Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobbled streets, canals, wooden Naxi houses, and lively squares. It’s a living ancient town blending culture and romance. Lijiang Old Town: tourist guide and walking route
Why to go? To experience the charm of traditional Naxi culture, music, and architecture in a vibrant yet historic setting.
What to visit: Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan Park), Mu’s Residence, Naxi Ancient Music performance.
How to get there: Fly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport, then a 30–40 min taxi or shuttle to the old town.
Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡)
One of the deepest gorges in the world, carved by the Jinsha River between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Complete travel guide to Tiger Leaping Gorge
Why to go? For dramatic landscapes, breathtaking hikes, and adventure.
What to visit: High Trail trek (2–3 days), Upper Gorge viewpoint, Middle Gorge “Stairway to Heaven.”
How to get there: From Lijiang, 2–3 hours by bus or car to Qiaotou, the starting point of the trek.
Shangri-La (香格里拉, Zhongdian)
A Tibetan-influenced highland town at 3,200 m with grasslands, monasteries, and snow-capped mountains.
Why to go? To immerse in Tibetan culture without leaving Yunnan, and see stunning alpine landscapes.
What to visit: Songzanlin Monastery, Napa Lake, Dukezong Old Town, Potatso National Park.
How to get there: Fly to Shangri-La Airport from Kunming/Lijiang or take a 4–5 hr bus from Lijiang.
Dali Ancient Town (大理古城)
A historic town between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, famous for Bai ethnic culture.
Learn more about Dali Ancient Town in Yunnan – the heart of the province
Why to go? To enjoy relaxed vibes, old architecture, and nature.
What to visit: Three Pagodas, Cangshan hiking trails, Erhai Lake cycling route.
How to get there: Fly into Dali Airport or take a 2–3 hr high-speed train from Kunming.
Erhai Lake (洱海)
A turquoise highland lake surrounded by fishing villages, fields, and mountains. Visit Erhai Lake in Yunnan – the most scenic highland lakes for the best natural shots of China.
Why to go? For cycling, boating, photography, and small village explorations.
What to visit: Shuanglang village, Xizhou old town, Erhai ring road.
How to get there: 20 minutes from Dali Old Town by car, or rent a bike/scooter for a lake loop.
Stone Forest (石林, Shilin)
A UNESCO site with towering limestone pillars, caves, and natural stone formations. Stone Forest: geological wonder of Yunnan
Why to go? Unique karst landscape known as the “First Wonder of the World” in China.
What to visit: Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Lotus Peak, Zhiyun Cave.
How to get there: 1.5 hrs by bus/car from Kunming; high-speed train to Shilin West station.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces (元阳梯田)
Expansive, artistic rice terraces carved into the Ailao Mountains by the Hani people.
Why to go? To witness breathtaking sunrise/sunset reflections and local minority culture.
What to visit: Duoyishu sunrise viewpoint, Laohuzui sunset, Bada terraces, Hani villages.
How to get there: 6–7 hrs by bus/car from Kunming. Best to stay overnight near Duoyishu.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山)
A sacred, snow-capped mountain near Lijiang, often compared to the Alps.
Why to go? For dramatic alpine scenery, cable car rides, and minority culture shows.
What to visit: Glacier Park (by cable car), Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang open-air show.
How to get there: 40–50 minutes by bus/car from Lijiang Old Town.
Xishuangbanna (西双版纳)
A tropical paradise in southern Yunnan, home to Dai ethnic culture and rainforest biodiversity.
Why to go? For rainforest adventures, elephants, Buddhist temples, and exotic plants.
What to visit: Wild Elephant Valley, Tropical Botanical Garden, Dai minority villages, Manting Park.
How to get there: Fly to Jinghong (Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport) from Kunming or other Chinese cities.
Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山)
A sacred Tibetan mountain range on the Yunnan-Tibet border, with the main peak Kawagebo (6,740 m).
Why to go? For stunning sunrises, Tibetan pilgrimages, and challenging trekking.
What to visit: Feilai Temple sunrise viewpoint, Mingyong Glacier, Yubeng village trek.
How to get there: From Shangri-La, 5–6 hrs by car/bus to Deqin and Feilai Temple area.
The best way to explore Yunnan is to start from Kunming (Stone Forest, Yuanyang), then move westward to Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La → Meili Snow Mountain, or south to Xishuangbanna.
More beautiful places in China:
