Yunnan is one of the most diverse provinces in China, where incredible landscapes, ancient towns, and ethnic minorities continue to exist despite the advance of modern society. In this page I offer a quick overview of the province, highlighting what makes Yunnan unique and why it’s such a fascinating destination to explore.

How to Plan a Trip to Yunnan

Practical Tips for Traveling in Yunnan

• Best time to visit Yunnan: Spring is generally the best season across most of Yunnan. Summer is usually the worst time due to heavy rain, especially in the south and in mountainous areas, and it’s also peak tourist season. Winter works well for southern Yunnan and cities like Kunming and Dali, which are often dry and sunny. Higher areas in the north, including Shangri-La, are best visited in late spring. Avoid national holidays at all costs.
• Moving between destinations: Northern Yunnan has good train and bus connections, while parts of the south are still harder to reach and require longer travel times. In those areas, hiring a car with a local driver is often the best option. Send me a DM on Instagram if you need one.
• Geography and Culture: Yunnan is one of China’s most diverse provinces, with landscapes that change quickly over short distances. It’s home to 25 of China’s 56 ethnic minorities, each with its own customs and traditions.
• DIY VS Tour: All of these places can be visited independently. If you prefer a tour, I can recommend reliable local companies based on your destination. Just send me a DM on Instagram.

Best places to visit in Yunnan

In this section, you can find some of the most interesting places to visit in the province. This is based on my personal experience, having lived in Yunnan for many years. This is also by no far a complete list of places, since there is still so much I have to explore. You can also combine and customize these trips. Click on the images to find my travel guides.

First time visit, the classics: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La – 8 days

• Pro: the easiest places to visit in Yunnan. You can explore most of these areas all by yourself
• Cons: extremely touristy, pretty much all the time of year round

Western Yunnan, alternative route: Shangri-la, Dulong Valley, Laomudeng, Dali – 5 days

• Pro: lots of driving and some roads might be closed off due to poor weather conditions
• Cons: you’ll get to see some of the most authentic places in all of China, as well as some very popular ones.

Tea plantation and rice terraces in the South: Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, and Jingmaishan – 8 days

• Pro: less touristy than the north, and the culture is best preserved
• Cons: harder access to the different locations and more expensive since you’ll need a driver

North-Western Yunnan: Kunming, Dashanbao, Yanjin – 4 days

• Pro: way fewer tourists than other parts of Yunnan
• Cons: you’ll need a driver, and you can find the Black-Necked Cranes only in winter.

South Yunnan and Laos: Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Mengla, and Luang Prabang – 8 days

• Pro: you get to see two countries and some of the least-known areas in Yunnan. Check this guide for crossing the border with Laos. Of course, you can also do the itinerary in the opposite direction, coming from Laos.
• Cons: it’s quite difficult to see the elephants, and it can be done only in winter. You need a driver for part of the trip

One or Two-day Trips from Kunming

• Pro: easy to reach, and you can see them from Kunming.
• Cons: some of these places are seasonal. Read the relevant articles to find out when the best time is to go. DON’T GO IN THE WRONG SEASON!

Here you can find my travel guide to China. If you are considering renting a car and driving yourself across the country, remember that the International Driver’s License is not recognized. You can get a Chinese driver’s License, though. Here I explain how.