1. Embark on a Journey to Yunnan
Yunnan. This charming land boasts enchanting natural scenery and diverse ethnic cultures, making it an excellent destination for independent travel. The natural scenery of Yunnan is as beautiful as a scroll, with magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, tranquil Erhai Lake, mysterious Lugu Lake, and so on. Every place can make people linger and forget to leave. And the rich ethnic culture is also a major feature of Yunnan. Different ethnic customs, costumes, architecture, etc. have their own charm, making people feel like they are in a treasure trove of diverse cultures. Planning a solo trip is crucial for fully experiencing the charm of Yunnan, as it allows you to explore this magical land at your own pace and interest
(1) Preparation before departure
Documents: It is necessary to bring your ID card, and special documents such as student ID and military officer ID can also be brought. You can enjoy discounts in some scenic spots
Electrical Appliances: Mobile phones, cameras, and their chargers are essential tools for capturing beautiful moments. At the same time, power banks can be carried as needed, but attention should be paid to the regulations of different airports and high-speed trains regarding power banks
Daily necessities: Bring personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, etc. Disposable items provided by the hotel may be uncomfortable to use. In addition, Yunnan's climate is unpredictable, so it is important to prepare rain gear and sunscreen
Dressing advice: Understand the climate characteristics of Yunnan and prepare clothing suitable for different seasons and attractions. In ancient cities such as Dali and Lijiang, you can choose artistic cotton and linen clothing or ethnic style dresses, and take stunning photos. When going to high-altitude places such as Yulong Snow Mountain, it is necessary to prepare a thick coat or down jacket. In tropical regions such as Xishuangbanna, lightweight summer clothing can be worn
Transportation Guide: The transportation in various cities of Yunnan is relatively convenient, and you can choose the appropriate mode of transportation according to your itinerary. Departing from Kunming to Dali, you can take the high-speed rail. There is a high-speed train from Dali to Lijiang, and you can choose to take a car from Lijiang to Shangri La, Lugu Lake, and other places. If you want to explore more freely, you can consider charter services
(II) Travel planning ideas
When planning Yunnan's independent travel routes, time and interests should be fully considered. If the time is short, you can choose to focus on visiting one or two areas, such as theKunming-Dali-Lijiangroute, which can not only enjoy beautiful natural scenery but also experience rich ethnic culture. If time permits, more regions can be included in the itinerary, such as Shangri La and Xishuangbanna. When arranging tourist attractions, it is important to allocate time reasonably and avoid overly tight schedules. At the same time, we should consider the convenience of transportation and minimize the time spent on the road. For example, one can choose to stay near transportation hubs for easy access to various attractions. For tourists who enjoy natural scenery, more natural scenic spots can be arranged, such as Yulong Snow Mountain, Pudacuo National Park, etc; For tourists who like national culture, they can choose to go to Dali Old City, the Old Town of Lijiang, Dukezong Ancient City and other places to deeply understand the culture and customs of different nationalities. In short, planning your itinerary reasonably can make your Yunnan independent trip more fulfilling and unforgettable
2. Recommended Yunnan independent travel routes
(1) Six day and five night in-depth tour
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, visit Dianchi Lake, and experience the charm of the plateau pearl. You can stroll by the lake, enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains, and also see many cute seagulls. In the evening, go to Kunming Old Street to taste various special snacks, such as Crossing the bridge noodles, tofu pudding Rice Noodles, etcthe fourth day: Take a boat trip to Erhai Lake to enjoy the beautiful lake scenery. You can stop at some scenic spots along the way, such as Nanzhao Fengqing Island. Return to Dali Old City in the evening to experience the local nightlife
Day 5: Go to the Old Town of Lijiang. The streets inside the ancient city are intricate and full of artistic atmosphere. You can explore attractions such as Sifang Street and Mufu. Go to a bar at night to experience the nightlife of Lijiang
(II) Eight day independent travel
Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, check into a hotel to rest, and adapt to the high-altitude climate. Afternoon tour of Dianchi Lake and Xishan Longmen, overlooking the panoramic view of Kunming. Go to Nanping Street to taste delicious food in the eveningThe the fourth day: visitDali Old City, visit the Wuhua Tower, Westerners Street and other scenic spots. In the afternoon, head to Cangshan and take the cableway up the mountain to enjoy the natural scenerythe Old Town of Lijiangto experience the Naxi culture. Go to a bar at night to experience the nightlife of Lijiang
(Three) Four day independent tour
