Yunnan is a large and beautiful province in Southwest China. Millions of visitors travel there every year for many different reasons. In fact, Yunnan is one of the most popular destinations for a family trip to China. You and your family, especially if you’re traveling with kids, will have plenty of experiences that you wouldn’t have anywhere else from fabulous natural sceneries to rich ethnic minority culture.
With so many reasons why you should visit Yunnan as a family, read this comprehensive travel planner on how to plan a Yunnan family trip. This article will present you with the top things to do in Yunnan as a family, travel itineraries of different length, best time for your trip, transportation tips, and accommodation options.
Top Things to Do in Yunnan as a Family
Explore the Otherworldly Landscapes of Yunnan
Yunnan has many diverse and unique landscapes from snow mountains to rainforests that will leave you in awe.
Stone Forest in Kunming has some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in China. After hundreds of millions of years of natural erosion, the stone peaks pierce through the clouds and ancient forests. The majestic and rugged limestone pillars of various shapes are like landscapes of another world.
Dongchuan Red Land is another wonderful site to visit in Kunming. Due to the high content of iron and aluminum in the soil, the terraces appear in a dazzling reddish color. On this red land, terraced fields, villages, and mountains form a stunning natural painting. Sunrise and sunsets provide excellent opportunities for photography.
Pudacuo National Park in Shangri-La preserves a vast land of alpine sceneries, continuous mountains, grasslands and pastures extending beyond the horizon, vast, clear lakes reflecting the sky. It’s a wonderful destination for sightseeing on your Yunnan family tour.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces has a unique sight of Southeast Asian countries and is one of the best in the world. The endless rice fields stretch from the river valleys to the mountainsides. The beauty of them changes with the seasons. When they’re filled with water, they reflect different colors of the sky. In other seasons, they turn into a lush green or golden color.
Have Fun Outdoor and Hiking Experiences
Meili Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are excellent options for you if your family is into the outdoors and adventures. They are more recommended for families traveling with older kids as the best ways to explore the snow mountains are through hiking. You’ll see snow covered peaks, glaciers, and certainly one of the best sunrises of your life on your Yunnan hiking tour.
Mengla Tropical Rainforest in Xishuangbanna offers a different side of Yunnan. The tropical scenery is perfect for families with kids to explore. You can go on a fun hike in the dense forest, wade through the mountain streams, and encounter towering trees and tropical species.
Discover Ethnic Minority Cultures in Yunnan Ancient Towns
The ethnic minority culture of Yunnan is very rich and diverse. Culture lovers and families traveling to Yunnan with kids will have an amazing time exploring these cultures and their authentic daily lives in the many ancient towns and villages.
Lijiang Old Town has been the home of Naxi people for centuries. The town preserves traditional Naxi architecture along the narrow, winding cobblestone streets. As you explore the old town of Lijiang, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Naxi people’s traditional dress, customs, ancient Naxi music, murals, and Dongba script, the last remaining hieroglyphic writing system in the world.
Dali Ancient Town preserves the essence of Bai ethnic minority culture through its traditional architecture and local life. Walking down its streets, you’ll see Bai architecture with rich historic significance, including gates, towers, and former residences. Other streets are full of the daily scenes of life, lined with handicraft shops, restaurants, food stalls, bars, elegant gardens, and cafes.
Zhoucheng Village is the largest Bai village in Dali. It is most famously known as the “living fossil of Bai folk culture.” Ethnic customs such as weaving, embroidery, tie-dyeing, and the three-course tea have been handed down from generation to generation in this small village. It’s one of the best destinations for a Yunnan family trip as you and your kids can experience Bai tie-dye art for yourselves.
Dukezong Ancient Town is one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan old towns in China. Here, you’ll find ancient Tibetan architecture, traditional handicrafts, and the local way of life. Its landmark is the world’s largest prayer wheel located at Turtle Hill Park, where you can have a panoramic view of the ancient town.
How Many Days Should a Yunnan Family Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries
Generally, we recommended planning 7-10 days for the best Yunnan tour. If you’re traveling as a family, it is best if you set aside enough time for travel and resting. A longer trip will give you more flexibility in your schedule.
If you have less than 4 days, you can explore one of the top destinations like Dali or Lijiang. With 4-6 days for your family trip to Yunnan, you can visit two or three places.
Here are some suggested Yunnan itineraries for family trips.
Less than 4 days
If you only have less than 4 days in Yunnan, we recommend fully exploring one famous destination like Dali, Kunming, Lijiang, or Shangri-La. Select a theme or some activities that interest you.
