Yunnan, I'm back! I really don't recommend going this month because…
Because it's too beautiful!!!
A Super Comprehensive Guide to Traveling in Yunnan: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary
From March to May, Yunnan enjoys perfect sunshine and gentle breezes, making it an ideal time to travel. Wondering how to plan your first trip to Yunnan? Don't worry! This carefully curated guide covers everything from routes and accommodation to transportation and food, allowing you to embark on a dream journey to the colorful south of the clouds with ease.
1. Major Attractions Overview
Kunming: The Stone Forest Scenic Area boasts bizarre stone formations, a testament to the awe-inspiring karst landscape. Kunming Old Street is steeped in history; stroll along its paths and experience the vibrant atmosphere of old Kunming. Dianchi Lake is a paradise for migratory birds, with flocks of seagulls visible in winter. The Dounan Flower Market is a sea of flowers, with all kinds of fresh blooms competing for attention at very affordable prices.
Dali: Dali Old Town exudes ancient charm, with its cobblestone streets and Bai ethnic architecture. Erhai Lake shimmers like a pearl; cycle along the lakeshore and admire the picturesque scenery. Cangshan Mountain stands majestically; take a cable car to the summit for panoramic views of Dali. Xizhou Old Town features a delightful blend of rice paddies and Bai dwellings. Nanzhao Folklore Island is shrouded in mystery. Shuanglang Old Town offers a tranquil escape. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple stand in solemn grandeur.
Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the sacred mountain of the Naxi people, is perpetually snow-capped and wreathed in clouds. The waters of Blue Moon Valley are as blue as sapphires, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped mountain. Spruce Meadow resembles a paradise, with its serene and deep primeval forest. Shuhe Old Town is quieter than Lijiang Old Town, perfect for a slower pace. Lijiang Old Town is bustling with bars, guesthouses, and shops. Lugu Lake's crystal-clear waters and the unique Mosuo culture are captivating.
Shangri-La: Pudacuo National Park is a wonderland of alpine lakes, primeval forests, and meadows of wildflowers, forming a breathtaking panorama. The waters of Tiger Leaping Gorge surge and churn, exuding immense power. Dukezong Old Town is rich in Tibetan culture, with prayer wheels carrying people's best wishes. Meili Snow Mountain, a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, offers the enchanting spectacle of the sunrise illuminating its golden peaks. The terraced calcium pools of Baishuitai resemble a fairyland. Songzanlin Monastery, known as the "Little Potala Palace," stands in solemn splendor.
Xishuangbanna: The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is a kingdom of plants, with a dazzling array of rare species. Wild Elephant Valley offers close encounters with wild elephants. Manting Park, steeped in Dai ethnic charm, feels like a journey to Southeast Asia. The solemn General Buddhist Temple is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. The vibrant Starlight Night Market is filled with food and handicrafts. The Dai Nationality Garden offers an immersion in Dai traditions. The pristine Primeval Forest Park is a refreshing retreat into nature.
2. Seven-Day In-Depth Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming. Take the subway (CNY 6) to the city center, then take a taxi to your hotel to check in and rest, allowing yourself to acclimatize to Yunnan's climate. In the evening, explore the neighborhood and sample Kunming's specialties, such as Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles. Thin slices of meat and a flavorful broth complement the chewy noodles, making every bite a delight.
Day 2: Visit Dianchi Lake and interact with the seagulls, feeding and photographing them. Then, head to the Western Hills Scenic Area and climb to the Dragon Gate for panoramic views of Dianchi Lake. In the afternoon, visit the Dounan Flower Market and pick out some of your favorite flowers. In the evening, go to Kunming Old Street and try Bean Curd Rice Noodles. The smooth rice noodles paired with tender bean curd and spicy seasoning create an unforgettable flavor.
