What to Do in Kunming in 5 Days? Travel Guide and Tips

Day 1 | Morning

Yunnan Ethnic Village

Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 90 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: 1310 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City

The Yunnan Ethnic Village is located on the south side of Kunming, and is one of its most popular attractions. In the village, ethnic minority villages including those of the Dai, Bai, and Yi people are built to a 1:1 proportion. Each village has its own folk customs and craft performances. You can see the customs of many ethnic groups in Yunnan within a day. During minority festivals such as the Songkran Festival in April and the Torch Festival in July and August, the ethnic village will also host lively celebrations.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Very nice experience indeed! If you are willing to explore the culture of different national minorities or just enjoy the calm and beautiful atmosphere and take beautiful photoes the place is for you! There are number of performances mostly in the morning, you can check the time out on the stands around the village. Besides, there are a lot of shops selling traditional costumes and different things as well as wide variety of restaurants. The ticket costs 90 RMB and you can enjoy the village for the all day. You also can get the village map at the ticket office. The map will definitely make your journy around the village easier.

Trip.com User: It's a very nice place to see the life of the Chinese people, the characteristics of the people, etc. I think it was not enough time to look around the whole day, especially the hard work of the folk performances. I was applauded by myself, and I was a happy trip, especially during the National Day.

Day 1 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Yunnan Ethnic Village, you can head to Xishan Forest Park, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Xishan Forest Park

Opening Hours: Open from 8:30am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 30 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Xishan District, Kunming City

The Xishan National Scenic Location sits on the Western outskirts of Kunming, near Dianchi, and only 15 kilometers from the city center. The forest here is dense and beautiful, a gorgeous sight to behold from the peaks of the mountains. In addition to the natural landscape, visitors can also enjoy a number of ancient monuments, including ancient holy sites like the Huating Temple and Taihua Temple where visitors can pray. Also worth visiting are the Longmen Grottoes, carved by Qing Dynasty artisans.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Vale la pena visitarlo. Se puede llegar en metro(si no me equivoco línea 3) o bien en bicicleta, en particular yo fui en bicicleta; no se puede ingresar al parque con vehículo, por ende la dejé atada en la entrada. Dentro tiene varias atracciones, templos, exposiciones, monumentos, etc. que pueden ver con detalle en esta App. Ideal para caminar, de todas formas el parque tiene dentro buses y aerosilla.

Trip.com User: This place is at the last station of subway line 3. You CAN go There and buy the ticket from There . 1 person it will cost You around 130 RMB. Including Bus ' hole park and ticket of a art gallery in the park . You CAN visit hole park . Views are very good.

Day 1 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Xishan Forest Park? InterContinental Kunming is one of your top choices.

InterContinental Kunming

The InterContinental Kunming (Kunming Zhouji Jiudian) is a five-star hotel located 11 km (6.8 mi) from the Nanping Pedestrian Street and 12 km (7.4 mi) from the Kunming Railway Station.

Free parking and Wi-Fi in public areas are offered to guests of this hotel.

On-site restaurants serve Mediterranean, French, Cantonese and Yunnan dishes. A coffee shop and lobby bar provide additional spaces for guests to unwind with a drink or meet up with friends.

Those working while in Kunming have access to the hotel's fully equipped meeting rooms and business center. A banquet hall is on hand for large social or corporate events.

Guests with free time can take a dip in the swimming pool, work out in the gym, play a game of tennis or indulge in spa or massage services. For extra fun, a game room and karaoke facilities are also on the property.

Day 2 | Morning

Daguan Park

Opening Hours: 7:00-19:00

Ticket Price: 26 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: No. 72, Daguan Road, Xishan District, Kunming City

Daguan Park is located in the southwest of Kunming City, on the north side of Dianchi Lake, facing the Xishan Forest Park. Daguan Park is built according to the water. There are lake embankments, lotus ponds and exquisite pavilions, etc., which are very elegant. The park has tourist areas such as Huapu and Daguanlou, Louwailou, Huayuan and Baiyuan. Daguanlou, which was built in the Kangxi period, can be seen in Xishan and Dianchi. It is very famous in history. There are many literati inscriptions for the Grand View House. It has also been called one of the ten ancient Minglou buildings. It is worth seeing.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Alicia E M: A beautiful park for an afternoon stroll.

