Wind over the Erhai Lake, clouds living Cangshan, Yunnan’s romantic, everywhere.
The wind sweeps over Cangshan Mountain, scattering the moonlight shimmering on Erhai Lake; clouds drift across the plateau basins, gilding the rapeseed fields in Luoping with a golden hue. This is a fairyland on earth blessed by nature itself. In spring, cherry blossoms cloak Wuliang Mountain like a drifting snow cloud; in summer, Xishuangbanna’s rainforests teem with lush, vibrant greenery; in autumn, ginkgo trees in Tengchong spread a golden carpet across the land; in winter, black-headed gulls dance gracefully over Dianchi Lake.
Must-Visit Attractions in Yunnan
1. Lijiang Old Town
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town features winding cobblestone streets . Sifang Street (Square Street) is the heart of the town, where Naxi elders gather for traditional dances every early morning. Wander along the gurgling streams that crisscross the town—willow trees sway gently by the banks, and distinctive shops line the streets, showcasing a dazzling array of handicrafts like silverware, tie-dye fabrics and wood carvings. As night falls, the old town glows with bright lights: melodious songs drift from Bar Street, and the bonfire party at Sifang Listening Square brims with joy, as people dance around the fire to experience the rich ethnic customs.
2. Dali Erhai Lake
Known as the “Plateau Pearl”, Erhai Lake boasts crystal-clear blue waters, resembling a bright moon nestled between Cangshan Mountain and the Dali Basin . Cycling around the lake is the best way to appreciate its beauty. Starting from Dali Ancient City, the route passes through Caicun Wharf, Xizhou Ancient Town and Shuanglang Ancient Town, each section offering unique scenery. At Caicun Wharf, take a boat tour to get up close to the pure lake water; Xizhou Ancient Town features charming traditional Bai ethnic residences, where you can taste authentic Xizhou Baba (a local pastry); Shuanglang Ancient Town’s lakeside inns offer panoramic views—sit on the terrace to admire the stunning scenery of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, especially at sunset when the lake shimmers golden under the setting sun.
3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Revered as the “Sacred Mountain of the Naxi People”, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain consists of 13 contiguous snow-capped peaks, resembling a silver dragon lying across the northern end of the Lijiang Basin . Take the grand cable car to Glacier Park at an altitude of 4,680 meters, where you can touch the glaciers up close and feel the mountain’s majesty. The waters of Blue Moon Valley exhibit a dreamy blue hue due to rich mineral deposits, like a fairyland; Ganhaizi Meadow is an ideal spot to view the entire snow-capped mountain range—at dawn, surrounded by swirling clouds, the mountain emerges intermittently from the sea of clouds. Additionally, don’t miss the grand outdoor performance Impression Lijiang , where performers use simple and sincere acts to showcase the Naxi people’s traditional culture and daily life, leaving a profound impression.
4. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
Hailed as the “Epitome of the Plant Kingdom”, it is China’s largest tropical botanical garden with the richest collection of species . The garden is divided into multiple exhibition areas: the Tropical Rainforest Area features towering ancient trees, with unique botanical phenomena like large buttress roots, strangler figs and single-tree forests everywhere; the Palm Garden showcases various palm trees swaying in the wind, exuding strong tropical charm; the Rare Flower Garden boasts blooming flowers year-round, with orchids, ixoras and bougainvilleas competing for beauty. Here, you can observe various rare plants up close, learn about their growth habits, and marvel at the magic of nature.
5. Yuanyang Rice Terraces
A masterpiece of the Hani people’s wisdom, Yuanyang Rice Terraces are magnificent landscapes carved into the Ailao Mountains by the hardworking Hani people over generations . The terraces are vast in scale, stretching from the foot of the mountain to the top, layer upon layer like a celestial ladder. They present different beauties in different seasons: in spring, the water-filled terraces reflect the blue sky, white clouds and green mountains, shimmering brightly; in summer, the lush rice seedlings thrive, brimming with vitality; in autumn, the golden rice waves roll, filled with the joy of harvest; in winter, the thin ice on the terraces sparkles under the sun. Duoyishu Rice Terraces is the best place to watch the sunrise—when the sun rises in the east, the golden light bathes the terraces, creating a spectacular scene .
