Kunming travel guide
昆明
No matter which part of China you come from, your first impression of Kunming is sunshine and spring-like brightness, which never changes with the seasons. Looking up, the plateau sky is a deep,…
33 places · In the guidebook: pages 176–208
Kunming, Yunnan Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Kunming in 3 days
- Day 1
- Yunnan University→
- Green Lake Park→
- Jinma Biji Archways→
- Expo Garden→
- Golden Temple Scenic Area
- Day 2
- Haigeng Park→
- Dianchi Lake→
- Yunnan Ethnic Village→
- Xishan
- Day 3
The feel of the place
- Radiant
- No matter which part of China you come from, your first impression of Kunming is sunshine and spring-like brightness, which never changes with the seasons. Looking up, the plateau sky is a deep, clear blue that seems to stretch endlessly.
- Humans and Gulls at Play
- That a city not on the coast should host seagulls wintering here year after year is nothing short of a miracle, and for Kunming people it has become an everyday winter sight. Visit Green Lake and Haigeng Park to see the red-billed gulls (红嘴鸥). By Green Lake, volunteer teams made up of students and environmental advocates hand out free gull food and materials on protecting the birds, and the Kunming municipal government has even awarded the red-billed gulls the title of “Honorary Citizens.”
Preparation and Information
Language
The Kunming dialect belongs to the Northern dialect group, and to outsiders it sounds quite similar to Sichuanese and Guizhou dialects. Of course, Mandarin is the common language, and speaking Mandarin will get you by without any trouble.
Climate and When to Visit
“Spring City” (春城) is Kunming’s nickname. The city has long been famed as the place of “eternal spring,” and for visitors it is also a place where flowers bloom everywhere. The weather can change quickly within a single day: one moment it is blazing sun, and the next there are sudden downpours and gusts of wind. Locals say “when it rains, winter has come”: it turns very cold during showers, and as soon as the rain stops, the weather turns mild again. Kunming’s most comfortable travel period is March to October, when the scenery is at its most beautiful, ethnic minority festivals are most concentrated, and fruit and flowers are at their most abundant.
Kunming’s annual average temperature is 15℃. The average temperature in the hottest month is 19–22℃, the highest temperature does not exceed 31.5℃, and the average temperature in the coldest month is 6–8℃. Most of the year’s rainfall falls between May and October; the remaining months are relatively dry.
Learn a Few Phrases of Kunming Dialect
The Kunming dialect belongs to the Northern dialect group. Although it may sound rustic and unmelodious, it has many onomatopoeic words and is particularly humorous and vivid. Learning a few local phrases can add extra fun to your trip.
1. Praise — 板扎
2. Amazement — 埋埋散
3. Is it? — 咯是
4. How? — 咋咯
5. Ridiculous/funny — 太雀啦
6. Misbehaving — 糟奈
Shopping
In Kunming, “斤” means “kilogram,” with 1 斤 equal to 1,000 grams. The “两” that Kunming people refer to is the metric liang, with 1 两 equal to 100 grams. Besides Kunming, Kaiyuan, Mengzi and Hekou follow the same practice.
Things to see
A 360-degree circular residential-commercial tower with a distinctive silhouette, offering a fresh perspective. Every shot looks like a still from a sci-fi blockbuster.
Jinma Biji Archways
1–3 hours
The Jinma Biji Archways originally date from the Ming dynasty, but the present structure is a reconstruction. Its magic lies in the spectacle of 'gold and jade shining together' (jin bi jiao hui). This is a bustling part of central Kunming, home to large department stores such as Baisheng, Kunbaida and Gome, as well as a range of bars and snack shops, making it very convenient for shopping.
Guandu Ancient Town
1–3 hours · Free
About 10 km from the city centre, Guandu is one of the birthplaces of ancient Dian culture. The town has rich cultural sites, including five mountains, six temples, seven pavilions and eight shrines, along with a lively mix of shops. Miaozhan Temple, known as the 'foremost of the six temples', is most notable for the Vajra Throne Pagoda in front of it. On the commercial street, yanjing baba (eyeglass cakes) are the bestsellers, in sesame and peanut fillings.