Day 2 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Daguan Park, you can head to Yunnan Zoo, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Yunnan Zoo

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30

Ticket Price: 100 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 4-5 Hours

Location: Yunnan Zoo, Panlong District, Kunming

The Yunnan Zoo is located in the northeast of Kunming City, adjacent to the Golden Temple Park. The animals here live like thy do in nature, and rare animals such as black snub-nosed monkey, Asian elephant, red pandas, and green peacock can all be seen from up close! The park is divided into Black Bear Mountain, Rare Animal Area, Jurassic Park, Peacock Garden, Deer Park, Panda Hall, and Lion Tiger Mountain Villa.

Reviews from Real Guests:

YoungWarbs: Amazing place to visit. The vast number of animal species are healthy and looked after in plenty of green space. Opportunity to feed bears, raccoons, giraffes and other animals. Take carrots for some of the feeding opportunities. Worth paying for the bus as the park is 16km round. Food available is good too.

Day 2 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Yunnan Zoo? Wyndham Kunming Panlong is one of your top choices.

Wyndham Kunming Panlong

Opened in 2020, the Wyndham Kunming Panlong offers travelers a pleasant stay in Kunming, whether for business or leisure purposes.

The hotel is 15km from Kunming Railway Station and 34km from Kunming Changshui International Airport. Being just minutes away from North Coach Metro Station allows guests to explore the city with ease. There is no shortage of things to see in the area, with the The Waterfall Park of Kunming, 樑思成林徽因故居 and Yunnan Zoo all nearby.

At the end of a busy day, travelers can unwind and relax in the hotel or go out and enjoy the city. This Kunming hotel provides parking on site.

There's never a dull moment at this hotel, our guests indicate that the facilities are excellent. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling for business.

Day 3 | Morning

Jindian Park

Opening Hours: 7:30-18:00

Ticket Price: 25 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Jindian Scenic Spot, Panlong District, Kunming City

Jin Dian Park is located on Mingfeng Mountain on the northeast side of Kunming City. It was once the residence of Wu Sangui in Kunming in the Qing Dynasty. It is now a park with Taoist temples. Because the main hall is made of pure copper and the sun is shining, it is called the Golden Temple Park. Inside the Golden Temple Park is a small hill. Walk along the road and walk slowly. You can see the lush trees on the road, trim the delicate flowers and plants, and the environment is very fresh.

Reviews from Real Guests:

cookie821028: Suitable for bringing a small old fitness, Kunming must go to a good place to travel, very recommended!

Day 3 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Jindian Park, Jiaozi Snow Mountain next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Jiaozi Snow Mountain

Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30

Ticket Price: 68 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Days

Location: Northeast Corner of Wumen Township, Luquan County, Kunming City

Jiaozi Snow Mountain is located on the north side of Kunming, with the main peak at 4,223 meters above sea level. The natural landscape here is unique, with mountain lakes and meadows of varying sizes. In the spring, there are dozens of azaleas blooming on Jiaozi Snow Mountain, forming a beautiful sight. In the winter, there will be snow on Jiaozi Snow Mountain. Many tourists come here for hiking and ice climbing.

Day 3 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Nasuograd Mountain Villa in advance, because all the tourists head to Jiaozi Snow Mountain love staying at it.

Nasuograd Mountain Villa

Opened in 2022, the Nasuograd Mountain Villa offers travelers a pleasant stay in Luquan, whether for business or leisure purposes.

Famous attractions Enjoying Flowers in Jiaozi Snow Mountain and Jiaozi Snow Mountain are just a short taxi ride away.

In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings. Guests of this Luquan hotel can make use of the parking facilities.

When it comes to Luquan hotels, the Nasuograd Mountain Villa is highly regarded for its excellent facilities.

Day 4 | Morning

Qinglongxia

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30

Ticket Price: 40 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: Qinglong Township, Anning City, Kunming

Qinglongxia is found in Qinglong Street, Anning City, Kunming City. It enjoys a good traffic location. It is split into a drifting tour area, a valley landscape area, and a Yi village scenic spot. There are restaurants, rooms and sleeping tents in Qinglongxia. Living in the scenic spot, you can also be part of a bonfire party with ethnic features at night. It is a great spot for recreation.

