Southwest · DESTINATION GUIDE

Yunnan 云南

Yunnan's large changes in height create a province of northwestern mountain valleys, central plateau basins and lower southern borderlands. Kunming is the capital, but no single old town or city captures the variety of its landscapes and cultural communities. A familiar route through Dali and Lijiang is one option; Honghe's terraces, Jingmai's tea forests, Xishuangbanna and the western border regions offer others. Choose the kind of journey first, then connect a manageable number of places with real travel time and enough days to notice their differences.

Location of Yunnan in China

About Yunnan

Yunnan at a glance

Population
46,440,000Year-end resident population, entire provincial-level administrative area · 2025Source ↗
Income per person
31,311Mean annual disposable income per person, all residents · 2025 · CNYSource ↗
Languages & dialects
Mandarin and Southwestern Mandarin; many community languages, including Naxi (纳西语), Yi, Dai and Tibetan.Examples of regional languages, not an exhaustive list or a statement about every resident.Source ↗
Geography
High northwestern mountains and valleys descend toward central plateau basins and lower southern borderlands.Source ↗
Elevation
About 76.4 m at Hekou's river confluence to 6,740 m at Kawagebo; Kunming is about 1,887 m.Province-wide extremes plus a clearly labelled capital-city reference.Source ↗
Main gateway
KunmingProvince
Old Town of Lijiang - China · 丽江古城
Old Town of Lijiang - China · Yunnan · Pavel Špindler · CC BY 3.0

Discover Yunnan

Give the familiar western corridor time to breathe

Kunming offers a city beginning around Green Lake and adjoining streets, with rice noodles and local ingredients providing an easy introduction to the table. Dali changes the setting to the Erhai basin and Bai cultural context, while Lijiang introduces a water-channel townscape shaped by Naxi history. These are separate stays, not interchangeable old-town photographs. Leave ordinary mornings and neighbourhood meals between formal visits, and choose the precise city or lakeside base that fits your plans.

Choose a southern landscape with its community in mind

Honghe's Hani terraces connect forests, villages, water and farming in a living landscape. Jingmai Mountain in the Pu'er region offers another relationship between communities and tea forests, shaped in part by Blang and Dai practices. Xishuangbanna introduces lower, tropical environments; its botanical garden is in Menglun rather than central Jinghong. Name the particular region and community you are visiting, and arrange the correct transfer instead of treating these distinct southern journeys as one quick extension.

Consider a separate far-western chapter

Tengchong and Heshun offer merchant-home history, distinctive breakfasts and possibilities for volcanic or geothermal outings. Mangshi introduces Dehong through its urban life and pagoda landscape. These places deserve their own western route rather than being casually added to Dali or Lijiang. Across Yunnan, terrain, climate and cultural settings change considerably. Rail serves several major corridors, but terraces, tea forests and mountain areas need further road journeys, so allow for the full distance between the bases you choose.

Explore Yunnan

Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.

Yunnan local specialties

云南特色美食 · 200 specialties to discover

Photograph of Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles (过桥米线).Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles 过桥米线

Smooth noodles and tender additions meet a savory broth whose surface can retain considerable heat. The visible oil means temperature is easy to underestimate.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Baycrest · CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Jianshui steam-pot chicken (建水汽锅鸡).Jianshui steam-pot chicken 建水汽锅鸡

The resulting soup is clear but concentrated, with tender chicken and a clean aroma rather than a heavily seasoned sauce.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Shizhao · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Dali rushan (大理乳扇).Dali rushan 大理乳扇

Heating makes the sheet softer or crisp at the edges, with a concentrated dairy aroma. Sweet toppings create a very different result from plain fried pieces.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Zhangmoon618 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Lijiang baba bread opened to reveal its filling.Lijiang baba flatbread 丽江粑粑

The outside is golden and crisp in places, while the layered center is softer and rich. Sweet rose or sugar flavors differ markedly from savory ham versions.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Alpha · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Chickpea jelly (鸡豆凉粉).Chickpea jelly 鸡豆凉粉