Dianchi National Tourist Resort
Dianchi is Yunnan's largest freshwater lake and is known as the 'Pearl of the Plateau'. From Longmen, you can take in the whole lake spread out below. Visitors can take a boat tour on Dianchi, and along the shore are sights including the Western Hills, Guanyin Hill and Daguan Tower. Every winter, thousands of black-headed gulls fly here to overwinter, making them one of Dianchi's great spectacles.
1–3 hours · Free
Western Hills Scenic Area
Legend has it that the Western Hills were formed from lovers who had been separated. If you want to see all of Kunming, climb to the summit of the Western Hills, where Dianchi lies at your feet. If strolling by the lake and enjoying the breeze is an elegant pastime, standing on the Western Hills offers a grander, more heroic vista. The hills are also Kunming residents' first choice for spring and autumn outings.
2–3 hours · Attractions within the scenic area are charged separately: Longmen Grottoes ¥30; Huating Temple, Taihua Temple and Nie Er's Tomb are free; Longmen Cableway ¥25 one way, ¥50 round trip
Green Lake Park
If you visit Kunming after November, the one thing you must not miss is watching black-headed gulls at Green Lake Park. Since 1985, thousands upon thousands of black-headed gulls have flown here from distant Siberia to overwinter at Green Lake and Dianchi. At their peak, up to around 30,000 gather here, skimming across the water and playing alongside visitors, making them an annual spectacle in Kunming.
Free
Xundian Beidaying Grassland
This is the filming location of the movie *Wu Wen Xi Dong*, and some of the film's set props are still on display for photos. Visitors can go horseback riding, practise archery and fly kites. Nearby are a golf course, a marigold plantation and a canyon waterfall.
0.5 days · Free
Yunnan Provincial Museum
Founded in 1951, the Yunnan Provincial Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in Yunnan Province and one of the first national first-class museums in China. It is a hub for Yunnan's history, culture and art, a must-visit for travellers to the province, and a second classroom for young students.
1–3 hours · Free
Laoyu River Wetland Park
Here you will find blue skies, white clouds, sunshine and seagulls soaring freely. Taking a boat out on the lake offers a distinctive atmosphere. Visiting in early spring, you can also admire tulips in full bloom.
3 hours · Free
Kunming Zoo
Also known as Yuantong Hill Zoo, it was built in 1953. It is home to more than 200 species of animals, including many native to Yunnan as well as rare animals from China and abroad, offering a rich variety of sights and attracting large crowds. The zoo's “Yuantong Blossom Tide” is also one of the seven most celebrated cherry blossom viewing spots in China.
¥20
Yunnan University
Located near Green Lake Park, Yunnan University has a beautiful campus that is reputed to be one of China's most beautiful. Most of its buildings blend Chinese and Western styles and have a rich sense of history.
Free
Yunnan Ethnic Village
Yunnan Ethnic Village brings together village settlements from 25 ethnic groups, giving visitors a window onto the colourful daily lives and religious customs of Yunnan's minorities. It is a microcosm of Yunnan's ethnic cultures. Festivals are held here at different times of year, such as Tibetan New Year (Losar) on the first day of the first lunar month and the Water-Splashing Festival in April. Visitors can also watch folk performances, sample ethnic snacks and buy handicrafts.
0.5–1 day · ¥90
Dynamic Yunnan Performance
Dynamic Yunnan is a stage work that combines traditional beauty with modern energy, directed and choreographed by the renowned dancer Yang Liping. To create it, she spent a year searching the fields and villages of Yunnan, watching countless folk dances and distilling the most striking movements into the song-and-dance numbers. The result is a dance full of authentic Yunnan ethnic flavour.
Category C ¥220; Category B ¥300; Category A ¥400; VIP ¥520
Daguan Tower
First built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty, the park takes its name from its position facing Dianchi Lake, with the Western Hills in the distance, offering sweeping views of lake and mountains. The most prized sight is the Daguan Tower, built beside the water. It has three storeys and displays many fine plaques and couplets. The 180-character couplet by the Qing-era scholar Sun Ranweng hangs on the pillars on either side of the water-facing door and is known as 'the finest long couplet in ancient and modern times'.
