Yunnan
Yunnan
Stretching from high plateaus to tropical rainforests, Yunnan is one of China’s most diverse provinces in both geography and culture.
In the north, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the sacred landscapes of Shangri-La showcase nature’s grandeur. In the south, Xishuangbanna’s lush rainforests and Jingmai Mountain’s thousand-year-old tea forests reveal a different kind of vitality. Erhai Lake reflects the Cangshan Mountains, Lugu Lake carries Mosuo legends, and twenty-five ethnic groups—from Bai and Dai to Naxi and Tibetan—bring colour and tradition to daily life. Tracing the ancient Tea Horse Road, you’ll find Yunnan a journey where landscapes and cultures meet in harmony.
Yunnan is where magnificent landscapes and vibrant cultures come together, offering a journey full of wonder and discovery.
HIGHLIGHTS OF Yunnan
BEST EXPERIENCES
Learn the elephant-foot drum dance in a Dai village and join the rhythm of celebration.
Take a night walk in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, following the glow of fireflies in the rainforest.
Explore the Starlight Night Market by the Lancang River and savour tropical street food.
Create your own Bai tie-dye artwork in a centuries-old courtyard workshop.
Experience Naxi papermaking, crafting sheets by hand from local plants.
Spin the giant prayer wheel in Shangri-La, feeling the solemn rhythm of Tibetan devotion.
Tours Featuring Yunnan
Travel to Sichuan with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 6), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader or join our self-guided tour with our English driver and local guides.
Group Tour
SIGNATURE TRIP
5-Day Coffee and Tea Journey in South Yunnan
This 5-day journey brings you to the very essence of Southern Yunnan—walk through the lush tea mountains of Xishuangbanna, meet Dai tea masters, and uncover the secrets of Pu’er coffee in the forest. Stroll through vibrant villages, taste fresh-brewed flavours at the source, and join the enchanting “Wulan Phantom” night walk in the botanical garden—before ending each day immersed in the warm rhythms of local life.
5 days from €875 euros
SIGNATURE TRIP
Group Tour
6-Day Journey of Nature and Culture in Northwest Yunnan
This 6-day journey takes you deep into the highlands of Northwest Yunnan: cycle along Erhai Lake, wander the timeless lanes of Shaxi and Lijiang, and ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to see glaciers under the clear blue sky. Trek Tiger Leaping Gorge, discover the monasteries of Shangri-La, and ride across the grasslands of Napa Lake—before ending with a thangka painting workshop. This is our most immersive route through Yunnan.
6 days from €1155 euros
Why travel to Yunnan?
What’s the weather like in Yunnan?
Yunnan is often called the “land of eternal spring” thanks to its mild climate throughout the year. Most areas enjoy comfortable temperatures ranging from 12–23°C, with Kunming famously free of harsh winters and scorching summers, making it a pleasant destination year-round.
However, the province’s diverse landscapes create significant contrasts. In the northwest, places like Shangri-La and Meili Snow Mountain sit on the high plateau, where winters are cold and temperatures at higher elevations can drop to –10°C. By contrast, Xishuangbanna in the south is warm and humid, with average annual temperatures around 18–22°C and a pronounced rainy season from May to October.
Travellers should note that highland regions experience large day–night temperature differences, so layered clothing is essential, while rainforest areas call for mosquito protection and moisture-proof gear.
Top five dishes to try
Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles – Yunnan’s signature dish, with rice noodles, meat slices, and vegetables cooked in a steaming hot broth, rich in flavour and texture.
Steamed Chicken Soup (Qiguo Ji) – A traditional dish made by steaming chicken in a special clay pot, producing tender meat and a light, nourishing broth.
Fresh Flower Cake (Xianhua Bing) – A delicate pastry filled with edible rose petals, fragrant and sweet, offering a taste of Yunnan’s floral charm.
Wild Mushroom Hotpot – A seasonal favourite featuring a variety of foraged wild mushrooms, simmered in broth for a rich, earthy aroma and flavour.
Grilled Tilapia with Lemongrass – A Dai speciality, where fresh tilapia is marinated with lemongrass and spices, then charcoal-grilled to achieve a tangy, aromatic taste.
Top Places to visit in Yunnan
Dali
Nestled in western Yunnan, Dali was once a key stop on the ancient Tea-Horse Road and is now both a cultural landmark and a scenic retreat. Known poetically as the land of “ Wind, Flower, Snow and Moon” — the winds of Xiaguan, blossoms of Shangguan, snow on Cangshan, and the moon over Erhai — Dali charms visitors with its year-round spring-like climate and leisurely pace.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a place of Naxi culture, where Dongba script and ancient legends live on, and the traditional art of Dongba papermaking adds a unique charm, offering travellers both poetry and romance. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley form a breathtaking backdrop.
Shangri-La
Shangri-La lies high on the plateau, where snow-capped peaks and fluttering prayer flags shape a land of Tibetan culture and devotion. Hike along the roaring trails of Tiger Leaping Gorge or follow the sacred pilgrimage paths toward Meili Snow Mountain. Anchored by Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-La offers a harmony of faith, tradition, and breathtaking landscapes.
Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna is a land of tropical rainforests, where Asian elephants roam beneath towering canopies and ancient tea forests of Jingmai Mountain breathe with morning mist. It is also a place of Dai culture, best felt during the joyful Water Splashing Festival, where tradition and vitality flow together in celebration.
