6 Days Yunnan Kunming Extension Tour: Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Kunming

Kunming Airport Pick-up, Visit Green Lake Park

Your memorable Yunnan journey starts in Kunming, the “Spring City.” Upon landing, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

After a short rest, head out with your guide to explore the lively Jingxing Flowers and Birds Market, a great place to observe everyday Kunming life. Browse stalls selling plants, birds, antiques, ethnic jewelry, clothing, and traditional handicrafts. Continue to the scenic Green Lake Park, known for its tranquil waters, lush greenery, and historic Qing-era pavilions reflected on the lake surface. In summer, the lake is covered with blooming lotus flowers; in winter, flocks of migratory gulls fill the sky. After enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, your guide will accompany you back to the hotel.

Meals: Customizable

Accommodation: Customizable

Green Lake Park

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Visit Kunming Stone Forest, Drive to Jianshui Ancient Town

This morning, your journey begins with a visit to Kunming’s signature landmark—the Stone Forest. Located in the Yi Autonomous County, this UNESCO-listed karst wonder showcases towering stone pinnacles, dramatic caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and impressive waterfalls. Among its many formations, the most famous is the Ashima Rock. According to local legend, Ashima was a courageous Yi girl who defied tyranny to pursue true love with a young man named Ahei. While fleeing from a villain, she was swept away by a flood and transformed into stone—a symbol of her purity and resilience. Your guide will share more fascinating stories as you explore this natural marvel.

Then we drive about two hours to Jianshui Ancient Town, a historic gem renowned for its well-preserved traditional residences—over fifty in total—earning it nicknames like the “Museum of Ancient Architecture” and “Museum of Ancient Dwellings.” Strolling along its weathered stone streets lined with classic wooden houses feels like stepping back in time.

You will then check into a charming hotel within the ancient town. Be sure to head out after dark—the lantern-lit night scenery creates a magical atmosphere and offers wonderful photo opportunities.

Meals: Customizable

Accommodation: Customizable

stone forest

Jianshui Ancient Town

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Jianshui: Zhu Family Garden – Confucius Temple – Transfer to Yuanyang

This morning, your Jianshui exploration continues at the beautiful Zhu Family Garden, an expansive residential compound built by a prominent Zhu family during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Spanning more than two hectares, the estate includes living quarters, an elaborate ancestral hall, and a graceful private garden. As you walk through its halls, pavilions and courtyards, you’ll notice intricate woodcarvings and paintings that reflect the family’s past glory. The architecture stands out for creatively blending local ethnic styles with traditional Han design, giving the entire complex a distinctive character.

Next, you’ll visit the Confucius Temple, where your guide will help you understand the deep roots of Confucian culture in the region. Afterward, stop at the Zengji Tofu Workshop to watch the traditional tofu-making process and sample freshly made soy milk. Featured in the famous documentary A Bite of China, this century-old workshop now attracts countless visitors and has become an essential stop in Jianshui.

Later, enjoy a relaxing 3-hour drive to Yuanyang County. Your guide will assist with check-in at a handpicked boutique hotel set in a superb location—offering in-room views of the terraced fields, rolling clouds, sunrises, and nearby villages.

Meals: Customizable

Accommodation: Customizable

Zhu Family Garden

Confucius Temple

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Yuanyang: Admire Rice Terraces & Hani Ethnic Culture

This morning, we will set out early to visit the Duoyishu Rice Terraces. Their breathtaking scenery resembles a giant multicolored print, especially enchanting between December and March. During this period, shifting reflections on the water-filled terraces create a dreamlike palette of colors, while the Duoyishu Village often appears and disappears in the mist. Nearby Aichun and Dawazhe terraces are also perfect spots to witness a magnificent sea of clouds.

Next, continue to the Qingkou Hani Ethnic Village, where a peaceful rural landscape awaits. If your visit happens to coincide with the Torch Festival (late July) or the Spring Festival (around December), you may experience the lively Long Street Banquet. During this celebration, every Hani household prepares dishes made from their harvests and joins together for a grand communal feast at the village entrance. The long-table banquet can stretch for thousands of meters, with hundreds or even thousands of people dining together—an unforgettable sight.

Finally, your guide will take you to the Azheke Terraces. Though smaller than Duoyishu, this area offers a more immersive experience and a closer look at traditional Hani agricultural life, making it ideal for deeper exploration. Both the terraces and the village are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby Azheke Village, with its unique “mushroom” thatched houses surrounded by lush greenery, creates a scene straight out of a storybook.

Meals: Customizable

Accommodation: Customizable

Duoyishu Rice Terraces

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Yuanyang – Kunming

Before leaving Yuanyang, your guide will take you to a local market to experience the vibrant daily life of the region. You’ll see minority villagers dressed in traditional clothing and accessories, some carrying babies in bamboo baskets. With your guide’s explanations, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of their customs and way of life.

After the visit, enjoy a private 6-hour drive back to Kunming. Though the journey is long, the beautiful scenery along the route will make it enjoyable. Once you arrive at the hotel, unwind with a hot shower and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Meals: Customizable

Accommodation: Customizable

Dragon Gate on Western Hills – Departure from Kunming

Your 6-day Kunming to Yuanyang journey concludes today. After breakfast, you’ll visit the Dragon Gate on Western Hills, an impressive cliffside project carved directly into the mountain. From this vantage point, enjoy sweeping views of Dianchi Lake far below and the charming Kunming skyline. Along the path, admire intricate stone carvings and inscriptions left by ancient scholars, expressing their admiration for the area’s stunning scenery.

After the visit, your guide will transfer you to Kunming Airport for your onward flight. Wishing you a pleasant journey ahead!

Meals: Customizable