A Yunnan Travel Guide Based on 10 Trips
Yunnan is truly a fantastic travel destination! With its spring-like weather all year round, picturesque scenery, rich ethnic minority cultures, and an abundance of delicious food, it's a must-visit. Today, I'm sharing my personal travel tips, which first-time visitors can follow directly.
Preparation
- Documents: ID card, student ID (bring it if you have one, as some attractions offer discounts).
- Clothing: Yunnan experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, so even in summer, a light jacket is recommended. If you're going to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a thick down jacket is essential, though you can also rent one at the scenic area. Other clothing can be prepared according to the season and personal preference, prioritizing comfort and ease of movement for walking and taking photos.
- Skincare & Sun Protection: Yunnan has strong UV rays, so pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sun-protective clothing. Also, don't forget moisturizer to prevent dry skin.
- Medicine: Pack common medications like cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, and altitude sickness medicine (prepare in advance if visiting high-altitude areas).
- Other: Power bank, phone charger, camera (don't forget this if you enjoy photography), travel backpack or suitcase.
Itinerary
Kunming - Dali - Lijiang (7 Days, 6 Nights)
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming → Kunming Old Street → Dianchi Lake
Morning: Arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport. Take the airport express, subway line 6, or a taxi to your hotel in the city center. Check in and take a short rest.
Noon: Visit Kunming Old Street and sample local specialties like small pot rice noodles, roasted rice cakes, and tofu pudding rice noodles.
Afternoon: Head to Dianchi Lake to admire the beautiful scenery and feed the seagulls (November to March is the peak season for seagull watching).
Evening: Have dinner at a restaurant near Dianchi Lake and try Yunnan delicacies such as steam pot chicken and wild mushroom hot pot. Afterward, explore Kunming's night markets and experience the local atmosphere.
Day 2: Kunming → Dali → Dali Old Town
Morning: Take a high-speed train to Dali. Upon arrival, go to Dali Old Town and check in to your hotel.
Noon: Have lunch in Dali Old Town and try local specialties like rice noodles, Xizhou baba, and cold chicken rice noodles.
Afternoon: Stroll through Dali Old Town, visit the Five Pagodas, Foreigner Street, and Fuxing Road, and soak in the charm of the old town. You can also browse the unique shops and pick up some souvenirs.
Evening: Find a bar in the old town, listen to folk music, and relax.
Day 3: Dali Old Town → Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor → Xizhou Ancient Town
Morning: Rent an electric bike or bicycle and cycle along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, enjoying the stunning scenery of Erhai Lake. Take photos at the Panxi S-bend and experience the "windy place."
Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant near the corridor and try Erhai fish or farmhouse dishes.
Afternoon: Visit Xizhou Ancient Town, admire the windswept wheat fields (most beautiful from May to July when the wheat ripens), experience tie-dyeing, and visit the Yan Family Courtyard.
Evening: Return to Dali Old Town for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Erhai Lake Tour (East Side) → Shuanglang Ancient Town → Ideal Bond
Morning: Continue the Erhai Lake tour, starting from the east side. Visit Wenbi Village, Small Putuo Island, and other scenic spots, enjoying the different views of Erhai Lake.
Noon: Have lunch in Shuanglang Ancient Town, where there are many seaside restaurants offering a pleasant dining experience with sea views.
Afternoon: Explore Shuanglang Ancient Town, browse the unique shops, and experience the laid-back lifestyle. Afterward, visit Ideal Bond, a place with a Santorini-like exotic atmosphere, perfect for taking photos.
Evening: Stay overnight near Ideal Bond or return to Dali Old Town.
Day 5: Dali → Lijiang → Lijiang Old Town
Morning: Take a high-speed train or bus to Lijiang. Upon arrival, go to Lijiang Old Town and check in to your hotel.
Noon: Enjoy Lijiang specialties like Naxi grilled fish, preserved pork rib hot pot, and chicken pea jelly.
Afternoon: Explore Lijiang Old Town, visit Sifang Street, the Water Wheel, and Mu's Residence. Stroll along the cobblestone streets and experience the romance and tranquility of the old town.
Evening: Experience Lijiang's nightlife in the bars of the old town, or find a restaurant to savor local cuisine and admire the night view.
