Complete Guide to Yunnan Tourist Attractions | In-depth Experience of the Secret Scenery in the South of Colorful Clouds

Yunnan, known as the “South of Colorful Clouds”, has become a tourist sanctuary in the hearts of countless travelers with its gorgeous ethnic customs, unique plateau landforms and rich natural landscapes. Every corner here hides surprises, and every Yunnan tourist attraction has its own story. Whether it is the blue bricks and gray tiles of the ancient town, the clear and transparent lakes, the majestic snow-capped mountains, or the vast grasslands, all can make people deeply intoxicated. Next, this detailed guide to Yunnan tourist attractions will take you into the South of Colorful Clouds, explore those unmissable secret sceneries, and help you easily plan a perfect Yunnan trip.

Yunnan Tourist Attractions Lijiang Area

Lijiang is one of the popular tourist destinations in Yunnan. It gathers many well-known Yunnan tourist attractions. The leisure of the ancient town and the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains set off each other, forming a unique tourist landscape.

Lijiang Old Town: The Timeless Charm of a Millennium Ancient Town

As a world cultural heritage, Lijiang Old Town is one of the most representative scenic spots among Yunnan tourist attractions. The ancient town is built against the mountains and near the water, with winding bluestone roads, and the earthen-wood structure houses on both sides are full of Naxi ethnic characteristics. The ancient town is most quiet in the early morning. The sun shines on the bluestone roads through the leaves, accompanied by the gurgling sound of streams, as if time has slowed down. During the day, you can walk into the alleys of the ancient town, explore characteristic handicraft shops, and taste local specialty foods such as Naxi preserved pork ribs and black goat hot pot. At night, the ancient town is full of vitality. The bar street is brightly lit, and the singing of singers and the laughter of tourists interweave, interpreting the romance belonging to Lijiang.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: You can take an airport bus directly from Lijiang Sanyi Airport to the ancient town, with a journey of about 40 minutes; you can take a bus or taxi in the urban area.
• Best Time to Visit: 1-2 days. It is recommended to visit in the early morning or evening to avoid the peak flow of people during the day.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: The Silver Giant Dragon on the Plateau

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the closest snow-capped mountain range to the equator in the northern hemisphere, and also one of the most shocking natural landscapes among Yunnan tourist attractions. The snow-capped mountain is composed of thirteen continuous peaks, like a silver giant dragon leaping up, hence the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Climbing the snow-capped mountain, you can overlook the rolling sea of clouds under your feet and feel the grandeur of the plateau. The Blue Moon Valley at the foot of the mountain is even more breathtaking. The lake water presents a dreamy blue color, which sets off beautifully with the surrounding green vegetation and white snow-capped mountains, known as the Little Jiuzhaigou.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: It is recommended to join a one-day tour group from Lijiang Old Town or rent a car to go there, with a journey of about 1.5 hours; you can also take the special snow mountain bus.
• Best Time to Visit: November to March of the next year. At this time, the snow cover is thick and the scenery is better; you need to bring sunscreen and warm clothes when visiting to prevent altitude sickness.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Yunnan Tourist Attractions Dali Area

Dali is famous for its four scenic spots: wind, flowers, snow and moon. The wind in Xiaguan, the flowers in Shangguan, the snow on Cangshan Mountain, and the moon on Erhai Lake, each scene outlines the poetry and romance of Dali. The Yunnan tourist attractions here are full of a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, making it an ideal place to relax.

Erhai Lake: The Blue Dream of a Plateau Pearl

Erhai Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and one of the core Yunnan tourist attractions in Dali. The lake water is clear to the bottom, surrounded by mountains, with beautiful scenery.

Circling Erhai Lake is the best way to experience its beauty. You can choose to cycle, drive by yourself or take a cruise ship. There are many check-in spots distributed along the lake, such as Shuanglang Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town, and Panxi Village S-bend. In Shuanglang Ancient Town, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Erhai Lake and feel the fishing village customs of the ancient town; the Bai ethnic dwellings and wheat fields in Xizhou Ancient Town are full of pastoral atmosphere, with rolling wheat waves in spring and golden fields in autumn, making it a good place for photography; the S-bend of Panxi Village has become a popular check-in spot because the bend and the lake water set off each other beautifully.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: There are many buses in Dali urban area that can reach various scenic spots along Erhai Lake; it is recommended to rent an electric car or a car for circling the lake, and the rental cost is about 50-200 yuan/day.
• Best Time to Visit: March to May or September to November. At this time, the weather is sunny and the scenery is pleasant; it is recommended to arrange 1-2 days for circling the lake to slowly feel the scenery of Erhai Lake.

