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
    154.6
    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 3684 users󱨠8309 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    跨出那一步跨出那一步

    I wanted to buy tickets for the glacier cable car, but it was sold out on the official website, so I had to buy a package deal on Ctrip. It wasn't too bad, though I was a little disappointed not to see the sunrise over the snow-capped peaks. They picked up three groups of people and took us to a place to buy oxygen. They tried to convince us as soon as we got on the bus that it was useless, and the kids got anxious, so we had to buy it and carry it back by hand. The Impression Lijiang tour was also a rip-off; it was outdoors, and we were practically dried out by the sun. We also rushed through Blue Moon Valley to make the most of the time. The snow-capped mountains are worth climbing, and Blue Moon Valley is definitely worth visiting—it's breathtaking!

  • Stone Forest Scenic Areatop_2
    󰺂8.8
    Shilin>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoStone Forest, where fall colors and red leaves create a picturesque scene | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱨜See the bizarre karst peaks
    󰀆Ashima rock: unique & captivating
    󱨠Saved by 1595 users󱨠8049 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    It's worth visiting, very good. There are fewer people this season. There are no refreshment points inside the scenic area, only automatic water vending machines at the entrance; there are none in other areas. I suggest adding more refreshment points. Abandoned facilities should be removed promptly, such as abandoned emergency telephones. Also, the scenic area's signage system is inadequate, the stones are far apart, and lack interest. The Stone Forest's charm relies on imagination; if the stones in front of visitors were displayed with more visually appealing signs, visitors would linger longer.

  • Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardentop_3
    󰺂8.7
    206.14
    Mengla.Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden.Chinese Academy of Scienc>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoA Silk Floss Tree Feast Begins at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    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 463 users󱨠11595 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M30***90M30***90

    The pick-up and drop-off service at the Water Splashing Square was very convenient; the tour guide was very experienced, provided excellent explanations throughout, clearly explained important points, managed the time well, and even helped take photos 📸, which was very nice; the off-season made the crowds feel just right.

  • Manting Imperial Garden
    4
    󰺂8.7
    373.1
    Jinghong.Manting Park/Ethnic Cultural Park>100 km from downtown
    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 340 users󱨠10322 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    圆圆不做白日梦圆圆不做白日梦

    Great for taking photos, a must-visit in Xishuangbanna! Enter from Manting Temple and exit from Zongfo Temple. Experience Southeast Asian charm. The whole tour takes about two and a half hours. Worth a visit. Highly recommended!

  • Dianchi Lake
    5
    󰺂8.5
    Kunming>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoTake Photos at the Beautiful and Uncrowded Sea of Pink Muhly Grass at Kunming Pool for Free | Oct 2025-Nov 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 1161 users󱨠4494 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
    206.14
    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 502 users󱨠8938 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Dongfengyun is named after Dongfeng Farm. There's a historical exhibition inside that's worth visiting. It would be very beautiful during the flower season, but by early November there aren't many flowers left. Honestly, the 80 yuan entrance fee isn't really worth it.

  • Wild Elephant Valley
    7
    󰺂8.4
    149.45
    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 280 users󱨠6161 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Many people say that Wild Elephant Valley isn't worth visiting, so we didn't have high expectations. However, we still found it quite fun. We visited the elephant academy, fed the elephants, and walked along the boardwalk. Of course, we went at the wrong month, so we didn't see any wild elephants, but it's still worth the experience.

  • Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge
    8
    󰺂8.4
    115.95
    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
    trip best small logoFeatured in Fall Viewing Attractions
    Highlights:
    World-class hiking & iconic rock
    󰋄World-class hiking: mountains & rapids
    󱨠Saved by 1248 users󱨠3251 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
    334.97
    Dali.Cangshan Scenic Area>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDali's colorful fall scenery | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    10 temples & 20 natural attractions
    󰋄Unique geological landscapes displayed
    󱨠Saved by 794 users󱨠3951 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    小乖的苟子小乖的苟子

    The view from the mountaintop was decent, but the staff at the Zhonghe cable car station were incredibly rude. We came here to have fun, not to owe them money. Who are they trying to fool with their attitude? I suggest they make improvements.

  • Yunnan Nationalities Village
    10
    󰺂8.3
    244.79
    Kunming.Dianchi Lake Scenic Area/ Sunac World>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoKunming Marathon Special Offer: Free Admission to Multiple Attractions | Oct 1, 2025-Dec 31, 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 846 users󱨠6213 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Hiring a guide for 200 yuan is definitely worth it. The guide will take you on a walk around and will take you to three intangible cultural heritage sites, such as silver jewelry sales, medicinal incense, and tea. You can buy things or not.

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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