Day 1: Dianchi Lake Scenery and Ancient Alley Stroll
*Accommodation: Stay at an elegant courtyard-style hotel near Nanqiang Street, such as Mengjing Wangyue Courtyard Hotel.
*Itinerary:
- Dianchi Lake Western Hills Cable Car (Morning): Dianchi Lake features two cable cars: the enclosed Kunming Tourist Cable Car and the open-air Western Hills Longmen Cable Car. You can choose to experience one or both. For a full experience, take the Dianchi Cable Car up and descend via the Longmen Suspended Cable Car. Either choice offers panoramic views of Dianchi Lake, showcasing its expansive water and surrounding natural beauty, and highlights the unique allure of the plateau lake, appealing to visitors seeking an overlook of the natural landscape during their Kunming travel. (Opening Hours: Kunming Tourist Cable Car: Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-17:30, National Holidays 9:00-18:00; Western Hills Longmen Cable Car: all year round 08:30-17:30)
- Dianchi Lake Boat Tour (Afternoon): As a must-try thing to do in Kunming, this boat tour provides an excellent vantage point to enjoy Dianchi Lake’s scenery. From the boat, you can view Haigeng Park’s shoreline, century-old eucalyptus trees, the Viewing Sea Long Corridor, and the aerial cable car. You’ll also see Western Hills Forest Park, Longmen of Western Hills, and Sleeping Beauty Mountain. In winter, the boat ride offers opportunities to observe and interact with gulls. There are 11 boat boarding points: 5 in Caohai and 6 in Waifang. In Caohai, the points are 2 at Daguan Park and 3 at Haigeng Dam. (Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00)
- Nanqiang Street (Evening): Nanqiang Street in Wuhua District, Kunming, is a cultural and commercial area that retains traditional Kunming architectural styles. The street offers a variety of dining, entertainment, and theater options. Besides local snacks, Nanqiang Night Market features street art performances, cultural and creative products, intangible cultural heritage displays, and folk culture exhibits, making it a lively spot for experiencing Kunming street food and vibrant nightlife. (Opening Hours: all year round)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Pastry Steamed Bun
Lunch: Dai-style Hand Grab Rice
Dinner: Wild Mushroom Hotpot
*Accommodation: Stay at an indoor garden hotel near the Yunnan Arts Theater, such as Huashinian Flower Art Life Aesthetics Designer Hotel.
*Itinerary:
- Yunnan Ethnic Village (Daytime): Yunnan Ethnic Village is a premier destination for exploring the diverse cultures of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. The village features an extensive display of ethnic architecture, dance, costumes, religious practices, and daily customs, making it one of the top Kunming attractions. Daily performances are held from 10:10 to 17:30 at various locations, including Daogan Square, Jingpo Village Square, Elephant Performance Area, Yi Village, and Mosuo Family. The Kunming travel’s visitors can discover the unique architectural styles, costumes, and traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic groups, enjoy traditional dances, watch elephant performances, taste local snacks, and purchase ethnic crafts. (Opening Hours: all year round 09:00-22:00)
- “Impression of Yunnan” Show (Evening): “Impression of Yunnan” is a large-scale, original ecological performance that blends traditional and contemporary elements. As a highlight of Kunming tourism, this show vividly portrays rituals such as prayers, rain dances, and pilgrimages from ethnic groups including the Yi, Wa, Tibetan, Hani, Dai, Naxi, and Bai. It explores themes of life’s origins, celebrates its journey, and expresses a yearning for eternity. The performance integrates traditional ethnic songs and dances with innovative interpretations, offering a rich showcase of Yunnan’s ethnic diversity. (Performance Time: Mon-Sun 20:00-21:30)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles
Lunch: Lancang River Stone Pot Fish
Dinner: Kunming Specialty Dishes: Mint Leaf Beef Stir-Fry, Roasted Chili Eggplant, etc
*Accommodation: Stay at a high-end luxury hotel within the Guandu Hot Springs Resort, such as the Gudian Banshan Hot Spring Hotel.
*Itinerary:
- Jiuxiang Scenic Area (Daytime): Located in Yiliang County, Yunnan Kunming, Jiuxiang Scenic Area is famous for its breathtaking karst caves and is one of Yunnan’s top attractions. Known as the “Kingdom of Karst Caves,” it offers stunning natural landscapes and unique geological formations. Tourist attractions include Jiuxiang Caves, Yin Cui Gorge, Jinghun Valley, and Lions Hall. Visitors can take a boat ride along the underground river, admiring the remarkable stalactites and their reflections, while enjoying the cool and serene atmosphere of the caves. For adventure enthusiasts, activities like rock climbing and cave exploration are also available, adding to the excitement of Kunming travel. (Opening Hours: all year round 8:00-18:00)
- Guandu Hot Springs Villa (Evening): Colourful Yunnan Gudian Holiday Resort combines the rich cultural heritage of the Ancient Dian Kingdom, Yunnan’s ethnic traditions, and eco-friendly hot spring tourism. The resort blends Southeast Asian garden aesthetics with natural ecology and wellness, offering a perfect setting for relaxation, health, and cultural experiences. Surrounded by forests, the resort benefits from fresh air and a pleasant climate. The hot springs boast pure water and moderate temperatures, providing a comfortable and revitalizing Kunming tour experience throughout the year. (Opening Hours: all year round 09:30-23:00)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Thin Bean Flour
Lunch: Passion Fruit Hotpot
Dinner: Kunming Specialty Dishes: Steamed Pot Chicken, roast meat
*Accommodation: Stay at a stylish guesthouse near Kunming Old Street that blends modern design with ethnic elements, such as Kunming ART ME
*Itinerary:
- Colourful Yunnan Paradise (Daytime): Located on the southern shore of Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Colourful Yunnan Paradise is the centerpiece of the “Colorful Yunnan Ancient Dian Kingdom Resort.” This scenic area combines Yunnan’s unique natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, creating a top Kunming travel destination that integrates nature, culture, and ethnic diversity. The park is themed around “Ancient Dian,” “Ethnic Traditions,” and “Regional Features,” offering seven themed zones: Dian Army Camp, Fantastical Dian Wonderland, Children’s Dream World, Myriad Tribes Village, Primeval Secret Land, Frost Moon Cold Isle, and Four Seasons Flower Sea. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of leisure and entertainment activities when visiting Kunming. (Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00-18:00; Weekends and Holidays 10:00-20:00)
- Kunming Old Street (Evening): Kunming Old Street preserves many traditional buildings with blue bricks, grey tiles, carved beams, and painted rafters. At night, the lanterns and neon lights enhance the charm of these historic structures, creating a rich cultural atmosphere. Here, you can admire the antique architecture, savor authentic Yunnan food from street vendors and restaurants, and sip a cup of Pu’er tea at a traditional teahouse, immersing yourself in the local Kunming travel experience. (Opening Hours: all year round)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Grilled Rice Cake
Lunch: BBQ Feast Platter at Colourful Yunnan Paradise
Dinner: Kunming Specialty Dishes: Dai-style Lemon Grilled Fish, Shiping Grilled Tofu, etc.