Day 3: Take the high-speed train to Dali. Upon arrival, head straight to Erhai Lake, rent an electric bike, and cycle along the lakeshore, taking in the stunning lake views. Afterward, visit Cangshan Mountain and take a cable car to the top to experience the majesty of nature. In the evening, arrive at Xizhou Old Town, admire the Bai architecture, and sample Xizhou Baba. The sweet version is soft and chewy, while the savory version is crispy and fragrant. Return to Dali Old Town in the evening and explore the lively bars, experiencing the city's nightlife.
Day 4: Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take a cable car to the top and admire the magnificent snow-capped scenery. Then, head to Spruce Meadow and Blue Moon Valley, stroll through the primeval forest, and admire the azure waters. Stay in Lijiang Old Town in the evening and try the Dried Pork Rib Hot Pot. The tender ribs are stewed to perfection in a rich broth, served with vegetables for a warm and satisfying meal.
Day 5: Travel to Shangri-La. First, visit Tiger Leaping Gorge and experience the surging waters. Then, head to Pudacuo National Park and stroll along the boardwalk, taking in the natural scenery. In the evening, arrive at Dukezong Old Town, spin the giant prayer wheels, make a wish, and try the yak yogurt. The rich, milky flavor paired with honey is a sweet and sour treat.
Day 6: Travel to Xishuangbanna. Upon arrival, visit Manting Park and admire the Dai architecture and gardens. In the afternoon, head to Wild Elephant Valley, where you might spot wild elephants if you're lucky. In the evening, visit the Starlight Night Market and sample various local delicacies, such as Dai-style barbecue, lemongrass grilled fish, grilled pork belly, and more. The unique dipping sauces enhance the flavors.
Day 7: Enjoy a day of leisure. Explore the shops near your hotel, buy some souvenirs, and conclude your trip. Pack your bags and prepare for your return journey.
3. Accommodation Guide
Kunming: Choose accommodation near Kunming South Railway Station or the city center for convenient transportation, easy access to attractions, and a wide variety of dining options.
Dali: For those seeking romantic sea views and sunrises, Shuanglang Old Town is the perfect choice. If you prefer a lively atmosphere, choose accommodation in Dali Old Town. For discerning travelers, boutique guesthouses in the villages along Erhai Lake are excellent options.
Lijiang: Accommodation in Lijiang Old Town offers a unique experience and immerses you in the local culture, but prices are relatively high. Accommodation in Lijiang City offers better value and convenient transportation.
Shangri-La: Guesthouses and inns in Dukezong Old Town offer a distinctive ethnic charm, allowing you to experience Tibetan culture. If accommodation in the old town is fully booked, Shangri-La County is a good alternative.
Xishuangbanna: Gāozhuāng Xīshuāngjǐng offers a wide range of accommodation options at various price points, catering to both budget-conscious and luxury travelers. The area also boasts excellent amenities, making transportation, shopping, and dining convenient.
4. Transportation Guide
Kunming: Upon arrival in Kunming, the subway is the preferred mode of transport to the city center, offering an economical, efficient, and fast journey.
Kunming - Dali: High-speed train tickets cost around CNY 145, with a journey time of approximately 2.5 hrs, offering speed and comfort. Buses and trains take about 5.5 hrs and are cheaper but take longer.
Dali - Lijiang: High-speed train tickets cost around CNY 72, with a journey time of approximately 1.5 hrs. Buses and trains take about 2.5 hrs. Choose based on your time and budget.
Lijiang - Shangri-La: High-speed train tickets start from CNY 49, with a journey time of approximately 1.2 hrs. Buses start from CNY 60 and take about 4 hrs. The high-speed train saves more time.
Kunming - Xishuangbanna: High-speed train tickets cost around CNY 198, with a journey time of approximately 3.5 hrs, offering convenience and speed.
Pack your bags and embark on your Yunnan adventure, following this guide to discover stunning scenery and delicious cuisine!
