Yunnan Province is a large, diverse, and beautiful part of Southwest China. It is famous for having some of the most fabulous natural sceneries in the country. Many well-preserved ancient towns and villages showcase the rich ethnic minority culture of Yunnan. There’s also local Yunnan food with a unique blend of flavors and nice weather all year round.
With so many reasons why you should visit Yunnan, read this comprehensive travel planner on how to plan a Yunnan trip. This article will present you with the top places to visit in Yunnan, travel itineraries of different length, best time for your trip, transportation tips, and accommodation options.
Top Places to Visit in Yunnan
Kunming: The “City of Eternal Spring”
As the capital city of Yunnan, Kunming is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” and “City of Flowers” because of its pleasant climate year-round and the vibrant scene of blossoming flowers. The top thing to do in Kunming is to visit the Stone Forest, where you’ll see some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in China. Dongchuan Red Land is also a popular destination for Yunnan photography tours.
Dali: The Beautiful Home of Bai Ethnic Minority Group
One of the top things to do in Yunnan is experiencing the rich and diverse minority culture, and Dali is among the best places to do it. Located on the shore of Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town preserves the essence of Bai ethnic minority culture through its traditional architecture and local life. You can also venture out to Zhoucheng Village to experience Bai tie-dye art for yourself.
Lijiang: Naxi Culture and Natural Wonders
Lijiang has splendid cultural and natural landscapes. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Naxi people in Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town. For hiking enthusiasts, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers stunning alpine landscapes and snowy scenes. Tiger Leaping Gorge is also a world-famous hiking trail. Lijiang is one of the best places for Yunnan hiking trips.
Shangri-La: The “Pure Land” on Earth
Shangri-La is home to some of the world’s finest alpine landscapes and rich Tibetan culture. Songzanlin Monastery is recognized as an architectural masterpiece of Tibetan Buddhism. Pudacuo National Park and Meili Snow Mountain have stunning views with lakes, pastures, and snow peaks. The latter is also a world-famous destination for Yunnan hiking tours.
How Many Days Should a Yunnan Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries
There’re many places you can visit in Yunnan, and you will encounter different natural and cultural landscapes. 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 trip to Yunnan, you can visit two or three places. Generally, we recommended planning 7-10 days for your Yunnan tour for the best and most comprehensive experience.
Here are some suggested Yunnan itineraries.
Less than 4 days
If you only have less than 4 days in Yunnan, we recommend fully exploring one famous destination. Apart from Dali, Kunming, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, you might also want to consider:
- Yuanyang– Home to some of the most stunning terraced rice fields of China
- Xishuangbanna– China’s tropical kingdom with rainforest experience
- Jianshui– the “Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses”
- Luoping– the “world’s largest natural garden” of rapeseed flower fields
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 trip. Based on the distance, popular combinations include:
- Lijiang + Shangri-La (+ Dali)
- Jianshui + Yuanyang (+ Kunming)
- Kunming + Luoping
- Dali + Lijiang
If you know where you want to visit or would like to consult us on traveling details, you can customize your own Yunnan trip with us.
Recommended Yunnan Classic Tours:
- 5 Days Yunnan Tour of Lijiang and Shangri-La
- 5 Days Kunming Xishuangbanna Tour
- 6 Days Yunnan Tour to Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming
7-10 days
Your trip to Yunnan will be the most comprehensive and rewarding with a length of 7-10 days. You 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
- 10 Days Classic Yunnan Tour with Mile Exploration
Best Time to Travel 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 trip is from October to April.
Yunnan Weather in Four Seasons
In spring (March to May), Yunnan is warm and relatively dry with the temperature ranging from 15 to 25°C (59-77°F). The landscapes come back to life. Flowers are blooming in the cities and the mountains. It’s the best season to see the vast rapeseed fields in Luoping as well as doing other outdoor activities.
In summer (June to August), Yunnan sees the most of its rainfall. It is the rainy season of the region. Frequent heavy rain and rainstorms account for more than 60% of the annual rainfall. Due to the high altitude of Yunnan, the average temperature in the summer ranges from 15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F), making it a cool and pleasant place to escape the heat.
In fall (September to November), Yunnan is nice and cool with clear skies and significantly less rainfall. The temperature gradually 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 of Yunnan.
In 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. For example, in the tropical Xishuangbanna, it is generally 13-25°C (55-77°F). In Lijiang and Dali, the temperature is usually around 3-16°C (37-61°F). Shangri-La and some mountain areas sometimes see snow.
Yunnan Transportation
How to Get to Yunnan
By flight
Flying is easiest way to reach Yunnan from your home country. 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.
Kunming Changshui International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan, offering international flights to South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. As an important aviation hub of Yunnan transport and China, it offers frequent flights to most major domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, etc.
Lijiang Sanyi Airport, Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, and Dali Fengyi Airport serve as gateways to their own regions. They all operate direct flights to and from major domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi’an.
By train
Yunnan also has a very well-connected railway system. Most major cities in the province have train stations that offer high-speed rail services to major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou, etc. Some of these stations are Kunming Railway Station, Kunming South Railway Station, Dali Railway Station, and Shangri-La Railway Station.
How to Travel around Yunnan
To get around between different cities on your 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 as well. There’re also long-distance buses or tourist buses that can take you to some remote areas or attractions, although it might be more difficult to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with the routes.
Where to Stay on a Yunnan Trip
Yunnan is a very popular region for tourism in China. As a result, the traveling and service industry is very well-developed. In the major cities, you’re sure to find something that meets your requirements. In more remote or mountainous areas, your options might be more limited, but it’ll allow you to get closer to local lives. Here’re some popular areas to stay in in these top destinations:
- Kunming– the city center near Green Lake Park
- Dali– near Dali Ancient Town or Erhai Lake
- Lijiang– near Lijiang Old Town
- Shangri-La– Dukezong Ancient Town or Feilai Temple when visiting Meili Snow Mountain