The jelly is firm but yielding and lightly beany; cold versions emphasize smoothness, while frying adds a crisp, savory edge.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: Kent Wang · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Lijiang cured-rib hotpot · 丽江腊排骨火锅 · AI dish illustrationLijiang cured-rib hotpot 丽江腊排骨火锅AI dish illustration · AI 菜品示意图

The meat is savory and firm, with a preserved-pork aroma; the broth becomes richer as the meal continues.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photograph of Tengchong Dajiujia (腾冲大救驾).Tengchong Dajiujia 腾冲大救驾

The dish is soft and chewy, with browned contact points and a savory, lightly tangy mix from the vegetables. Chili level varies by kitchen.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

Photograph of Tengchong tuguozi (腾冲土锅子).Tengchong tuguozi 腾冲土锅子

The pot is rich and varied, with tender meat, absorbent tofu and vegetables sharing a savory liquid.

Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo adjustments

EXIF orientation applied where present; resized proportionally to at most 640 px on the long edge and encoded as WebP. No crop, retouching, recoloring or subject changes.

All dish names · 全部菜名 (200)

Top sights in Yunnan

Trip.Best · Best Things to DoChecked 2026-09-20

  1. Yulong Snow Mountain · 玉龙雪山TOP1

    Yulong Snow Mountain 玉龙雪山

    Show on map
    丽江

    4.4 / 5 · Trip.com

    Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a massif north of Lijiang, with visitor areas ranging from Blue Moon Valley to high cable-car viewpoints.

    View guide →
  2. Dianchi Lake · 滇池TOP2

    Dianchi Lake 滇池

    Show on map
    昆明

    4.7 / 5 · Trip.com

    Dianchi gives Kunming a broad lake horizon, with the Western Hills rising across the water. The northern shore is the easiest place to make a focused visit: Haigeng Park brings you to the lake edge, while Guanjing Road offers an…

    View guide →
  3. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden · 西双版纳热带植物园TOP3

    Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden 西双版纳热带植物园

    Show on map
    西双版纳州

    4.7 / 5 · Trip.com

    The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is in Menglun, outside Jinghong. Its western visitor area arranges living collections into distinct gardens, including palms, aquatic plants and banyans. This makes it possible to…

    View guide →
  4. Manting Imperial Garden · 曼听御花园TOP4

    Manting Imperial Garden 曼听御花园

    Show on map
    景洪市

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

  5. Stone Forest Scenic Area · 石林风景区TOP5

    Stone Forest Scenic Area 石林风景区

    Show on map
    石林彝族自治县

    4.7 / 5 · Trip.com

  6. Wild Elephant Valley · 野象谷TOP6

    Wild Elephant Valley 野象谷

    Show on map
    西双版纳州

    4.3 / 5 · Trip.com

    Wild Elephant Valley occupies the Sanchahe forest area north of Jinghong. Elevated viewing walkways provide a way to observe the valley without entering elephant habitat, while the Asian Elephant Museum explains the animals’…

    View guide →
  7. Dongfengyun Scenic Area · 东风韵景区TOP7

    Dongfengyun Arts Complex 东风韵

    Show on map
    红河哈尼族彝族自治州

    4.4 / 5 · Trip.com

    Dongfengyun ('East Wind Charm') is an arts-and-agritourism complex in Mile, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, built since 2014 around vineyards, lavender fields and contemporary art installations, and nicknamed 'the Provence of central Yunnan' by the municipal government.

    View guide →
  8. Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge · 虎跳峡TOP8

    Tiger Leaping Gorge 虎跳峡

    Show on map
    迪庆州

    4.6 / 5 · Trip.com

    Visit the managed Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge attraction. High-trail, Middle Gorge and Lower Gorge undeveloped hiking routes are closed to visitors under the February 2026 government notice. Check current Upper Gorge walkway access before departure.

    View guide →
  9. Cangshan Mountain · 苍山TOP9

    Cangshan Mountain 苍山

    Show on map
    大理市

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

    Cangshan (苍山) is a mountain range of nineteen peaks above Dali city, Yunnan, forming the Dali Cangshan World Geopark together with the lake-shore and plateau-lake landscapes around neighbouring Erhai.