3 hours · Free
Yunnan Military Academy Former Site
Founded in 1909, the academy was originally counted among China's three major military academies. Many outstanding military strategists and revolutionaries, including Zhu De and Ye Jianying, studied here. The surviving building is an elegant small yellow structure in Republican style. It is well preserved and photogenic, and its interior is open as an exhibition hall.
1–3 hours · Free
Black Dragon Pool Park
Black Dragon Pool Park lies at the foot of the Wulao Peak of Longquan Mountain on the northern outskirts of Kunming. Its name comes from the legend of Lü Dongbin subduing a wicked black dragon. The scenery is rustic and secluded, with much to admire: ancient trees, clear springs, bamboo groves, plum blossoms and deep pools. The most striking sight is the pool itself. A stone bridge divides it in two, one side clear and the other murky, and the two never mix.
1–2 hours · Free
Jiaochang Middle Road
From May to June each year, when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, their blue-purple flowers sway in the breeze and give off a faint fragrance, making visitors feel as though they have stepped into a dreamlike purple world. Many shops selling jacaranda-themed souvenirs are nearby, and their distinctive ice cream is also worth trying.
Photography
East and West Pagodas
These ancient pagodas date from the Nanzhao Kingdom period. The East Pagoda stands 40.57 metres tall and the West Pagoda 36 metres. Both are thirteen-tier square brick pagodas with closely spaced eaves. The East Pagoda is also known as the Golden Rooster Pagoda, as four copper-plated golden roosters stand at the corners of its top. Each rooster holds in its beak a copper tube with holes at both ends. In the past, when the wind blew, the reeds inside vibrated and produced a melodious chirping sound. Later, dust built up in the tubes and the roosters fell silent.
1–3 hours · Free
Yuantong Temple
One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kunming and one of the city's Eight Scenic Spots. It achieves tranquillity amid bustle and grandeur through small details, and makes skilful use of the Luofeng Hill behind it to create a distinctive water-courtyard temple with unique garden art. The main gate of Yuantong Temple is on Yuantong Street. The deeper you walk into the temple, the lower the ground becomes, making it a rare “sloping temple” among Chinese temple architecture.
2 hours · ¥6
Kunming Metro Line 4
Kunming Metro Line 4 is known as the “Internet-famous Line 4”. Haitun Road Station reflects the theme of “low-carbon and environmental protection”, Sujiatang Station focuses on “education and culture, the culture of books”, and Xiangfeng Street Station highlights “Dianchi Lake culture”… Its nine major stations are all photogenic.
Free
Chenggong Dayu Park
With its European-style architecture, the entire space is filled with pink bubble-like details, so the park's beauty is immediately apparent. On sunny days, you may be able to photograph seagulls.
Free
Getting there & around
Getting In and Out
Kunming is a typical inland city, so trains and planes are the main means of transport in and out of the city.
Airport Express (City)
Remember the Taxi Symbol
Kunming taxis each display a distinctive animal emblem and number, and different animals represent different taxi companies. If you accidentally leave something in a taxi, remembering the animal emblem will make it easier to track down.
Buses to Major Attractions
1. Several tourist shuttle routes depart from near the Provincial Gymnasium (省体育馆).
2. Dali: Buses depart several times daily from the West Bus Station, South Kiln Station and the railway station square. Journey time is 5–6 hours, and the fare is ¥160.
3. Lijiang: Buses depart several times daily from the West Bus Station. Journey time is 7–9 hours, and the fare is ¥252.
4. Shangri-La: Two buses daily depart from both the West Bus Station and the North Bus Station. The West Station to Shangri-La fare is ¥348; the North Station to Shangri-La fare is ¥218.
