It is recommended to visit during November ~ Next April.

To know more info about Yunnan Climate and Weather, please check our Yunnan Weather, Seasons & Best Time to Go in 2024 .

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang

How to Go to & within Yunnan?

How to get to Yunnan and transfer within this amazing vast land? You can take direct flights, high speed trains, normal trains, coaches, and so forth making your travel there without any blocks no matter from the famous domestic cities, places in other countries and regions, or the famous destinations in Yunnan.

Travel to Yunnan by Air & Train

  • Flights to / off Yunnan: Travelers can take flights from/to Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chongqing, Lhasa, Guilin, Wuhan, and Nanjing to/from Kunming Changshui International Airport, or Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, Dali Huangcaoba Airport, Shangri-La Diqing Airport, Xishuangbanna Saga International Airport.
  • Train to / off Yunnan: There are not only trains, but also the advanced and awesome high speed trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Guilin, etc. to Kunming so far. >> Check more about Kunming High Speed Trains

Travel within Yunnan Province:

After landing in Yunnan, how to transfer between the top favored destinations, like Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Yuanyang, Lugu Lake, etc.? Within this province, convenient flights, distance coaches and trains would escort you among them with great efficiency.

  • Kunming - Lijiang (distance: 490 kilometers): Air, Train and Bus are available. Travel by air only takes about 1 hour. If you by high speed train, it will take about about 3-3.5 hours. Most travelers travelers would choose the high speed train to Lijiang. For budget travelers, we recommend you take overnight train from Kunming to Lijiang.
  • Lijiang - Shangri-La (distance: about 180 kilometers): Distance coaches are the most frequent transfer method to go between Lijiang and Shangri-La. From about 07:30 to 17:10, there are comfortable coaches departing from Lijang Bus Terminal (丽江客运站) to Shangri-La Bus Terminal (香格里拉客运站), which needs about 4 hours.
  • Kunming - Dali (distance: about 332 kilometers): Travelers can transfer by air (about 50 minutes), high speed train (about about 2-2.5 hours, most recommended) and bus (about 4 hours, recommended for budget travelers).
  • Kunming - Shangri-La (distance: about 659 kilometers): Travelers can transfer by air (about 80-90 minutes, highly recommended), and bus (about 9.5-15.5 hours, time-consuming and not recommended).
  • Kunming - Yuanyang (distance: about 320 kilometers): From Kunming to Yuanyang (元阳), the most recommended way is to take a distance coach or by private car. It takes about 6 hours.

To have more detailed transportation plan or travel to other places, please read our Yunnan Transportation Guide .

Lijiang Shangri-La Travel Map

Where to Start or End your Yunnan Tour?

You have already made clear how to get to and transfer within Yunnan province. To plan your trip well and travel smoothly, it is recommended to start or end your Yunnan tour in Kunming or Lijiang.

Kunming is served as the gateway cities to many destinations, like heading to Dongchuan Red Land, visiting Yuanyang Rice Terraces or Jinahsui Old City, viewing lotus flowers in Puzhehei and Xanadu Bamei, or even getting to Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La from many domestic cities and international countries and regions. While, if you choose Kunming to start your tour, you can select Lijiang as your last stop. It also connects many cities in China and international cities/regions by flight.

That’s to say, you can do Kunming - Dali - Shangri-La - Lijiang route, Lijiang - Shangri-La - Kunming route, or extend longer to do Kunming - Dongchuan - Dali - Shangri-La - Lijiang route, or Kunming - Yuanyang - Jianhsui - Kunming - Dali - Shangri-La - Lijiang route. To see more possibilities of traveling in Yunnan, please check our Top Yunnan Tours .

Kunming Green Lake

Top Places to Visit in Yunnan

Yunnan is an earthly paradise with many stunning places to visit. Its beauty lies in the high mountains, emerald lakes, thrilling gorges, red fields, rice paddies, Ancient Tea-Horse Road, ancient towns, old streets, exquisite pagodas, traditional folk houses, featured inns, brilliant ethnic minority culture…Actually, it is more than these, every step on this land will surprise you to the most even travel on the road. After the trip, you can say “I have been to a place better than a paradise”.

Top 1: Lijiang

Someone said Lijiang has been commercialized recent years, but, it still should be listed as the top one destination in Yunnan. You can fully feel its charm in the morning or at midnight when Lijiang Old Town becomes quiet. Besides, different kinds of experience are offered, from the traditional Naxi ancient music to exotic cafe’ and bars; from challenging Jade Dragon Snow Mountain climbing to relaxing horse riding…life is romantic, slow-paced and cultural enlightening.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan a Lijiang Tour | Lijiang Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Lijiang

Top 2: Kunming

With the convenient transportation network, Kunming is the gateway city for reaching different places. To have one or two days more, you can feel the true charm of “City of Eternal Spring” by visiting Western Hills aside Dianchi Lake, Green Lake, Birds & Flowers Market, as well learn colorful ethnic culture in Yunnan Nationalities Museum and of course, you won’t miss Stone Forest which is 90 kilometers away.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan a Kunming Tour | Kunming Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Kunming

Top 3: Shangri-La

Some other places are called themselves the Last Shangri-La, but, Shangri-La in Yunnan is the real one which is depicted in James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon”. Snow mountains, beautiful lakes, meadow, Buddhist temples and hospitable Tibetan people…are the highlights for your coming. All the sites are within 1 hour transfer. It is recommended to go with Lijiang and you can travel via Tiger Leaping Gorge where you can appreciate breathtaking gorge view located between Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan a Shangri-La Tour | Shangri-La Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Shangri-La

Top 4: Dali

The time-honored old towns sandwiched between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, enchanting weather with azure sky and white clouds, historical sites with profound history and legendary stories…these are the reasons to Dali. Spend one to three days relaxing on the banks Erhai Lake and exploring the interesting Bai culture. If you like, you can enter an ancient trading town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road between Dali and Lijiang, to witness the living scene of trading when attending the Friday Market in Shaxi Ancient Town.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan a Dali Tour | Dali Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Dali

Top 5: Yuanyang

Yuanyang Rice Terrace is the masterpiece of god as well as the local industrious and intelligent Hani ethnic minority. You are going to love this beautiful land with fulfilled with spirituality and mystery. It is marked by spectacular terraces that cascade down the slopes of towering Aliao Mountain to the banks of the Hong River. Over the past 1300 years, the Hani people have developed a complex system of channels to bring water from the forested mountaintops to terraces. The rice terrace is a testimonial to demonstrate extraordinary harmony between Hani people and their environment. Yuanyang Rice Terrace is wildly scattered, mainly composed of Bada Scenic Spot, Duoyishu Scenic Spot and Laohuzui Scenic Spot.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan a Yuanyang Tour | Yuanyang Travel Guide | Top Things to Do in Yuanyang

Besides, you can have nice exploration in Xishuangbanna, Puzheihei, Puer, Tengchong, Baoshan and more places. Want to know deeply? Check our Top 10 Places to Visit in Yunnan .

Lijiang Old Town

Brilliant Ethnic Minority Culture, Festivals & Traditional Handcraft

Local ethnic family visiting.

Seeing different ethnic minorities who work in the old towns or walk on the road, ethnic facts presented in the museum are not enough. Besides for basic understanding, you have the chance to deeply know them, talk with them and learn their lifestyle where they really live.

  • In Nuohei Village around Kunming, you will enter a primitive village with stone and pay a visit to local family to follow the Yi people to learn how to play Yi musical instrument, make Yi’s local food - Baba, or learn Yi embroidery.
  • In Xizhou Village of Dali, visit a local Bai family and spend half an hour making Yunnan Cheese, the specialty of Bai ethnic group.
  • Around Lijiang Old Town , you can visit a local Naxi family to learn Dongba writing and see their sacrificial dance.
  • While, in Shangri-La, pay a visit to local Tibetan family to experience their life on grassland, taste some local snack. And if you like, you can follow them to learn how to make Tibetan butter tea.

Main Ethnic Festivals Held in Top Destinations

There are many festivals held in different regions of Yunnan. If time permits, you can experience their grand festivals and share jollification and happiness together.

>> Check more information about Ethnic Festival in Yunnan

  • Tibetan New Year Festival: This is the grandest festival in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The time of Tibetan New Festival is close to Chinese New Year Festival. It offers a chance to see the sacrificial and worship ceremony, as well as see the traditional Tibetan dance. >> 7 Days Shangri-La Tour with Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village Hiking
  • Sanduo Festival: This Festival is the most important festival for Naxi ethnic minority with over 1200 years. It holds on the eighth day of the second month in Chinese lunar calendar. If you happen to travel in Lijiang on this day, you can enjoy Naxi people worship their god - Sanduo God, enjoy singing and dancing in Lijiang Old Town and its Sifang Square as well as appreciate Naxi ancient music. >> 3 Days Romantic Lijiang Tour with Visits to Naxi Kingdom
  • March Fair of Bai Ethnic Group: March Fair is the grandest festival for the Bai people who are living in Dali, Yunnan. It holds at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and Dali Old Town. Nowadays, it has developed into the largest market for commodity transaction in the west Yunnan. During the festival, businessmen and local people in and around Dali gather here to participate in the transaction. What’s more, horse-racing, folk dance and songs will be presented by the Bai, Yi, Naxi, Tibetan, and Hui minorities. >> 3 Days Dali Classic Tour
  • Water-Splashing Festival: It is the New Year Festival for the Dai and the most important and grandest festival of the year. It is held in mid-April usually from April 13 to April 15 in Jinghong city. Dai people dip branches into the river and sprinkle the water onto others as a way to express their best wishes. You can enjoy this festival at Dai Minority Park and Manting Park. >> 4 Days Xishuangbanna Tour with Tropical Flavor & Dai Culture
  • Torch Festival: This festival is the grandest festival of Yi Ethnic Minority which holds on the 24th day of sixth month in Chinese lunar calendar. Travelers can enjoy Torch Festival in Kunming, Chuxiong, Honghe. Also, Naxi, Bai people will light the torches in Lijiang or Dali. >> 4 Days Kunming Jianshui Tour by High Speed Train
  • Mosuo People Mountain Worship Festival: Known as Zhuanshan Jie, the Mountain Worship Festival is the grandest festival for Mosuo people held on every July 15 to July 25 of the lunar calendar. The Mosuo people will climb the Gemu Mountain to pay tribute to Goddess Gemu and worship nature. After the ceremony, people light bonfires and boil buttered tea. They eat and sing songs together. Young Mosuo men and women take the opportunity to look for a partner. >> 2 Days Magic Lugu Lake Tour with Mosuo Ethnic Culture

Traditional Ethnic Culture Experience & Handcraft Learning

Yunnan can be called “A Cultural Museum of Human Being” and there are 13 items of traditional handcrafts listed as National Intangible Cultural Heritages. Slower your space when traveling in Yunnan, you can get under the skin and know better about its people with traditional skills on the amazing land.

