A Must-Visit Hidden Gem Travel Destination in This Life: Yunnan Travel Guide

Hey guys👋, are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and craving a spontaneous trip? Then you definitely can’t miss Yunnan, this earthly paradise! It’s like a breathtaking painting slowly unfolding, with every inch of land exuding unique charm. Now, let me take you on this dreamy journey through Yunnan✨! Preparation ● Documents: ID card, student ID (grab discounts if you have them😜), a small amount of cash. ● Clothing: Yunnan’s weather is changeable with big temperature differences between morning and night. In summer, bring light clothes and a thin jacket; in winter, thick outerwear like down jackets and sweaters are essential. ● Skincare: Yunnan has strong UV rays, so don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and moisturizing masks. ● Medicine: Common medicines like stomach medicine, cold medicine, and motion sickness pills, just in case. Itinerary Kunming (2 days) ● Day 1: After arriving in Kunming, stroll around Kunming Old Street. It has the charm of old Kunming, with quaint buildings lining the streets and a variety of unique snacks and shops. Try tofu pudding rice noodles and small pot rice noodles to savor Kunming’s flavors😋. In the afternoon, head to Dianchi Lake to feed the seagulls and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. At night, visit Nanping Street, Kunming’s busiest commercial street, full of food and shopping options. ● Day 2: In the morning, visit Yunnan Nationalities Village, where 26 ethnic villages gather, allowing you to experience the cultures of various ethnic groups in one place. Watch ethnic song and dance performances, participate in ethnic festivals, and feel the passion and vitality of the minorities. In the afternoon, go to Guandu Ancient Town to see ancient temples and buildings and taste local specialties like Guandu Baba. Dali (3 days) ● Day 1: Upon arrival in Dali, head straight to the Erhai Ecological Corridor. Rent a bicycle or electric bike to ride along Erhai Lake, with blue waters on one side and pastoral scenery on the other, like stepping into a fairy tale. Stop for lunch at Xizhou Ancient Town to try Xizhou crispy Baba and visit Bai ethnic residential buildings. Stay overnight in Shuanglang Ancient Town and enjoy the sunset over Erhai Lake🌅. ● Day 2: Take a boat tour of Erhai Lake, enjoying the lake views and visiting Nanzhao Style Island. The island features many buildings and sculptures from the Nanzhao period, full of historical and cultural atmosphere. In the afternoon, return to Dali Ancient Town, stroll on the bluestone streets, browse specialty shops, and taste delicacies like grilled milk fan and carved plums. ● Day 3: In the morning, go to Cangshan Mountain and take the cable car up to overlook Dali’s beautiful scenery. The mountain is home to many rare plants and animals, with fresh air—a natural oxygen bar. Spend the afternoon at leisure; you can visit Caicun Pier to experience the tranquility and leisure of the fishing village. Lijiang (3 days) ● Day 1: After arriving in Lijiang, visit Lijiang Ancient Town. It’s a historic and cultural city in China, built along the mountains and water, with streets paved with red breccia. Walk through the ancient town to feel the Naxi culture and try local foods like Lijiang Baba and chicken bean jelly. At night, visit the bar street to listen to music and relax. ● Day 2: Head to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, take the large cable car to Glacier Park, and admire the magnificent snowy mountain scenery. Visit Blue Moon Valley, where the lake water is as blue as a gem, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests—breathtakingly beautiful. In the afternoon, return to Lijiang city and visit Shuhe Ancient Town, which is quieter and more rustic compared to Lijiang Ancient Town. ● Day 3: Go to Lashihai to experience the Tea Horse Road culture. You can ride horses along the ancient road to feel the life of the old caravan. Then row a boat on Lashihai Lake and enjoy the wetland scenery. Return to Lijiang in the afternoon to conclude your Lijiang trip. Xishuangbanna (3 days) ● Day 1: After arriving in Xishuangbanna, go to Gasa Xishuangjing. It’s one of the most distinctive tourist spots in Xishuangbanna, featuring many Southeast Asian-style buildings. At night, visit the Starlight Night Market, one of Asia’s largest night markets, with a dazzling array of food and handicrafts. You can try Dai-style barbecue, pineapple purple rice, and other specialties. ● Day 2: In the morning, visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the largest and most species-rich botanical garden in China. The garden is like a plant kingdom with many rare tropical plants. In the afternoon, go to Manting Park, the Dai King’s imperial garden, with many ancient buildings and garden landscapes. At night, watch the "Lancang River · Mekong River Night" song and dance bonfire party to experience the charm of ethnic minority performances. ● Day 3: Visit Wild Elephant Valley, the only habitat of Asian elephants in China. You can take a cable car to watch wild elephants and visit the Elephant Museum to learn about their habits. Spend the afternoon at leisure to perfectly end your Yunnan trip. Food Recommendations Besides the foods mentioned earlier, Yunnan has many other delicious dishes, such as Tengchong’s Da Jiu Jia, Dehong’s Dai cuisine, and Honghe’s Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles. Each dish has its unique flavor waiting for you to taste😘. Accommodation Suggestions ● Kunming: Staying near Nanping Street is convenient for travel and shopping. ● Dali: Shuanglang Ancient Town and Dali Ancient Town are great choices, offering beautiful views of Erhai Lake and the ancient town. ● Lijiang: Lijiang Ancient Town and Shuhe Ancient Town have many unique inns, giving you a different lodging experience. ● Xishuangbanna: Hotels near Gasa Xishuangjing are conveniently located and close to the night market. Transportation Guide ● External transportation: Depending on your location, you can choose to fly or take the train to Yunnan. Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna all have airports, making travel very convenient. ● Internal transportation: Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang have public transportation, and you can also take taxis or rent cars. In Xishuangbanna, you can take buses or taxis. Guys, Yunnan’s beauty is far more than this; it’s like a huge treasure waiting for you to explore. Hurry up, pack your bags, and embark on this dreamy Yunnan journey🌈!