Dali Ancient City, a thousand-year-old capital of Nanzhao (first built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty), is famous for its "wind, flowers, snow and moon" Cang'er scenery and chessboard-like layout. The city is paved with bluestone and has clear springs flowing around the houses. The Bai ethnic group's "three courtyards and one screen wall" architecture is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, fully demonstrating the nation's ingenuity. Take a stroll in the quiet alleys in the morning to watch the flowing water and the blooming flowers, or climb up the South City Gate to overlook the rolling clouds and Cang'er Lake in the distance, and you can feel the quiet poetic core of the ancient city. **Half fireworks, half tranquility**——Between gains and losses, the key is to make choices.
Stepping into the ancient city of Dali, it feels like falling into the old times. The bluestone pavement has been polished by time and makes a "clacking" sound when you step on it. The Bai-style buildings on both sides are scattered in an orderly manner, with flying eaves, brackets, carved doors and windows, full of ancient charm. The street shops are full of handicrafts and special snacks. Walking among them, you can smell the sweet fragrance of roasted milk fans and hear the soft singing of street performers. The ancient city has both worldly fireworks and poetic romance, which makes people willing to slow down and indulge in this leisurely and comfortable feeling.
Dali is a romantic place with beautiful scenery! You can watch the sunrise by bike at Erhai Lake, hike at Cangshan Mountain, eat roasted milk fan and drink three-course tea in the ancient city, and the singing of Bai girls will make your teeth fall out. Don't forget to go to Shuanglang to be in a daze, or take a "standard tourist photo" at the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. It is recommended to stay in the ancient city and listen to folk songs in the bar at night. Be careful not to be cheated of your wallet by "romantic encounters"!
Dali Ancient City is a famous tourist destination in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, with rich historical and cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. The ancient city of Dali was once the capital of Nanxun and Dali. The ancient city has preserved many ancient buildings and historical relics, such as Documentation Building, Nanchengmen, Foreigner Street, etc., reflecting the cultural characteristics of Bai and other ethnic groups. Dali is a residential area for Bai people. The Bai architecture, costumes, music, dance and food inside and outside the ancient city are very distinctive, which is very suitable for understanding Bai culture. The pace of life in the ancient city of Dali is slow and it is a good place to relax. Visitors can enjoy leisure time here, such as visiting the ancient city, tasting local cuisine, and taking a break in a cafe or bar. Dali ancient city has complete tourist facilities, a variety of accommodation options, and a variety of dining and shopping places for tourists to visit and experience.
People yearn for the ancient style and ancient charm, the ancient city of Dali is the treasure in your heart. Entering the south gate of the ancient city is like crossing the time tunnel, breathing with the breath of history. Nanxun culture is rich and colorful, Bai nationality building chessboard-style grid structure 9th Street 18th Lane, not only have well-preserved city gates, city walls, Du Wenxiu Shuaifu, foreigner street, Wumiao, Confucian Temple, Jiang Gongxuan and other ancient buildings, but also a variety of traditional handicrafts, Absolutely open your eyes! There are many specialties in the ancient city, such as broken bamboo shoots, bait silk, three teas, etc., or milk fans, each mouth is an authentic Yunnan taste, so that your taste buds instantly "run off".
Dali Ancient City, no tickets are required, I came in during the day, it was quite big, there were several areas inside, we couldn't find them. Because I am a team, I gave 2 hours. I think if you want to play well, it is best to come in the afternoon and play together at night. To play well. I ate beef skewers for 10 yuan and flower cakes for 10 yuan for four. No packaging. After the trip came out, I bought a box of flower cakes, which was delicious in the ancient city.