Cangshan Mountain: The Green Barrier Stretching Across Dali

Cangshan Mountain is located on the west bank of Erhai Lake, facing Erhai Lake from afar, and is another important Yunnan tourist attraction in Dali. Cangshan Mountain has a majestic terrain, with snow-capped peaks all year round, and mist lingering in the mountains, presenting a magnificent scenery. There are nineteen peaks and eighteen streams distributed on the mountain, with clear and flowing streams. Taking the Cangshan Grand Cableway can take you directly to the top of the mountain to overlook the panoramic view of Erhai Lake and Dali Old Town; you can also hike along the mountain trails to enjoy the exotic flowers, rare grasses, waterfalls and streams along the way. Jizhao Nunnery at the foot of the mountain is famous for its succulents. The nunnery is full of various succulents, with a quiet environment, making it a good place to relax and taste tea.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: It takes about 10 minutes by taxi from Dali Old Town to the entrance of Cangshan Scenic Area; you can also take a bus to the nearby station and then walk there.
• Best Time to Visit: April to June. At this time, the azaleas on the mountain are in full bloom, and the scenery is gorgeous; you need to wear comfortable hiking shoes when visiting, and pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention.

Cangshan

Yunnan Tourist Attractions Shangri-La Area

Shangri-La is located in the northwest of Yunnan, on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The Yunnan tourist attractions here are full of the mystery and sacredness of the Tibetan area. The magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and pious temples all make people feel the shock of the soul.

Pudacuo National Park: The Ecological Wonder of Plateau Wetlands

Pudacuo National Park is China’s first national park and one of the most famous Yunnan tourist attractions in Shangri-La. The park includes three parts: Shudu Lake, Bitahai Lake and Xiage Nature Reserve, with plateau wetlands, primeval forests and rare animals and plants as the main landscapes. Shudu Lake has clear water, surrounded by vast grasslands. In spring, wild flowers are in full bloom; in summer, the grass is green; in autumn, the forests are dyed in layers; in winter, it is covered in silver, with different scenery in four seasons. Bitahai Lake is surrounded by primeval forests, with small islands in the lake. The ancient trees on the islands reach the sky, full of a mysterious atmosphere. In the park, you can choose to take a sightseeing bus to visit, or hike along the lakeside trails to feel the primitiveness and purity of nature.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: You can join a one-day tour group from Shangri-La urban area or rent a car to go there, with a journey of about 1.5 hours.
• Best Time to Visit: May to June or September to October. At this time, the weather is relatively comfortable and the scenery is the most beautiful; the altitude in the park is relatively high, so you need to pay attention to preventing altitude sickness and bring warm clothes.

Songzanlin Monastery: The Solemn Sacredness of the Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom

Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Ganden Songtsenling Monastery, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, known as the Little Potala Palace, and also an important Yunnan tourist attraction. The monastery is built in the mountains with a scattered layout and a unique architectural style. The red walls and golden roofs are particularly solemn under the sun. Walking into the monastery, you can visit buildings such as the Main Hall, Zhacang, and Jikang Hall, appreciate the murals, thangkas and Buddha statues in the monastery, and feel the sacredness and solemnity of Tibetan Buddhism. The grasslands and lakes around the monastery are also beautiful. Standing on the high ground of the monastery, you can overlook the surrounding pastoral scenery and the distant mountains.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Shangri-La urban area, and you can also take a bus there.
• Best Time to Visit: Suitable all year round. It is recommended to visit on a sunny morning when the light is suitable for photography; you need to abide by local religious customs and keep quiet when visiting the monastery.

Songzanlin Monastery

Yunnan Tourist Attractions Southeast Yunnan Area

The Yunnan tourist attractions in Southeast Yunnan are full of pastoral scenery and fantasy colors. The karst landforms of Puzhehei and the magnificent scenery of Yuanyang Terraced Fields are breathtaking. This is a good place to escape the hustle and bustle and feel the pastoral life.

