Top 50 Best Things to Do in Yunnan
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Top 50 Best Things to Do in Yunnan

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Yulong Snow Mountaintop_1
    󰺂9.0
    31.16
    Yulong.Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoGood Luck to Those Who See the Golden Sunrise at Yulong Snow Mountain | Oct 2025-Mar 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Take a cable car for panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains
    Cableway to 14780 ft glacier park
    󱨠Saved by 3779 users󱨠8325 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    We had to leave very early in the morning, basically all-inclusive. We went up the snow mountain in the morning, then to Blue Moon Valley in the afternoon, and drove back to the old town around 4 pm. Because it had snowed the day before, the boardwalk to the top was closed for snow removal when we arrived, so we could only check in at 4506.

  • Stone Forest Scenic Areatop_2
    󰺂8.8
    145.58
    Shilin>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoStunning Late Fall and Early Winter Views at Stone Forest Scenic Area | Dec 2025-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱨜See the bizarre karst peaks
    󰀆Ashima rock: unique & captivating
    󱨠Saved by 1627 users󱨠8090 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    天机不可泄露adc天机不可泄露adc

    I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds at the Stone Forest Scenic Area! The karst wonders were even more breathtaking under the sunlight, and wandering through the stone forest allowed me to fully immerse myself in the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of nature. The Salomon Speedcross 5 under my feet provided stable grip, making walking incredibly safe, and the open environment made every step feel free, maximizing the overall experience.

  • Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardentop_3
    󰺂8.7
    41.6
    Mengla.Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden.Chinese Academy of Scienc>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoXishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden: Barleria cristata blooms out of season | Nov 2025-Mar 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Electric vehicles connect the east and west areas
    󰋄Firefly tours & night views
    󱨠Saved by 476 users󱨠11623 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    王晋德王晋德

    Visiting the Dipterocarp Garden at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences March 21, 2025, 14:51. The weather was very pleasant during the visit to the Dipterocarp Garden at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dipterocarpaceae plants are mainly distributed in tropical Asia and are representative tree species of Southeast Asian tropical rainforests, comprising 15 genera and 580 species. The 13 species from 5 genera distributed in China are all listed as nationally protected rare and endangered plants. The Dipterocarp Garden covers an area of ​​approximately 6.7 hectares and has collected and preserved all species from my country and some species distributed in Southeast Asia, making it a very valuable Dipterocarp Garden.

  • Manting Imperial Garden
    4
    󰺂8.7
    82.67
    Jinghong.Manting Park/Ethnic Cultural Park>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoLimited-Time Pink Festival Opens in Manting Imperial Garden for Early Winter | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    Enjoy ethnic song and dance performances in the evening
    󱓊See beautiful peacocks up close
    󱨠Saved by 348 users󱨠10398 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    A large-scale travel photography base… every beautiful spot has a Dai princess. Many of the girls are quite pretty. In the afternoon, you can see the Dai King and Queen's outing and performance.

  • Dianchi Lake
    5
    󰺂8.5
    Kunming>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoKunming Pool's winter color palette will warm up your whole season | Dec 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󰀆Surrounded by mountains & Daguan Tower
    󰋄Majestic plateau freshwater lake
    󱨠Saved by 1189 users󱨠4578 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M29***7lM29***7l

    It's beautiful, don't take the cable car unless you just want to experience it. Xishan District is very large, just go to Haigeng Park and the Seven-Arch Floating Bridge. You can visit these two attractions on two separate trips.

  • Dongfengyun Scenic Area
    6
    󰺂8.5
    41.55
    Mile>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    Scenic platform & trail
    Enjoy a choir of thousands and terracotta art
    󱨠Saved by 523 users󱨠9013 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    M28***40M28***40

    To be honest, there aren't many things to do. Most people just concentrate on taking pictures at the "big bottle" area. The flower mound is bare and uninteresting in winter, but it should be nice in spring and summer. One more thing: the entrance fee is a bit pricey. 😅