  • In Xizhou Ancient Town of Dali, you have the chance to taste Three-Course Tea of Bai Ethnic Group and witness local life by attending a local morning market.
  • In Zhoucheng Tie-dye workshop of Dali, you can follow Bai people to know how to knot and view the process of dying.
  • In Shangri-La, there are featured schools to learn how to paint Tangka as well as Learn Tibetan language. If you want short time experience, you can attend the half day course.
  • In Nixi Pottery Village out of old town of Shangri-La, you can learn how to make a black pottery with the guidance of local Tibetan handicraftsman.

>> 7 Days Dali Lijiang Shangri-La Inspiring Tour with Ethnic Culture Seeking (Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Zhoucheng Tie-dye in Dali

Decide your Travel Length & Suggested Route

For most travelers, they usually spend one to two weeks in Yunnan to cover the highlighted destinations. It takes around 4 days to visit two destinations, 6 days to visit three destinations, 8 days for four destinations, 10 days for five destinations and 11 days for six places.

Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La route is regarded as the golden route in Yunnan, taking 8 days. You can add two days to extend to Dongchuan Red Land from Kunming and continue your trip northwest to Shangri-La. Or, turn to southern Yunnan to Yuanyang/Jianshui from Kunming for around 4 days and then get back to Kunming to finish the Golden route. Check the following sample itineraries for reference. Or, you can contact our professional travel consultant to customize your trip based on your time, date and likes.

>> 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

>> 10 Days Beautiful Yunnan Tour with Dongchuan Red Land (Kunming / Dongchuan / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

>> 11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Dongchuan Red Land in Yunnan

Where to Stay When Visiting Yunnan?

There is no need to worry your accommodation choices in Yunnan. In most of the destinations, you can choose from 3 star hotels to luxury hotels in good locations which are mostly close to downtown area or scenic spots. If you want to stay in a boutique hotel, or featured hostels, you will get an ideal choice. Please check different hotels in Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-al, Dali and Yuanyang for a look.

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Kunming

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Lijiang

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Shangri-La

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Dali

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Yuanyang

>> Top Recommended Hotels in Jianshui

Have your own accommodation ideas? Please contact us for reservation and we will design a trip well matched with your likes.

Accommodation in Lijiang

Extended Destinations & Travel Beyond Yunnan Province

Only a Yunnan tour is not complete for your visiting in China. It is a great idea to cover Yunnan with more places around China to savor more amazing landscape, culture, history, ethnic minority customs, food, etc. in one go, such as Guilin with Karst landform wonders, Guizhou with wonderful ethnic beauties, Chengdu with adorable giant pandas, Beijing with profound ancient royal Forbidden City, Shanghai with modern cityscape, Xian with impressing Terracotta Warriors, Zhangjiajie with incredible Avatar Mountains, and more like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Yangtze River, Lhasa, etc.

10 Days Classic Sichuan & Yunnan Highlights Tour (Chengdu / Leshan / Mount Emei / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming)

9 Days Guilin Karst Landscape & Diverse Yunnan Tour (Guilin / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming)

8 Days Brilliant Yunnan & Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains Tour (Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming / Zhangjiajie)

14 Days Wild China Tours from Shanghai to Yunnan on Expresses (Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Kaili / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-la / Kunming)

If you have other travel ideas or any questions, please feel free to contact us and our experienced travel consultants will customize a satisfactory for you.

Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet

Keep Reading on How to Plan a Yunnan Tour

  • How to Plan a Kunming Tour
  • How to Plan a Lijiang Tour
  • How to Plan a Kunming Lijiang Tour
  • How to Plan a Dali Tour
  • How to Plan a Shangri-La Tour
  • How to Plan a Yuanyang Tour

Useful Yunnan Travel Articles

  • Yunnan Travel Guide
  • Kunming Travel Guide
  • Lijiang Travel Guide
  • Dali Travel Guide
  • Shangri-La Travel Guide
  • Yuanyang Travel Guide
  • Xishuangbanna Travel Guide
  • Luoping Travel Guide
  • Top 10 Places to Visit in Yunnan
  • Yunnan Attractions
  • Yunnan Transportation
  • Yunnan Weather & Seasons
  • Yunnan Maps
  • Yunnan Minorities
  • Yunnan Ethnic Festivals
  • Yunnan Ethnic Markets

Recommended Yunnan Tours

Top 3 Yunnan tours chosen by most customers to explore Yunnan in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Carrie from China visited Black Dragon Pool Park in 2021

6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming)

Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming

Our customers TJ Maa's group from USA visited Three Pagodas in Dali, Yunnan, China in 2018.

8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour

Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La

Magnificent sunrise Yuanyang Terraces photoed by our customer Olivia

11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour

Kunming / Stone Forest / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La

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China, Yunnan province, Lijiang, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, Black Dragon Pool and Jade Drag

Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM

Yunnan (云南, Yúnnán) is the most diverse province in all China, both in its extraordinary mix of peoples and in the splendour of its landscapes. That combination of superlative sights and many different ethnic groups has made Yunnan the trendiest destination for China’s exploding domestic tourist industry.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Bada Rice Terrace

Bada Rice Terrace

Bada is one of the finest rice terraces at Yuanyang to catch the sunset at. If you only have time for one terrace, this is it.

Golden Temple

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple Scenic Area is equal parts religious space, forest park, botanical garden and open-air sculpture museum; it covers 118 hectares on the…

Mingyong Glacier

Mingyong Glacier

Tumbling off the side of Kawa Karpo peak is the 12km-long Mingyong Glacier. At over 13 sq km, it is not only the lowest glacier in China (around 2200m)…

The iconic triple towers of Chongsheng Temple

Three Pagodas

Absolutely the symbol of the town and region, these pagodas, a 2km walk north of the north gate, are among the oldest standing structures in southwestern…

Bamboo Temple

Bamboo Temple

Tucked away atop a winding mountain road up the forested hills northwest of the city centre, this serene temple is definitely one to be visited by…

Gantong Temple

Gantong Temple

Originally constructed in the Tang dynasty, this was once the most important temple in the Dali area. Only one of the original 36 halls remains, but…

Duoyishu Rice Terrace

Duoyishu Rice Terrace

Located about 25km from Xinjie, this rice terrace has the most awesome sunrises. As it's walking distance from Pugaolao it's an easy choice for the…

China, Yunnan province, Lijiang, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, Black Dragon Pool and Jade Drag

Black Dragon Pool Park

On the northern edge of town is Black Dragon Pool Park; the view from here of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is an obligatory photo stop in southwestern China…

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For those not afraid of height, walk on narrow and swinging rope bridges built on top of towering sky trees in Parashorea Scenic Zone of Xishuangbanna National Tropical Rainforest Park, located in Mengla county, Xishuangbanna prefecture @ Yunnan province of China.

Jan 10, 2022 • 6 min read

Xishuangbanna in southwest China is more accessible than ever before. Head here for lush outdoor adventures, spotting wildlife and unique village stays.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Aug 31, 2017 • 5 min read

China now boasts the world's largest high-speed rail network, with more than 22,000km of track © Xinhua News Agency / Getty

Aug 24, 2017 • 7 min read

Yunnan's hair-raising roads offer incredible mountain views © aaabbbccc / Shutterstock

May 25, 2017 • 5 min read

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Apr 20, 2012 • 2 min read

China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna district, tea ceremony in tea shop

Oct 26, 2011 • 3 min read

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Nov 10, 2009 • 3 min read

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Nov 9, 2009 • 3 min read

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Yunnan and beyond

Beautiful buildings in ancient temples in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China.

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Yunnan has always stood apart from the rest of China, set high on the empire’s barbarous southwestern frontiers, and shielded from the rest of the nation by the unruly, mountainous neighbours of Sichuan and Guizhou. Within this single province, and dwelling among a stew of border markets, mountains, jungles, lakes, temples, modern political intrigue and remains of vanished kingdoms are 28 recognized ethnic groups, the greatest number in any province. Providing almost half the population and a prime reason to visit Yunnan in themselves, the indigenous list includes Dai and Bai, Wa, Lahu, Hani, Jingpo, Nu, Naxi and Lisu plus a host shared with other provinces (such as the Yi or adjoining nations. Each minority has its own spoken language, cuisine, distinctive form of dress for women, festivals and belief system, and with enough time you should be able to flesh out the superficial image of these groups laid on for the tourist industry.

Brief history

  • Yunnan's Far West

Southeastern Yunnan

Yunnanese food.

In recent years tourism has boomed out of all proportion to Yunnan’s remote image, bringing batallions of tour buses, souvenir stalls and loudspeaker-toting guides from far and near; the upside is improved resources geared to their needs, including backpacker cafés and companies offering cycling and trekking trips, ensuring that Yunnan is one of the easiest regions to explore in China.

The northeast of the province is home to the attractive capital, Kunming, whose mild climate earned Yunnan its name, meaning literally “south of the clouds”. A scattering of local sights – including the brilliant green, near-vertically terraced valleys at Yuanyang – extends southeast from the city towards the border with Vietnam. Northwest of Kunming, the Yunnan plateau rises to serrated, snowbound peaks, extending to Tibet and surrounding the ancient historic towns of Dali and Lijiang; there’s one of China’s great hikes here too, through Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Far West, laid out along the ghost of old trade routes, has less of specific interest but allows gentle probing along the Burmese border. Yunnan’s deep south comprises a further isolated stretch of the same frontier, which reaches down to the tropical forests and paddy fields of Xishuangbanna, a botanical, zoological and ethnic cornucopia abutting Burma and Laos – about as far from Han China as it’s possible to be.

Getting around can be time-consuming, thanks to Yunnan’s sheer scale, but the state of country buses and roads is often surprisingly good; new expressways are springing up at a regular rate and it’s an undeniable achievement that some of the lesser routes exist at all. Yunnan’s fairly limited rail network is due for expansion too, with recently completed services to Dali and Lijiang making these popular destinations more accessible than ever.

