https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/kunming/best-things-to-do/100001411831
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Kunming [2025]
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Stone Forest Scenic Area
4.7
/5
15408 reviews
8.8
From AU$ 38.73
Based on 54 reviews
66.8 km from downtown
Phone +86087167711439
Address: Extension of Shilin Middle Road, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
See the bizarre karst peaks
Ashima rock: unique & captivating
Saved by 1377 users7675 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Dashilin Scenic Area is full of fun. You can explore different routes in the stone forest with your children. Every time you turn around, you can't help but marvel at the wonders of nature. The sun is very strong outside, but it is very cool in the stone forest. It is highly recommended.
It was a fulfilling and enjoyable day! The car was very comfortable, and Driver Wu was warm and friendly, with excellent service. Along the way, he patiently explained Yunnan's history, culture, historical sites, and customs. We were deeply impressed by the charm of beautiful Kunming and colorful Yunnan! I will definitely visit Yunnan again next time I have the chance!
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Dianchi Lake
4.7
/5
8529 reviews
8.5
Based on 296 reviews
23.8 km from downtown
Phone +86087164310175
Address: 1318 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
No.1 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Kunming
Highlights:
Surrounded by mountains & Daguan Tower
Majestic plateau freshwater lake
Saved by 992 users4110 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It would have been quite convenient to walk from Gantong to Xima Cao and then pay the 50 yuan per person difference to take the cable car down the mountain, but now you have to climb 1,200 steps to get to Xima Cao, which is a bummer. They are currently building another staircase or elevator nearby, so it may be improved in the future.
The cable car is the first choice for parent-child travel. The pool water is much clearer. The queue for the battery car in Longmen Scenic Area is too long, so I gave up decisively. It is still necessary to walk around Nie Er's Tomb after getting off the cable car.
Yunnan Nationalities Village
4.4
/5
13948 reviews
8.4
From AU$ 17.22
Based on 513 reviews
Dianchi Lake Scenic Area/ Sunac World | 9 km from downtown
Phone +86087164311255
Address: 1310 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
12 villages & 26 cultures
Experience lively folk shows & festivals
Saved by 770 users6114 positive reviews
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The Ethnic Village, located near Dianchi Lake, showcases replicas of Yunnan's ethnic minority villages and famous buildings. It's a fascinating attraction for travelers eager to explore but short on time. You can take a guided tour by bus, and weather permitting, there are performances.
Outside the main entrance is a commercial district offering dining and drinking opportunities.
The Ethnic Village is a large scenic area near Dianchi Lake. For tourists who don't have time to visit the actual villages but still want to learn about Yunnan's ethnic groups, it's a great place to visit. It's especially great to take a guided tour and listen to the guided tours. There are also many activities, but it rained heavily that day, so many activities were canceled.
No.
4
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Yunnan Wild Animals Park
4.7
/5
4669 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 21.52
Based on 21 reviews
Kunming Wild Animal Park/The Golden Temple scenic spot | 10.4 km from downtown
Phone +86087165018888
Address: Yunnan Zoo, Panlong District, Kunming
Recommended sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kunming
Highlights:
Elephant shows & red panda meetups
Feed & interact with red pandas
Saved by 215 users3780 positive reviews
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It's a zoo worth visiting. It feels like you've entered the wild world of animals. The environment is in the mountains, and it's very comfortable to play. The animals are also well taken care of. You can see various animals very close up, and the interaction is very strong.
There's no way to finish exploring it! The zoo is so huge! My kids think it's even bigger than Chimelong Zoo! And there are so many interactive areas with the animals! Monkeys, raccoons, parrots, sea lions, tigers...
The key is that the area is so large! With so many people, the restrooms are still clean, tidy, and spacious! It's really hard to do that!
No.
5
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Western Hills
4.5
/5
3233 reviews
7.9
From AU$ 6.46
Based on 207 reviews
Dianchi Lake Scenic Area/ Sunac World | 11.3 km from downtown
Phone +86087168426668
Address: Xishan District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
50-foot natural stone gateway
Cable car ride overlooking temples
Saved by 602 users1655 positive reviews
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A one-way cable car ride is enough; after all, the scenery isn't as stunning in months without seagulls.
When it's crowded, go to Lingxu Pavilion first, then Longmen.
The view from Lingxu Pavilion overlooking Dianchi Lake and the path carved into the Longmen cliff face is quite nice. Tickets are 30 yuan for adults and 15 yuan for students, which is not expensive. A shorter route down the mountain from the north gate would be even better!
Just go, and climb without making a sound. I suggest you take the scenic bus first, then transfer to the battery car to the entrance of Longmen Scenic Area, and then climb. If you hold on until you are sweating, you will reach Longmen, hahaha. But the scenery is really beautiful, you can see the whole panoramic view of Dianchi Lake. You must go to Longmen early, otherwise it will be full of people.
No.
6
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Old Street Kunming
4.7
/5
444 reviews
7.6
Nanping Pedestrian Street | 731m from downtown
Phone +86087168378663
Address: Wuhua, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.2 of Night Attractions in Kunming
Highlights:
Panoramic view & charming old town
Local snacks & ethnic crafts gathered
Saved by 1093 users425 positive reviews
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There are many unexpected historical sites on the old street, especially in the early morning when there are not many tourists, which is a good place to slowly appreciate them. At night, it becomes a bustling commercial street with many shops and small restaurants.
