Trip Overview
When: July 2015 (Summer - best for escaping heat but pack layers!)
Duration: 7 days
Travelers: Family with child
Budget: Moderate (train travel saves accommodation costs)
Transportation: Train + taxi + bus
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Fly into Kunming (昆明) - the gateway to Yunnan. Alternatively, take an overnight train from Guiyang (贵阳) to save on accommodation costs.
Money Matters: Most attractions accept cash. Keep small bills for temples and tips. Credit cards work in larger hotels and restaurants.
Language: Mandarin is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learning a few phrases goes a long way. Download an offline translation app.
Transportation: Taxis in Kunming use meters - always insist on metered rides. For intercity travel, buses are cheap and frequent. For Dali, shared taxis (拼车) are the local way to travel - safe and affordable.
Day 1: Arrival in Kunming & Dian Lake
We arrived in Kunming (昆明) at 6 AM after an overnight train from Guiyang (贵阳). Smart move - we saved two nights of accommodation and didn't waste any travel time!
After checking into our hotel near the intersection of Huancheng South Road and Chuncheng Road, we grabbed a taxi (about 45 RMB) to the Dian Lake (滇池) cable car ticket office by 9:30 AM.
Dian Lake (滇池): We took the cable car up to the Western Mountain (西山) entrance, then another cable car to the summit. The views of Dian Lake are spectacular! We hiked down through the trails, visited the Nie Er Memorial Hall (聂耳纪念馆), then took the cable car back. Total time: about 3 hours.
Yunnan Ethnic Village (云南民族园): Just a 20-minute walk from the cable car exit. This massive park showcases all 56 ethnic groups of Yunnan! We spent about 4 hours here and didn't even see everything. The elephant show was a hit with our kid. Note: Shows are scheduled at specific times - check the schedule when you arrive.
Foreigner tip: Budget at least a full day for Yunnan Ethnic Village - it's huge! We barely scratched the surface.
That evening, we took the bus to Kunming Walking Street for the ultimate comfort food - Cross-the-Bridge Rice Noodles (过桥米线). Heavenly after a long day!
Day 1 Costs: Dian Lake round-trip cable car: 70 RMB, Western Mountain ticket: 40 RMB, Western Mountain one-way cable car: 25 RMB, Yunnan Ethnic Village: 90 RMB
Day 2: Stone Forest (石林)
We took a taxi to Kunming East Bus Station (昆明东客站) - taxis here are very regulated, always use the meter! Bus fare: 28 RMB to the Stone Forest scenic area. The 70-minute bus ride dropped us at the Stone Forest ticket area at 10:40 AM.
Stone Forest (石林): This UNESCO World Heritage Site is genuinely breathtaking - imagine a forest made entirely of limestone pillars! We bought the electric cart ticket to the main entrance.
Critical navigation tip: After visiting Little Stone Forest (小石林), DON'T follow the crowd out of the park. Go in the opposite direction for 200 meters to find the Big Stone Forest (大石林) entrance. We spent about 6 hours exploring both areas - yes, we got lost a few times and even wandered into undeveloped areas. Totally worth it!
Reality check: Many tourists complain Stone Forest is overrated. Here's the secret: they're probably on guided tours that only give 30 minutes at the "Stone Forest" sign. Self-guided exploration is the ONLY way to see the full wonder. We found hidden grottoes and untouched areas that tour groups never see.
Return bus: 5 RMB from East Bus Station back to Kunming Railway Station.
Day 3: Overnight Train to Dali
We took an afternoon train from Kunming to Dali (大理), a 5-hour journey arriving at 5 PM. Pro tip: Book evening trains if possible to save a hotel night! This was our family's first double-decker train experience - exciting!
Dali Ancient Town (大理古镇): We took Bus #8 from Dali Railway Station for over an hour, arriving around 7 PM. Warning: It was cold! Even in summer, Dali gets chilly at night, especially when it rains. We hadn't packed warm clothes.
We had to buy long pants and local特色 scarves for warmth before exploring the ancient town. After a quick dinner, our son was too cold to continue, so we headed back to our air-conditioned hotel.
Foreigner tip: Even in July, bring light layers for Dali evenings. The weather is unpredictable and the town sits at high altitude.
Day 4: Shuanglang (双廊) & Erhai Lake
We hired a shared car (拼车) for 25 RMB per person to Shuanglang (双廊) - 68 km away. The local people are incredibly honest and friendly - even traffic police recommended this option!
Shuanglang Ancient Town (双廊古镇): We arrived at the south gate and rented bicycles (20 RMB) for unlimited time. Electric bikes cost 30 RMB. The town stretches for kilometers - plan 4-5 hours including meals. We took a minibus (15 RMB) back to Dali.
Pro hack: Cycling around Shuanglang offers the best views of Erhai Lake (洱海). The lakeside paths are relatively flat and easy for families.
Day 5: Dali Three Pagodas & Tianlongba TV City
We hired a car for 30 RMB to visit the Three Pagodas of Dali (崇圣寺三塔) - the former royal temple of ancient Dali. No aggressive vendors here selling incense or fortune-telling services! This place is HUGE - budget 3-4 hours.
After the pagodas, we returned to Dali Ancient Town for more exploration. Alternatively, you can visit Tianlongba Film City (天龙八部影视城) - a TV production studio based on the famous Jin Yong novel.
Day 6: Cangshan Mountain & Gantong Cable Car
We hired a car for 40 RMB to the Gantong Cable Car Station (感通索道). This cable car is NOT for the faint-hearted - it's thrilling and goes straight up Cangshan Mountain (苍山)!
Cangshan Mountain (苍山): We visited the legendary Lingyan Chess Game (玲珑棋局) and Qingbi Stream (清碧溪), then hiked along the Jade Belt Road (玉带路) - an 18-kilometer trail paved with flat stone slabs. The views of Erhai Lake (洱海) and Dali are unforgettable!
Reality check: The Jade Belt Road is relatively flat and easy to walk, but 18 km is still challenging. We enjoyed a leisurely hike and turned back when we were ready. Gantong is just one of three cable car routes up Cangshan - each offers different experiences!
Day 7: Return to Kunming & Home
Final day - we took the train back to Kunming, then transferred to our return journey home. Total travel time: pretty much the whole day!
This 7-day journey through Kunming and Dali was perfect for families - a mix of natural wonders, ethnic culture, and relaxing ancient towns. The key to enjoying this trip is going at your own pace and avoiding rushed tour schedules.