The weather is generally moderate throughout the year, though northern Yunnan has cold winters and heavy snow up around the Tibetan border, while the south is always warm, with a torrential wet season in summer.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for China, created by local experts

Sichuan Specialities: Chengdu, Temples and Pandas

8 days  / from 2208 USD

Sichuan Specialities: Chengdu, Temples and Pandas

Discover the Buddhist history and the natural wonders of Sichuan. From bustling Chengdu and its giant pandas, to the national parks and lake districts of Sichuan Province, to the giant Buddha statue at Leshan, this trip is perfect for those who want to discover this culturally rich part of China.

Family Time in Guilin and Yangshuo

5 days  / from 838 USD

Family Time in Guilin and Yangshuo

This 5-day family trip is a magnificent opportunity to experience the beautiful outdoor settings of Guilin and Yangshuo. Walk, cycle and raft through awe-inspiring scenery, including dramatic limestone karst mountains, and learn about the everyday lives of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups.

Sichuan Family Adventure

8 days  / from 1962 USD

Sichuan Family Adventure

Sichuan is home to a rich and vibrant culture, stunning scenery and wildlife, and delicious cuisine. Spend time with Chengdu's giant pandas, trek around Mount Qingcheng, stand in awe of the world’s largest Buddha at Leshan, and much more, all with this exciting trip, which is perfect for families!

Tantalising Tibet

8 days  / from 2479 USD

Tantalising Tibet

Tibet, known as the Rooftop of the World, is one of the most spiritual and atmospheric places on earth: ancient monasteries are carved into the mountain and festooned with colourful prayer flags. Discover the secrets of this uniquely spiritual land with this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Hong Kong Deluxe

5 days  / from 3300 USD

Hong Kong Deluxe

Hong Kong makes a memorable introduction to the Chinese world. Glamorous, hectic, exciting and spectacular, with fabulous food, nightlife and shopping, this is a place like no other. Explore the city at your own pace, enjoying life’s little luxuries at every turn.

Hong Kong in a Nutshell

4 days  / from 1040 USD

Hong Kong in a Nutshell

A teeming, exotic and alluring metropolis, Hong Kong is uniquely rich in both cultural diversity and contrasts. In fact, there is so much packed into Hong Kong, it can be hard to know where to start, which is where this unique trip comes in.

The People and Cultures of Guizhou

9 days  / from 2137 USD

The People and Cultures of Guizhou

Discover the fascinating people and cultures of Guizhou, one of China's most diverse regions. Learn about the everyday lives of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, whilst you enjoy their colourful customs and traditions, and pass through awe-inspiring scenery such as otherworldly rice terraces.

The Mystical Worlds of Shangri-La & Tibet

14 days  / from 3346 USD

The Mystical Worlds of Shangri-La & Tibet

A perfect introduction to the mystical worlds of Shangri-La and Tibet. From the breathtaking plateaus and valleys, to the historical Buddhist monasteries and villages, this trip provides a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the Tibetan people.

Along the Silk Road

16 days  / from 5521 USD

Along the Silk Road

Travel along the Silk Road, and discover the best of China with this fascinating in-depth trip. Starting in Beijing, experience the Forbidden City, the Yellow River, the Great Wall of China, Heavenly Lake, the Terracotta Army of Warriors and much more, all with this unique, detailed trip.

The Best of China

11 days  / from 3462 USD

The Best of China

From well-preserved tombs to The Great Wall, this tour of China packs in all the essentials. From the bright city lights of Beijing and Shanghai to breathtaking rolling landscapes, meandering rivers and ancient treasures, there’s much to delight all visitors to China.

China's Old Water Towns

7 days  / from 1465 USD

China's Old Water Towns

The area around Shanghai is home to some of China's best-kept travel secrets. Ancient water towns – picturesque towns constructed on a network of canals, featuring classical weeping gardens and romantic arched bridges – grace the area. Explore China's old water towns on this unique trip.

Cultural China and Majestic Yangtze River Cruise

12 days  / from 2436 USD

Cultural China and Majestic Yangtze River Cruise

China is a vast and varied land, seemingly full to the brim of mega cities, dramatic limestone mountains and endless countryside. This trip takes in the best the country has to offer, visiting the historic cities of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, before cruising down the Yangtze River.

Incredible Yunnan

11 days  / from 2841 USD

Incredible Yunnan

Culturally rich and ethnically diverse, Yunnan is one of China’s most fascinating regions. Explore this scenic southwestern province, great to travel to year round, from the capital Kunming to the well-preserved ancient city of Jianshui, famous for its old walls.

Hong Kong Highlights

5 days  / from 2300 USD

Hong Kong Highlights

Hong Kong is a vibrant and appealing city, with its waterside location and towering skyscrapers, it offers the visitor modernity and tradition, the exotic and efficient. Perfect for a family break, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained from Central to the New Territories and beyond.

Beijing and The Great Wall of China

9 days  / from 2560 USD

Beijing and The Great Wall of China

Following a short stay in Beijing, with its awe-inspiring Forbidden City, you will venture through the majestic Great Wall lands of Changping and Simatai, and marvel in the vibrancy of the water town of Gubei, a magnificent collage of Great Wall, mountains, lakes and ancient villages.

Complete China: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

13 days  / from 4686 USD

Complete China: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

Following a stay in resplendent Beijing, visit the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, Great Wall, and the Terracotta Army of Xi’an. Travel into the Himalayas, before hiking to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Continue to Chengdu, home of the giant panda, before entering the mythical valley of Shangri-La.

Hong Kong Island Insights

5 days  / from 2850 USD

Hong Kong Island Insights

The bustling and dynamic city of Hong Kong is brimming with opportunities to explore its colonial past and rich Chinese heritage and culture. The perfect destination for the intrepid explorer, this unique trip won’t leave you disappointed.

China and Tibet – An Unforgettable Adventure

11 days  / from 3360 USD

China and Tibet – An Unforgettable Adventure

From tombs and monasteries to world-famous squares and walls, this trip takes in both China and Tibet for an unforgettable journey. Explore Beijing and all its spectacular attractions and take in the stunning natural surroundings around Chengdu and on into Tibet.

According to the Han historian Sima Qian, the Chinese warrior prince Zhuang Qiao founded the pastoral Dian Kingdom in eastern Yunnan during the third century BC. The Dian were a slave society, who vividly recorded their daily life and ceremonies involving human sacrifice in sometimes gruesome bronze models, which have been unearthed from their tombs. In 109 AD the kingdom was acknowledged by China: the emperor Wu, hoping to control the Southern Silk Road through to India, sent its ruler military aid and a golden seal. However, the collapse of the Han empire in 204 AD was followed by the dissolution of Dian into private statelets.

The Dali and Nanzhao kingdoms

In the eighth century, an aspiring Yunnanese prince named Piluoge, favouring Dali for its location near trade routes beteen central and southeastern Asia, invited all his rivals to dinner in the town, then set fire to the tent with them inside. Subsequently he established the Nanzhao Kingdom in Dali, which later expanded to include much of modern Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. In 937, the Bai warlord Duan Siping toppled the Nanzhao and set up a smaller Dali Kingdom, which survived until Kublai Khan and his Mongol hordes descended in 1252.

The Muslim Uprising

Directly controlled by China for the first time, Yunnan served for a while as a remote dumping ground for political troublemakers, thereby escaping the population explosions, wars and migrations that plagued central China. However, the Mongol invasion had introduced a large Muslim population to the province, who, angered by their deteriorating status under the Chinese, staged the Muslim Uprising in 1856. Under the warlord Du Wenxiu, the rebellion laid waste to Kunming and founded an Islamic state in Dali before the Qing armies ended it with the wholesale massacre of Yunnan’s Muslims in 1873, leaving a wasted Yunnan to local bandits and private armies for the following half-century.

Modern times

Strangely, it was the Japanese invasion of China during the 1930s that sparked a resurgence of Yunnan’s fortunes. Blockaded into southwestern China, the Guomindang government initiated great programmes of rail-and-road building through the region, though it’s only recently that Yunnan has finally benefited from its forced association with the rest of the country. Never agriculturally rich – only a tenth of the land is considered arable – the province looks to mineral resources, tourism and its potential as a future conduit between China and the much discussed, but as yet unformed, trading bloc of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma. Should these countries ever form an unrestricted economic alliance, the amount of trade passing through Yunnan would be immense, and highways, rail and air services have already been planned for the day the borders open freely.

Yunnan's Far West

Southwest of Xiaguan, Yunnan’s far west bumps up against the Burmese border, an increasingly tropical area of mountain forests and broad valleys planted with rice and sugar cane, all cut by the deep watershed gorges of Southeast Asia’s mighty Mekong and Salween rivers (in Chinese, the Lancang Jiang and Nu Jiang, respectively). Settlements have large populations of ethnic minorities, and mainstream China has never had a great presence in the region; indeed, at times it’s still often unclear whether rules and regulations originate in Beijing or with the nearest officer in charge.

The far west’s main artery, the underused G56 Expressway, roughly follows the route of the old Burma Road, built during World War II as a supply line between British-held Burma and Kunming, from where goods were shipped to China’s wartime capital, Chongqing. Something of the road’s original purpose survives today, with towns along the way, especially Ruili, right on the Burmese frontier, still clearly benefiting from the cross-border traffic. With the exception of geologically unsettled Tengchong, however, sights are few and – unless you’re heading into Burma – the main point of visiting is simply to experience a fairly untouristed, if not actually remote, corner of the country, not least along the upper reaches of the Nu Jiang Valley.

Transport through the far west is by bus, though you can also fly to Tengchong and the district capital Mangshi, just a couple of hours by road from Ruili. Some minor scuffles along the Burmese border in recent years, plus the area’s perennial drug-trafficking problems, mean you’ll encounter military checkpoints in the region, where you have to show passports and wait while vehicles are checked for contraband. The weather is subtropically humid, especially during the wet season between May and October, when landslides frequently cut smaller roads.

Tours to the Nu Jiang Valley

Tourism to the Nu Jiang Valley is in its infancy, with regional agencies offering guided treks – currently the best way to explore the area. While tours organized from Dali and Lijiang are likely to access the river valley via Xiaguan, agencies in Shangri-La may be able to organize a trek west towards the far north of the area, depending on the time of year. Be wary trekking in winter and spring, however, when high rainfall makes landslides common.

Trekking from Dimaluo

From Dimaluo it’s possible to trek to neighbouring valleys and avoid having to catch the bus all the way back down to Liuku. You’ll need a guide, though: expect to pay around ¥250 per day, including very basic food and accommodation.