    View guide →
  10. Rehai Scenic Area · 腾冲热海风景区TOP10

    Tengchong Rehai Geothermal Area 腾冲热海

    Show on map
    腾冲市

    4.5 / 5 · Trip.com

    Rehai (Hot Sea) is a geothermal scenic area about eight kilometres southwest of Tengchong city, Baoshan, roughly 1,520 metres above sea level and covering about 9 square kilometres, known in the Ming and Qing dynasties as 'a pool of hot sea', one of old Tengyue's twelve historic sights. The Ming-dynasty geographer Xu Xiake surveyed it in 1639 and described its geothermal landscape in detail.

    View guide →
View more on Trip.com →

Change your destination on Trip.com.

Ranking source & photo credits

The first ten entries of Trip.Best Best Things to Do. Rankings reflect platform recommendations, not counts of international visitors. Read on 20 September 2026; platform pages may use cached snapshots.

  • Yulong Snow Mountain: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Dianchi Lake: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Manting Imperial Garden: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Stone Forest Scenic Area: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Wild Elephant Valley: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Dongfengyun Arts Complex: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Cangshan Mountain: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.
  • Tengchong Rehai Geothermal Area: Source: Trip.com · Resized and WebP compressed; fitted to the ranking card.

Our place guide directory →

EXPLORE THE NEXT LEVEL

Cities, counties & districts in Yunnan

16 areas belong directly to Yunnan.

16 areas

Prefecture-level city

Kunming 昆明市

Kunming is the capital and largest city of the province of Yunnan in China. The political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province, Kunming is also a major tourism centre in China.

14 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Qujing 曲靖市

Qujing is a prefecture-level city in the east of Yunnan province, China, bordering Guizhou province to the north and east and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south; thus, it was called "Key…

9 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Yuxi 玉溪市

Yuxi is a prefecture-level city in the central part of Yunnan province of the People's Republic of China. The administrative center of Yuxi is Hongta District.

9 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Baoshan 保山市

Baoshan, historically also Yongchang, is a prefecture-level city in western Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. Baoshan is the second-biggest metropolitan area in western Yunnan after Dali.

5 local areas →
View all 16 areasShow fewer areas
Prefecture-level city

Zhaotong 昭通市

Zhaotong is a prefecture-level city located in the northeast corner of Yunnan province, China, bordering the provinces of Guizhou to the south and southeast and Sichuan to the northeast, north, and west.

11 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Lijiang 丽江市

Lijiang, formerly romanized as Likiang, is a prefecture-level city in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. It has an area of 21,219 square kilometres (8,193 sq mi) and had a population of 1,253,878 at the…

5 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Pu'er 普洱市

Pu'er is a prefecture-level city in southern Yunnan Province, China. Pu'er City governs 9 counties, 1 district, 103 townships (towns), and a total population of 2.65 million.

10 local areas →Prefecture-level city

Lincang 临沧市

Lincang (simplified Chinese: 临沧; traditional Chinese: 臨滄; pinyin: Líncāng) is a prefecture-level city located in the southwest of Yunnan province, People's Republic of China.

8 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture 楚雄彝族自治州

Chuxiong Prefecture, officially the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture located in central Yunnan Province, China.

10 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture 红河哈尼族彝族自治州

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (simplified Chinese: 红河哈尼族彝族自治州; traditional Chinese: 紅河哈尼族彝族自治州; pinyin: Hónghé Hānízú Yízú Zìzhìzhōu; Hani: Haoqhoq Haqniqssaq Haqhholssaq Ziiqziifzel; Yi…

13 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 文山壮族苗族自治州

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in southeastern Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, and is the easternmost prefecture-level division of the province.

8 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 西双版纳傣族自治州

Xishuangbanna, sometimes shortened to Banna, is one of the eight autonomous prefectures in Yunnan, China. This autonomous prefecture for Dai people lies in the extreme south of Yunnan, bordering both Myanmar…

3 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture 大理白族自治州

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture of northwestern Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.

12 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 德宏傣族景颇族自治州

The Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in western Yunnan province, China. It is bordered by Baoshan to the east and Myanmar's Kachin State to the west.

