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,…
Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area, Kunming
Key facts
- Admission
- Combo ticket ¥180 (includes admission, sightseeing shuttle and boat ride)
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Getting there
- Take a high-speed train from Kunming to Guangnan County, then a local bus to Xisong bus stop (西松).
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 205. Open in Google Maps
About 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.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. The roads in Bamei are all rugged dirt tracks, and part of the route must be covered on foot. Be sure to wear flat shoes.
- 2. To reach Bamei Village, you must pass through a water cave so dark you cannot see your own hand. Bring a flashlight or emergency lamp in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area cost?
Admission to Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area is Combo ticket ¥180 (includes admission, sightseeing shuttle and boat ride), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area?
Take a high-speed train from Kunming to Guangnan County, then a local bus to Xisong bus stop (西松).
How long should I spend at Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area?
Plan on 1–2 days for Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area.
Where is Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area?
Bamei Shangri-La Scenic Area is in Kunming, Yunnan Province, in the Southwest of China. Guangnan County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
More places in Kunming
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*.
¥60; Dieheng Bridge Great Cableway ¥120 (round trip) · 2–3 hours
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.
¥130 · 3 hours or more
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).
Circuit sightseeing shuttle ¥92 per day; Swan Lake ¥85; Lotus Breeze Night Light ¥198; Qingqiu Mural Wall ¥128; boat tickets ¥80–260 depending on type · 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.
¥70 · 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.
Admission ¥60; sightseeing shuttle ¥15 one way or ¥20 round trip · 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