[Kunming Free Travel] How to enjoy Kunming in 3 days and 2 nights, a comprehensive itinerary planning guide!

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This guide carefully plans a perfect 3-day and 2-night trip to Kunming for you. Covering local attractions, authentic food and popular shopping areas, you can easily travel around Kunming and enjoy a worry-free holiday. Whether it is an in-depth exploration of history and culture or a fashionable check-in in a modern city, this guide can meet your needs. Come and start your wonderful trip to Kunming!

Visit Ashima in Shilin, buy roses by the pound at the flower market, learn the peacock dance in the ethnic village, take a boat to Dianchi Lake, and eat little pot rice noodles in the old street.

Enjoy the leisurely ride from Dianchi Lake to the old street, ride in the wetlands, eat grilled milk fans at the night market, wait for the sunset in the fishing hamlet, and check in at the historic temple.

The sixth-largest freshwater lake in my nation is Dianchi Lake, sometimes referred to as Kunming Lake. The 500-mile Dianchi Lake is the name given to it. The lake is large and breathtaking. It's also a fantastic spot to view and feed birds, as every winter a big flock of Siberian red-billed gulls will spend the winter here. There are several enjoyable ways to enjoy Dianchi Lake, like taking a boat tour, walking, biking, or climbing the Dragon Gate to get a better view of the lake.

Address: No. 1318, Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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One of Kunming's most visited tourist destinations is Yunnan Nationalities Village, which is situated on the city's southern side. Each of the 25 ethnic minority villages—which include those of the Dai, Bai, Yi, and others—has its own folk customs and craft performances and is constructed at a 1:1 scale. In a single day, you can observe the traditions of Yunnan's numerous ethnic groups. The folk village also hosts vibrant celebrations during ethnic minority festivals, such as the Yi people's "Torch Festival" in July and August and the Dai people's "Water Splashing Festival" in April.

Address: No. 1310 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City

Opening hours: 09:00-22:10 (no admission at 21:25)

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Old courtyard structures from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China make up the majority of Nanqiang Street, a well-known historical and cultural thoroughfare. The streets are definitely worth a visit, with a wide variety of food and shows.

Address: No. 1, Nanqiang Street, Wuhua District, Kunming City

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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In addition to being the oldest business route in Kunming, Nanping route is a historic neighborhood. Food, lodging, transit, shopping, and entertainment are all provided by the restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and name-brand chain businesses that line the street. It is one of the busiest streets in Kunming and a well-liked location for visitors to check in.

One of the most recognizable features of Nanping Street is the enormous archway at its entrance. Here, a lot of tourists take pictures. Additionally, there are lifelike bronze statues of the characters on the street, which you can photograph to capture them. Enjoy the splendor of Kunming, go shopping, and sample delectable cuisine.

Address: About 110 meters west of the State-owned Yinjia Building, Duanshi Street, Wuhua District, Kunming

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The southeast suburbs of Kunming are home to Guandu Ancient Town. It is a well-known ancient town in Kunming with a rich cultural heritage. The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw the development of its handicrafts and commerce. The historic town boasts a diverse range of cultural landscapes. Attics, temples, and other structures are worth visiting. There are a lot of busy stores as well. It is an excellent location for Kunming tourism and shopping. Along with sightseeing, this place offers a large selection of traditional delicacies. Don't miss the well-known Guandu Baba.

Address: About 100 meters northwest from the intersection of Guduchang Street and Yunxiu Road, Guandu District, Kunming City (about 100 meters south of Kunming Yunzhiduan International Youth Hostel)

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The Dounan Flower Market is situated in Kunming City's Chenggong District. There are as many flowers here as there are seas, and the air is filled with scent. Yunnan is referred to as the kingdom of plants and animals. Its climate is good and it has four seasons, including spring. 70–80% of the nation's flowers come from it. To enjoy the aroma of flowers grown in the 25th parallel north region, which originates from the Chinese Flower Capital, every visitor to Yunnan aspires to visit Dounan Flower Market. Succulents are sold on the second floor of Dounan Flower Market, while fresh and dried flowers are sold on the first floor. The prices of the flowers sold here are extremely inexpensive. There are a wide variety of flowers, including chrysanthemums, lilies, sunflowers, proteas, violets, baby's breath, etc. It is the largest flower trading market in Asia, and everyone who comes here returns with a full load.

Address: Building 11, Huahua World Main Stadium, Ruixiang West Street, Chenggong District, Kunming

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 21:00 tomorrow

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Kunming Laoyu River Wetland Park, which spans 734.31 hectares, is situated in Dianchi National Tourist Resort on Huanhu East Road. This wetland park has undergone renovations and upgrades that consider its ecological and landscape roles. Laoyu River Wetland has developed into a green barrier for the Dianchi Lake lakeside ecosystem and a pleasant weekend retreat for locals in recent years due to the ongoing progress of the ecological restoration project.

Address: West of the intersection of Huanhu East Road and Qixing Road, Chenggong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Business hours: Open from 08:30-19:00 tomorrow

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Situated in a lake bay on Kunming's southeast side, this Ming Dynasty fishing town has been peacefully residing for six centuries. Haiyan Village's 26 Qing Dynasty-style homes are grouped in a staggered pattern. The adobe walls' fissures document the path of the lake breeze throughout time, and the bluestone lanes still bear the dents from the caravans that carried salt.

