Winter in Yunnan's Spring City Awaits You

"Spend 3000 RMB to enjoy three days and two nights in Kunming! Feed seagulls, tour Dianchi Lake, and savor the night market—budget travel can be high-class too!"

Who says going to Kunming has to cost over ten thousand?
I managed three days and two nights for 3000 RMB per person!
From the morning seagulls at the 500-li Dianchi Lake to the bustling old street alleys with smoky rice noodles,
No rushing, no mistakes, no pitfalls—
Students, couples, and besties can all copy this itinerary!

Itinerary｜3 days 2 nights, relaxed and easy without breaking a sweat

Day 1: Arrive in Kunming → Feed seagulls at Dianchi Lake + Sunset at Haigeng Dam
-✈️ Arrive at Changshui Airport, take Metro Line 6 directly to downtown (fare 5 RMB)
- 🏨 Check into a guesthouse or chain hotel near Dianchi Lake (e.g., Hanting, 7 Days, 180 RMB/night)
-🚶 Afternoon check-in at [Haigeng Dam]: buy a bag of seagull feed (5 RMB), take stunning photos with red-billed seagulls!
-🌅 Evening stroll along the [Lakeside Ecological Corridor], watch the sunset paint the lake—breathtakingly beautiful
- 🍜 Dinner recommendation: Shuangqiao Night Market or Fude Alley Snack Street
Must-try: grilled tofu, pot rice noodles, rose flower cake (freshly baked for the best aroma)

Day 2: Stone Forest day trip or slow cultural city tour
✅ Option A: Nature wonder lovers → Stone Forest Scenic Area
-🚌 Join a pure-play small group day tour (including transport + ticket about 220 RMB)
-🪨 Explore the world natural heritage "Karst Museum," wear ethnic-style dresses for stunning photos
- 🕐 Return to the city by 4 PM, no exhaustion or rush

✅ Option B: Urban artsy choice → Slow city life
-🏛️ Morning: Yunnan University (Donglu Campus) + Wenlin Street café
- 🎨 Noon: Stroll through Cuihu Park, watch winter migratory birds
- 🍛 Afternoon: Free visit to the Army Lecture Hall + Memorial Hall
-🛍️ Evening: Shopping and dinner at Nanqiang Alley or Nanping Street

Day 3: Dash through Dounan Flower Market + Return trip
- 🌸 Early morning rush to [Dounan Flower Market]—Asia’s largest fresh flower market!
💡 Tip: Before 7 AM is cheapest, 99 RMB can buy a big bouquet of roses + lilies + eustoma!
-🎁 Flowers can be shipped home via SF Express (with ice pack + packaging, convenient and romantic)
- 🍚 Lunch with an authentic bowl of [Qiaoxiangyuan Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles]
-✈️ Return in the afternoon according to flight schedule, ending a warm trip

Budget breakdown (per person)

Item Cost
------ ------
Round-trip airfare (book early for deals) 1200 RMB
2 nights accommodation (budget hotel) 360 RMB
Meals (100 RMB/day × 3 days) 300 RMB
Transport (metro + taxi + small group) 300 RMB
Tickets (Stone Forest/others) 180 RMB
Flowers + souvenirs + seagull feed 200 RMB
Emergency fund 460 RMB
Total About 3000 RMB

✅ Realistic and manageable! 3000 RMB per person for comfortable meals, safe lodging, and beautiful photos!

This trip made me realize:
Kunming’s charm isn’t in expensive attractions,
But in a seagull landing on your shoulder at dawn,
In a 99 RMB bouquet blooming vibrantly at the flower market,
In the moment you say, "I want to go see it."

3000 RMB can’t buy a designer bag,
But it can buy a sunny, free-breathing winter.
This season, Kunming is warm—you should set off.

📌 Tips:
- Best time: November to March (a winter haven, seagull season)
- Essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, light down jacket (cold mornings and evenings), thermos
- Pitfall warning: don’t buy flowers at scenic spots! Go to Dounan; don’t take illegal taxis, use Didi or metro instead