First day: Arrive in Kunming, visitCuihuPark, and enjoy the beautiful lake scenery and lotus flowers. Taste Kunming specialty snacks near the park at noon. If you have time in the afternoon, you can go to Shilin Scenic Area and experience the amazing craftsmanship of nature. Return to Kunming city to rest in the eveningThe the fourth day: according to the return time, you can visit the downtown of Lijiang, or choose to go to nearby scenic spots such as Shuhe Ancient Town. Afterwards, return to the starting point and end the pleasant journey
(Four) Five day and four night must check-in route
First day: Arrive in Dali, check into the hotel and rest. After adapting to the environment, you can stroll around the hotel and experience the atmosphere of Dali
The second day: visit Dali Old City and enjoy the architecture and culture of the ancient city. There are many ancient buildings, handicraft shops, and specialty snacks in the ancient city. You can visit attractions such as Wuhua Tower and Foreigner Street. In the afternoon, go to the Three Towers of Chongsheng Temple and experience the solemnity of * * culturethe fourth day: Go to Xizhou Ancient Townto learn about the traditional culture of the Bai nationality. There are many ancient buildings and handicraft shops in the ancient town, where you can buy some souvenirs. In the afternoon, go to Shuanglang Ancient Town and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake. Have dinner and rest in Shuanglang Ancient Town in the evening
III. Transportation and Accommodation in Various Cities of Yunnan
(1) Transportation Modes
Transportation between various cities in Yunnan is relatively convenient, providing tourists with multiple choices
Kunming and other cities:
- Kunming and Dali: about 1 hour by plane; High speed rail takes 1.5 hours (145 yuan for second-class seats)
Dali and other cities:
- Dali and Lijiang: High speed rail for 2 hours (second-class seat costs 80 yuan)
Lijiang and other cities:
- Lijiang and Shangri La: 3 hours by bus, 2 hours by private car, 1 hour by high-speed rail
Shangri La and other cities: There are relatively few modes of transportation, mainly connected to cities such as Lijiang through buses and private carsXishuangbanna and other cities: The transportation with Kunming is relatively convenient, and both airplanes and high-speed trains can be chosen
(II) Accommodation Options
Kunming:
- Railway Station Business District: Convenient transportation, suitable for tourists rushing to the train or going to the airport. The overall accommodation conditions are good, and there are also hotels to choose from along Guannan Avenue and near the airport. Recommended hotel: Kunming Jinhua International Hotel
- Jinma Bijifang Business District: Located in the city center, it has various star rated hotels, inns, and guesthouses. It is a favorite of backpackers and self guided travel enthusiasts, with youth hostels or family hostels such as Kunming International Youth Hostel, Bigfoot Inn, and Camel Inn. The price of "Hump Inn" is affordable, ranging from 25-50 RMB per bed per night. It provides tourist information services, 24-hour hot water, free billiards, table tennis, and English * * * viewing
- Cuihu Park Business District: Centered around Cuihu Park, there are higher education institutions such as Yunnan University in the surrounding area, and hotels are mainly in the middle and low-end categories. Nearby Cuihu Lake is the best accommodation option with convenient transportation. Army military academy, Cuihu Park, Yunnan University, etc. are all nearby. Recommended hotel: Cuihu Hotel, a well-known five-star hotel with a peaceful and elegant environment, and warm and thoughtful service<
Lijiang:
- The inn in the ancient city: full of style and atmosphere, the decoration style retains the original characteristic residential foundation, and integrates the petty bourgeois atmosphere. But the facilities in the inns outside the ancient city are generally better than those inside the city. It is advisable not to choose old houses when staying in inns, as pure wooden old houses have poor sound insulation and poor lighting and ventilation
- The inn in Shuhe Ancient Town has a relatively low commercial atmosphere, is quiet and quaint, and is a good place to feel the weight of history and profound culture
- Inns in Lijiang urban area: gathering chain hotels from all over the country, with unique characteristics and high service quality
Dali:
- Sea View Hotel:
- If you want to stay in a first-class sea view room with sufficient budget, choose Shuanglang Ancient Town, with an average price of around 600
- If you want to stay in a standard business hotel and like a sea view room, choose Dali City, with an average price of around 300
- Pursuing cost-effective sea view houses, living in Haixi Longkan Wharf and Majuyi Village, with an average price of around 500
- Pursuing high-quality sea view houses, choose Ideal Bang or Haidong Villa District in Haidong, with an average price of around 700
- B&B Inn:
- Pursue cost performance. If you want to stay in an inn, choose the Dali Old City area, with an average price of about 300
- If you like a quiet life, choose homestays in Cangshan Villa Area or Xizhou Ancient Town, with an average price of around 300 yuan
Shangri La:
- Popular areas: Ordinary tourists often choose to stay in the city center. If they want to stay in Tibetan style residential inns, they can stay in Dukezong Ancient City. If they want to stay in standard hotels, they can stay in the city center. The hotel room type with 24-hour oxygen supply is very practical for friends who are prone to high fever