One popular option begins with a stiff, two-day hike across the Nushan range to Cizhong (茨中, cízhōng), a village with another stone church in the parallel Lancang River valley; the locals even make their own red wine for Communion, though Christianity has been laid on top of much older, animist beliefs. There is an irregular, fair-weather bus service south from Cizhong to Weixi (维西, wéixī; 6–10hr), from where you can catch a bus to Lijiang via Shigu.

The region southeast of Kunming is a nicely unpackaged corner of the province, and there are good reasons, besides the Vietnamese border crossing at Hekou, to head down this way. Amiable, old-fashioned Jianshui boasts a complement of Qing architecture, and an unusual attraction in nearby caves, while Yuanyang is the base for exploring the cultures and impressive terraced landscapes of the Hong He Valley. Jianshui and Yuanyang can be tied together in a trip to the border, or each are directly accessible by bus from Kunming.

The access point for viewing the rice terraces is Yuanyang, a district 80km south of Jianshui and 300km from Kunming. The name covers two settlements: the riverside township of Nansha (元阳南沙, yuányáng nánshā), terminus for Jianshui buses; and, where you actually want to base yourself, XINJIE (元阳新街镇, yuányáng xīnjiēzhèn), 30km uphill at the top of a high ridge. Xinjie is a small, untidy brick-and-concrete town which becomes a hive of activity on market days (every five days), when brightly dresssed Hani, Miao, Yi and Yao women pour in from surrounding villages.

Yunnanese food splits broadly into three cooking styles. In the north, the cold, pastoral lifestyle produces dried meats and – very unusually for China – dairy products, fused with a Muslim cuisine, a vestige of the thirteenth-century Mongolian invasion. Typical dishes include wind-cured ham (火腿, huŏtuĭ), sweetened, steamed and served with slices of bread; dried cheese or yoghurt wafers (乳扇, rŭshān or 乳饼, rŭbǐng); the local version of crisp-skinned duck (烧鸭, shāoyā), flavoured with Sichuan peppercorns – you’ll see drum-shaped duck ovens outside many restaurants – and a tasty fish claypot (沙锅鱼, shāguō yú).

Eastern Yunnan produces the most recognizably “Chinese” food. From here comes chicken flavoured with medicinal herbs and stewed inside a specially shaped earthenware steamer (气锅鸡, qìguōjī), and perhaps the province’s most celebrated dish, crossing-the-bridge noodles (过桥米线, guòqiáo mǐxiàn), a sort of individualized hotpot eaten as a cheap snack; you pay by the size of the bowl. The curious name comes from a tale of a Qing scholar who retired every day to a lakeside pavilion to compose poetry. His wife, an understanding soul, used to cook him lunch, but the food always cooled as she carried it from their home over the bridge to where he studied – until she hit on the idea of keeping the heat in with a layer of oil on top of his soup.

Not surprisingly, Yunnan’s south is strongly influenced by Burmese, Lao and Thai cooking methods, particularly in the use of such un-Chinese ingredients as lime juice, coconut, palm sugar, cloves and turmeric. Here you’ll find a vast range of soups and stews, roughly recognizable as curries, displayed in aluminium pots outside fast-turnover restaurants, and oddities such as purple rice-flour pancakes sold at street markets. The south is also famous in China for producing good coffee and red pu’er, Yunnan’s best tea.

Top image: Dali, Yunnan, China © Jakrit Jiraratwaro/Shutterstock

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updated 6.09.2021

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Lifestyle & Travel Blog

Yunnan Travel Itinerary: 4 Days Itinerary In Dali

By Nicole | Updated on 19 Aug 2023.

yunnan travel blog

If you ask me what are the most recommended places to visit in China, Yunnan will definitely be one of provinces that comes to my mind. Dali, Yunnan is widely well-known for its beautiful natural scenery. In this post, we will share our Yunnan travel itinerary, based on own travel experiences.

  • About Yunnan & Dali

Accommodation in Xizhou

Old town in xizhou, haishe park, the lakeside road, about shuang lang, getting to shuanglang, accommodation in shuang lang, tips when travelling to shuanglang, day 4 in dali old town, where is yunnan province located, and how do i get to dali, what’s the best time to visit dali and yunnan, what are the must-visit attractions in dali, is it necessary to know chinese to travel in yunnan and dali, are there any local customs or etiquette i should be aware of, what is bai cuisine, and where can i try it, how can i explore the natural beauty of dali and yunnan, are there any festivals or events worth experiencing in dali, what are some recommended souvenirs to bring back from dali, is dali safe for solo travelers and families, about yunnan & dali.

Dali is the seat of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Yunnan. The Dali city we usually referred to is the area around the Dali Old Town but actually the size extends to Dali New City (下关,  Xiàguān ). Dali is known for its natural scenery, still life and minority culture. The best season to go to Dali is Spring and Autumn. Note that June to August is its monsoon season.

Day 1 in Xizhou

Our flight arrived in Dali airport quite early in the morning. Thanks to the fact that I booked a taxi in advance, the driver was waiting for us outside and picked us up immediately to the guesthouse in Xizhou. The journey is around 1 hour from Dali airport to Xizhou.

The guesthouse we live is called Yi Qi Yi Hui which literally means once in a lifetime. I love its Mediterranean style very much which “cools” visitors down in the blazing hot weather.

photo 2015 08 01 e708c818889bb97b39b599d54b5fab91

After checked in and a short rest, we decided to go out to find our first lunch. Xizhou old town is a lively place with various restaurants and shops. Because there are some distance from the place we live, we booked a tricycle (which is a common vehicle there) to send and pick us from different places. It is quite cheap with only 70 rmb (approximately 10 USD).

Old town is a town for Bai people – the local people living in this area. They have different traditions from Han people like us. One distinct area is their house are mostly constructed in white color. Wandering in old town, you can see many local food and arts that you can never see in other places. We spent around 2 hours exploring around old town and getting our lunch settled.

photo 2015 08 01 dc539f5d025eaae3a234752032a92325

Haishe park got it’s name due to its shape – which is like a tongue of the snake (Haishe means tongue of snake). It is a good place for photography with many natural reserves. Whether to relax or walk around, we recommend you to visit here for 2 hours.

photo 2015 08 02 f5aa4fbc6610857a538a38e68c45f6be

For me the best part of Xizhou is its lakeside road. Walk along the wide road, you can enjoy the lake view while at the same time indulge in a peaceful countryside life presented like a picture on the other side. The shimmering emerald paddy fields, the simple white cozy Bai house and the sunray-casted high mountains all make up to an unbelievable fairy tale that enables people forget about the worries and sadness.

photo 2015 08 02 21d1ff23822bcbfa6d98e2f41e456c3a

Day 2 & 3 in Shuang Lang

After we checked out from our guest house in Xizhou, we rented a car to Shuanglang. Shuanglang was just like the opposite of the Er Hai lake. Because we are visiting during peak tourism season, the entire Shuanglang village packed full of people.

Adjacent to Wase (挖色) Town on the south and bounded on Huangping Town of Heqing County on the north, Shuang Lang is a typical fishing village of Bai ethnic group by the famous Er Hai lake in Yunnan. Surrounded by water and mountains, Shuanglang boasts numerous cultural sites, where the folk houses and ancient temples are quite well preserved. It is now a very popular holiday destination in China after a widely popular Chinese movie called Breakup Buddies(心花怒放)was filmed there.

By Bus:  You can take a direct bus from Dali old town or Xia guan. It costs 12 RMB per trip.

By Car:  You can book a car especially when you have many people travelling together. It will only cost 300 RMB for one trip.

The journey is around one hour time.

The first thing we do when we arrived at Shuanglang is to check in the hotel. With the booming of tourism in Shuang Lang, there are many interesting stylish guesthouses being developed in recent years.

I booked a guesthouse called Guan Hai Fan Jian (观海梵间). Its most expensive room can cost up to 1000 RMB per night. I got to know that the guesthouse was started by a lady from Chongqing (from my hometown). The entire style of the guesthouse is simple and clean although some furniture looks pretty old. I like the big bathtub in the bedroom where you can enjoy the serenity of Er Hai while taking a bath without worrying about your privacy.

photo 2015 08 02 5cf5b40c2155f4ff35984cae5032c86f

To be honest, as many guesthouses are under construction in Shuanglang, some parts of Shuanglang can be a bit messy and dirty. Thus it is really important to book a good guesthouse with great location so you can appreciate the calm of Er Hai and peace of the town quietly without being distracted by any noises.

What to do in Shuanglang

Besides the construction of guesthouses, Shuanglang is highly recommended for a short getaway that can help relax and recharge yourself by lingering around the town, listening the sound of soft lake wind. We spent two days here and I still find it was not enough! I wish I can stay longer.

So, here are some things you can do when you visit Shuanglang.

1. Visit Nanzhao Fengqing Island (南诏风情岛) to experience the ancient time of Bai ethic group, where many cultural relics are unearthed.

2. Visit a myriad of dedicated-designed guesthouse and take photos in them for free.

photo 2015 08 03 e9d810643fed60d519fc83ebbea219fc

3. Taste all the different local food on the street.

photo 2015 08 03 3a7469883529a4e8f0ad68b54e8e96e1

4. Stay in the hotel and enjoy the sun and soft wind from the open balcony.

5. Rent a motorcycle or bicycle to travel around the lake.

photo 2015 08 03 8c556b02ea99f347fe15d84bcd45d965

  • August is the peak period in Yunnan, so you need to book your guesthouse/hostel in advance.
  • The summer in Yunnan is incredibly hot and rainy. Do remember to bring sunblock and umbrella.
  • Riding around lake is fun and joyful but that really requires energy.

When people usually talk about visiting Dali, they usually mean going to Dali Gucheng 大理古城 which is the old town (ancient city) renowned for its beautiful architecture and magnificent scenery in Yunnan Province. Wandering through the narrow alleys of Dali Old Town was like a journey back in time. The architecture, the markets – everything spoke of ancient tales. The Three Pagodas, against the backdrop of Cangshan Mountains, held a certain mystical allure. And then, Erhai Lake beckoned with its tranquility. A boat ride revealed traditional fishing villages and vistas that practically begged to be photographed.

Dali Old Town is nestled at the foot of the Cang Shan mountains west of Lake Erhai.

This is my second time stepping foot into this ancient Dali old town. My first time was when I am on a Yunnan tour package and this time round it’s free and easy. Though many years had passed, Dali old town still left a deep memory in me with their busy streets, souvenir shops, cafes & pubs, locals and the high city walls surrounding the whole old town. We stayed in a Japanese themed boutique hotel which is just a few minutes walk away from Dali old town.

dali-old-town-outside-street

Dali Kingdom is founded by Duan Siping (段思平) in 937.