Day 6: Lijiang Old Town → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Blue Moon Valley
Morning: Get up early and head to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Book tickets and cable car tickets in advance. Upon arrival, take the eco-bus and cable car up the mountain to admire the magnificent scenery and take photos at the 4680m marker.
Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant in the scenic area, where light meals and snacks are available.
Afternoon: After descending, visit Blue Moon Valley, where the lake water is as blue as a gemstone, reflecting the snow mountain like a fairyland. Every photo taken here is a masterpiece.
Evening: Return to Lijiang Old Town for dinner and a good rest to recover from the day's activities.
Day 7: Lijiang Old Town → Shuhe Ancient Town → Departure
Morning: Visit Shuhe Ancient Town, a quieter and more ancient town than Lijiang Old Town. Explore the Nine Dragon Pond and Qinglong Bridge, and experience the charm of this rural ancient town.
Noon: Have lunch in Shuhe Ancient Town and try the local specialties.
Afternoon: Pack your luggage and prepare for your departure, concluding your pleasant Yunnan trip!
Food Recommendations
- Kunming: Crossing-the-bridge noodles, steam pot chicken, wild mushroom hot pot, small pot rice noodles, roasted rice cakes, Yiliang roast duck, flower cakes.
- Dali: Rice noodles, Xizhou baba, cold chicken rice noodles, Dali pickled cabbage fish, three-course tea, milk fan, carved plums.
- Lijiang: Naxi grilled fish, preserved pork rib hot pot, chicken pea jelly, rice sausage, black goat hot pot, Lijiang baba.
Things to Note
- Yunnan's attractions are scattered, so plan your route in advance and book train tickets, entrance tickets, and hotels to avoid delays.
- Yunnan has complex terrain and some areas are at high altitudes. Take precautions against altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise, and get plenty of rest.
- When visiting scenic areas, protect the environment, do not litter, and do not damage natural landscapes or cultural relics.
- When trying wild mushrooms, choose reputable restaurants and ensure that the mushrooms are thoroughly cooked to avoid poisoning.
- When buying souvenirs, compare prices from different vendors to avoid being overcharged. If you encounter any problems, report them to the relevant local authorities promptly.
Kunming Old Street is a must-see for travelers in Yunnan. It offers a glimpse into the authentic flavors of old Kunming. Enjoy a variety of Yunnan snacks, visit the Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, Nie Er's former residence, and explore the Ma Family Courtyard, home to Kunming's former mayor during the Republican era.
There are many unexpected historical sites on the old street, especially in the early morning when there are not many tourists, which is a good place to slowly appreciate them. At night, it becomes a bustling commercial street with many shops and small restaurants.
Kunming Old Street is located in Wuhua District, Kunming City. It is the only traditional neighborhood in Kunming with the texture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. From Zhengyi Road to the east, Wuyi Road to the west, Jingxing Street to the south, and Renmin Middle Road to the north. There are nearly 900-year-old buildings, such as Fulintang and the former residence of Nie'er. In 2021, it will become the first provincial night cultural tourism consumption gathering area. Walking among them, you can feel the historical charm on the Qingshiban Road, taste special snacks, and buy ethnic accessories. It is a great place to experience the old Kunming style.
I first visited Xishan and took the subway directly to Kunming Old Street. The transportation is very convenient. It is better to go in the evening. The lights are dim. I mainly visited Qianwang Old Street. I have a deeper impression of Kunming. I also walked around the food street. It was lively and colorful. The rooftop of this complex adjacent to the subway station. This Yunnan small pot cross-bridge rice noodle is especially worth recommending. Kunming Old Street is a good place that must be visited
【Fun】A quiet stroll with little fun 【Cost-effective】High 【Scenery】Photographing with Kunming characteristics Jingxing Street is the street with the most old Kunming atmosphere. From food to clothing, it basically has everything, and there is also a special hookah shop! I guess outsiders don’t know what it sells! Qianwang Street: Wang Chi, a businessman in the late Qing Dynasty, was called "Qianwang". He opened a bank Tongqingfeng here, so this street is called Qianwang Street. Wang Chi established the "Tongqingfeng" bank in Kunming (No. 108, Qianwang Street), and set "Tongqingfeng" as the national head office, and the others were sub-colonies. According to statistics from the British "Times", Wang Chi ranked fourth in the world's top ten richest people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the people respectfully called him "Qianwang". Wang Chi actively funded the country to resist foreign invasion, defend the country, develop minerals, build railways, build hydropower stations, pave roads and build bridges, donate to disaster relief, and provide financial assistance to education. Wang Chi invested in the construction of Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Dongze Copper Mine, Gejiu Tin Mine, Shilongba Hydropower Station (the earliest water-carved power station in China, which has been generating electricity for more than 100 years), Yaolong Electric Light Factory, Kunming "Zhuangyuan Building", etc. Wang Chi was awarded the title of "Three Generations First Rank" in 1893 for his contributions to the country, the people and business. He was the only first-rank red-topped businessman in the Eastern Qing Dynasty and even in the feudal society of China. Wang Chi abided by the concepts of "being a person with virtue, doing business with virtue, gathering wealth with profit, and using wealth with righteousness". In his social era, he used advanced business ideas such as "chain operation, shareholding management" and industrial and financial integration, and established valuable business concepts and spiritual wealth for future generations. Yongdao Flower Street: Nie Er's former residence is here! There are also many antique stalls, where you can find many cute gadgets.
