5 Days Kunming Luoping Spring Tour: Rapeseed Flowers & Photography Experience

Welcome to Kunming, the Capital City of Yunnan Province! Upon arrival in Kunming, your guide will meet you at the airport/train station and escort you to your hotel. You can have a good rest in your hotel. You can explore on your own based on your arrival time. Feel free to seek practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Kunming is known as the "Spring City春城" due to its mild year-round climate, making it a popular destination for people from other cities to escape harsh winters or scorching summers. The pleasant climate also results in flowers blooming throughout the year, earning Kunming the nickname "Flower City花都". Kunming is the hometown of Zheng He (郑和1371-1433), the famous Ming Dynasty navigator who led seven voyages from 1405 to 1433, visiting numerous countries in Asia and Africa. Whether you're looking for a relaxing escape, cultural immersion, or a chance to explore breathtaking natural wonders and indulge in delicious Yunnan cuisine, Kunming has something to offer everyone.

Free Time Ideas:
1.Half-day Classic Kunming City Tour with Yuantong Temple (over1,200 years old, the oldest Guanyin Temple in China), Green Lake Park (once a marshy bay of Dianchi Lake, local life), Kunming Old Street (Yunnan Rice Noodle, the former residence of Nie Er), Yunnan Impression (one of the representative's works by renowned local dance artist Yang Liping).
2.Explore Yunnan's Diverse Minority Cultures at Yunnan Ethnic Village, Yunnan Museum of Minority (closed on Mondays), and enjoy the scenic views at Haigeng Park near Dianchi Lake (Meet Black-Headed Gulls from Siberia in winter).
3.Enjoy a Kunming City Walk from Eastern and Western Pagodas (Landmarks in Kunming) to Jinma and Biji Archways (Symbols of Old Kunming), Kunming Flying Tigers Museum (Kunming Museum, Learn about a significant chapter in World War II), and Jingxing Flower and Bird Market (A calling card of the local life in Kunming).
4.Unveil the Amazing Yunnan Food by visiting Daguan Zhuanxin Farmers' Market (all kinds of delicious flowers, mushrooms, ferns, insects, Ham, Rushan cheese, local snacks) and try Yunnan cuisine while strolling around Nanqiang Pedestrian Street (since the Qing Dynasty) and Nanping Pedestrian Street (a historic old street).

Arrival Ideas:
Kunming serves as the gateway city to start a Yunnan Tour. It is a convenient base for exploring nearby top destinations, such as Dali Ancient Town, Dongchuan Red Land, Jiangshui Ancient Town (Zhujia Garden), Yuanyang Rice Terraces (Honghe Hani Rice Terraces), Xishuanbanna, and more. You can choose to reach Kunming by Flight or By Bullet Train.
By Air: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) offers many direct international flights to destinations such as Laos (Vientiane), Thailand (Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Phuket), Vietnam (Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh), Cambodia (Siem Reap), Nepal (Kathmandu), India (Kolkata), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Japan (Tokyo), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore. There are many direct flights between Kunming and China’s Top Tourist Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and more. From Kunming, you can easily take a flight to top destinations in Yunnan, such as Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-la, & Xishuanbanna.
By Train: Kunming is served by Kunming Railway Station and South Railway Station. There are many high-speed trains connecting Kunming to other cities in Yunnan, such as Dali (2.5hrs), Lijiang (4hrs), Xishuanbanna (3.5hrs), as well as other cities in China, including Guiyang (2hrs), Chongqing (4hrs), Chengdu (5.5hrs), Guangzhou (7hrs), Hong Kong (7.5hrs), Beijing(11hrs), Shanghai(11hrs), etc. Additionally, there is a Kunming to Vientiane train (China-Laos Railway) that takes approximately 10 hours.