As always, Dali old town is bustling with tourists and activities. It is also well known as a backpacker haven in Yunnan too. The place has been quite tourist commercialised as tourism accounts for a big part of Dali’s economy.

dali-old-town-birdview

The weather is great! The first thing to do in Dali old town is to explore the high walls of Dali old town. Can you imagine how these great city walls helps to protect Dali from external attacks thousands of years back.

dali-old-town-walls1

When you are in Yunnan, you have to try their local delights. One of them is the “Crossing the bridges noodles” 过桥米线 – a local rice noodle soup delight. There have been many claims of origins behind this dish though. The most popular claim is a lady who invented this dish to keep the noodles fresh and broth warm for her husband who was studying for the imperial exam. Look at all the different ingredients. There is a sequence that you must follow when you pour the ingredients into the soup broth too.

guo-qiao-mi-xian-ingredients

You may also want to try the below street food is called Ru Shan. A milk toffee-like substance wrapped around a chopsticks. It tastes a little milky. For me I don’t really like it. Can’t stand the milk taste.

ru-shang

You can also find the locals selling fruits like peaches along the streets. The fruits in Dali old town is really fresh and sweet. Organic is different! It’s cheap too. We can’t bear to bargain more for the price as we understand how hard the life may be for the old grandma (selling the peaches).

dali-old-town-pink-peach

We also come across this food court in Dali. The place is crowded with tourists and the stalls here sell the local delights.

dali-old-town-local-street-food

Another place that most people visit when touring Dali old town is the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. It is located near Dali old town (around 1.5KM). According to legends, it was said that these Pagodas were built to protect humans from the dragons – which caused natural disasters.

three-pagodas-of-chongsheng-temple

FAQs on Visiting Yunnan, Dali

Yunnan Province is situated in southwestern China and is known for its diverse landscapes. Dali is a charming city within Yunnan. You can reach Dali by flying into Dali Airport or taking a train or bus from major cities like Kunming.

The best time to visit is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are vibrant. Summers can be rainy, while winters are cool.

Don’t miss Dali Ancient Town, the Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, and Xizhou Bai Village. Each spot offers a unique glimpse into Dali’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

While some basic knowledge of Chinese can be helpful, many tourist areas in Dali have English signage, and hotel staff often speak English. Having a translation app or phrasebook can make communication easier.

Respect local customs, such as removing your shoes before entering someone’s home, and avoid pointing your feet at others. When visiting temples, dress modestly and follow the rules of the religious site.

Bai cuisine is a local specialty known for its diverse flavors and use of fresh ingredients. Try it at local restaurants, markets, and street stalls in Dali Ancient Town.

Take a boat cruise on Erhai Lake, hike in the Cangshan Mountains, and explore the rural landscapes surrounding Dali. Biking and trekking tours are popular ways to immerse yourself in the stunning outdoors.

The Butterfly Spring Festival, celebrated in April, is a local highlight. It’s a vibrant event featuring traditional Bai performances, music, and dance.

Look for tie-dye textiles, Bai-style embroidered products, local teas, and handcrafted silver jewelry as unique souvenirs to remember your trip.

Dali is generally safe for both solo travelers and families. Exercise the same precautions you would in any unfamiliar destination, such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.

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Written by Nicole

I am Nicole, a Chinese girl living in Singapore. I was born in the 1990s and am passionate about ways to expand the dimensions of life. Traveling ✈️,photography📷 and food 🍢 are definitely of my most interest. Having traveled to 19 countries 🌐 , I have a lot of stories and thoughts that I want to share with those like-minded. Feel free to connect with me. Life is a journey. It will never end.

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Ultimate Yunnan Itineraries: 6 Top Tours Options and Side Trips

As home to 26 officially-recognized ethnic minority groups, Yunnan is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and diverse ethnic culture. But, where should you start your trip in Yunnan? How many days are needed to explore Yunnan's top attractions? This article will help you plan a great trip in Yunnan.

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  • How Many Days in Yunnan
  • An 8-Day Classic Yunnan Tour
  • A 6-Day Yunnan Adventure Tour
  • A 6-Day Terraced Fields Tour
  • A 7-Day Yunnan Winter Tour
  • 10-Day Yunnan Side Trip to Tibet
  • 10-Day Yunnan Side Trip to Chengdu

How Many Days to Spend in Yunnan

To deeply appreciate and experience all that Yunnan has to offer, it's recommended to spend at least 7 days to explore its different regions and discover its many unique charms.

However, if you have limited time, 3 to 5 days can give you a quick overview of Yunnan's highlights, such as the UNESCO-listed Lijiang Old Town, Dali Old Town, and Yuanyang Rice Terraces, and Tiger Leaping Gorge and the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Ultimately, the ideal duration of your stay in Yunnan will depend on your interests, budget, and schedule, but with its wealth of attractions, this beautiful province is definitely worth exploring. The following are some of the sample tour Itineraries. 

1. An 8-Day Classic Yunnan Highlights Tour (Most Chosen)

If you are visiting Yunnan for the first time, then Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La should be on your list. In this 8-day tour itinerary, you would see the iconic limestone "forest" formations, one of the world's deepest canyons, UNESCO-listed ancient towns, beautiful snowy mountains, and colorful minority cultures. With the help of our guide, you would get some real interaction with the local cultures and peoples.

Days 1–2: Kunming

When in Kunming, visiting the spectacular Stone Forest is a must. It is a natural wonder listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You would see various spectacular limestone shapes formed wholly by natural processes. Yunnan cuisine is known for its unique flavors and ingredients. Make sure to try some of the local dishes while you are in Kunming, such as Yunnan hot pot, across-the-bridge noodles, and steam pot chicken.

Days 3–4: Dali

In Dali, the top attractions are the Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountains and Dali Old Town. To help you get a deeper experience of Dali, our guide would take you to visit local houses of the Bai minority people in Xizhou Village, where you would see typical Bai traditions and try on their traditional clothes for memorable photos. Then hop in a horse-drawn carriage to enjoy a relaxing tour along the Erhai lakeshore, which is blessed with a mild climate and stunning scenery.

Days 5–6: Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town is a must-visited attraction in Lijiang. Follow our guide to explore the well-preserved Naxi minority city, meet local Naxi people, and see many of them still making a living by making handicrafts of silver, leather, textiles, and local snacks.

Another top attraction in Lijiang is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take a cable car up to overlook stunning and varied natural beauty, including spruces, meadows, pines, and clouds seen from above. To help you get a close encounter with local life, our guide would accompany you to visit a local Naxi family, where you would make your own Naxi pancake (Naxi baba) as the main dish for your lunch.

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Days 7–8: Shangri-La

Shangri-La is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and holy religious atmosphere full of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, which houses lots of Buddhist statues and many precious cultural treasures. With the help of our guide, you would be able to talk with lamas in their study room to learn more about their lifestyle, religious beliefs, and disciplines. Other top attractions in Shangri-La include Pudacuo National Park, which is a well-preserved ecosystem with the virgin forests, Lake Bita, and Lake Shudu.

2. A 6-Day Lijiang to Shangri-La Adventure Tour (Good for Hiking Lovers)

If you want to experience the atmosphere of adventure that the great explorer Joseph Rock pioneered, this itinerary would be good for you. You would have the chance to see awesome landscapes and old and mysterious cultures, which make up the stuff of adventures for most travelers.

Days 1–3: Lijiang

In Lijiang, besides the Ancient Town, our guide would arrange a hike of about 12.5 km (8 miles) through the mountainside bushes, where you would wade across a little stream and enjoy exclusive views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that only hikers can. You would see the traditional stone houses of the Naxi people and villagers in their traditional dress on their way to their farms or fields. Pay a visit to Rock's former residence and listen to his adventure stories.

Days 4–6: Shangri-La Adventure

On the way to Shangri-La, you would journey through Tiger Leaping Gorge and discover a best-kept secret of Haba Snow Mountain, where you would take a 2-hour hike on an alpine meadow, which offers exclusive views of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Spend a day visiting the largest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan — Songzanlin, and visit the dormitory of a lama. With the help of our guide, you would talk face to face with the lama about their lifestyle, religious beliefs, practices, and discipline. If you are interested in ethnic life, then visit Nixi Tibetan village and a Tibetan family's house. Sit and chat with the host and enjoy some traditional Tibetan snacks.

3. A 6-Day Yuanyang Terraced Fields Tour (Good for Countryside Views and Rice Terrace Vistas)

On this itinerary, you can admire classic Ming-era (14th-century) buildings in Jianshui and view the spectacular sight of the sprawling Yuanyang Rice Terraces.

  • Day 1: Kunming (visit the Stone Forest)
  • Days 2–3: Jianshui (visit the Confucian Temple and Zhu Family Garden)
  • Days 4–6: The Yuanyang Rice Terraces

The Confucian Temple is a must in Jianshui , where you can explore the various courtyards, halls, and gardens and gain insight into Confucian thought and philosophy.

Zhu Family Garden (a UNESCO World Heritage site) , also in Jianshui, contains the residence of the wealthy Zhu family, which was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and features ornate architecture. You should be impressed by this abode, which is truly a work of art!

In Yuanyang , the terraced fields are an attraction tht draws photographers from far and wide. Our private guide would take you to Duoyishu Village, where you can get awesome views of the rice terraces and then climb to Tiger Mouth Pass to overlook an extensive panorama of tiered fields. There you can experience the folk culture of Qingkou Hani Ethnic group.

4. A 7-Day Yunnan Winter Tour (Good for Christmas and New Year Vacations)

If you are planning a trip to Yunnan in winter, this itinerary would be worth considering. You would find a relatively warm winter in Yunnan with sub-tropical sunshine, clear dry-season skies, and moderate temperatures. It is definitely recommended if you are planning a tour for the Christmas or New Year holiday.

  • Days 1: Kunming (visit the Stone Forest)
  • Days 2–4: Dali (Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain) and Shaxi
  • Days 5–7: Lijiang (Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Mountain)

Visit Dali and Shaxi Old Town, which was an important stop on the Tea-Horse Road. Attractions in Shaxi include Xingjiao Temple, Square Street, the ancient stage, and Yujing Bridge. To help you get a basic knowledge of the ancient Tea Horse Road, we would arrange a walking tour on the 14-centuries-old Tea Horse Road from Shaxi to a neighboring village , which is 4 km (2.5 miles). In Lijiang, you would explore the old town of Lijiang and have a walk around the Black Dragon Pool. Then visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Baisha Murals, and a shaman's home.