The distinctive morning bell here is the sharp sound of silver scales bouncing as fishermen gather their nets, and there is always a light mist on the pier in the early morning. The squeaking of the waterwheel in the ceramic workshop, the scent of fresh mud, and the wooden carvings of "Fisherman, Woodcutter, Farmer and Scholar" on the lintel of the old home slowly awoke in the morning light as one walked along the stone path into the village. From the tofu business on the corner, the smell of beans fills the air. An authentic method to awaken your taste buds is to eat the freshly ground tofu pudding produced with a stone mill and served with homemade papaya water by the peasants.

The historic pier turns into a natural viewing platform when the sun sets, turning Dianchi Lake amber. The sound of waves caressing the reefs fills the lake after the commotion of the cruise ships, and the returning sails and the distant silhouettes of West Mountain create a lengthy ink painting scroll. The Laoyu River wetland behind the settlement will be blanketed in an endless layer of reed snow in late autumn, and migratory birds will pass over it and create vibrant musical soundtracks.

There are no deliberately choreographed performances here, but the ladies basking in the sun by the old wall will teach you to pronounce "海pacific河清" in dialect, and the uncles drying their fishing nets are happy to tell about the construction wisdom of their ancestors' "seven rooms and eight alleys". As the city lights light up one after another, a warm yellow halo shines through the darkening window frames in the village, reminding travelers that the true charm of the ancient village is hidden in the undecorated folds of life.

Address: Chenggong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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One of Kunming's main attractions is the Stone Forest Scenic Area, which is situated in Shilin County. With stone summits, stone buds, sinkholes, and underground rivers all over, the Stone Forest is a classic karst landform. Strange and amazing shapes like swords, skyscrapers, mushrooms, and other objects are created from the peaks and forests.

The Big and Small Stone Forest Scenic Area serves as the focal point of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, which has numerous important sections that are somewhat sparsely spread. About 12 kilometers to the north of the Big and Small Stone Forest Scenic Area is the Naigu Stone Forest; roughly 29 kilometers to the southwest of the Big and Small Stone Forest Scenic Area is the Dadieshu Scenic Area; and 26 kilometers to the southeast of the Big and Small Stone Forest Scenic Area is the Changhu Scenic Area. Both large and small stone forests are referred to as conventional stone forests.

The location of the Big and Small Stone Forests is the same. After purchasing a ticket at the gate and going inside, spend twenty minutes strolling down the hallway. The Small Stone Forest Scenic Area, which has somewhat flat stone summits and is smaller in scale, is on the left. Here, the renowned Ashima Stone is situated amidst a thick group of peaks. Facing you, the jade village transforms from the breathtaking peaks and woodlands. The Xiaoshilin region is home to a variety of sceneries, including the Divine Horse and the Sky-supporting Cluster of Stones, in addition to the stunning Ashima. This is a time to test your imagination. If your imagination is not rich enough, it is recommended to hire a tour guide. Under his guidance, you will have a new understanding of the peaks and forests in front of you.

You will view Ganoderma Lucidum Stone, Phoenix Combing Wings, Stone Prison, Tang Monk Stone, and other roadside landmarks if you drive carefully down the route. They all depict the glories of nature in a variety of poses and are realistic and colorful.

You will unintentionally enter the Dashilin region as you go down the corridor, passing past attractions like "Double Birds Feeding," "Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Stone Forest Scenic Spot," and "Stone Screen." You might be a little worn out from trekking, so relaxing in the Lion Pavilion and admiring the peaks and forests reflected in the Lion Pond across from you is also a lovely way to unwind. You will eventually experience aesthetic fatigue from seeing too many peaks and trees. Time to take in the scenery of the sea. When you take a boat on Shilin Lake, all of your problems and tension melt away as you sail over the lake and take in the breathtaking landscape of the mountains and waters.

Yi females are driving electric cars around the picturesque area, and they will stop when you wave if you don't want to walk so hard. A passionate female driver will share some stories with you, and you may also take in the beauties of the stone forest.

Big and Small Stone Forests are 13 kilometers north of Naigu Stone Forest. Mozhai Stone Forest and New Stone Forest are other names for it. It includes Shifeng Mountain, Baiyun Lake, Secluded Valley Fairy Waterfall, and a stone forest setting. This location has a distinct style from the Big and Small Stone Forests. With huge, solid stone pillars shaped like castles, towers, mushrooms, etc., the entire peak forest is gray-black in color. Majestic and spectacular, the rugged and ancient rocks rise like waves into the sky. It feels like you've entered a strange realm as you walk through the Black Peak woodland.

Address: Shilin Avenue, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Business hours: Open from 07:30-18:00 tomorrow (admission stops at 18:00)

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Kunming Old Street in Kunming is comparable to Xintiandi in Shanghai and Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu. One of the few block projects in China that gives the entire block a single place name is Kunming Old Street. The most ancient buildings in Kunming Old Street date back about 900 years. These structures contain much too many tales and recollections of this city, as well as too much of the happiness of youth and the interests of modern people. In Kunming, Guanghua Street is an old street that runs from Zhengyi Road in the east to Wuyi Road in the west.

It is the only old street in Kunming that still maintains the city's historic style, and it is 435 meters long. Today, you may find strange Yunnan antiques, centuries-old medicinal shops, and real small-pot rice noodles on Guanghua Street. With its ancient and speckled heart, Guanghua Street embraces Kunming's past and current. The first flower and bird market in Kunming was held in 1983 on Yongdao Street, the city's historic thoroughfare. The Jingxing Jewelry Flower and Bird Market was created by the merchants who constructed iron sheds on Yongdao Street and sold flowers, birds, fish, and insects. As time passed, they gained a lot of money and started to grow. In addition, these small businesses that represent the city's market characteristics even extend to Guanghua Street and Wenming Street.

Address: No. 3 Qianwang Street, Wenmiaozhi Street, Wuhua District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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