Tourist Shuttle Lines
Bus A1: Yunnan Nationalities Village, Dianchi Lake, Milesi Temple (弥勒寺), Jinmafang Stop (金马坊站), Municipal Museum, Xinying Road Junction, Bailong Temple, Expo Garden.
Bus A2: Gulou Road, Yuantong Hill (圆通山), Nantai Bridge, Desheng Bridge, Tangzi Lane, Kunming Convention and Exhibition Center.
By Air
Changshui International Airport (昆明长水国际机场) is located in Guandu District, 24.5 km from the city centre. Airport express buses now connect the airport with the city, serving Xiaoxi Gate (小西门), Wujiaba (巫家坝), Xin Luosiwan (新螺蛳湾), Chenggong New District (呈贡新区), the South Passenger Terminal, the West Passenger Terminal, Kunming Railway Station and several other points. A taxi from the city centre to Changshui Airport costs around ¥100 and takes about an hour.
A metro line runs from the airport to the East Passenger Terminal, taking 30 minutes with a fare of ¥8. From the East Passenger Terminal, you can transfer to a bus to the city centre, which takes about an hour and costs ¥2.
By Rail
One of the “Eighteen Oddities of Yunnan” is “the train is no faster than the bus,” which refers to the fact that complex terrain and winding tracks mean trains take longer. In recent years, however, Kunming’s rail network has developed rapidly, and the “eight routes out of the province, five routes out of the country” integrated transport network is taking shape, making train the most convenient and easiest way in and out of Kunming. Kunming Station is the city’s central station, with trains heading to Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and other destinations. South Kiln Railway Station has trains to Dali, Yuxi and other places every day.
By Road
Kunming has five main passenger stations: East, South, West, North and Northwest. They run coaches on various schedules to destinations inside and outside the province.
Long-Distance Bus Stations and Destinations
Getting Around the City
Buses
Kunming’s bus network is extensive, with rapid transit lines, urban routes and suburban routes. Basic urban fares are ¥1–2, while fares for far-suburban routes are ¥10–20. Buses generally run from 6:00 to 22:00.
Metro
Kunming Metro Lines 1–6 are now open, with a minimum fare of ¥2.
Railway Station Express
Airport Express (City)Route: Changshui International Airport → Kunming Railway Station
High-Speed Rail Express
Airport Express (City)Route: Changshui International Airport → Kunming South High-Speed Railway Station
Kunming Airport Customer Service
Kunming Airport Customer Service- Phone:
- 0871-96566
Airport Express Service Hotline
Airport Express Service Hotline- Phone:
- 400-0272-999
West Bus Station
West Bus Station- Address:
- 18 Yining Road, Xishan District
- Getting there:
- Buses to Dali, Lijiang, Lincang, Nujiang and Diqing
Northwest Bus Station
Northwest Bus Station- Address:
- Intersection of Chenjiaying Road and Xiaotun Road, Wuhua District
- Getting there:
- Buses to Chuxiong, Panzhihua, Huaping, Yimen and Anning
North Bus Station
North Bus Station- Address:
- Baoyun Road, Panlong District
- Getting there:
- Buses to Qujing, Zhaotong, Xundian, Songming and Dongchuan
South Bus Station
South Bus Station- Address:
- Next to Xin Luosiwan Trade City, Caiyun North Road, Guandu District
- Getting there:
- Buses to Pu’er, Yuxi, Xishuangbanna, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Shiping, Lüchun and Honghe
East Bus Station
East Bus Station- Address:
- Between Honghua Interchange and Liangmiansi Interchange, East Third Ring Road, Panlong District
- Getting there:
- Buses to Wenshan, Luliang, Shizong, Luoping, Gejiu, Kaiyuan, Pingbian, Hekou, Jinping, Mengzi, Luxi, Mile, Shilin and Yiliang
Eat & drink
Dian cuisine's absence from the Eight Great Cuisines is not without reason. Dian cooking and ingredients are eclectic and rooted in everyday street flavours, but historically there was little systematic development of official-style cuisine or formal banquet formats. Kunming's snacks, however, are well worth noting.