  • Wild Elephant Valley
    7
    󰺂8.4
    30.16
    Jinghong>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDirect Shuttle Bus to Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley Now Available
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Observe traces of wild elephants on the 4,000m trail
    920m elevated walkway overlooks rainforest
    󱨠Saved by 290 users󱨠6189 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    flo***anflo***an

    The Wild Elephant Valley isn't very big; you can walk through it quickly. There are only two shows in total. It feels like going to Wild Elephant Valley is just a quick stop in Xishuangbanna—you can feed the elephants and watch an educational program. The kids seemed okay with it too. 🤭

  • Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge
    8
    󰺂8.4
    23.37
    Yulong.Tiger Leaping Gorge>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoChallenge the extreme slopes of Tiger Leaping Gorge and marvel at the canyon and snow-capped mountains
    Highlights:
    World-class hiking & iconic rock
    󰋄World-class hiking: mountains & rapids
    󱨠Saved by 1286 users󱨠3266 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    白桃77白桃77

    The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge offers stunning views of the Jinsha River, while the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge is a scenic hike. If you experience severe altitude sickness, you can buy an elevator ticket for the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, which easily takes you to the viewing platform. Those in good physical condition can skip the elevator and climb the stairs in about ten minutes. It's recommended to buy tickets at the visitor center. E-tickets purchased through Ctrip are not accepted by the scenic area; you must exchange them for paper tickets at the visitor center, which also incurs a 5 yuan parking fee. Hikers don't need tickets; you can drive directly to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. The scenic area management is somewhat poor, but the scenery is definitely worth the visit.

  • Cangshan Mountain
    9
    󰺂8.4
    67.59
    Dali.Cangshan Scenic Area>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoCangshan Mountain cable car and hiking guides are popular
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    10 temples & 20 natural attractions
    󰋄Unique geological landscapes displayed
    󱨠Saved by 825 users󱨠3969 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    This combined ticket is a great deal, much cheaper than buying individual tickets. Since it was my first time in Dali, these two places were a must-see, and they're not far from each other. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating when I went up Cangshan Mountain, but it cleared up when I came down to see the Three Pagodas. The Three Pagodas have a very long history and are definitely worth visiting.

  • Yunnan Nationalities Village
    10
    󰺂8.3
    49.34
    Kunming.Dianchi Lake Scenic Area/ Sunac World>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoSweetgum Trees at Yunnan Nationalities Village Change Color, Bringing Fall and Winter Romance | Dec 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    12 villages & 26 cultures
    󰀆Experience lively folk shows & festivals
    󱨠Saved by 859 users󱨠6220 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    小米粥0324小米粥0324

    The ethnic village is relatively close to the Haigeng Dam, and there weren't many tourists. The experience was decent. It houses about 25 ethnic groups, and I heard that the five ethnic groups at the entrance put on dance performances and other activities in the evenings.

Best things to do in Yunnan (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Yunnan? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Yunnan offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Yunnan

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Yunnan experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Yulong Snow Mountain

• Yulong.Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown

• : Take a cable car for panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains,Cableway to 14780 ft glacier park

Stone Forest Scenic Area

• Shilin | >100 km from downtown

• : See the bizarre karst peaks,Ashima rock: unique & captivating

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

• Mengla.Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden.Chinese Academy of Scienc | >100 km from downtown

• : Electric vehicles connect the east and west areas,Firefly tours & night views

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Yunnan

If you want to explore attractions just outside Yunnan, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Yunnan, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Yunnan special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Yunnan

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Yunnan

Ready to explore the best of Yunnan? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Yunnan?
These are all Best Things to Do in Yunnan:Yulong Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Scenic Area, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Manting Imperial Garden, Dianchi Lake
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Yunnan?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Yunnan include:Yulong Snow Mountain:4.5, Stone Forest Scenic Area:4.7, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden:4.7, Manting Imperial Garden:4.5, Dianchi Lake:4.7
At what locations in Yunnan can Best Things to Do in Yunnan be found?
The Best Things to Do in Yunnan are mainly located in:Yulong Snow Mountain:Yulong, Stone Forest Scenic Area:Shilin, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden:Mengla, Manting Imperial Garden:Jinghong, Dianchi Lake:Kunming
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