Things to Do in Yunnan
As Yunnan enjoys the respectable reputation of the “Colorful Yunnan” and it has both brilliant culture as well as profound history, you can enjoy the most unforgettable time taking a travel in this province in the South of China.
Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La, Yuanyang, Kunming, etc. there are too many destinations to pay a visit to see their beauty. During your trip here, you will find every moment is full of surprise and pleasure, from the fantastic natural scenery of mountains and lakes, to the precious historic relics for hundreds and even thousands of years, from the fabulous special buildings of Yunnan characteristics, to the authentic folk culture of local residents…
Recommended Best Yunnan Tour:
▶ 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)
▶ 11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)
In order to help you better know about the most popular places to go in this province, we’ve selected the TOP 25 Yunnan Attractions for you as following. Let’s go check them to start your Yunnan Tour!
Attractions & Featured Activities for Major Cities in Yunnan:
Yunnan Map
Yunnan Attraction Map
- Top Attractions
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No.1: Stone Forest
Type: National Geography Park, World Nature Heritage Site
City: Kunming
Stone Forest, 120 km from the downtown Kunming city, is regarded as one of the “Chinese four natural wonders”. This historical scenic area shaped 270 million years ago gathers the various kinds of stones together in the area of 350 square km. You can enjoy the very high stones over 40 m, round and sharp ones forming a big forest, which will make you surprised at the amazing karst landform in this tourist heaven.
>> 3 Days Kunming Tour to Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave
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No.2: Lijiang Ancient City
Type:World Heritage Site, Ancient City
City: Lijiang
Being one of the only 2 ancient cities listed as the World Cultural Heritage in China, Lijiang Ancient City is a “must go” place. Its more than 800 years history enables the ancient city be filled with rich antique flavor, therefore, you can not only see those very fancy Mu’s Residence and other old houses, bridges, attractive natural landscape in places like Black Dragon Pool, but also be immersed in the featured ancient romance of Lijiang people and the shining culture of Naxi people.
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No.3: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Type: Mountains, Nature/ Wildlife Areas, Ballets
City: Lijiang
30 km from Lijiang downtown, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has a very sacred status among the local Naxi people. As the southernmost mountain and a well-known mountain in China, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is rich in multiple types of glaciers, eye-pleasing sightseeing of snow of its 13 peaks, distinct beautiful scenery in all seasons, etc. Moreover, you will be amazed at the large-scale live-action performance in Ganhaizi, which provides you the real history and life in Lijiang this charming destination.
>> 3 Days Lijiang Cultural & Natural Tour with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
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No.4: Dali Ancient City
Type: Ancient Town, Historic Sites
City: Dali
Dali Ancient City is a famous ancient city in Yunnan and even China, which attracts many visitors to long for a visit to this purified place. Roaming in this antique city of more than 600 years, you can see the City Wall, Gate-towers, old streets, traditional courtyards full of local folk culture, and also, you can admire the vigorous flowers blooming under the cerulean sky. That is really a great place to pay a visit and calm your heart!
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No.5: Three Pagodas & Chongsheng Temple
Type: Cultural Relics, Scenic Spots
City: Dali
The Three Pagodas & Chongsheng Temple was first built in the 9th and 10th centuray, and now it is both one of the oldest ancient buildings in China and the symbolic building of Dali. For their special design, you will see these three pagodas like the ballpoint pens standing there together, which creates a fantastic landscape painting with the wide Erhai Lake and the magnificent Cangshan Mountain.
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No.6: Erhai Lake
Type: Natural Landscape,Scenic Spots
City: Dali
Erhai Lake at the suburb of Dali city is the mother river of local Bai people. Spreading for about 256 square km, this lake is a famous sightseeing area with fancy natural scenery. Boating on the lake, you can appreciate the transparent water surface, see the birds flying above in the blue sky, and admire the lush trees and colorful flowers dancing in the wind. You will be addicted in this idyllic scene that nearly only seen in paintings.
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No.7: Xizhou Village
Type: Historical Architectures, Ancient Town
City: Dali
Xizhou Village is an ancient town in Dali, Yunnan faces Erhai on the east and rests on Cangshan in the west, featured with numerous Bai classical residences, famous local dishes - Xizhou Baba, and Bai ethnic customs and activities like Three-Course Tea and Tie-dyeing. It’s a thousand-year historical Bai ethic ancient town that can’t be missed by tourists.
>> 4 Days Dali Leisure Vacation for Nature & Culture Savory (in Luxury Boutique Hotel)
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No.8: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Type: Canyons
City: Lijiang & Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge covering Shangri-La and Lijiang is one of the deepest gorge in China and very famous for its dangerous feature, which is divided into the upper, middle and the lower sections. You can take a hike along this one of the World Top 10 Classic Trekking Ways to feel the adventurous landform, appreciate the very turbulent water. And you can experience the exciting giant fall between the scarps.
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No.9: Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (Songzanlin Monastery)
Type:Religious Sites
City: Shangri-La
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery in Shangri-La is largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and has a vital status among this area. Therefore, it is reputed as the “Little Potala Palace”. Built more than 500 years ago, the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery looks like a gold, which enables you to appreciate the special design of this grand building. Besides, you can see many relative historic relics, know more about the essence of the respectable Buddhism and enjoy the charming natural scenery.