5. 10-Day Yunnan Side Trip to Tibet (good for a Tibet bucket-list trip)

If Tibet is on your bucket list, then this itinerary could be good for you. We have added Lhasa to this Yunnan tour to fulfill your Tibet dreams.

  • Days 1–2: Kunming (visit the Stone Forest)
  • Days 3–4: Dali (Old Town, Cangshan, Erhai Lake)
  • Days 5–6: Lijiang (Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)
  • Days 7–8: Shangri-La (Lamasery, national parks)
  • Days 9–10: Lhasa

In Lhasa, the Potala Place is a must-visit attraction. To help you find the best angles to take photos and have the best experience avoiding the crowds, our guide would use his experience to choose the best way for you to explore the Potala Palace.

Walk around Barkhor Street to explore its local market, admire traditional Tibetan architecture, and to see pilgrims doing their prostrating obeisance and Buddhists making a kora (sacred circuit) by turning the prayer wheels.

In the afternoon, enjoy your afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery. Spend the final day visiting Lhasa's numerous temples, including Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, to experience how Tibetan Buddhist culture influences local people's lives.

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6. 10-Day Yunnan Side Trip to Chengdu (Good for Panda Lovers)

If seeing a many cute pandas in their hometown is something you really want to do, then this itinerary could be good for you. We have added two days a Yunnan itinerary to explore the hometown of Pandas — Chengdu.

  • Days 1–2: Kunming (the Stone Forest)
  • Days 5–6: Lijiang (Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)
  • Days 9–10: Chengdu

In Chengdu, we would arrange a one-day Panda Keeper Program tour to enable you to get a close encounter with these adorable animals in Chengdu Panda Reserve. In the program, with the help of our guide, you would have the chance to clean the panda enclosures, make their favorite cakes, and see how they are fed. It is the best way available to learn about these cute animals up-close.

For the other day, you are free to choose what else you would like to do in Chengdu. Maybe do some shopping at Jinli Street and taste delicious Sichuan cuisine (hot pot). If you are interested in Chinese cooking, we can arrange a food tour or cooking class in Chengdu to help you learn some basic skills and knowledge.

Tour China With Us

All our tours are customized to your needs, interests, travel length, and other requirements. Our private tours are designed to be the most convenient and fulfilling option for your trip to Yunnan. We would create an itinerary according to your flight times, interests, and anything else you might need.

  • 9-Day Yunnan Family Tour
  • 7-Day Yunnan Ethnic Group Discovery Tour
  • 6-Day Yunnan Adventure Tour

8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour

  • 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour
  • 9-Day Beyond the Golden Triangle
  • 10-Day Lanzhou–Xiahe–Zhangye–Dunhuang–Turpan–Urumqi Tour
  • 11-Day Classic Wonders
  • 11-Day Family Happiness
  • 12-day Panda Keeper and Classic Wonders
  • 13-Day A Broad Taste of China
  • 13-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Dunhuang–Urumqi–Shanghai Tour
  • 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
  • 14-Day Classic China Photo Tour
  • 2-Week Riches of China
  • 3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy Tibet
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15 Things to Do in Kunming — Unexplored Gem in China Just 4 Hours from Singapore

yunnan travel blog

With so many things to do in Kunming from natural wonders and cultural attractions to modern shopping districts, Yunnan’s capital city is more than just a transit hub.

First published on: 18 Nov 2019

Kunming City is often seen as the gateway to visiting China’s Yunnan province, but you’ll be surprised at the gems you’ll discover there, with 26 different ethnic minorities, great histories, stunning sceneries and wholesome delicacies.

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China is huge, and quite impossible to explore in its entirety in just one trip. You could argue that seeing China’s capital Beijing or financial powerhouse Shanghai would suffice, but that’s just scratching the surface of a country with a history dating back to ancient times!

Many people see Kunming as a transit location — where they’d fly into but continue their journey to other scenic towns of Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, but the often-overlooked city is charming in her own ways!

From historical ancient towns to glitzy shopping districts and impressive karsts and caves, here are 15 things to do in Kunming, the City of Eternal Spring!

Read also: 12D Yunnan Itinerary — Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la

Kunming Travel Essentials

Western Gate Longmen - Things to do in Kunming city

Getting around Kunming:  The easiest way around Kunming is via  Didi (China’s Uber equivalent), and short-distance rides within the city cost between 8RMB and 20RMB.

Connectivity:  Internet access in China can be tricky, we recommend getting a Hong Kong SIM card/ eSIM with coverage across the whole of China. On top of that, download a VPN to get past the Great Firewall.

Saving money: Still a student? Pack your student card because most attractions give up to 50% off entrance fees to students.

Read also: 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit Yunnan, China

Kunming’s top scenic attractions

1) yunnan stone forest ( yunnan shilin , 石林风景名胜区 ).

Yunnan Shilin Stone Forest - China Things to do in Kunming city

The Yunnan Stone Forest isn’t technically a forest, but a huge limestone karst formation formed by erosion over millions of years. The towering rocks with jagged edges look somewhat similar to clusters of petrified trees, hence the name “Stone Forest”.

Lake in Yunnan Shilin Stone Forest - China Things to do in Kunming city

This UNESCO World Heritage Site will get crowded, so visit early in the day before hoards of tourists swamp the area! The Stone Forest is a huge compound, and buses only drop you at the outer entrance so you’ll have to either walk 6km into the Stone Forest or take a buggy that costs 25RMB/pax.

Jianfeng lake of Yunnan Shilin stone forest - China Things to do in Kunming city

Once you’re at the inner entrance, the only way to get around is by walking. There are well-paved paths to walk on, but do wear proper walking shoes!

There are both Big and Small Stone Forests in the area, and we suggest heading to the Big Stone Forest first as it’s the more notable of the two. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to finish sightseeing the whole area.

Stone Forest as seen from the top of pagoda - China Things to do in Kunming city

Entrance Fee: 120RMB (60RMB for students) Opening Hours: 7AM – 6PM How to get there: Take Line 3 of the Metro to East Coach Station ( Baidu Map ). Then, transfer to a shuttle bus to Stone Forest for 34RMB ( Baidu Map ). They leave around every half-hourly, or when full. The bus journey takes 1.5 hours one-way.

2) Green Lake Park ( Cuihu Lake , 翠湖)

Green Lake Park or Cuihu Park - China Things to do in Kunming city

Kunming’s bustling noise and busy traffic can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, but located at the heart of the city is a sanctuary away from the crowded streets. Green Lake Park provides the space, the greenery, and the serenity for people who just want to escape the noisy city for a bit.

Streets of cuihu green lake park - China Things to do in Kunming city

The park is more than just a pretty lake. Shops line the streets within the park, selling Yunnan specialties such as Pu’er tea, ba ba bread, and even Yunnan tribal ethnic costumes!

Locals in traditional ethnic costumes dancing at Cuihu green lake park - China Things to do in Kunming city

The best time to visit Green Lake Park is during the weekends when folks from various ethnic groups gather and dance to traditional folk music. You can even ask the locals to let you into the dance with them! They’ll be more than glad to teach you some of the foot moves.

Locals in traditional ethnic costumes get togther at Cuihu green lake park - China Things to do in Kunming city

Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hours: 7AM – 11PM (shops within the park close at 6PM) How to get there: 8min walk from Huashan West Rd stn on Line 5 of Kunming Metro ( Baidu Map )

3) Jiuxiang Scenic Region (九乡风景区)

Jiuxiang cave - China Things to do in Kunming city

Many know of Yunnan’s Stone Forest , but there’s another scenic area just as significant in the eyes of the locals.

The Jiuxiang Scenic region is home to one of the most magnificent cave systems in China. There’s a local saying that goes, “tianshang kan shilin, dishang kan jiuxiang” (地上看石林,地下看九乡), which translates to “Seeing the Stone Forest above and seeing Jiuxiang from below”. So if you’re already visiting the Stone Forest, there’s no reason not to make a trip to the Jiuxiang Scenic region.

Twin falls of jiuxiang caves - China Things to do in Kunming city

Fun fact: The Jiuxiang Scenic region is the filming location of the movie The Myth , starring Jackie Chan! You might recognise the Twin Waterfalls in the picture above that was in a scene. It takes about three hours to walk through the whole cave system.

The Fairy Fields of Jiuxiang Caves - China Things to do in Kunming city

Entrance Fee: 90RMB + 30RMB for chairlift Opening Hours: 8AM – 6PM How to get there: If you’re going from Kunming City, take the coach buses from East Coach Station to Yiliang County, and change to Bus 21 to Jiuxiang Scenic Region ( Baidu Map ).

If you’re visiting Jiuxiang on the same day as Stone Forest, there are also coach buses (¥25/way) that leave Stone Forest to Jiuxiang Scenic Region.

Learn about Yunnan’s many nationalities and cultures

4) walk down history at guandu ancient town (官渡老镇).

Guandu Ancient Town Gate - China Things to do in Kunming city

One of the birthplaces of the Yunnan culture, Guandu Ancient Town is no doubt Kunming’s most famous old town, and also where you should head for a better understanding of Yunnan’s origins.

Guandu Town used to be a fishing village during the Tang Dynasty and has long been a big marketplace and logistic hub of the nearby Dian Lake.

Modern shops in Guandu Ancient Town - China Things to do in Kunming city

Today, the old architectures still stand, but in place are hundreds of shops selling Yunnan snacks and souvenirs such as flower cakes, roasted rushan cheese , baba bread, Pu’er tea, silverware, and Burmese jadeite.

Shops along Guandu Ancient Town - China Things to do in Kunming city

How to get there: Take buses 31, 174,185, 186, 232, 253, 255, 261, 908, A12, C143, C85, K15, or K42.

*Pro-tip: You can book a private day tour of downtown Kunming, including Guandu district via Klook.

5) Reach for luck at Longmen Xishan (西山龙门)

Touching bell of longmen for luck - China Things to do in Kunming city

There really isn’t short of Chinese sayings at Yunnan, and there’s one that truly makes everyone FOMO about visiting Longmen: “不耍西山等于不到昆明,不到龙门只是白跑一趟西山” (If you do not visit the Western Hills , you haven’t visited Kunming; if you do not come to the Dragon Gate , you haven’t been to Western Hills.)