This morning, you will enjoy half day tour to West Hill (Dragon Gate, Taoist Grottoes). West Hill (Xishan西山), located by the shores of Dianchi Lake, is known as the West Hill because it is situated in the western suburbs of Kunming. In ancient times, West Hill held the reputation of being The Best Scenic Spot in Yunnan. From the mountaintop, one can overlook the panoramic view of Dianchi Lake, making it an excellent destination for leisurely hikes and enjoying the natural scenery. The Dragon Gate Grottoes on the mountain are the largest and most exquisite Taoist grottoes in Yunnan. It is said that they were completed by over 70 stonemasons after 22 years of work. It is said, "Without visiting the West Hill, one has not fully experienced Kunming; without ascending Dragon Gate, one has not truly explored the West Hill". Additionally, nestled between Taihua Temple and Dragon Gate, there is a gently sloping, sparsely wooded area where Nie Er's tomb is located, serving as a place of reverence and remembrance for the musician Nie Er. Nowadays, on the third day of the third lunar month, people gather at West Hill to go on outings, enjoy the spring scenery, sing mountain songs, and perform traditional dances to celebrate a festive occasion called "San Yue San, Shua Xishan"(三月三, 耍西山).

Notes: A half-day tour to the West Hill usually includes a shuttle sightseeing bus (round trip), a one-way cable car ride, and another one-way electric car ride inside the West Hill Scenic Area.

After that, you will head back to Kunming for Yuantong Temple. Located in the city center, Yuantong Temple combines tranquility amidst the bustling surroundings, offering a unique water courtyard temple. The temple has a history of over 1,200 years and is the oldest Guanyin Temple in China. Particularly noteworthy is its "Downhill Temple" design, where instead of ascending steps after entering the mountain gate, one descends gradually, creating a rare architectural feature among temples in China. Yuantong Temple is the only sacred place in the country that simultaneously accommodates the Han, Southern, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. At the rear of the temple, there is a typical Southeast Asian Buddhist architectural structure called the Bronze Buddha Hall (铜佛殿), which was built in 1985 specifically to house a bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha presented by the Buddhist Association of the Kingdom of Thailand. It has gained a high reputation in the Southeast Asian area and attracts many pilgrims and locals to visit every year.

Then, you can hike in Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park翠湖) which is 700m away from Yuantong Temple. Cuihu Park was once a marshy bay of Dianchi Lake, which later became a city lake during the Ming Dynasty. It earned its name from its "emerald waters on all sides, bamboo green in all seasons, willow green in spring and summer," and is renowned as the "green gem" and "jade within the city" of Kunming. Two embankments divide the lake into four parts. The north and south embankments, known as Ruandi (阮堤), were constructed during the reign of Emperor Daoguang by Governor Ruan Yuan, inspired by the Su Causeway in West Lake. The east and west embankments, called Tangdi, were built during the Republican era. Besides historical buildings and former residences of famous people, there is a sculpture of Nie Er (聂耳; 1912-1935), one of the pioneers of modern Chinese music, who composed China's national anthem, "The March of the Volunteers". Today, Cuihu has become a place where locals take walks, feed fish, observe Black-headed Gulls migrating from Siberia during winter, enjoy lotus flowers, watch flower lanterns, dance, and savor life.

Head back to your hotel and have a good rest at your hotel.

Free Time Ideas:

1. Kunming Old Street(1km from Cuihu Park), with a history of over 900 years, is the only remaining old street in Kunming that retains its ancient charm. Stroll on stone-paved roads, you can taste authentic Yunnan Rice Noodles (Yunnan Cross-bridge Rice Noodle云南过桥米线), explore fascinating Yunnan antiques & traditional medicine shops, visit the former residence of Nie Er (聂耳故居), and more old buildings.
2. Yunnan Impression(云南印象) is a performance (one of the representative's works by Yang Liping杨丽萍, a renowned local dance artist from Yunnan) held at 8:00 p.m. It draws inspiration from the ethnic dance elements of various ethnic groups in Yunnan, such as Yi, Wa, Tibetan, Hani, Dai, Bulang, and Jinuo. It incorporates modern dance elements, showcasing the rich ethnic charm of Yunnan.