Puzhehei: A Pastoral Poem of Karst Landforms

Puzhehei is a typical karst landform scenic area and one of the most popular Yunnan tourist attractions in Southeast Yunnan. There are hundreds of isolated peaks, dozens of lakes and hundreds of karst caves in the scenic area. The lakes are connected, the isolated peaks stand tall, and the pastoral scenery is like a painting. Taking a small boat to tour on the lake, shuttling between the isolated peaks, and enjoying the green mountains, green waters and pastoral villages on both sides, it is like walking into a paradise. Every summer, the lotus flowers on the lake are in full bloom. The pink lotus flowers and green lotus leaves set off each other beautifully, making the scenery particularly gorgeous. In addition, the karst caves in the scenic area are also quite distinctive, such as Xianren Cave and Moon Cave. The stalactites in the caves are of various shapes, which are amazing.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: There are buses directly from Qiubei County to Puzhehei Scenic Area, with a journey of about 30 minutes; you can also take a high-speed train from Kunming to Qiubei County and then transfer to a bus there.
• Best Time to Visit: June to August. At this time, the lotus flowers are in full bloom, and the scenery is the most beautiful; you need to pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention when visiting, and wear comfortable wading shoes.

Puzhehei

Yuanyang Terraced Fields: The Magnificent Wonder Carved by the Earth

Yuanyang Terraced Fields are the crystallization of the hard work and wisdom of the Hani people for hundreds of years, and also a world cultural heritage and an important Yunnan tourist attraction. The terraced fields are built against the mountains, layer upon layer, stretching from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, with a grand scale and magnificent momentum. The terraced fields present different scenery in different seasons. In spring, the terraced fields are irrigated and prepared for farming, and the water surface is like a mirror, reflecting the sky and mountains, sparkling; in summer, the terraced fields are green and full of vitality; in autumn, the rice is mature, golden all over, and a bumper harvest is achieved; in winter, it is covered in silver, with a different flavor. Badaguan, Duoyishu and Laohuzui are the best spots to watch the terraced fields. The sunrise at Duoyishu and the sunset at Laohuzui are particularly unmissable.

Ticket Information:

• Transportation: You can take a bus from Kunming to Yuanyang County, then transfer to a local bus to the terraced field scenic area; you can also rent a car to drive there by yourself, and the scenery along the way is also very beautiful.
• Best Time to Visit: November to April of the next year. At this time, the terraced fields are in the irrigation period, and the scenery is the most magnificent; you need to arrive at the scenic spot in advance to choose a suitable shooting location to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Practical Suggestions for Visiting Attractions

Yunnan has a vast territory, and the scenic spots in various regions are relatively scattered with large altitude differences. To make the trip more smooth and pleasant, here are some practical suggestions for you:

• Itinerary Planning: It is recommended to choose the appropriate area to visit according to your own time and interests. If you have sufficient time, you can plan a 7-10 day itinerary covering popular areas such as Lijiang, Dali and Shangri-La; if you have limited time, you can focus on visiting the core scenic spots of 1-2 areas.
• Transportation Methods: There are convenient transportation methods such as high-speed rail, plane and bus in Yunnan. For long distances, you can choose plane or high-speed rail; for short distances, you can choose bus, car rental or local transportation. It is more convenient to rent a car or join a local one-day tour group for circling the lake or the loop tour.
• Climate and Clothing: Yunnan has a changeable climate with large temperature differences between morning and evening. You need to bring warm clothes whenever you go; the ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong, so you need to prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats and other sun protection products.
• Altitude Sickness: Areas such as Lijiang, Shangri-La and Yuanyang Terraced Fields have high altitudes. You need to avoid strenuous exercise when going there, and you can prepare anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance; if severe altitude sickness occurs, you need to seek medical treatment in time or go to a low-altitude area.
• Diet and Customs: Yunnan has rich and unique flavors of food, but the diet in some areas is relatively sour and spicy, which you can choose according to your own taste; Yunnan is a multi-ethnic area, and each ethnic group has different customs and habits. You need to respect the local ethnic customs when visiting.

The South of Colorful Clouds is infinitely charming. Every Yunnan tourist attraction here has its own unique charm, waiting for you to explore and experience. Whether it is the leisure of the ancient town, the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains, the clarity of the lakes or the magnificence of the terraced fields, all can make you linger and forget to return. It is hoped that this guide can help you with your Yunnan trip and let you spend an unforgettable time in the South of Colorful Clouds.