Best Time to Visit Yunnan
Kunming：Known as the “City of Eternal Spring”, Kunming is suitable for travel year-round. However, spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant weather, with mild temperatures and low rainfall, ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Lijiang & Dali：The prime travel seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). In spring, ancient towns burst into bloom, and Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake boast stunning scenery. In autumn, clear skies and high visibility showcase the spectacular snowscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, complemented by golden rice paddies and colorful forests.Summer (June–August) is the rainy season with frequent precipitation, but the cool temperatures make it a great summer retreat. Winter (December–February next year) is cold, with possible snow in high-altitude areas—yet fewer tourists make it perfect for travelers seeking tranquility.
Xishuangbanna：The dry season (November–April next year) is the best time to visit. With sunny days, dry climate and comfortable temperatures, it is ideal for exploring attractions like the Tropical Botanical Garden and Wild Elephant Valley, as well as joining various Dai ethnic festivals.The rainy season (May–October) brings heavy rainfall and hot, humid weather. But this off-peak period offers lower prices for accommodation and transportation, along with the chance to admire the lush tropical rainforest.
Shangri-La：Featuring a plateau mountain climate, Shangri-La is best visited in summer (June–August) and autumn (September–October). Summer has lush grasslands covered with wildflowers and cool weather, perfect for horseback riding and camping. Autumn treats visitors to the spectacular sight of red wolfsbane flowers carpeting the mountains, plus clear skies ideal for visiting Pudacuo National Park and Songzanlin Monastery.Winter (November–May next year) is frigid, with some scenic spots likely closed—travel is not recommended during this time.
Yunnan Cuisine Recommendations
Crossing-the-Bridge Rice NoodlesA classic Yunnan dish renowned for exquisite ingredients and rich flavor. It consists of silky rice noodles, savory broth simmered slowly with old hen, duck and pork bones, plus a variety of toppings—sliced raw fish, chicken breast, tenderloin, quail eggs, tofu skin and fresh vegetables. Blanch the raw ingredients in the boiling broth first, then add the rice noodles. The noodles are smooth and chewy, the toppings fresh and tender, and the broth rich and lingering.
Yunnan-Style Steamed Chicken (Steam Pot Chicken)A traditional famous dish celebrated for its unique cooking method and high nutrition. Local free-range chicken is cleaned and placed in a special steam pot with ginger slices, scallions and cooking wine, then steamed slowly with steam. This method maximizes nutrient retention, resulting in juicy, tender chicken and clear, mellow soup. It is nourishing and suitable for all ages.
Dai-Style Handheld RiceA signature dish from Xishuangbanna brimming with Dai ethnic charm. Glutinous rice steamed in bamboo tubes (infused with a light bamboo aroma) is placed in the center of a banana leaf-lined bamboo basket, surrounded by Dai specialties—lemongrass roast chicken, grilled pork belly, fried ribs, cold fungus salad, shredded dried beef and pineapple rice. Eaten with hands, it offers a bold and warm dining experience, combining sour, spicy, fragrant and sweet flavors.
Xuanwei HamOne of China’s “Three Great Hams” (alongside Jinhua Ham and Rugao Ham), it is made from local high-quality pork through salting, fermentation and air-drying. With a bright color, tender texture and rich, aromatic taste—fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry—it can be enjoyed sliced raw, stir-fried or added to soups, each way showcasing its unique flavor.
Wild Mushroom HotpotHailing from Yunnan, the “Kingdom of Wild Mushrooms”, this hotpot is popular during the rainy season when wild mushrooms are abundant. The flavorful broth is simmered with local chicken or pork ribs, then loaded with fresh wild mushrooms like matsutake, boletus, termite mushrooms and blue cap mushrooms. It boasts a strong mushroom aroma and exceptional taste, rich in nutrients and naturally healthy. Ensure to purchase mushrooms from regular vendors for safety.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.