The three most recommended attractions in Kunming Old Street are Guanghua Street, Wenmiao Street and Yongdao Street. Guanghua Street symbolizes "Recovering China". There is a historic medical hall at the entrance of the street, which is worth a visit. Wenmiao Street retains the best-preserved old building complex in Kunming, among which Rule Teahouse is unique, which was transformed from a small French-style building. Nie Er's Former Residence: Located on Yongdao Street, it is the former residence of Mr. Nie Er and a must-visit place to understand Kunming's history and culture. Wine Cup Building: Located on Guanghua Street, it is the landmark building of the Anti-Japanese War Victory Hall. The unique wine cup shape is impressive and super photogenic. Jingxing Street Flower and Bird Market: Famous for its flower and bird market, it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts and a market for antiques and jade and jadeite jewelry. If you are interested, you can go to Taobao! Ma's Courtyard: A relatively well-preserved quadrangle with carved doors and windows, wooden beams, and a strong cultural atmosphere. If you catch up, there will be drama performances.
If you have time, you can go shopping. I have listed the following. 1. Wine Cup Building The Wine Cup Building on Guanghua Street. Also known as the Moonlight Restaurant, it is a must-visit place for taking photos. 2. Oriental Bookstore It is hidden in the middle of Wenming Street, in a very inconspicuous location, but don't underestimate it. It has a history of more than 100 years. Wen Yiduo, Lin Huiyin, and Li Gongpu have all come here to buy books. Spend a little time, sit here quietly, drink a cup of coffee, read a book, and listen to the sound of history flowing. There are also many signed books and donated books by famous people. 3. Nie Er's Former Residence Mr. Nie Er's former residence on Yongdao Street, needless to say, how can you not come and see it. 4. Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War Located on Guanghua Street, Yunrui Park, between the two wine cup buildings, you can see the Monument to the People's Heroes at the gate. 5. Jingxing Jewelry Market A famous place for buying and selling jewelry on Jingxing Street, you can go and find jewelry such as jade. 6. Confucian Temple The place where the imperial examinations were held in the Qing Dynasty. 7. Fulintang A time-honored pharmacy with a history of more than 100 years. You can register for a pulse check by an old Chinese doctor for 5 yuan. There are also Ma's Courtyard, Tongqingfeng, Yunnan Baiyao Experience Hall, Yunnan Tea Museum, Chaoda Jiahua, Yunrui Park, etc.
Kunming, the city of spring, has a pleasant climate and is like spring all year round. The first stop is Dianchi Lake, with rippling blue waves and red-billed gulls dancing. Take a cable car to the West Mountain and overlook the magnificent panoramic view. The willows in Cuihu Park are swaying, the lotus pond is moonlit, and street performers occasionally play and sing, leisurely and relaxed. The next day, visit Shilin, where the strange peaks and rocks are like the work of gods, and the legend of "Ashima" adds mystery. Guandu Ancient Town is full of fireworks, and the small pot rice noodles and roasted bait blocks are fragrant. The intangible cultural heritage shops are worth visiting. The last stop is Dounan Flower Market, the largest flower trading market in Asia, where roses and lilies are cheap and good quality, and they are shipped home by air to continue the memory of the city of spring. The subway and bus are convenient, but some attractions are a little far away, so it is recommended to reserve enough time