Read southern Yunnan through Jianshui
Zhu Family Garden, Chaoyang Tower, the old well and Double Dragon Bridge connect Jianshui's courtyards and lanes through local architectural details.
Flavours of Southeast Yunnan | Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Mengzi, Mile and Puzhehei in 8 Days
Price on request
Overview
This 8-day, 7-night route covers Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Mile and Puzhehei. From Kunming, travel to Jianshui Old Town and Yuanyang's terraces, via Bisezhai in Mengzi to Dongfengyun in Mile, then extends to Puzhehei's lakes, hills and villages. It suits cultural-landscape and photography enthusiasts comfortable with intercity drives and early starts; sunrise, terrace colours and reflections vary with weather and farming activity.
Highlights
Yuanyang terraces in changing light
The Bada, Duoyishu and Aichun Blue Terraces are visited over two days, giving you different viewpoints and times of day. Sunrise, colours and reflections depend on the weather and the farming season.
An extension into Puzhehei's lake country
Swan Lake, Qinglong Mountain and the Qingqiu area add lakes, peaks and villages, with rail travel linking Kunming and Puzhehei.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Kunming | Pickup and Free Time
Travel independently to Kunming Changshui Airport, then transfer to your hotel for check-in and free time. All three meals are at your own expense today. Staff will contact you in advance to confirm arrival time and the meeting point.
Day 2Fuxian Lake, Zhu Family Garden, Chaoyang Tower and Jianshui Old Town
After breakfast, visit Fuxian Lake Wetland Park. Continue to Jianshui for about one hour at Zhu Family Garden and about 60 minutes at Chaoyang Tower, including the tower climb, then stroll through Jianshui Old Town. Lunch is included. Dinner and your return to the hotel are at your own expense. Stay in Jianshui.
Stops: Fuxian Lake Wetland Park · Zhu Family Garden · Chaoyang Tower · Jianshui Old Town
Day 3Ximen Daban Well, Double Dragon Bridge, Qingkou and Bada Terraces
After breakfast, visit Ximen Daban Well and Double Dragon Bridge. After lunch, continue to Yuanyang for Qingkou Folk Village and its terraces, followed by Bada Terraces, with sunset viewing if weather permits. Lunch and dinner are included. Stay in Yuanyang.
Stops: Ximen Daban Well · Double Dragon Bridge · Qingkou Folk Village · Bada Terraces; sunset depends on weather
Day 4Duoyishu, Aichun Blue Terraces and Bisezhai Photo Session | Mile
After breakfast, visit Duoyishu and Aichun Blue Terraces. Travel to Mengzi, have lunch and explore Bisezhai. Its electric shuttle is included, along with a complimentary family costume photo session with 2–3 digital images, without makeup or styling. Continue to Mile for dinner and an overnight stay.
Stops: Duoyishu Terraces · Aichun Blue Terraces · Bisezhai
Day 5Fruit Market, Dongfengyun and Red-Algae Centre | Return to Kunming
After breakfast, visit the Dopamine Fruit Market; purchases are at your own expense. Explore Dongfengyun Art Town, with its electric shuttle included. After lunch, visit the Plateau Red-Algae Centre, then return to your Kunming hotel. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Dopamine Fruit Market · Dongfengyun · Plateau Red-Algae Centre
Day 6Train to Puzhehei, Swan Lake and Yunshang Water Village Route A
After breakfast, take the train from Kunming to Puzhehei. After pickup, visit Swan Lake. Lunch is at your own expense. Take the included Yunshang Water Village Route A boat, with about three hours of water and land touring. Dinner is at your own expense. Stay in a characterful Puzhehei guesthouse.
Stops: Swan Lake · Yunshang Water Village Route A
Day 7Qinglong Mountain, Qingqiu and Caihuaqing | Return to Kunming
After breakfast, climb Qinglong Mountain for about 1.5 hours for panoramic views over Puzhehei Lake. Explore Qingqiu on foot for about 120 minutes and visit the Caihuaqing filming location. Transfer to the high-speed railway station for the connection back to Kunming and an overnight stay. Confirm train tickets and Kunming pickup service before booking. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Stops: Qinglong Mountain · Qingqiu · Caihuaqing
Day 8Dounan Flower Market | Depart Kunming
After breakfast, guests on flights after 12:30 may visit Dounan Flower Market; earlier flights receive a direct airport transfer. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. No additional hotel night is included.
Stops: Dounan Flower Market; only if your flight departs after 12:30
Included and not included
Included
- Seven nights in three-diamond-rated hotels, with a characterful guesthouse in Puzhehei. Outside Kunming, triple rooms and extra beds are unavailable, so a single-room supplement applies. Some hotels have no lift or air conditioning.
- Seven breakfasts and six main meals; children without a bed do not receive breakfast. The specified breakfasts are included in Puzhehei, while lunches and dinners there are at your own expense.
- Local 7–19-seat vehicle sized to the group of 2–12 guests. A Mandarin-speaking guide accompanies groups of two or more on the Kunming–Jianshui–Yuanyang–Mile section; in Puzhehei a driver-guide is used.
- Main admission to listed sites, Bisezhai and Dongfengyun electric shuttles, and a Bisezhai family photo session with 2–3 digital images, without makeup or styling. Yunshang Water Village Route A includes the boat, and Chaoyang Tower includes the climb.
Not included
- Unlisted meals, single-room supplement, personal expenses and costs not expressly included.
Cost and booking conditions
The Red-Algae Centre visit remains on the itinerary; confirm what it involves, and whether there is a sales presentation, before booking.
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