Longmen in Kunming - China Things to do in Kunming city

At the top of Western Hills Longmen, you’ll get a good view of Dian Lake but that’s not all — most people head to Longmen to also visit the temples built on the hills. Many people make their way up in hopes of achieving luck and success in life if they reach for the gate’s wooden knob!

If you want a stress-free experience exploring Longmen Xishan and other parts of downtown Kunming, you’ll want to book a private day tour .

Entrance Fee: 30RMB (15RMB for students). Additional 25RMB for chairlift access, 10RMB for buggy transportation ride, 25RMB for a one-way coach bus ride Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM, closes 6PM on weekends. How to get there: Take Line 3 of the Metro to Western Hill Forest Park Station/西山公园站 ( Baidu Map )

6) Learn about the different ethnicities at Yunnan Nationalities Village (云南民族村 )

Tribal dance performance in Yunnan Nationalities Village - China Things to do in Kunming city

Yunnan is home to 26 different minority ethnic groups, each with its own customs, traditions, and ways of life. To visit and understand all 26 ethnicities in their respective villages require lots of effort, especially when many are up in the mountains!

But not too far off Kunming City is the Yunnan Nationalities Village where all 26 ethnicities are gathered together to showcase their unique cultures.

Interacting with the Pumi people in Yunnan Nationalities Village - China Things to do in Kunming city

It may seem touristy at first, but do think of this place as an outdoor museum for curious visitors to meet and interact with the friendly locals of different ethnicities, and understand their ways of life at the same time.

TTI Group photo with Pumi Tribe at Yunnan Nationalities Village - China Things to do in Kunming city

Entrance Fee: S$16 via Klook Opening Hours: 9AM – 6PM How to get there: Take bus lines no. 44, 73 or A1 to Yunnan Nationalities Village Station ( Baidu Map )

*Pro-tip: Find out performance timings at the entrance and head to them straight, as the village is pretty big. Also, it’s highly recommended to rent a pedal bike (100RMB) to get around.

Shop till you drop in Kunming

7) wenlin street (文林街).

Wenlin street at night - China Things to do in Kunming city

Due to its proximity to two local universities, Wenlin Street is a trendy area where young Chinese university students hang out. It’s also here where you can find eateries still open after 6PM! Besides food, there are also bookstores, stores selling quirky thingamabobs, and bars that open till late.

How to get there: Take Line 3 of the Metro to Panjiawan Station (潘家湾站). Alternatively, take buses 1, 85, 101, 125 or 139 ( Baidu Map )

8) Nanping Pedestrian Street (南屏步行街 )

Malls of Nanping Pedastrian Street - China Things to do in Kunming city

For an Orchard Road equivalent, there’s Nanping Pedestrian Street . This car-free road is a shopping haven and one of Kunming’s busiest commercial streets, where you can find restaurants, supermarts, and high-end branded shops.

Nanping Pedastrian Street - China Things to do in Kunming city

For visitors who are in Kunming City for a short day or two, we recommend exploring Nanping Pedestrian Street and its surroundings if you’re unsure of things to do in Kunming.

Jingxing flowers and bird market stalls - China Things to do in Kunming city

It’s also within walking distance of the Jingxing Flower and Bird Market (景星花鸟珠宝市场) , a busy market with pets, botany, and antiquity traders.

How to get there: Take Line 2 or 3 of the metro to Dongfeng Square Station (东风广场站). Alternatively, take buses 68, 71, 108, 118 or 234. ( Baidu Map )

9) Park 1903 (公园1903)

Arc at Park 1903 - China Things to do in Kunming city

This shopping district is quite elusive, so we decided to head there for ourselves and bring you pictures of this hipster place that was quite the rage on China’s Douyin (TikTok).

Dog art installation at Park 1903

With buildings modelled after European cities, Park 1903 is China’s very first integrated open-concept park mall. It’s here where you can find official shops of many international and homegrown Chinese brands. It may seem slightly upmarket but you’ll know you’re only getting the real deals here.

Shops and fountain of Park 1903

Even if shopping isn’t your agenda in Kunming, the beautiful architecture and artsy vibes of Park 1903 make it a great place to just chill, take photos, and people-watch.

Address: Near No. 19 Qianweixi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City ( Baidu Map )

10) Spring City 66 (恒隆广场)

Spring City 66 kunming

Photo credit: Wongtung.com

Spring City 66 opened in August 2019 and is Kunming City’s largest shopping mall to date. The developer’s vision for Spring City 66 is to “show the world Kunming, show Kunming to the world”. With that, more than one-third of the stores brought into the mall are the first of their kind in Kunming!

How to get there: Take Line 2 or 3 of the Metro to Dongfeng Square Station (东风广场站). Alternatively, take buses 52, 63, 78, 89, 105, 132 or K1. ( Baidu Map )

What to eat in Kunming

11) “crossing-the-bridge noodles”  ( guo qiao mi xian, 过桥米线 ).

Guo qiao mian xian or crossing the bridge noodles

Crossing-the-bridge noodles , known locally as guo qiao mi xian , is a soup-based rice noodle dish from Yunnan. But don’t mistake it for your ordinary bee hoon soup! This dish feels more like a personal hot pot where the ingredients, including the noodles, are served separately.

A large bowl of boiling hot soup is served to you, with dry noodles, raw meat, quail eggs and vegetables at the side. To eat, throw the raw meat into the bowl of boiling soup first, then quail eggs, and then the vegetables. Finally, add in the noodles and give your big bowl of goodness a good mix before eating.

Jianxinyuan store selling crossing bridge noodles in kunming city

Being a popular dish eaten all over Yunnan, these noodles can be found at most eateries or restaurants. Within Kunming city, Jianxinyuan is a popular go-to for authentic crossing-the-bridge noodles at reasonable prices.

12) Steam Pot Chicken ( Qi Guo Ji 汽锅鸡 )

Steam Pot Chicken Qi Guo Ji

Another Yunnan delicacy is the Steam Pot Chicken ( Qi Guo Ji ). As its name suggests, this dish is served in a ceramic pot, the same pot it was cooked in. The chicken is cooked with hot steam sealed inside the pot, retaining the rich and tasty flavours of the chicken within.  Especially with Kunming’s chilly weather all year round, you’ll crave this all the time.

13) Yunnan Bread ( Ba Ba 粑粑)

Ba ba bread

All around Kunming, you’ll find these simple and traditional confectionery shops selling something called ba ba . More often than not, these ba ba come in different fillings, such as red bean, sesame, corn, or scallions. Perfect when you’re feeling snacky!

14) Roasted rushan cheese (Kao Ru Shan 烤乳扇 )

Roasted rushan cheese Kao Ru Shan

Roasted rushan cheese is a snack that originated from the Dali province, but it can be found in Guandu Ancient Town too! Sold on a stick, roasted rushan cheese is made of fresh milk mixed with yoghurt, or a souring agent like sour papaya water, till the milk coagulates.

The solidified milk is then laid out flat on a grill before being twirled onto a stick. I’d describe the taste as something similar to cheese, but with a tinge of sweetness to it. Do look out for stalls that sell freshly-made ones as it hardens quickly when cooled!

15) Wild mushrooms (Ye Jun Zi , 野菌子 )

Wild mushrooms from Yunnan

Photo credit: News.sina.com.cn

Wild mushrooms are a delicacy in Yunnan — yes, only the wild ones! Regular farmed mushrooms are called mogu (蘑菇) while wild ones are referred to as junzi (菌子). There are approximately 250 types of wild edible mushrooms found in Yunnan, so when you’re in Kunming, the chances of seeing an eatery serving up wild mushrooms are pretty high.

Of all the mushrooms available, the Jizong (鸡枞) mushroom is the most highly regarded for its rarity. Most eateries in Yunnan serve the wild mushrooms stir-fried, boiled, or simmered in soup.

Add Kunming to Your Travel Bucket List

Group photo in Guandu Ancient Town - Kunming Things to Do

Contrary to popular belief among Singaporeans that China is an “old people’s travel destination”, it actually is very modern with great attractions amongst, and beyond, its nature. Personally, the Yunnan Stone Forest has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, and seeing the Stone Forest for myself was an exhilarating experience!

Know of any more things to do in Kunming City? Let us know in the comments!

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Things to do in Yunnan: exploring Dali (大理) Old Town

  • February 26, 2024

Dali (大理) is one of the most popular destinations in Yunnan. Don’t miss this post if you want to visit the old capital of the Nanzhao kingdom.

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In my blog, I have often talked about Yunnan , one of the most beautiful provinces in China. But my list of places to visit can’t be complete without mentioning Dali , the ancient capital of the Nanzhao kingdom, and the old capital of Yunnan ( don’t miss my Yunnan travel guide ).

Dali is a city with a millenary history. Located at a strategic point along the ancient Tea Horse Road (also known as the South Silk Road) , it is naturally protected by the Erhai Lake on one side and the Changshan Mountains on the other (whose peaks reach about 4000 meters). Despite being about 2000 meters above sea level, the climate is mild all year round, and the land is fertile. Dali is the most important centre for the Bai minority, one of the largest in China and Yunnan.

The Bai population (Bai means white in Chinese) is famous for their ability to work silver and marble and for being able to create many incredible decorations. Bai houses are generally white, with beautiful paintings on the exterior walls. A whole book would not be enough to talk about the Bai culture, so the best thing to do is visit Dali and Lijiang.

Things to see in Dali

The old town of dali.

dali old town

Dali’s main attraction is the old town, one of the few in China surrounded by walls. Unlike Lijiang, Dali is a little more authentic because there are still many families living there. For a panoramic view, I recommend a walk on the walls to enjoy the view of the lake on one side and the mountains on the other.

The two main streets within the city are crowded and full of shops, but if you start wandering around a bit, you will see immediately why many agree that Dali is more authentic than Lijiang. My suggestion is to find accommodation in the old town.

The three Pagodas

three pagodas dali

The three pagodas are a complex of temples about 1.5km from the old town of Dali. They can be reached on foot or by taxi. Apart from the three pagodas, you’ll find a complex of temples, and it takes at least a couple of hours to see them all. The three pagodas are different from most other religious buildings in China because they are truly ancient (unfortunately, after the cultural revolution in China, many ancient buildings have been destroyed).

If you want to know more about the Three Pagodas, you will find more info here. Don’t miss the small pond on the right side of the pagodas walking towards the mountain, where you can photograph the three pagodas reflected in the water.

A visit to the houses of the craftsmen

batik

As I said at the beginning of the article, the Bai are excellent craftsmen, and their fame is well deserved. In the Dali area, you can see different forms of craftsmanship. The most interesting one is the processing of Batik fabric. There are different methods to achieve the same objective: colouring the fabric.