In April, the ancient city of Dali was sunny and the climate was pleasant, which was very suitable for playing. Stepping into the ancient city, it seems to have traveled back to ancient times. The blue stone road is clean and tidy, and the Bai buildings on both sides are scattered. The moths and ink murals show the Bai style. We went to the Documentation Building first, which is magnificent and one of the landmarks of the ancient city, with a historical charm. Then we strolled to Foreigner Street, where there are many Chinese and Western restaurants, cafes and craft shops. Sitting in the cafe on the street, enjoying the afternoon sun, watching the pedestrians coming and going, very comfortable. The food in the ancient city is also endless. The rice noodles across the bridge are refreshing and smooth, and the soup is delicious; the roast milk fan is very special. Although I am not used to eating at first, I feel more and more fragrant. There are also various flower cakes, freshly baked aromas, and a bite of the full flower fragrance. Walking slowly along the street, you can also see some traditional handicraft shops, which are beautifully made and unique in their tie-dyeing and silver jewelry. Walking to the ancient city wall, you can also overlook Cangshan Mountain. The snow on the top of the mountain is shining under the sun, complementing the simplicity of the ancient city. The ancient city at night is another scene. The lights are brilliant, and there are many artists playing and singing on the street, and the songs are melodious. The aroma of the food stalls on the roadside is overflowing, and the various specialty snacks are mouth-watering. We sat for a while in a bistro and felt the lively atmosphere of the ancient city at night. In short, the trip to the ancient city of Dali in April made me full of harvest. Whether it is history and culture, natural scenery or food experience, I have left a deep impression on me. It is a very worthwhile day trip.
In the ancient city of Dali, I went to a time appointment "Xiaguan wind, Shangguan flowers, Cangshan snow, Bohai moon". With the yearning for the wind, flowers and snow moon, I stepped into the ancient city of Dali and opened a day of exploration. In the early morning, the first ray of sunshine was spilled on the ancient city wall, and I set off from the south gate of the ancient city. The south gate is spectacular, baptized through the years, still exudes a solemn atmosphere, the wind bells on the upper floors sway with the wind, the crisp sound seems to be telling the ancient city of the leisurely past. Along Fuxing Road, the blue stone road extends at the foot, and the street is a Bai style building, moths and arches, carved beams and paintings, exquisite paintings and wood carvings show the wisdom and ingenuity of the Bai people. The shops are full of people, there are ethnic costumes, handicrafts, and specialty gourmet shops. I walked into a handicraft shop and selected a few exquisite tie-dyeed handkerchiefs. Its unique patterns and colors made me love it. Unconsciously came to Wuhua Building, this historic building was once a place for Nanxun Wang to feast guests. On the Wuhua Building, the view is instantly wide, and the entire ancient city has a panoramic view. The Cangshan Mountain in the distance is rolling and rolling, and the top of the mountain is surrounded by clouds and mist; The streets and alleys nearby are crisscrossed, people come and go, full of life. When I was tired, I sat down in a small shop on the street and ordered a specialty meal. The freshly baked outer skin is crispy, the inside is soft, there are sweet and salty two, I choose the sweet mouth, bite on the mouth, the sweetness of the rose filling spread out in the mouth, satisfying. There is also the bowl of cold chicken rice noodles, rice noodles are smooth, chicken is fresh and tender, with special marinated juice and rich side dishes, sour and hot appetizers, and instantly disperses the fatigue of the journey. In the afternoon, I strolled in Foreigner Street. It was full of exotic, bars, western restaurants and many small shops opened by foreigners. I walked into a cafe, ordered a cup of mellow coffee, sat by the window, looked at the pedestrians outside the window, and enjoyed the leisurely afternoon. As night fell, the ancient city changed to another look. At the beginning of the Hualantern, the red lanterns on both sides of the street lit up in turn, and the ancient city was particularly charming. Renmin Road was very lively, and the street artists played guitar and sang beautiful folk songs, attracting many tourists to stop and listen. I shuttled through the crowd and felt the liveliness and vitality of the ancient city. The ancient city of Dali has a deep historical and cultural heritage and is full of modern life. Here, I slowed down and felt the gentleness of the years. This day's trip, although short, but let me deeply love this ancient city, looking forward to the next reunion with it.