Local Specialties
1910 Huoche Nanzhan (1910 South Railway Station). Step inside and you feel the charm of bygone days: dusty railway tracks, antique gramophones and black-and-white photographs. The food is authentic Yunnan fare; recommended dishes include stir-fried shrimp with millet chilli, Jintiao Xidoufen (thin bean-flour porridge), old-style mashed potatoes and spicy-numbing pig's trotters. Prices are lower than those of other famous restaurants, though the location is a little tricky to find.
address: Unit 5B101, Park 1903 Xiangjie, Qianwei West Road, Xishan District
phone: 0871-63169486
Specialty Food Streets
Vietnamese Rice Rolls
Kunming is the place to try Vietnamese rice rolls. Near Deshengqiao and along Jinbi Road, once the main settlement of Vietnamese overseas Chinese, plane-tree-lined streets shelter several Vietnamese-run food shops selling nothing but Vietnamese rice rolls. The meticulously hand-rolled parcels and distinctive dipping sauces have also won over local Kunming residents.
Mixian (Rice Noodles)
Local SpecialtiesA beloved staple of Kunming people and a must-try when you visit. Top pick is Guoqiao Mixian (crossing-the-bridge rice noodles); small-pot rice noodles, stir-fried rice noodles, claypot rice noodles, cold rice noodles and braised rice noodles are also worth a mention.
Edible Mushrooms
Local SpecialtiesYunnan's distinctive mountain delicacies; the period just before and after the rainy season is the best time to eat mushrooms.
Yunnan Ham
Local SpecialtiesA cured meat; the finest ham comes from the Xuanwei area.
Erkuai (Rice Cake)
Local SpecialtiesA rice-based snack.
Shiping Tofu
Local SpecialtiesTofu set with local sour water, its distinctive flavour setting it apart.
Guanxing Road Wild Mushroom Street
Recommended EateriesComing to Kunming without trying wild mountain mushrooms is unthinkable! Order half a portion of each variety and sample several kinds. The broth at the bottom of the pot is wonderfully savoury, so be sure to have a few bowls. Guanxing Road has wild mushroom hotpot restaurants one after another; Yejunyuan and Yuanlin Wild Mountain Mushroom are recommended.
Yejunyuan (Guanxing Road Flagship)
Yejunyuan (Guanxing Road Flagship)- Address:
- No. 185 Guanxing Road, Guandu District (opposite the Yinhai Garden entrance)
- Phone:
- 0871-67167476
Yikeyin (Dongfeng West Road Branch)
Yejunyuan (Guanxing Road Flagship)An authentic Dian restaurant. Its signature steamed chicken in casserole is rich and fragrant, so delicious it might bring tears. Mixed-mushroom erkuai and bamboo-raft grilled fish are also worth recommending.
- Address:
- Nos. 18–19 Jixiang Lane, Dongfeng West Road, Wuhua District
- Phone:
- 0871-63982355
Congshuilu Pu'er Eco Restaurant
Yejunyuan (Guanxing Road Flagship)A good-value, rustic Pu'er-style restaurant with a countryside feel. Most dishes are sour and spicy and appetising, so those who love strong flavours will be thoroughly satisfied.
- Address:
- Shop B3B4, Level 1, Fuxiang Mall, Jinbi Road, Huguo Street Office
- Phone:
- 199885786681
North Gate Food & Entertainment Street
Specialty Food StreetsNearly 500 metres of street lined entirely with restaurants, from upscale to roadside stalls, bringing together the flavours of 26 ethnic groups. Recommended: 'ice-snow beef', considered one of Kunming's finest. M60 Creative Park: formerly the Kunming Storage Battery Factory, it is now a hotspot for artsy young people. Its most eye-catching feature is the walls covered in graffiti, much loved by young people.
Ziyun Qingniao
Specialty Food StreetsThe name 'Ziyun Qingniao' (Purple Cloud Bluebird) sounds upscale and artsy on first hearing, yet it never feels one-dimensional.
Chuangku
Specialty Food StreetsChuangku was once the production workshop of the Kunming Machine Tool Factory and is now an art space far removed from the glitz of the city. The buildings look somewhat weathered and desolate, yet the bleakness carries a touch of untamed pride!