In Guizhou Province, the Miao minority uses wax, while in the surroundings of Dali, Bai women sew the fabric in such a way as to create a design that will not absorb the colour during the next stage of the production process.

what to see in dali old town yunnan

It is a fascinating process that requires much work and demonstrates again that there is much to discover in China.

China is the home of silk, and seeing with my own eyes the process that has remained a secret in the rest of the world for centuries was very exciting.

silk

The paintings created by those who know how to work silk are art masterpieces and, as such, have very high prices. One of the paintings had a price of 13000€ and took 13 months to make.

A visit to the local markets

local market dali old town

If you’re used to visiting Asia, visiting a local market is not a fundamental experience. If, on the other end, this is your first time, I recommend doing it. It is always interesting to see how local people live, and the market is the ideal place. I visited the one in Xizhou, which is not open every day. I recommend you contact a local agency for accurate information, as I said in the previous paragraph.

A day trip to Shaxi (沙溪)

shaxi old town

Halfway between Dali and Lijiang, you can find one of the best-preserved old towns along the ancient South Silk Road, also known as Tea Horse Road: Shaxi. If you have enough time, don’t miss it!

Final considerations and tips

dali yunnan china

Dali is a place worth a visit for first-time visitors to Yunnan. But even if you’ve been there before, it’s still nice to come back occasionally to enjoy rural Chinese life without sacrificing comfort.

Getting there is very easy as there are many trains and buses departing from Kunming every day. One very important thing to remember is that Dali is divided into two parts: Dali Old Town (the one I talked about in this post) and the new city of Dali called Xiaguan. All means of transport, or almost all, arrive in Xiaguan and NOT in Dali Old Town. From there you must take a taxi to the Old Town 10 km away.

For the accommodation, I recommend Trip.com since it has way more options than other search engines.

To conclude, before visiting China, get a VPN , or you will lose access to all social media and Google, including Gmail.

Here, you can find more pictures I took in Yunnan . Here is my complete travel guide to China , and here is my two days guide to Shangri-La.

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China Travel FAQ: Your Essential Guide for First-Timers

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4 thoughts on “things to do in yunnan: exploring dali (大理) old town”.

Thanks a lot for this post. Beautiful pictures.

Oh I love the history and its culture as well. I have been a big fan of swordplay Chinese dramas and movies for so many years, especially the transformed works from novels of Kim Dung. Among a bunch of amazing novels. Tian Long Ba Bu makes the strong impression on me with the presence of Da Li country. Thanks so much for your sharing!

Interesting! Thanks for your comment!

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COMMENTS

  1. 12D Yunnan Itinerary

    Day 10 - 12: Shangri-la (香格里拉) Getting from Lijiang to Shangri-la: Take a 3.5-hour bus from Lijiang Bus Station (62RMB). The streets of Shangri-la enchanted us with an antiquated mystique, from unique Tibetan-styled streets to grand monasteries. Weather in Shangri-la: It's the coldest place in this Yunnan itinerary.

  2. CHINA

    A summary of this Yunnan travel guide for your private use to copy paste! Yunnan itinerary day 1 & 2: Kunming, Yunnan itinerary day 3: Shiling Stone Forest, Yunnan itinerary day 4 & 5: to Dali & city trip, Yunnan itinerary day 6: to Lijiang via Shaxi, Yunnan itinerary day 7: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hike, Yunnan itinerary day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge hike, Yunnan itinerary day 9: Lijiang ...

  3. Yunnan Travel Guide: Diverse Cultures, Awesome Scenery

    Yunnan, home to 25 ethnic minorities, is a place to experience the unique cultures of China's ethnic minority groups. Yunnan has well-preserved old towns and villages, with ancient buildings, well-worn blue-stone streets, and rich histories. Visiting Local Minority Family in Lijiang. Cannot wait to visit Yunnan.

  4. Backpacking in Yunnan, China: Everything You Need to Know

    Transport while backpacking in Yunnan. Transport in Yunnan is quite expensive, especially the buses. Trains are far more comfortable and surprisingly a lot cheaper, so try and travel by train as much as possible. I took 2 overnight trains and 1 overnight bus - the nights spent on the trains were 2 of the best night's sleep I got in Yunnan ...

  5. 10 Days Itinerary for Yunnan, the most diverse province in China

    High speed train in China. Kunming can also be reached from all over China with high-speed trains which make traveling to Kunming easy and comfortable, there are 10 high-speed trains between Kunming and Chengdu each day with the faster only taking 5hours and 8min. 3 high-speed trains from Beijing each day with the faster only taking 10 hours and 49 min to travel the 1,700 miles (2,735 km ...

  6. 10 Best Places to Visit in Yunnan, Where to Go in Yunnan

    Songzanlin Monastery. Pudacuo National Park. Shangri-La, at an altitude of 3,450m, is located in the seat of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest of Yunnan Province. Enjoying the reputation of "the Lost Paradise", Shangri-La is a place rich in natural resource and also unspoiled historical relics.

  7. Yunnan Travel

    Top Travel Destinations in Yunnan. Traveling to Yunnan is a dream to many travelers. In this ethnic kingdom, travelers can explore in Lijiang - a Naxi minority city which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997; Shangri-La, an ethic Tibetan township with Lost Horizon scenery; Dali - Bai ethnic group inhabited as well as a historic center of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms; Yuanyang, a ...

  8. The complete travel guide to Yunnan (云南)

    The complete travel guide to Yunnan (云南), the most diverse Chinese province. February 10, 2024. Yunnan is one of the most beautiful and diverse provinces in China. You can find the top things to do and see in this article. Yunnan Province in China is a beautiful, diverse, landlocked region known for its stunning natural beauty, rich ...

  9. How to Plan a Yunnan Tour

    Below are the recommended best time to visit the popular destinations in Yunnan and you can check for reference. Kunming (altitude: 1895 meters): It can be visited all year round. Lijiang (altitude: 2418 meters): The best time to travel is March ~ November. Shangri-La (altitude: 3300 meters): The best time to travel is May ~ October. Dali (altitude: 2052 meters): The best time to visit is ...

  10. The Ultimate Yunnan China Travel Guide: All You Need to Know

    Yuanyang (元阳) is a little slice of heaven. Quite literally, as its hilltop villages will make you feel as if you were right at home inside the clouds. Yunnan is filled with beauty and Yuanyang ...

  11. How to Plan a Trip to Yunnan 2024

    Spring (March to May) in Yunnan is the season for oceans of flowers. We recommend a visit to Kunming, Dali, Luoping, and Xishuangbanna. See the 5-Day Spring Tour to Kunming, Luoping, and Wanfenglin. Summer (June to September) in Yunnan is a good season to escape China's heat. We recommend Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Puzhehei.

  12. Yunnan travel

    China, Asia. Yunnan (云南, Yúnnán) is the most diverse province in all China, both in its extraordinary mix of peoples and in the splendour of its landscapes. That combination of superlative sights and many different ethnic groups has made Yunnan the trendiest destination for China's exploding domestic tourist industry.

  13. Yunnan Travel Guide

    Guidebook Shop. Plan your visit to Yunnan, China: find out where to go and what to do in Yunnan with Rough Guides. Read about itineraries, activities, places to stay and travel essentials and get inspiration from the blog in the best guide to Yunnan.

  14. Yunnan Travel Itinerary: 4 Days Itinerary In Dali

    About Yunnan & Dali. Dali is the seat of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Yunnan. The Dali city we usually referred to is the area around the Dali Old Town but actually the size extends to Dali New City (下关, Xiàguān ). Dali is known for its natural scenery, still life and minority culture. The best season to go to Dali is ...

  15. 2 days in Shangri-La Yunnan: all you need to know

    The highlight of Shangri-La is, without any doubt, the Songzanlin Monastery. Located only 5 km from the old town, it's a beautiful Tibetan temple built in 1679. It's the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, sometimes called the Little Potala Palace. It's also the most important monastery in southwest China.

  16. Ultimate Yunnan Itineraries: 6 Top Tours Options and Side Trips

    8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour Meet the Amazing Beauty of Yunnan. 2. A 6-Day Lijiang to Shangri-La Adventure Tour (Good for Hiking Lovers) If you want to experience the atmosphere of adventure that the great explorer Joseph Rock pioneered, this itinerary would be good for you.

  17. 15 Things to Do in Kunming

    Most eateries in Yunnan serve the wild mushrooms stir-fried, boiled, or simmered in soup. Add Kunming to Your Travel Bucket List. Contrary to popular belief among Singaporeans that China is an "old people's travel destination", it actually is very modern with great attractions amongst, and beyond, its nature.

  18. Dali (大理) Old Town: the complete travel guide

    In my blog, I have often talked about Yunnan, one of the most beautiful provinces in China.But my list of places to visit can't be complete without mentioning Dali, the ancient capital of the Nanzhao kingdom, and the old capital of Yunnan (don't miss my Yunnan travel guide).. Dali is a city with a millenary history.

  19. Colorful Yunnan

    Attractions in Yunnan. Diverse natural and cultural attractions make Yunnan a uniquely thrilling destination. Learn more. Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (Songzanlin Lamasery) Sky Tree Scenic Area, Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest National Park (Wangtianshu Scenic Area) Meri Snow Mountains. Fuxian Lake.

  20. Plan Your Trip

    Yunnan Travel Agency Association. Li Qian Address: No.118, Dongfeng East RoadKunming,YunNan. Mobile: +86 138 8855 8647 Tel: +86 (871) 6571 6582 ... Travel Blogs. Get inspired for your tour in Yunnan. Four Seasons Tour of Yunnan, Strolling through Twelve Moments in the Colorful Clouds_01. Yunnan, a many splendored life_02 ...

  21. 1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Adventure ...

    This Travel Blog of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang introduces you an hiking experience from Yuhu village to Snow Mountain Grand Valley. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the most southerly snowcapped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere, which is also a popular hiking destination.

  22. Blogs

    Get In Touch. Address: Address: Hongxing Building, Lujia Road, Xishan Area, Kunming, Yunnan, China Wechat/QQ: 908400838 Office Call: 86-871-63560579

  23. Yunnan Travel Blog, Yunnan Travel Experience, Yunnan Travel Stories by

    Get In Touch. Address: Address: Hongxing Building, Lujia Road, Xishan Area, Kunming, Yunnan, China Wechat/QQ: 908400838 Office Call: 86-871-63560579