- Minority area: Non local tourists can choose to visit Rizhao Jinshan Zhufeilai Temple in Meili Snow Mountain; Deeply explore Meili Snow Mountain and live in Yubeng Village; Go to the Shangri La Balagezong and live in the Grand Canyon; I like to stay in Pudacuo Park in a quiet scenic area; Want to see the Yunnan version of Türkiye Cotton Fort in Baishuitai
Xishuangbanna:
- Popular areas: Generally, tourists choose to stay in Jinghong city, and it is recommended to choose hotels in the areas of Gaozhuang or Songshui Square. Banna is prone to mosquitoes and high temperatures, and hotel facilities will be much better. It is advisable not to choose inns with Dai ethnic residences. Some homestays also have very good conditions
- Special needs tourists: Friends who want to visit the botanical garden or watch fireflies at night can choose to stay in the botanical garden; Go play Wangtianshu and stay in Mengla if you don't want to rush back; The Dai Ethnic Garden mainly features Dai themed inns, which friends with special preferences can choose from; Those who play Xishuangbanna and Pu'er can stay overnight at the Little Panda Manor in Pu'er. The forest villas in the primitive forest are very interesting and especially suitable for family outings
Fourth, Yunnan cuisine and souvenirs
(1) Food inventory
Kunming cuisine:
- Kunming flower cake: known for its fresh floral fragrance, softness, and mellow taste. The outer layer of the flower cake is crispy, and the filling is full of fresh flowers. Taking a bite, the fragrance of flowers fills the air, leaving a lasting impression
- Kunming tofu pudding Rice Noodles: the rice noodles are delicate and tofu pudding is sweet. The tender and smooth tofu pudding is perfectly combined with the strength of rice noodles. With various spices, it has a rich taste
- Kunming Crispy Beef: The beef is fragrant and soft, with a rich and mellow taste. Da Su Beef is one of Kunming's specialty foods, loved by tourists for its unique production techniques and taste
Dali cuisine:
- Frozen white tofu fish: The fish meat is fresh and tender, the tofu is soft and tender, and the taste is unique after freezing treatment. This dish is a symbol of the warm hospitality of the Bai people and is one of the finest dishes for entertaining distinguished guests
- Carving Plum Blossoms: A traditional specialty food of the Bai ethnic group in Dali, Yunnan, with exquisite production techniques and a sweet and delicious taste. Carving plum blossoms is not only a delicacy, but also a part of the lives of the Bai people, representing their hospitality and love for life
- Rolling hooves: a delicacy of ethnic minorities in Yunnan, especially the rolling hooves from Midu County. The color is enticing, the taste is delicious, and it is easy to preserve, making it the perfect choice for festivals and banquets
- Dali clay pot fish: Gathering more than ten fresh meat ingredients such as tender chicken slices and winter mushrooms, with the soul of Erhai Lake's bow fish or carp. Delicious in taste, it is the shining pearl of Dali cuisine and is highly favored on boats or in restaurants
- Haishao Fish: Originating from the Binchuan Haishao in Dali, it is revered for its local silver carp. The production process is exquisite, and the taste is delicious, making people feel as if they are in the midst of the green mountains and waters of Binchuan
- Bai ethnic sour and spicy fish: mainly made from fresh fish from Erhai Lake, with moderate acidity and spiciness. The fish meat is tender and juicy, and melts in the mouth. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of the Bai people and a shining pearl of Dali's culinary culture
Lijiang cuisine:
- Lijiang Baba: The crust is crispy and the taste is sweet. There are two flavors, sweet and salty, each of which leaves a lasting impression. The sweet Lijiang Baba is filled with shiny brown sugar and carefully selected ingredients, while the salty ones are filled with scallions and ham, creating a fresh and refreshing taste
- Rice enema: made by filling pig intestines with rice, pig blood, and egg white, it can be steamed or fried, with excellent color, aroma, and taste. It is one of the traditional specialty snacks in Lijiang
- Chicken Bean Jelly: Using chicken beans as the main ingredient, paired with Sichuan peppercorns, green chives, scallions, red chili peppers, mustard, and sour vinegar and other ingredients, although not attractive in appearance, the taste is delicate and smooth, making it an unforgettable dish
- Braised Pork Ribs Hot Pot: With braised pork ribs as the main character, it is carefully cooked to release a rich soup base. Various side dishes dance gracefully in the hot pot, savory, delicious, and rich
Shangri La food:
- Butter tea: a necessary drink for Tibetan hospitality, which is mostly eaten together with tsamba as a staple food. It has extremely high calories and can eliminate coldness to supplement the body's required calories, making it the best beverage in the Shangri La region
- tsamba: Tibetan staple food, made of sorghum flour or highland barley flour, is soft, sweet and delicious. Tsamba is usually served with buttered tea
- Yak Meat Hot Pot: With a unique flavor of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, the purple copper pot is filled with large pieces of yak meat, stewed until crispy and tender, with the meat connected to the skin and the skin connected to the tendons, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. Yak meat has low fat content, tender texture, no gamey smell, and a unique taste