Where to stay
In Kunming, a mid-sized city geared toward tourism, you won't have to search very hard for accommodation. Everything from luxury five-star hotels to basic guesthouses is available, so travellers can choose according to their budget and needs.
i-Ye Dajiaoshi International Youth Hostel is not in the city centre, but it is very close to Kundu Night Market and Green Lake Park, and it has become a gathering place for travellers. The owners are three true “donkeys” (the Chinese slang for seasoned backpackers), so you can pick up a wealth of practical travel tips from them.
address: No. 23 Zhuantang Road, Wuhua District
phone: 0871-64103777
Kaili International Boutique Hotel (Wanda Plaza Branch)
Recommended AccommodationLocated right beside Wanda Plaza, so it's easy to find, and you'll have no shortage of places to eat, drink and have fun nearby.
- Address:
- Ground-floor lobby, Building 2, Wanda Plaza International Serviced Apartments, No. 668 Qianxing Road
- Phone:
- 0871-68133600/68133500
Shopping
Apart from tobacco, Kunming has many other things worth noting, such as Bantong (mottled bronze) handicrafts, Yunzi, Yunnan Baiyao, sanqi, tianma, and jade and jadeite.
Recommended Shopping
Flower and Bird Market
Recommended ShoppingKunming's most bustling market for flowers, birds, fish and insects, now also a wholesale market for jadeite, jade and folk items.
- Address:
- Zhengyi Road
Dounan Flower Market
Recommended ShoppingThe largest flower trading market in Yunnan Province and in Asia; stepping inside feels like entering an ocean of flowers.
- Getting there:
- Near the Dounan intersection (bus stop)
Nanping Street
Recommended ShoppingA historic commercial street in Kunming, once the financial, commercial and entertainment hub of the city, and still very popular today.
- Getting there:
- Take bus 118 or 108 and get off at the Nanping Street East Gate stop
Kunming Old Street
Recommended ShoppingThe most authentic old district in central Kunming. It comprises six streets and ten lanes, preserving a large number of Qing and Republican-era residences and old shops, making it the best place to experience the city's history and culture.
- Getting there:
- Near the Wenmiao (bus stop), Art Theatre (bus stop) and Nanping Street East Gate (bus stop)
Nanqiang Lanes
Recommended ShoppingA street for food lovers: half of it is eateries, half is a creative market. Kunming's specialty snacks and time-honoured brands are all here.
- Getting there:
- Near the Huguo Road (bus stop)
Xiangyun Street
Recommended ShoppingThe street, over 400 metres long, is mainly devoted to dining. The northern section, with Dadian Garden, the Feihu Lou Theme Restaurant and Xiangyun Guild Hall, and the southern section, with Xiangyun Food City and Yunhexiang Restaurant, will leave visitors eager to sample Yunnan's local cuisine with their mouths glistening with flavour.
- Getting there:
- Near Jinmafang (金马坊) Bus Stop
Zhuanxin Market
Recommended ShoppingA trendy market that serves as a living illustrated guide to Yunnan's vegetables and snacks. It's the perfect place to sample a wide range of Yunnan's cuisine in a short time, with specialties from every prefecture gathered in one spot.
Nightlife
Kundu is one of the areas with the highest concentration of entertainment venues: slow-rock bars, KTV parlours and more fill the night with lively energy. The Jinma Biji Fang area is packed with leisure venues popular with Kunming's young people. Around Cuihu Lake there are many distinctive bars; drinks are relatively pricey by local standards, but they have plenty of character.
