Yunnan’s Stunning Secret Scenic Spots Photo Journey

Yunnan | An Unmissable Dreamlike Trip
Hey everyone👋, who can resist the beauty of Yunnan! Here you’ll find skies as blue as gemstones, colorful seas of flowers, and the mysterious ancient cultures of ethnic minorities... every place exudes a unique charm. Today, I’m bringing you a super practical Yunnan travel guide to help you easily explore Yunnan!

Preparation
● Documents: ID card, student ID (don’t forget if you have discounts).
● Clothing: Yunnan’s climate is changeable with big temperature differences between morning and night. Even in summer, bring a light jacket; in other seasons, a thick coat is a must. For places like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, be sure to prepare a thick cotton jacket or rent one at the scenic area.
● Sun protection: Yunnan has very strong UV rays, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and sun-protective clothing.
● Medicine: Cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, insect bite remedies, etc.

Itinerary
Kunming - Dianchi Lake - Yunnan Nationalities Village - Guandu Ancient Town
● Day 1: Arrive in Kunming and first go to Dianchi Lake to feed the seagulls. From November to March, flocks of red-billed gulls fly here from Siberia. You can buy some gull feed and enjoy the fun of them circling around you🐦. In the afternoon, visit Yunnan Nationalities Village, which gathers villages of 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan, allowing you to deeply understand their cultures and customs. In the evening, head to Guandu Ancient Town to try local specialties like Guandu Baba and small pot rice noodles.
● Food recommendations: Guoqiao Rice Noodles at Jianxinyuan, roasted milk fan at Guandu Ancient Town.

Dali - Erhai Lake - Dali Ancient Town - Xizhou Ancient Town
● Day 2: Take a high-speed train from Kunming to Dali. After arriving, rent an electric bike to ride around Erhai Lake. Along the lake, you’ll see sparkling water, continuous mountains, and beautiful rural scenery. Stop at Shuanglang Ancient Town to enjoy the lake views and check out Yang Liping’s Sun Palace and Moon Palace🌙. In the evening, stroll through Dali Ancient Town to feel its charm and taste flower cakes, grilled rice cakes, and other delicacies.
● Day 3: Visit Xizhou Ancient Town, which preserves many traditional Bai ethnic houses with unique architectural styles. Rent a bike to wander through the alleys and enjoy the tranquility and comfort. Try Xizhou crispy baba, available in both sweet and savory flavors. In the afternoon, go to Cangshan Mountain and take the cable car to admire its magnificent scenery.
● Food recommendations: Ersi (rice noodles), cold chicken rice noodles, Xizhou crispy baba.

Lijiang - Lijiang Ancient Town - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Blue Moon Valley
● Day 4: Take a high-speed train from Dali to Lijiang. Upon arrival, visit Lijiang Ancient Town and stroll on the stone-paved streets to experience the Naxi culture. Explore Sifang Street, the Mu Residence, and other attractions. At night, enjoy the ancient town’s night view; the bar street is lively but remember to spend wisely🎇.
● Day 5: Head to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You can book tickets and cable car passes online in advance. Take the main cable car to Glacier Park to experience the majestic snow mountain. After descending, visit Blue Moon Valley, where the lake water is as blue as a gem, surrounded by green mountains, like a fairyland.
● Food recommendations: cured pork rib hotpot, Naxi grilled fish, chicken bean jelly.

Shangri-La - Pudacuo National Park - Dukezong Ancient Town - Songzanlin Monastery
● Day 6: Take a bus from Lijiang to Shangri-La. In the afternoon, visit Pudacuo National Park, which features primeval forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and other natural landscapes. You can take the park’s sightseeing bus to slowly enjoy the scenery.
● Day 7: In the morning, visit Dukezong Ancient Town, the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential area in China. Walk the streets, see the prayer wheels, and experience Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, visit Songzanlin Monastery, known as the “Little Potala Palace,” with grand and magnificent architecture.
● Food recommendations: butter tea, yak meat hotpot, barley cakes.

Accommodation Suggestions
● Kunming: Stay near Dianchi Lake or downtown for convenient travel.
● Dali: Lakeside homestays near Erhai Lake are popular but may be pricier. You can also stay inside Dali Ancient Town.
● Lijiang: There are many unique inns inside Lijiang Ancient Town, but the narrow streets can make luggage handling inconvenient. Staying outside the ancient town is also an option.
● Shangri-La: Stay inside Dukezong Ancient Town to experience Tibetan style.

Transportation Guide
● External transport: Choose flights, trains, etc., to reach Kunming, then use high-speed trains, buses, and other means to travel to other cities.
● Internal transport: Within cities, you can use buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, etc. For trips around Erhai Lake or Lugu Lake, renting a car or hiring a private car is recommended.

Friends, the beauty of Yunnan is waiting for you to experience in person! Save this guide now and start your Yunnan adventure🌈!