- Dali– the beautiful home of Bai minority culture
- Kunming– the “City of Eternal Spring” and “City of Flowers”
- Lijiang– rich Naxi culture heritage and alpine scenery
- Shangri-La– the pure Tibetan land of Buddhism and highland wonders
- Xishuangbanna– China’s tropical kingdom with rainforest experience
Recommended Yunnan City Tours:
- 3 Days Dali Tour Package with Memorable Experience
- 3 Days Lijiang Tour: Cultural & Natural Experiences
- 4 Days All-inclusive Shangri-La Highlights Tour
4-6 days
With 4-6 days, you can hit the highlights of two or three places on your Yunnan family trip. Based on the distance, popular combinations include:
If you know where you want to visit or would like to consult us on traveling details, you can customize your own Yunnan family trip with us.
Recommended Yunnan Classic Tours:
- 5 Days Dali and Lijiang Family Tour with Boutique Hotels
- 5 Days Kunming Xishuangbanna Tour
- 6 Days Yunnan Tour to Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming
7-10 days
Your family trip to Yunnan will be the most comprehensive and rewarding with a length of 7-10 days. You will have time to explore various destinations, experience different minority cultures, and even go on a hiking or photography tour. Here are some of our best Yunnan tours for your reference:
- 7 Days Best Yunnan Tour to Dali Lijiang Shangri-La
- 8 Days Classic Yunnan Minority Tour of Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La
- 9 Days Yunnan Family Tour
Best Time for a Family Trip to Yunnan
Yunnan is suitable for visit all year round thanks to its mild climate and altitude. Temperature variation is relatively small across the year, which means Yunnan has no extreme heat in the summer or severe cold in the winter. However, it’s important to note that the rainy season lasts from May to October, so the best time for a Yunnan family trip is from October to April.
Yunnan Weather in Four Seasons
Spring (March to May) – Yunnan is warm and relatively dry with the temperature ranging from 15 to 25°C (59-77°F). It’s the best season for outdoor activities. The landscape will be beautiful for your family photos too.
Summer (June to August) – Yunnan sees its rainy season. The average temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F), making it a cool and pleasant place to escape the heat.
Fall (September to November) – Yunnan is nice and cool with clear skies and significantly less rainfall. The temperature decreases to between 14°C (57°F) to 25°C (77°F). It’s an excellent time to explore the ancient towns, go on a rewarding hike, and photograph the beautiful sceneries.
Winter (December to February) – Yunnan is clear and dry with minimal rainfall. The temperature averages between 9°C (48°F) and 16°C (61°F), though it varies depending on the location and altitude.
Yunnan Transportation
How to Get to Yunnan
By flight
Flying is easiest way to reach Yunnan from your home country, especially if you’re traveling with your family. There’re a number of airports in the province. Major ones include Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi Airport, Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, and Dali Airport.
By train
Yunnan also has a very well-connected railway system, and it’s easy to navigate for you and your family. Most major cities in Yunnan have train stations with high-speed rail services to other Chinese cities.
How to Travel around Yunnan
To get around between different cities on your family trip to Yunnan, trains and planes are your best options. Planes can take you to relatively far major cities, while trains travel to smaller cities or even towns. Although there’re also long-distance buses between cities, they’re not so recommended for families, as they can take longer and be more difficult to navigate.
Where to Stay on a Yunnan Family Trip
Yunnan is a very popular region for tourism in China, so its traveling and service industry is very well-developed. In most places, you can find hotels of reputable brands, some of which offer family rooms or extra beds. There’re also boutique or themed hotels with local charm. Here’re some popular areas to stay in in these top destinations:
- Kunming– the city center near Green Lake Park
- g. Grand Hyatt Kunming, Green Lake Hotel, Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Colorful Yunnan Kunming
- Dali– near Dali Ancient Town or Erhai Lake
- g. Dali Regent Hotel, Hilton Dali Resort & SPA, Gurong Hotel Dali
- Lijiang– near Lijiang Old Town
- g. Jinmao Hotel Lijiang, InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort, Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town
- Shangri-La– Dukezong Ancient Town or Feilai Temple when visiting Meili Snow Mountain
- g. Shangri-La Resort Shangri-La, Arro Khampa By Zinc Journey Shangri-la, Shangri-La Karesansui Hotel
- Xishuangbanna – in Gaozhuang, Jinghong City
- g. InterContinental Xishuangbanna Resort, Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa Hotel, Sheraton Xishuangbanna Hotel
