Yunnan Southeast Self-Driving Tour | A Wonderful Journey Connecting Nature and Culture

A wonderful journey connecting nature and culture. The Southeast Yunnan self-driving tour is a wonderful journey connecting natural beauty and cultural heritage. Starting from Kunming, encounter the brilliant golden rapeseed fields and the magnificent Jiulong Waterfall Group in Luoping; enter Bamei, where you'll cruise through caves as if stepping into a real-life paradise; arrive at Puzhehei to enjoy the beautiful scenery of karst peaks intertwined with lakes, and explore the filming location of "Eternal Love"; head to Yuanyang to admire the terraced fields that hang like heavenly ladders on the mountains, immerse yourself in the sunrise at Duoyishu and sunset at Tiger's Mouth; walk through Jianshui, stroll through the ancient town streets and experience the vintage charm of the narrow-gauge train; finally, at Dongchuan Red Land, see the colorful landscape like a palette of the earth.

Save this 8-day Southeast Yunnan self-driving route!

🚗 Itinerary:

1️⃣ Day 1: Kunming—Fuxian Lake

🌊 Fuxian Lake Route: Kunming—Red Beach—Luchong Scenic Area—Mingxing Fish Cave—Popular S-curve—Fuhai Bay Wetland Park—Guanglong Town

🏨 Accommodation: Guanglong Town (convenient for food and lodging, with a starlight night market)
🍛 Food: Fuxian Lake stone pot fish, copper pot potato rice

2️⃣ Day 2: Fuxian Lake—Jianshui
🚂 Jianshui Route: Jianshui Small Train [Lin'an Station—Shuanglong Bridge—Xianghui Bridge—Tuanshan Village—Return]—Jianshui Ancient Town—Purple Pottery Street

🏨 Accommodation: Near Jianshui Ancient Town or Purple Pottery Street
🍛 Food: Sprout rice noodles, Jianshui barbecue

3️⃣ Day 3: Jianshui—Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Start early to visit Jianshui Buddha Reflection Lotus Island, then reach Ant Workshop, ticket 40 yuan/person; Beishan Pottery Village ticket: 30 yuan, choose attractions based on your preference; depart for Yuanyang Rice Terraces in the afternoon, paved roads suitable for cars, but the last 1.5 hours involve mountain roads. If weather is poor, consider skipping this part.

🏨 Accommodation: Near Yuanyang Duoyishu Rice Terraces
🍛 Food: Local farm cuisine
⚠️ Best viewing period for Yuanyang Rice Terraces is from November to March each year

4️⃣ Day 4: Yuanyang Rice Terraces—Mengzi
🌾 Terrace Route: Bada (sunset viewing)—Duoyishu Rice Terraces (sunrise viewing)—Aichun Blue Rice Terraces—Azheke Village [Yuanyang Rice Terraces is a collective name for multiple terrace sites]

After visiting the terraces, head to Mengzi. Upon evening arrival, visit Nisu Town and explore Dashu Village Night Market.

🏨 Accommodation: Near Nanhu Lake in Mengzi
🍛 Food: Mengzi Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles

5️⃣ Day 5: Mengzi—Mile
Mengzi Route: Former French Consulate—French Garden—Pioneer Bookstore—Southwest Associated University Former Site—Bisezhai

Bisezhai is a filming location for the movie "Youth," no entrance fee, sightseeing car 20 yuan/person; Mengzi, Kaiyuan, and Mile are close to each other, if time permits, you can visit attractions along the way.

🏨 Accommodation: Mile Lake Spring Area (concentration of hot spring hotels)
🍛 Food: Mile barbecue, Zhuyuan Town braised chicken rice noodles

6️⃣&7️⃣ Days 6&7: Mile
Recommend spending 2-3 days in Mile, enjoying hot springs, spring scenery, and red wine at a leisurely pace. Mile route reference:
① Buddha City Mall—Dianxi River Wetland—Jinping Mountain—Lake Spring Eco Park (sunset viewing)
② Taiping Lake Forest Park—Eastern Charm—Red River Water Town

8️⃣ Day 8: Mile—Luoping Rapeseed Flowers
🌼 Luoping Flower Viewing Route: Jinjifeng Cluster (sunrise)—Niujie Spiral Fields—Jiulong Waterfall (if not during flowering season, you can skip this attraction)

🏨 Accommodation: Luoping County or near Jinjifeng Cluster