Day 1 Various locations → → Kunming ★ Assembly day
All day
[Highlights] Free time to stroll through Kunming's streets, soak up the warm sunshine unique to the City of Spring, and explore the city's history on this CityWalk. Please be safe during this free time!
[Note] Tourists from all over the world will check in at their Kunming hotels (submit "China-TravelNote + your name" when checking in). This day is free for all activities. (Unlike regular tour groups that arrange hotels far from the city center for cost-effectiveness, China-TravelNote has specially arranged a meeting point hotel near Kunming's city center for convenient travel.)
Day 2 Kunming → Fuxian Lake → Jianshui
All day
Opening the Spring City's Back Garden - Fuxian Lake
After breakfast, we'll set off by car. Less than two hours later, we'll reach the beautiful plateau lake Fuxian Lake (China's largest freshwater lake by volume, boasting pristine, crystal-clear waters, rippling with the plateau breeze). We'll first visit the Luchong Scenic Area. Friends in Kunming say you haven't been to Fuxian Lake if you haven't visited Luchong. We'll stroll along the beach and climb Bijia Mountain for a panoramic view of Fuxian Lake. (Bijia Mountain has gentle steps, and the hike to the summit takes about 20 minutes, making it a relaxing and enjoyable experience for all ages.) We'll have some free time for lunch in the scenic area (we highly recommend the copper pot fish and copper pot potato rice).
Wander around Jianshui Ancient City and find delicious food
Arrive in Jianshui and experience the China-TravelNote featured Jianshui Ancient City City Walk. We'll pass by Jianshui Chaoyang Tower, the legendary predecessor of Tiananmen Square and known as "the first building in Yunnan Province," then stroll along Lin'an Old Street, discover the Daban Well, and visit a tofu shop. Along the way, we'll also stop by the Jianshui Confucian Temple. Second only to the Confucius Temple in Qufu in size, this building epitomizes the flourishing of Central Plains culture in Jianshui, offering a glimpse into Jianshui's cultural heritage. We'll then take you to a Jianshui grilled tofu stall, where you'll gather around a fire pit, enjoy a bite of grilled tofu, and chat about life, savoring the vibrant atmosphere of Jianshui.
Day 3 Jianshui → Yuanyang
All day
Yunnan-Vietnam train, experience time travel
After breakfast, we'll depart for Lin'an Station and board the Jianshui Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (Route: Lin'an Station - Shuanglong Bridge - Xianghui Bridge - Tuanshan Station). Experience Jianshui's uniquely retro wooden train. The vintage wall lamps, oscillating old fans, and French-style architecture along the way transport us back to the early 20th century, when the railway was first completed. The journey proceeds at a leisurely pace, passing past fields, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and the old station building, before arriving at Tuanshan Station.
Heading into the mountains, heading to the Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Depart for Yuanyang at the right time. Along the way, you'll encounter a dazzling array of tropical fruit stalls and banana groves undergoing harvest. After a short rest, take the winding mountain road up to Ailao Mountain. Upon entering the Yuanyang Scenic Area, check in (depending on your arrival time) and arrive at Bada in time to enjoy the sunset. Standing in Bada, as the sun sets and the sky turns crimson, the thousand-year-old terraced rice fields stretch far below you. From mid-September to early October, the rice harvest ripens, and the terraces radiate a golden hue across the mountains. From November to April, the irrigated terraces reflect the sunset like mirrors, casting a warm golden hue against the backdrop of their graceful curves. A true marvel at the unparalleled craftsmanship of man and nature.
Day 4 Yuanyang → Maitreya
All day
Just for Duoyishu, I rushed early to watch the sunrise
Before the sun comes out, we set out for the Duoyishu Rice Terraces, a great place to watch the sunrise in Yuanyang (the rice fields are golden from mid-September to early October, and the terraces are flooded and have reflections from November to April). It is also the highlight of the trip, where you can take in the poetic and majestic Pugao Old Village, the colorful clouds, the sea of clouds, the terraces, the village, and the morning mist.
Private visit to Hani Old Village and light hike on terraced fields
Then we will visit the Hani village [Azheke] in the terraced fields. This is the filming location of "No Questions East and West", with its original Hani mushroom houses. The village is pristine and peaceful, with simple folk customs, a strong local flavor, and rich cultural heritage. Here, you will hear the interpretation of Hani culture and experience the Hani people's straw weaving and cloth dyeing. Finally, there will be a light hike in the terraced fields:
Dyeing (30 minutes); Straw weaving (30 minutes); Hani folklore tour in Azheke Village (60 minutes); Terraced rice terraces hike (60 minutes);
Hot spring hotel, relax in the hot springs
After the activity, we will check in to Mile Hot Spring Hotel, have free time and take a hot spring bath.
Day 5: Maitreya → Kunming
All day
Oriental "Turkish Castle" Eastern Charm
Afterward, we headed to [Mitre] for our day's surprise and a visit to the eclectic art town of Dongfengyun Scenic Area. This hidden gem has over 1 million likes on Douyin (TikTok), countless recommendations on Xiaohongshu (reddit), and has attracted celebrities like Yang Liping, Sa Dingding, and Zhang Guoli. It offers everything you could want for a photo-taking experience, making it feel like you're in Turkey. China-TravelNote has given everyone plenty of time to capture as many moments as they want.
12:00 Depart Kunming Airport/Station Drop-off:
We will depart from Mile and depart for Kunming Changshui Airport at 12:00 PM, arriving at Changshui International Airport around 2:00 PM. Please book a return flight after 4:00 PM. Please relax this schedule during holidays.
Tourists who need to return to Kunming city or take the high-speed rail will be dispersed at the South Square of Kunming Railway Station after being dropped off at the airport. The dispersion time is around 3:00 PM. For the return trip from Kunming Station, please book a train after 3:30 PM. For the return trip from Kunming South Station, please book a train after 4:30 PM. Please relax the schedule during holidays.