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No.10: Pudacuo National Park
Type: National Parks, Bodies of Water, Nature/ Wildlife Areas
City: Shangri-La
Pudacuo National Park, 22 km from Shangri-La is a vital tourist spot in this area and the first national park in China. Take a travel to Pudacuo, you have an unforgettable time, enjoying the lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, valleys, sapphire sky, marshmallow-like clouds, rare species, and well-preserved original ecological environment, etc. You will find as if time has ceased and what is really the fairyland under the heaven.
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No.11: Yuanyang Terrace
Type: World Cultural Heritage, Natural Scenery
City: Yuanyang
Covering a super wide area of about 1.7 million acre, Yuanyang Terrace in Yuanyang County is a fabulous landscape painting carved by the local Hani people for over 1300 years. Added to the World Heritage List, Yuanyang Terrace has very rare scenery in the world, so you can be immersed in the over 3000 stairs on the mountain from the light green to emerald color, from the reflection of the clear sky to the refreshing air…
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No.12: Dongchuan Red Land
Type: Natural Landscape, Scenic Spots
City: Kunming
Located at the northeast of Kunming city, Dongchuan Red Land is a wonderful place to get close to the nature’s cool fabricate and shot for a series of excellent photos. Being the most magnificent red land besides that in Rio de Janeiro, Dongchuan Red Land shows amazing sightseeing before you, with layers of red colors from bright to dark, which is extremely rare.
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No.13: Lugu Lake
Type: Historic Sites, Bodies of Water
City: Lijiang
Belonged in Lijiang city, Lugu Lake attracts a great number of visitors for its fascinating natural scenery and particular stories of Mosuo people. Since Lugu Lake is known as the Pearl of the Plateau, you can appreciate the very appealing blue sky, take the slow-canoe to ramble on the peaceful mirror-like lakes and experience the culture in this “Kingdom of Women”.
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No.14: Shaxi Ancient Town
Type: Ancient Town, Historic Sites
City: Dali
Shaxi Ancient Town in Dali city is an authentic ancient town with highly rich antique atmosphere and extraordinarily long history of over 2400 years. Wandering in this old town, you can enjoy every moment to see the old streets, old bridges, old temples, old stages, old shops, old trees, old gates, etc. Since the Shaxi Ancient Town is a stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Sideng Sifang Street is a fair prosperous for thousands of years, you will find the visit here so unforgettable!
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No.15: Meili Snow Mountain
Type: Mountains, Nature/ Wildlife Areas
City: Shangri-La
Standing in Shangri-La, Meili Snow Mountain is the highest mountain in Yunnan, which is 6740 meters above the see. Visit this sacred mountain, you can both appreciate the charming snow sightseeing and be marveled at the breathtaking natural scenery of the sunrise, when the snow mountain changes her color on the peak from orange, yellow and pink to white and golden as the sunshine glows. It is really lucky to see this rare beautiful scene that is eager many visitors.
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No.16: Luoping Rapeseed Flowers
Type: Scenic Spots, Natural Scenery
Location: 213 km from Kunming Downtown
At the joint of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi, Luoping is called “the East Door of the Yunnan”. The top reason to come to Luoping is for the Golden Rapeseed Flowers Sea which is blooming prosperously on the land of Luoping in spring usually falling in the late January to the early April every year. Many typical Karst hills dotted on the flat farmland and when the green land is turning into the golden flowers sea, Luoping has become “the Largest Natural Garden in the World”.
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No.17: Wild Elephant Valley
Type: National Animal Protection Park, Forest Park
City: Xishuangbanna
Situated in Xishaungbanna county of Yunnan, the Wild Elephant Valley is not only a great place to see the 300-350 giant Asian elephants roaming, showering, playing, and so on, but it is also in abundant numbers of other birds and beasts, like wild ox, green peafowl, macaque, etc. Besides, you will feel the special sightseeing of tropical rainforest in the luxuriant forest park.
>> 4 Days Xishuangbanna Tour with Tropical Flavor & Dai Culture
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No.18: Kunming Green Lake Park
Type:Garden, Lake, Sightseeing Place
City: Kunming
Kunming Green Lake in the downtown Kunming city is a hot tourist and leisure place for both local people and other tourists. You can not only see the real daily life of Kunming residents spending their time there chatting, but also appreciate the eye-pleasing sightseeing. Various kinds of spring tulips, summer lotus flowers, and the adorable winter black-headed gulls and so forth draw many visitors.
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No.19: Kunming Birds and Flowers Market
Type: Market, Pedestrian Street
City: Kunming
Since Birds and Flowers Markets are abundant in Kunming and mark a feature of this city, you can select one market to have fun. Taking a slow walk on the old streets, you can see many local people buying their favorite flowers, selecting the adorable fishes, and compare the vigorous birds, etc. which is both of lots of fun and get close to the local life culture.
