Written by Ivy Dong |
Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province, China. Aside from being the economic, cultural, and political center of the province, it is also the trading and tourism hub of Western China. It 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.
With a long history of over 2,400 years, Kunming used to be an important city on the Silk Road. If you’re traveling to Kunming, here’s a comprehensive travel planner on how to plan a Kunming trip. This article will present you with the most popular Kunming tourist attractions, travel itineraries of different length, best time for your trip, transportation tips, and accommodation options.
What to See and Do: Top Things to Do in Kunming
Admire the Karst Landforms of Stone Forest
The Stone Forest in Kunming, or Shilin in Chinese, has some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in China. It is not only a highlight of Kunming, but also one of the top things to do in Yunnan. This UNESCO-listed natural site in Kunming is known for the majestic and rugged landscape of various-shaped limestone pillars and unique Yi ethnic culture.
The entire scenic area covers an area of over 350 square kilometers (135 square miles) and is composed of several attractions, including Greater and Lesser Stone Forests, Naigu Stone Forest, Long Lake, Dadieshui Waterfall, etc. After hundreds of millions of years of natural erosion, you can see stone peaks piercing through the clouds, ancient forests, and hidden Yi villages.
Explore Dianchi Lake
Kunming’s Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and the sixth in China. It is an important source of drinking water for the city of Kunming and a well-loved sightseeing destination. It sits on the Yungui Plateau and has a reputation as “the Pearl on the Plateau” because of its scenic views, rich biodiversity, and significance for local life.
The Western Hills is a forest park on the west shore of Dianchi Lake. It has an amazing view of the lake and surrounding countryside. Take a hike in the park and stop by famous attractions like the Dragon Gate and Huating Temple along the trail. On the east shore of the lake, there’s Haigeng Park, where you can take a boat ride or observe local wildlife around the lake.
Photograph the Amazing Dongchuan Red Land
Located about 170 kilometers (106 miles) north of the city center, Dongchuan Red Land will be a feast for your eyes on your trip to 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.
How Many Days Should a Kunming Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries
Most attractions in Kunming are not far from each other, and the city is not large. Typically, a Kunming tour can cover the city’s highlights within 3 days. With 3-5 days, you can explore the city in depth. You’ll have time for excursions to the surrounding areas.
If you have more time, it’s highly recommended that you extend your Kunming trip to other cities in Yunnan or China. Different parts of the province offer different natural and cultural landscapes. Take the opportunity when you travel to Yunnan.
Here are some suggested Kunming itineraries.
2-3 days
If you only have about 3 days in Kunming, make sure you hit the highlights. We recommend:
- Day 1: Western Hills, Dianchi Lake, Yunnan Provincial Museum
- Day 2: Green Lake Park, Yuantong Temple, Kunming Flower and Bird Market
- Day 3 (if time allows): Stone Forest or Dongchuan Red Land
Recommended Kunming Highlight Tours:
3-5 days
With 3-5 days, you can fully experience the charm of Kunming. Your schedule can be a lot more flexible with a wide range of activities to do. We recommend spending a day on
- Overlook the city from Western Hills; stroll around Dianchi Lake; learn about local ethnic minority cultures at Yunnan Ethnic Village
- Walk around Green Lake Park; visit Yuantong Temple; explore Kunming Flower and Bird Market and night markets
- Head to Stone Forest and marvel at the stunning rock formations; learn about local history and culture at Yunnan Provincial Museum
- Admire the sunrise or sunset at Dongchuan Red Land (an overnight stay recommended)
Recommended Kunming In-depth Tours:
- 5 Days Kunming Shadian Muslim Tour with Jianshui
- 4 Days Kunming Dongchuan Red Land Tour
- 5 Days Kunming Spring Tour with Dongchuan Red Land & Jiaozi Snow Mountain
- 5 Days Kunming Highlights and Golf Tour
5-7 days or more
Make the most of your time and budget by extending your Kunming trip to other parts of Yunnan. Kunming is usually considered the gateway city of Yunnan and is very well-connected with other cities especially by high-speed rail. Here’re some nearby destinations to consider.
- Dali– the beautiful home of Bai minority culture
- Lijiang– rich Naxi culture heritage and alpine scenery
- Shangri-La– the pure Tibetan land of Buddhism and highland wonders
- Xishuangbanna– China’s tropical kingdom
- Jianshui– the “Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses”
- Luoping– the “world’s largest natural garden” of rapeseed flower fields
Best Time for a Trip to Kunming
As the famous “Spring City” of China, Kunming is suitable for visit all year round. It is always spring-like with mild temperature, no scorching heat in summer or severe cold in winter. Each season adds its own charm to your Kunming trip.
Kunming Weather in Four Seasons
In spring (March to May), Kunming is warm and dry with less rainfall and stronger wind. The daily maximum temperature is about 21°C (70°F), however, the daily temperature difference is pretty significant, with a minimum temperature at about 7°C (45°F). The city will be filled with the fragrance of flowers. Various flower exhibitions and festivals emerge one after another.
In summer (June to August), Kunming sees the most of its rainfall. Frequent heavy rain and rainstorm account for more than 60% of the annual rainfall. Due to the high altitude of Kunming, the average temperature in the summer ranges from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F), making it a cool and pleasant place to escape the heat.
In fall (September to November), Kunming is nice and cool with clear skies and significantly less rainfall. The temperature gradually decreases to between 14°C (57°F) to 23°C (73°F) in a day. It’s an excellent time to explore the outdoors and photograph the beautiful sceneries of Kunming.
In winter (December to February), Kunming is clear and dry. There are on average 20 sunny days per month in the winter of Kunming, which means there’s minimal rainfall. The temperature is slightly lower than that of spring, averaging between 9°C (48°F) and 16°C (61°F). The sunshine makes Kunming one of the top destinations for China winter tours.
How to Get to Kunming
By air
The easiest way to get to Kunming is by flight. Kunming Changshui International Airport is the busiest airport in Yunnan with flights to many other Asian countries and over 100 major Chinese cities. You can easily connect your flight directly to Kunming. Here’re the flight durations from some Chinese cities:
- Beijing– 3 hours and 50 minutes
- Shanghai– 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Shenzhen – 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Guangzhou – 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Xi’an– 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Chongqing– 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Chengdu– 1 hour and 30 minutes
By train
Kunming has three railway stations, Kunming Railway Station, Kunming South Railway Station, and Kunming North Railway Station. If you find yourself in a major city in or near Yunnan, taking a train to Kunming is also a very convenient option.
- Guilin– 7 hours
- Chongqing – 5 hours
- Guiyang– 3 hours
- Shangri-la – 5 hours
- Lijiang – 4 hours
- Xishuangbanna – 3 hours
- Dali – 2 hours
Where to Stay on a Kunming Trip
Depending on your budget, there’s a wide range of accommodation options for your trip to Kunming. For your reference, here’re some popular areas visitors like to stay in.
- Wuhua Districtis the heart of Kunming. There are many accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to guesthouses. You can find places to stay near the train stations within walking distance of many local food streets and commercial areas.
- Xishan Districtoffers a more scenic and quiet experience with views of Dianchi Lake. There are many high-end hotels and resorts, such as Kunming Dianchi Hotel, Kunming Sofitel Hotel, and Kunming Intercontinental Hotel.
- Area around Green Lake Parkis great for experiencing Kunming’s history and culture with a peaceful atmosphere. It is near many historical sites.
- On your visit to Stone Forest or Dongchuan Red Land, there are hotels inside or near the scenic area. They are the best for capturing the sunrise in the morning. Though options may be more limited, you can still find many boutique guesthouses and high-end resorts to ensure a comfortable stay.
