3 Days Kunming Tour with Stone Forest & Local Essence

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kunming
   Enjoy a Stroll through Scenic Green Lake on Your Own

   Welcome to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Its warm weather gives it a beautiful name, "Spring City". Your driver will pick you up at the airport or railway station holding a board "China Xian Tour". Then you’ll be taken to the hotel to check in. After that, you can arrange your rest time freely. If you arrive early, you might as well use this time to experience the infinite charm of this plateau city.

   Recommended activities: Consider visiting the Yunnan ethnic villages located by the Dian Pool. It is a place designed to show visitors 26 ethnic minorities in Yunnan. Its highlights are hidden in its original architecture, traditional costumes, handicrafts - don't miss the details!

   You can also go to Green Lake (Cuihu Park). It’s one of the most charming urban parks in Kunming. People like to stroll leisurely along the lakeside path and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Here, tulips bloom in spring while thousands of red-billed gulls gather here in winter. Local residents also dance here, playing musical instruments or practicing Tai Chi. Take a glimpse of the vivid daily life of Kunming.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
2. Day 2: Kunming City Essence
   Marvel at the Remarkable Karst Stone Forest & Visit a Unique Buddhist Site

   After breakfast, your guided Kunming tour begins at the Stone Forest in Shilin Yi Autonomous County. It is famous for its karst landforms, which have been formed through millions of years of geological action. Here you can see a large and spectacular stone pillars raising from the ground, forming a breathtaking natural limestone spectacle.

   Let’s go into a wonderful world of strange rocks. Strolling on the winding stone path, the scenery in front of you is constantly changing. Some stones that look like animals or figures even carry unique local legends. This unique landscape makes Stone forest one of the most representative natural wonders in Yunnan. Capture the wonderful moments along the way!

   Tip: We recommend comfortable walking shoes. The Shilin Scenic Area is very large and you need to walk a lot of uneven slate roads.

   After that, have a local specialty lunch in the secluded courtyard restaurant. The best thing is that you can enjoy the scenery of the stone forest from here.

   

   Continue your Kunming tour to Yuantong Temple, which is located in the heart of Kunming. It is the oldest Buddhist temple in Kunming. Its history lasts for more than 1,200 years. Unlike most traditional temples, which are built on the hillside and flat ground, Yuantong Temple is built at the foot of the mountain.

   And you’ll feel the terrain gradually decrease as you go deep into the temple. This kind of trans layout is extremely rare in Chinese temples. The whole temple group is like a quiet garden, dotted with green ponds, and the ancient buildings are well preserved. What is particularly striking is its architectural style. It harmoniously integrates the elements of Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southeast Asian Buddhism, reflecting the cultural diversity of Kunming.

   In the late afternoon, you will be escorted back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

   Note: If you are interested in Karst caves, we suggest you go to Jiuxiang Cave (additional charge) after visiting the Stone Forest. It takes about an hour to get there.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kunming
3. Day 3: Departure from Kunming
   Ascend Dragon Gate for Panoramic Views, Explore the Vibrant Flower & Bird Market

   Today's Kunming tour of Yunnan takes you to Xishan Mountain, Western Hill, just outside of Kunming, about an hour's drive. It is known for its dense forests as well as its prime location offering panoramic views of the city. The Dragon Gate is a highlight here. Those intricate pavilions & sculptures carved into the cliffs are really amazing. So let’s enjoy the beautiful panoramic city views of Kunming from the Dragon Gate.

   

   After that, our next destination is Jingxing Flower and Bird Market. This is a lively local market (half-kilometer long), and there are all kinds of small shops. Here, you can find a variety of things, from birds to traditional paintings. Many local residents also come here to spend leisure time, so experience the real life of Kunming here.

   After the trip, your tour guide will take you to the airport or railway station so that you can go to your next destination.

   

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