Wondering what Kunming attractions are worth visiting? Have a short stopover in Kunming? We visited these Kunming attractions for one day before flying out to Shanghai and loved it!
Kunming is the capital of the Yunnan area and the main hub. The Yunnan is the most ethnically diverse regions in China and we loved exploring its rich culture. Kunming is called the City of Eternal Spring because of its beautiful flowers!
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Table of Contents
How long for Kunming?
We had one day in Kunming but if you have a an extra day or two you can stay here and do some great day trips! We actually weren’t expecting to spend any time in Kunming but our plans had to change slightly and we are so glad they did! This city was great to explore – make sure to check out our food recommendation-this unique take on the infamous Peking duck we think should be famous…we even met Chinese people who hadn’t discovered it yet.
Where to stay in Kunming?
We loved and highly recommend the Ibis Styles in Kunming! It was in the perfect location, had a comfortable big room and excellent breakfast and service. It was affordable priced and we couldn’t fault it.
Kunming Attractions to see in one day
We filled our time up really well fitting in so many Kunming attractions, this is our one day Kunming itinerary. You can check out our China Travel Guide for all the important information you need to travel China.
Green Lake Park
We liked this park so much we came twice! In the late afternoon and it was buzzing with people strolling, taking photos and enjoying the last warm glow of the sun as it began to set. We returned first thing after breakfast to see if alive with locals doing two chi and exercising. It’s a must visit!
Yuantong Temple
This is one of Kunming’s oldest and most iconic Buddhist temples. It costs 6CNY to enter but it’s totally worth it. Inside you’ll find a tranquil space, lots of Buddha temples and beautiful gardens (in the right season!) Make sure to walk all the way around and up the stairs to the big koi pond in the rocky hill side.
Walk the old Streets of Kunming
Walking these streets will transport you back to the Kunming of yesteryear. There are some busy ones but take some twists and turns to get lost amongst the less visited and less touristic spots!
Make sure to get to these streets- Jingxing Street, Yong Dao Jie, Wenming Street, Qian Wang Jie you’ll find them not far from the Yunnan Monument to the Peoples Hero’s.
These streets are filled with jade stores, flower shops. Cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and street stalls as well as souvenir shops! You’ll find it all here. It’s also an easy always from the ibis Styles.
Kunming night market
Head to nearby Nanping Pedestrian Street for street food snacks and dinner! The streets around here all light up with lanterns and start to buzz with lots of people coming out to eat!
Kunming Attractions – What to eat
The Yunnan area has lost of unique foods to try, have the grilled milk skewer and rose cakes and famous crossing the bridge noodles and rice noodles.
Very specific to the Kunming area is the potato! You purchase a grilled potato and then top it with your choice of a variety of species and sauces.
Yiliang Duck
Another unique Kunming food is the Yiling duck.
This duck is the Peking duck of the south. The small ducks are roasted in clay pots over pine needles after being basted in honey. It’s downright delicious and so tender! The famous restaurant is located a long 30km from Kunming but they also have a branch in the city! We went here for a duck (one of Mikes favourites!) and it was excellent. For 50CNY we got a roasted duck (upgrade to a fine quality duck for 60CNY) accompanied with cucumber, spring onion, a rich sauce as well as salt and pepper to sprinkle.
The sauce was nice (according to Mike, not GF so I didn’t try it) but overpowered the duck flavour. We both liked the salt and pepper which cut through the rich flavour a little, adding some kick.
It’s a smallish duck but there was enough for us both (I don’t eat a lot of meat) but if you’re big duck fans then you could possibly do one each! We just ordered one rice with it. You’ll find the restaurant in the city at Duck restaurant Xuecheng Fandian or the original one at Yiliang Xuecheng Fandian. You can even combine a tour to the duck restaurant and Stone Forest or Jiuxiang Caves with the duck restaurant which would be an awesome way to do both!
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Kunming Attractions we didn’t get time to do but would next trip!
Visit Dounan Flowers & Plants Market Scenic
This is a huge flower market! Come here to see why it’s the city of eternal spring!
Kunming Botanical Gardens
In the north of the city you’ll find the Botanical Gardebs. We didn’t make it here but have heard it is worth it! You can enter from a couple of different gates which have different entry fees, albeit very small.Visit Dounan Flowers & Plants Market Scenic
Kunming Attractions that are perfect day trips!
These are both worth it if you have the time. To make it easy we would take a tour as they are far from the city.
Stone forest
The most famous day trip from Kunming! This AAAAA site is huge, a tour will definitely help you to not get lost. Wander amongst the big stone rocks and wonder at their creation which is all natural. You can actually combine a tour here with a visit to a famous Yiliang Duck restaurant!
Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Visit the Jiuxiang caves and explore 60 of the 100 caves here! You can even go on a boat ride which looks dreamy. The caves are illuminated beautifully and you’ll walk through them feeling like an explorer. This tour combines the caves with a visit to the same duck restaurant.
Next Steps:
- 👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 4-Week China Itinerary
- 👉 Read next: Chengdu – you have to see the pandas in China!
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2 comments
So good to meet you two today. You have given us an incentive to engage with social media. My Dad was a great diarist, he used to send info to the Lonely Planet & get a free guide for his next trip so perhaps I need to do the next generation of that. Will share this with my Mum so that she can continue to travel via her armchair. Judith & Lincoln
Hi Judith & Lincoln, Great to meet you guys too! Sorry so late in replying, we just got back to Aus. I think you would make wonderful vlogs of your trips, please let us know when it is up-we will look forward to the first driving video!