Day 4 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Qinglongxia, you can head to Naigu Stone Forest, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Naigu Stone Forest

Opening Hours: Open from 8:30am-5:00pm

Ticket Price:

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: 8 km north of the main scenic spot of Shilin and Dong Autonomous County, Kunming

Naigu Stone Forest is located in Shilin County, Kunming. It is about 8 kilometers north of the main scenic spot of the Stone Forest. You can play together. Naigu means black. There are many black stone forests with peculiar shapes in the scenic area. Although they are not as tall and majestic as the main scenic spot, there are few people and quiet, and there are often wild flowers in bloom, which is not wild. The scenic area is divided into east area, west area, Baiyun Lake, Baiyun Cave, ancient battlefield and other parts. There is a total of 6 kilometers of stone road. You can walk along the road. The stone road leads to the top of the mountain, and you can overlook the beautiful scenery on the mountain. Very open. In addition to the peculiar black stone pillars, Baiyun Lake, Baiyun Cave and the ancient battlefield are quite distinctive. Baiyun Lake is not far from the entrance of the scenic spot. The lake water is very clear. There are two small islands in the lake, which are called "Penglai" and "Yingzhou". Baiyun Cave is located in the middle of Naigu Stone Forest Scenic Area. It is amazing that the sound of waves is often heard in the cave, but the water source can never be found, which is quite strange. On the lonely mountain of the ancient stone forest, there are many weathered stone pillars, some like war horses, some like bunkers, so this stone forest is called the ancient battlefield, and it is also one of the locations of the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

Reviews from Real Guests:

MaxS: Ah, my memories! Visiting the Stone Forest was an very special moment in my life. That was a good experience and positive emotions. I would like to recommend do not hurry and carefully examine every corner because it will be some kind of fantasy world.

Trip.com User: Visiting the Stone forest is a very nice experience. Last bus to come back Kunming leaves early (5 or 6pm)

Day 4 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Zizhuyuan Hotel is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Zizhuyuan Hotel

Reviews from Real Guests:

jamesyong: This National Day holiday, the family traveled to Shilin, chose to stay at Shilin Zizhuyuan Hotel, very satisfied, very pleasant surprise! Special thanks to the lobby manager and the beautiful ladies who checked in, and also helped us upgrade to an executive suite for free, solving the problem of housing with children and the elderly, very touched, very warm! The hotel environment is very good, fresh air, rich entertainment activities, and a bonfire party, especially warm! There are also free four-star drug parks, tall hot springs, especially medicinal delicious meals, very close to the Shilin Scenic Area, convenient travel.

Guest User: Zizhuyuan is a part of the Xinglin Grand View Garden. The content of the Xinglin Grand View Garden is really rich, not just a place to stay and eat. It is rare for a tourist scenic spot to have such a rich cultural atmosphere. Chinese medicine culture not only conveys the idea of healthy life, but also carries the traditional Chinese culture, the foundation of the Chinese nation.

Day 5 | Morning

Dynamic Yunnan

Opening Hours: Open on Fri-Sun,8:00pm-9:15pm

Ticket Price: 300 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: Kunming Conference Hall No.81 West Dongfeng Road.Wuhua District, Kunming China

The performance "Images of Yunnan" was directed by the famous dancer Yang Liping, and brings together an integration of nature, song and dance, showcasing the rich culture of Yunnan. Many of the actors in "Yunnan Yingxiang" are minorities from various villages throughout Yunnan, wearing costumes decorated according to the customs of diverse nationalities.

Day 5 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Dynamic Yunnan, don’t forget pay a visit to City of Flower.

City of Flower

Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-6:30pm

Ticket Price: 30 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours

Location: No. 8188 Jinwa Road, Dongbaishahe Area, Panlong District, Kunming City

Located in the Dongbaishahe area of Panlong District, Kunming City, the Flower City is a comprehensive resort with flowers and Yunnan culture as its theme. There are sights to see all year round including colorful flower exhibitions available every season, the Peacock Mountain, and the Crystal Cave, both of which are said to be made up of precious stones. It is a perfect destination for taking photos. In addition, there is also the 4D Museum -- a dome theater and the Fragrance Museum, which recreates 19th century France. The shops and restaurants here are also revolved around Yunnan culture.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: I live in the five-star hotel in Huacheng. The service is very good. Guests can also enter the venue for free. There are also European architecture. I almost thought this is not China.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.