This morning, drive 80km (1.5 hours) to the Stone Forest (a World Heritage Site of South China Karst) for a Kunming Excursion. Afterwards, return to downtown for a Classic Kunming City Tour, including visits to Yuantong Temple (a Zen Buddhist temple), Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park), and more, based on your available time and interests.

In the morning, visit the Stone Forest (a World Heritage Site of South China Karst), a must-see natural wonder that was once submerged under an ancient sea. The Kunming Stone Forest (Shilin) is a national geological park famous for its unique stone forest scenery, which represents the magnificent transformations of the natural world over 270 million years (marine sedimentation → crustal uplift → volcanic lava coverage → erosion and leveling → formation of the Stone Forest). Within the Stone Forest, you can closely observe the traces left by the passage of time and gain an understanding of its distinctive karst landforms, rich geological history, and the accompanying Yi ethnic culture. A sightseeing bus will take you to explore the Big Stone Forest and Small Stone Forest. In addition to the touching legend of Ashima (阿诗玛a symbol of Yi ethnic culture), the Stone Forest also served as a filming location for "Journey to the West" (1986 TV series西游记), where Sun Wukong (Monkey King) was depicted as being trapped under Wuxing Mountain (五行山). Use your imagination to discover the magical shapes of the stone forests.

After your tour, you will be transferred to Luoping County, a journey of about 2 hours. Luoping County, located approximately 240 kilometers east of Kunming in Yunnan Province,is famed for its breathtaking seas of rapeseed flowers, also known as canola flowers. These vibrant yellow blooms blanket the landscape during the blooming season, which typically lasts from late February to early April.

Upon arrival in Luoping County, your first stop will be Luosi Fields (螺丝田, Luositian). Nicknamed "Screw Fields" due to their terraced, ring-like appearance, Luosi Fields offer a unique perspective on the flowers. These fields are smaller in scale than Jinji Peak but no less captivating. The terraced layout, when seen from above, creates a mesmerizing spiral pattern. Luosi Fields are perfect for photographers who want to capture a more intimate and intricate view of the flowers.

After the tour, drive to Luoping County for accommodation.

In this morning, get up early for a magical sunrise experience at Jinji Peak (金鸡岭, Golden Rooster Peak). Witness a seemingly endless sea of golden canola flowers unfold before you, with unique rock formations adding a touch of whimsy. Photographers can head to Lingyi Temple for an even more expansive view.

Later, journey to the majestic Nine Dragon Waterfalls (九龙瀑布), boasting 10 cascading tiers nestled amidst verdant hills. Ascend the hill via cable car for a bird's-eye view of the waterfalls and surrounding golden blooms. Descend and marvel at the most spectacular cascade, the 56-meter-high and 112-meter-wide Shenlong Waterfall. Explore the upper valley to discover the other cascades at your own pace.

After that, Immerse yourself in the rich Buyi culture at the Duoyi River Scenic Area (多依河景区). Navigate the 12-kilometer river adorned with nearly 40 waterfalls, ancient trees, and traditional Buyi villages. Take a relaxing bamboo raft ride to fully absorb the mesmerizing scenery. If you visit during the Buyi Water-Sprinkling Festival (Double Third Day), you'll experience a vibrant celebration of their traditions.

As you return to Luoping County, witness the captivating Hundreds of Thousands of Mountains (十万大山观景台) at dusk. Towering peaks, pointed cones, and rounded mounds dot the vast farmland, creating a mesmerizing scene.

After a fulfilling day of exploration, unwind and rest comfortably at your hotel in Luoping.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Luoping, the land of golden rapeseed flowers, and transfer to Kunming Airport or train station for your departing flight/train.

Extension Ideas:
1.If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of Yunnan, such as Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Jianshui, Dongchuan Red Land, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Xishuangbanna, and more, we can help you with the arrangements.
2.If you plan to continue your exploration to other cities in China, such as Chengdu, Lhasa, Xian, Beijing, and Shanghai, or even take a train from Kunming to Vientiane to start your Laos Tour, please feel free to let us know. We can customize your itinerary and assist you with travel arrangements.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Yunnan tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!