Snacks
Li Ji Hekou Old Brand Vietnamese Rice Rolls (Social-Media Hotspot)
address: No. 76 Dongjiawan Road
phone: 15912494781
Chinese Restaurants
Foreign-Flavour Restaurants
CANTINA Yilaofuzi: a very authentic Italian pizzeria in Kunming and one of the go-to spots for dates and meals out. It gets busy at mealtimes, yet is not too noisy; the setting is pleasant, the owner is friendly, and there is live music from a resident singer.
address: Ground Floor, Building 11, Banzhu Cuiyuan, No. 9 Hongshan East Road
phone: 18088271192
Kunming's Hangout for Stylish Urbanites
Douxiangyuan (Longxiang Branch)
SnacksRed bean rice for just ¥8; douhua shengyang and douhua mixian (bean curd rice noodles) are also delicious. These innovative Yunnan snacks are immensely popular.
- Address:
- No. 15 Longxiang Street
Manuo (Wenhua Lane Branch)
Chinese RestaurantsSpecialising in home-style Yunnan-Sichuan dishes, including bean curd with pork slices, dried beef jerky (ganba), double-flower milk cheese and old-style potatoes. After your meal, take a stroll nearby; the scenery is lovely.
- Address:
- No. 76, Attached Unit 15, Wenhua Lane, Wuhua District
- Phone:
- 0871-65369399
Dingji Noodle House (Fenghuang Branch)
Chinese RestaurantsA noodle shop that has been open in Kunming for 30 years, cheap, generously portioned and unrivalled in flavour. 'Good wine needs no bush' fits this noodle shop perfectly.
- Address:
- No. 46 Fenghuang Village, Beijing Road
Wenhua Lane
Kunming's Hangout for Stylish UrbanitesIts signatures are exotic charm and a distinctive food culture: Western coffee, Korean barbecue, Japanese cuisine and, of course, authentic Kunming snacks. People from around the world come here to chat, stroll, dine and sunbathe.
Jingxing Street
Kunming's Hangout for Stylish UrbanitesThis century-old street lies quietly in the city centre. Like Beijing's Liulichang, Lijiang's Sifang Street or Dali's Foreigners' Street, it is a calling card of the city, witnessing Kunming's history and vicissitudes. It has the greatest number of preserved Kunming residences: a treasure trove for stylish shoppers, a place where locals browse knick-knacks, a children's zoo and botanical garden, and a paradise for snack lovers.
Day trips & beyond
Stone Forest Scenic Area
Stone Forest boasts the most extraordinary karst landscape in the world, attracting countless visitors from China and abroad, and is hailed as the “First Wonder Under Heaven”. “Scenery of Stone Forest” is the most representative attraction here. Within the scenic area are “animal-shaped” rocks such as Tang Monk Rock, Monkey King Rock and Ashima, each with its own beautiful legend.
3 hours or more
Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Jiuxiang Scenic Area is famous for its karst caves and is known as the “Land of Caves”. The cave system formed from ancient dolomite some 600 million years old. Inside are nine major areas, including Jinghun Gorge, Yincui Gorge, Guhe Cave, Shennü Palace and Yijia Village. Jinghun Gorge is the largest gorge inside a cave in China, and Yincui Gorge is known as the “Lovers' Valley”, where young Yi men and women of Jiuxiang once sang love songs to each other. The area has also served as a filming location for several films, including *The Myth* and *Little Big Soldier*.
2–3 hours
Jiaozi Snow Mountain
The main peak of Jiaozi Snow Mountain rises to 4,247 metres above sea level and is the highest peak in central Yunnan. Several of its peaks look like sedan chairs (“jiaozi”) when seen from afar, hence the name. The mountain features tranquil lakes similar to Bita Lake, snowfields like those of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, rhododendron meadows like those of Gaoligong Mountain, and waterfall cascades like those of the Huanglian River. It is a microcosm of Yunnan's highland natural scenery.
1 day
Fuxian Lake, Chengjiang
A nationally renowned high-altitude freshwater lake, best known for its crystal-clear waters. It is only about 60 kilometers from Kunming, a drive of little more than an hour. Traditional fishing methods have survived here, and the delicious Kanglang fish (抗浪鱼) can be tasted only in this area. Before 2006, Fuxian Lake was mostly a pleasant natural swimming pool. Once relics of the ancient Dian Kingdom (滇国) were discovered, it became mysterious and popular.