Kunming Old Street is located in Wuhua District, Kunming City. It is the only traditional neighborhood in Kunming with the texture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. From Zhengyi Road to the east, Wuyi Road to the west, Jingxing Street to the south, and Renmin Middle Road to the north. There are nearly 900-year-old buildings, such as Fulintang and the former residence of Nie'er. In 2021, it will become the first provincial night cultural tourism consumption gathering area. Walking among them, you can feel the historical charm on the Qingshiban Road, taste special snacks, and buy ethnic accessories. It is a great place to experience the old Kunming style.
No.
7
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Yunnan Provincial Museum
4.6
/5
1087 reviews
7.6
Based on 42 reviews
Guandu Ancient Town | 10.3 km from downtown
Phone +86087167287185
Address: No.6393 Guangfu Road, Guandu District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.3 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kunming
Highlights:
Near Kunming Zoo & Green Lake
Diverse ethnic artifacts on display
Saved by 264 users793 positive reviews
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The best place to get to know a local is through a museum. Yunbo Museum is right next to Guandu Ancient Town. We went in the morning and it was quite crowded. Our tour guide said it was even more crowded in the afternoon, probably because many people visit Yunbo Museum before heading to Guandu Ancient Town.
The guide was very good! He covered six historical museums in two hours and covered almost all the important cultural relics. Yunnan's historical relics are very interesting. I benefited a lot and will come again next time!
No.
8
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Colorful Yunnan Paradise
4.7
/5
3325 reviews
7.4
From AU$ 45.19
Colorful Yunnan Paradise | 29.7 km from downtown
Phone +86087167831333
Address: South of Huanhu South Road, Jinning District, Kunming
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-6 hours
No.4 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kunming
Highlights:
Ferris wheel view of park
Ferris wheel view of Dian Lake
Saved by 381 users3050 positive reviews
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Nighttime tickets are cheaper, but wait times are shorter than during the day, allowing for a wider range of attractions, and the Torch Festival is also lively. The park's design reflects strong ethnic characteristics and cultural heritage. Objectively speaking, annual passes are relatively inexpensive, and for families traveling with children, you can rent very affordable B&Bs (over 1,000 yuan per month, or under 100 yuan per day), perfect for both study and leisure activities. However, the planned location fails to fully leverage the unique character of Dianchi Lake. Due to its locational constraints, its food, living facilities, and transportation are inferior to those of the main urban area. For example, the local economy (Jinning District) may be problematic. The road between the main urban area and the park is unlit early in the evening, and the road is uneven in some areas.
Adults can bring their children to play, and both adults and children will have a lot of fun. It is impossible to play here in one day. The food inside is relatively expensive, so it is best to bring some food with you. Some areas may be slightly cheaper, but generally it is more expensive than outside. Don't buy raincoats outside, as the water activities inside are all free. When I left, I took a picture of the beautiful sunset, which was very photogenic. It's a pity that I didn't get to play many activities with my baby, but the older children didn't want to leave after having so much fun.
No.
9
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Shangrila-Dynamic Yunnan
4.6
/5
2826 reviews
7.3
From AU$ 42.60
Based on 301 reviews
First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University/Pan Jia Wan | 950m from downtown
Phone +8618908841113
Address: Kunming Conference Hall No.81 West Dongfeng Road.Wuhua District, Kunming China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.4 of Night Attractions in Kunming
Highlights:
Yunnan's canyon terraces & rainforest
Spectacular light & sound visual feast
Saved by 330 users1205 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Kunming's "Yunnan Impressions" moved me to tears. It reveals humanity's insignificance in the face of nature. At the same time, it conveys the unwavering determination of man to conquer nature and the yearning for a better life. As the subtitles read:
The generous Yi people often say, "Having a mouth but not being able to sing is meaningless; having feet but not being able to dance is useless."
I highly recommend watching it.
It's definitely worth seeing. It's incredibly authentic and full of ethnic characteristics. Every scene is truly different, leaving no time for bathroom breaks, blinking, or taking photos. It's not just for entertainment. It's absolutely stunning and well worth the effort. It's not about being scary, but about the ethnic characteristics. It gives you a better, quicker, and more intuitive understanding of the cultures of Yunnan's major ethnic minorities. It's worth seeing. Highly recommended.
No.
10
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Jiu Xiang
4.7
/5
3126 reviews
6.9
From AU$ 36.08
Based on 117 reviews
66.6 km from downtown
Phone +86087167511998
Address: Within the territory of Jiuxiang Yizu Huizu Township, Yiliang County, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.3 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Kunming
Highlights:
Elevator ride & boat tour
Explore caves via 174ft elevator
Saved by 397 users1168 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jiuxiang Scenic Area, a national 4A scenic area, is located in Jiuxiang, Yiling County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. Home to hundreds of caves of varying sizes, it boasts the largest, most numerous, and most unique cave system in China. The interconnected caves feature highlights such as Jinghun Gorge, Yincui Gorge, the Lion Hall, the Goddess Palace, the Male and Female Waterfalls, Shentian, Linyin Village, and the Bat Cave. The caves are slippery, so please exercise caution and ensure safety.
This is a unique underground karst landform scenic spot in China. It is located on the outskirts of Yiliang, Yunnan. The transportation is convenient. The scenic spot is large in scale. There are caves, dark rivers, canyons and other scenic spots. The characteristics are distinctive. The film "Myth" of Jackie Chan is the exterior scene taken here.
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