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No.20: Kunming Western Hill (Xishan)
Type: Historic Sites, Scenic Spots
Distance: 30 km from Kunming Downtown, about 0.5 hour’s driving
From ancient times, Western Hill enjoys the fame with its excellent scenery, dense forests, prosperous flowers and peaceful surroundings. It also known for another name: Sleeping Beauty Hill. View from southeast of Kunming, Western Hill is like a beauty laying on her back beside Dianchi Lake, hence comes the name.
Kunming Western Hill is a large forest park with many scenic spots including Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion and Dragon Gate. Among them, Huating Temple is the biggest temple in Kunming, and Dragon Gate is the largest and most beautiful Taoism Cave in Yunnan. You can view cultural relics and fabulous sceneries here.
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No.21: Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Type: Natural Landscape, Scenic Spots
Location:105 km from Kunming Downtown, about 1.5-2 hours’ driving
Situated in Yiliang County, Kunming, Jiuxiang Scenic Area is known as the karst caves clusters. With over 200 square kilometers, Jiuxiang Scenic Area has hundreds of large and small caves, including Wolong Cave, Bat Cave, Lion Cave and more attractions. It is the largest and most exotic cave landscape community system. Some cave landscapes are rarely to be seen in other places. Outside these caves, there are natural sceneries of thrilling gorge and Yincui gorge.
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No.22: Black Dragon Pool Park
Type: Park, Natural Site, Cultural Site
Location: 1 km from Lijiang Old Town
Black Dragon Pool or called Yuquan Park is a popular part of Lijiang Old Town. This large scenic park with some peculiar pagodas and pavilions with flying eaves and stone bridge and some lovely ponds is great for some leisure and fresh walk. More importantly, the best sightseeing position there enables you to take the famous photo of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with the traditional styled building together.
>> 3 Days Lijiang Cultural & Natural Tour with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
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No.23: Shuhe Ancient Town
Type: Historic Sites
City: Lijiang
Shuhe Ancient Town is situated near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, in Lijiang. It is not only an especially important well-preserved county on the Ancient Tea Horse Way, but also one of the precious places featured with rich Naxi culture. Strolling on this respectively tranquil ancient town, you will feel the comfortable peace on the old flagging, slowly running clear water, winding roads, old houses, etc.
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No.24: Jianshui Ancient City
Type: Ancient City, Cultural & Hisrotical Site, Sightseeing Place
City: Yuanyang
Jianshui Ancient City in Yuanyang is historic cultural ancient city of over 1200 years. Since this famous old city is rich in culture, you can appreciate over 50 perfectly protected featured old buildings with rich local specialties, which gives the city a reputable name of ancient building museum. Take a trip to experience the local folk characteristics and shot for some fantastic pictures of the charming houses, then this will be a memorable part in your life.
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No.25: Jingmai Mountain
Type: World Heritage Sites, National AAAA Tourist Attractions, Tea Culture
City: Pu'er
Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er is listed as China's 57th World Heritage Site in 2023, and also the world's first World Heritage Site of tea culture. With nearly 2,000 years of tea cultivation history, Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er has old tea forests area of 32,000 acres and more than 3.2 million old tea trees, which is the largest, best-preserved and oldest artificial cultivation old tea garden and the existing tea living fossil community.
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No.26: Jiaozi Snow Mountain
Type: Scenic Spots, Natural Scenery
Location: 166 km from Kunming Downtown
Located in the northwest of Dongchuan District, Kunming, Jiaozi Snow Mountain has a natural landscape with magnificent mountains, rich flora and fauna species. It’s named after the mountain peak shaped like a bridal sedan chair. With 4247 meters above sea level, the scenic views are fascinating, including sea of azalea flowers, mountain waterfalls and shapes of mountain lakes. All are the must-sees when you tour Jiaozi Snow Mountain.
>> 5 Days Kunming Spring Nature Tour with Jiaozi Snow Mountain
Keep Reading on Yunnan Attractions
- Kunming Attractions
- Kunming 8 Best Things to Do
- Lijiang Attractions
- Lijiang 15 Best Things to Do
- Dali Attractions
- Shangri-La Attractions
- Yuanyang Attractions
- Xishuangbanna Attractions
Useful Yunnan Travel Articles
- Yunnan Travel Guide
- Kunming Travel Guide
- Lijiang Travel Guide
- Dali Travel Guide
- Shangri-La Travel Guide
- Yuanyang Travel Guide
- Xishuangbanna Travel Guide
- Luoping Travel Guide
- Tengchong Travel Guide
- Yunnan Tours
- Kunming Tours
- Lijiang Tours
- Dali Tours
- Shangri-La Tours
- Yuanyang Tours
- How to Plan a Yunnan Tour
- Top 10 Places to Visit in Yunnan
- Yunnan Transportation
- Yunnan Weather & Seasons
- Yunnan Maps
- Yunnan Minorities
- Yunnan Ethnic Festivals
- Yunnan Ethnic Markets
Recommended Yunnan Tours
Top 3 Yunnan tours chosen by most customers to explore Yunnan in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming)
Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming
Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La
Kunming / Stone Forest / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La