3+ hours
Dongfengyun, Mile City
A trendy check-in spot and a town known for its cultural and artistic creativity, often called the 'Provence of central Yunnan'. Its buildings mostly use red brick, creating a striking visual impact and an exotic atmosphere. Main attractions include the Lavender Theme Park, the Kaleidoscope Art Museum and wine estates.
3+ hours
Luoping Rapeseed Flower Sea
Among the world's flowers, the humble rapeseed blossom makes Luoping a true wonder. Here the rapeseed fields cover nearly 800,000 mu, far more than a few scattered patches. When in full bloom, the flowers spread across hills, villages, roads and rivers alike, merging into a sea of yellow that is truly spectacular.
1–3 hours
Puzhehei
Puzhehei Lake, whose name in the Yi language means 'a pond rich in fish and shrimp'. Islands in the lake include Luyuan Island (鹭鸳岛), Pearl Island and Lotus Leaf Island. Gliding across the water, you see mountains within the lake and lake within the mountains. From June to September, tens of thousands of mu of red and white lotus flowers sway across the lake, and moonlight shimmers on the rippling water, giving the lakescape a special allure. Puzhehei was also the filming location for Hunan TV's parent-child show Where Are We Going, Dad? and the TV series Eternal Love (三生三世十里桃花).
1–2 days
Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area
Amid towering mountains, you paddle a dugout canoe through a dark natural water cave and emerge into a fairy-tale village: Bamei. Bamei people have lived for generations in seclusion, where village life of farming and weaving, with chickens and dogs within earshot of one another, embodies the 'Peach Blossom Spring' idyll described by the poet Tao Yuanming. Zhuang traditions such as sacrificial rites, antiphonal singing and the nighttime sowing of the sacred field have retained their original character. Signature dishes include five-colored rice and Bashang chicken (岜夯鸡), vivid in color and delicious in flavor.
1–2 days
Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Scenic Area
Hailed as 'the most beautiful mountain carving in China', it is vast in scale, comprising Bada Scenic Area, Laohuzui Scenic Area, Duoyishu Scenic Area, Qingkou Scenic Area and more. Visitors come to watch the magnificent sunrises and sunsets over the terraces and to experience the distinctive charm of Hani villages. At Duoyishu, golden clouds are often wrapped in mist, and at sunrise they form dazzling glowing vistas, making it one of photographers' favorite scenes.
3+ hours
Dongchuan Red Land
This is regarded as a cultural and natural landscape rivaling Brazil's red soil, and one of the most magnificent red-earth landscapes in the world. For thousands of years, working people have cultivated the red soil, growing highland barley (青稞), wheat, potatoes, rapeseed and other crops. Over time, it has formed a dazzling, colorful panorama. Throughout the year, as different crops are sown and ripen, the land reveals a different spectacular palette.
3+ hours
Nuohei Village
For generations, the people of Nuohei Village have built their homes from layered stone quarried from the mountains, earning it the nickname “Stone Village.” The villagers are Yi people, and during the Torch Festival you can join the young Ashima and Ahei for a bonfire celebration.
3–4 hours
Bajie Town
Bajie Town in Anning City is the main source of raw materials for Yunnan's flower-petal pastries (鲜花饼). It has more than 900 mu of rose fields, and when the roses are in bloom, the endless expanse of red blossoms is breathtaking. The fragrance of roses fills the air throughout the town. Every year, Bajie hosts a Rose Festival, where visitors can sample freshly made flower-petal pastries and rose jam, or try making their own. The town is also home to Sanhe Ancient Temple (三和古寺), which has a history of more than 300 years.
1–3 hours
Jianshui Ancient Town
Jianshui Ancient Town is a well-preserved historic town in southeastern Yunnan, home to more than 50 exquisite historic buildings. It is often described as an “architectural museum” and a “residential museum.” The town's most famous sites are the Confucius Temple and the Zhu Family Garden. Local snacks are also a highlight, and you should not miss shaodoufu (braised tofu), juanfen (rice noodle rolls) and paogao (soaked rice cakes).
1 day
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 176–208. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version