5 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture 怒江傈僳族自治州

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in northwestern Yunnan, China. The eponymous ethnic group is the Lisu people, who make up nearly half of the prefecture's population.

4 local areas →Autonomous prefecture

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture 迪庆藏族自治州

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in northwestern Yunnan province, China. Its capital and largest city is Shangri-La.

3 local areas →

Arrive, stay & get around Yunnan

交通枢纽、住宿与天气

YOUR ARRIVAL GATEWAY

Kunming昆明

This Yunnan entry uses Kunming as its selected gateway city. It does not describe transport coverage across the entire region.

Airports

Railway stations

Metro & city transport

GET AROUND BY METRO · 地铁出行

Kunming Metro Network 昆明轨道交通线路图

Zoomable map · 可放大

The metro serves the main railway gateways and Changshui airport corridor; the South station is a substantial transfer from the central city.

  1. 1Find your stations确认起点与终点站
  2. 2Check interchanges查看换乘线路与站点
  3. 3Follow exit signs到站后按站内标识出站
Kunming rail network diagram · 昆明轨道交通线路图Explore the full network查看站名、线路与换乘Enlarge map点击放大线路图

Check the legend for closed, reserved or future sections. 停运、预留与规划区间，请按图例辨识。

Map edition: 2022-12-14 · Diagram reviewed 2026-09-06

Map: Kmchang28 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Map coverage & sources 图示范围与来源说明

Complete metro Lines 1–6 station network, including both Line 1 branches. Source diagram represents the 2022 network; checked against six operating lines in 2026. English labels exist but are small; Chinese station labels are primary.

Commons SVG rasterized to PNG; transparent background composited white; lossless WebP conversion. Network content unchanged.

Official information ↗
Amap · 高德地图Apple Maps · 苹果地图

Coaches, ferries & onward travel

Transport reference review: 2026-09-06. Consult the operator for current services and timetables.

More about getting around

Kunming is the main gateway and a useful place to organise onward travel. Rail serves several major visitor corridors, while rural terraces and mountain excursions need road connections. Check where each station sits relative to the old town, and avoid packing distant branches into one day.

Stay in Yunnan

In Dali and Lijiang, select your neighbourhood before choosing a photogenic courtyard room; lively lanes can remain noisy after dark. A terrace-area stay gives more chances for changing light and cloud. For mountain routes, ask specifically about heating and the property's elevation.

Find hotels on Trip.com →

Change your destination, dates and guests on Trip.com.

Kunming weather

The current-hour forecast loads when this section is visible. It uses MET Norway model data for the named city, not station observations.

Seasons & when to go

Seasonal rain and elevation matter more than a single province-wide weather average. Kunming's mild reputation does not describe every destination: northwest evenings can be cold and the far south humid. Carry adaptable layers and allow extra flexibility for mountain travel during wet periods.

Local life & communication

Yunnan's variety is local, not decorative: dairy in Dali, Naxi town history in Lijiang, Hani farming landscapes in Honghe, and Blang and Dai tea-forest traditions around Jingmai. A provincial introduction should help travelers choose among these settings without flattening them into one cultural label.

Naxi heritage shapes Lijiang, Bai traditions are associated with the Dali area, and Hani communities sustain the Honghe terraces. These are distinct living cultures. Look for local interpretation of buildings, textiles and farming, and ask before stepping into courtyards or cultivated plots.

Language & communication

Mandarin is the practical shared language, with many local and community languages used across Yunnan. English is easier to find in established visitor towns than in rural stops. Keep both historic-town and modern-city addresses handy; accommodation names alone may conceal considerable distance.

Useful local tips

  • Pick two or three regional bases instead of combining the northwest, Honghe and the tropical south in a short stay.
  • Respect farming and tea-growing spaces; a scenic view does not make adjoining fields public paths.
  • Food names are regional starting points, not endorsements of unverified restaurants or foraged ingredients.
  • Check actual town names when reserving transport: Menglun, Jingmai and Yuanyang are not interchangeable with their larger regional labels.

Written by China Revealed · Editorially updated 2026-09-07

Sources & useful links