Kunming Luoping 6-Day Self-Drive Tour

This 6-day self-drive tour connects Kunming and Luoping’s highlights: Start with Kunming’s historic streets, then feed Siberian seagulls at Dianchi Lake and explore Yunnan Ethnic Village. On Day 3, marvel at the Stone Forest’s karst landscapes before driving to Luoping. Day 4 immerses you in Luositian’s spiral rapeseed fields and Jinji Peaks’ sunset views. Day 5 features the multi-tiered Jiulong Waterfalls and a Bouyei bamboo rafting experience on Duoyi River. The journey concludes in Kunming, with a stop at Asia’s largest flower market. Ideal for nature lovers, this trip combines geological wonders, pastoral scenery, and ethnic culture, with 4-star accommodations and seasonal highlights like spring blooms and winter seagull-watching.

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  • Tour Code: ST-KL-06
  • Time: 6 days
  • Cities: Kunming - Luoping
  • Accommodation: 5 nights (4+star hotel)

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Kunming Arrival

  • Arrive in Kunming and transfer to the hotel - free activity
  • 4+stars Hotel

 

After arriving at Kunming Changshui International Airport, your guide will pick you up and transfer you to a 4-star hotel in the city.

Recommended Activity: After a short rest, you can explore the old town of Kunming on foot. Starting from the hotel, you can see Jinma and Biji Archways along the way—these two Ming Dynasty archways are symbols of old Kunming. When the lights come on at night, it’s a great place for night photography.

Continue to Kunming Old Street, where traditional buildings like the Ma Family Courtyard and Fulin Hall stand along the stone-paved road. Try a hot bowl of Douhua Rice Noodles at Liuhuan Snack Shop for an authentic taste of Kunming.

Day 2: Kunming

  • Dianchi Lake - Yunnan Ethnic Village
  • 4+ star hotels
  • Breakfast/Lunch

 

Early in the morning, depart from downtown Kunming and head to Dianchi Lake. Dianchi is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, and Haigeng Park on the western shore is one of the best spots to view the lake. During winter (from November to March), thousands of Siberian black-headed gulls stay here. Visitors can buy bird feed to feed the gulls and watch them flying over the water, or ride bikes along the lakeside path to enjoy the atmosphere of Kunming, known as the "Spring City."

If time allows, you can take a cable car to the top of Xishan Forest Park. The mountain is called “Sleeping Beauty” because of its shape. From the top, you can get a full view of Dianchi Lake.

After coming down the mountain, visit Yunnan Ethnic Village, which displays villages of 25 ethnic groups. Highlights include Bai-style courtyards, Dai bamboo houses, and the Naxi Dongba Culture Hall. Recommended focus: Yi and Wa villages and enjoy ethnic music and dance.

Day 2: Kunming Day 2: Kunming Day 2: Kunming

Day 3: Kunming - Luoping

  • Stone Forest – Luoping
  • 4+ star hotels
  • Breakfast/Lunch

 

Depart in the early morning for the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Start with the Major Stone Forest section. Key sites include “Sword Peak Pond,” where the stone peaks reflect in the water like swords, and the “Stone Forest Scenic Wall” with calligraphy by Long Yun (a popular photo spot).

Then continue to the Minor Stone Forest to find the “Ashima” stone peak, which is linked to the origin of the Sani ethnic legend. The guide will also explain how this place was used as a filming location for the story of “Monkey King trapped under the Five Elements Mountain.”

In the afternoon, drive about 3 hours via the Shantou-Kunming Expressway to Luoping County. During rapeseed flower season (late February to early April), golden flower fields can be seen along the way, spreading out like a giant carpet to the horizon.

Day 3: Kunming - Luoping Day 3: Kunming - Luoping Day 3: Kunming - Luoping

Day 4: Luoping

  • Luositian Rapeseed Fields - Jinji Peaks
  • 4+ star hotels
  • Breakfast/Lunch
 
In the morning, visit Luositian (Screw Fields). These round terraces are named for their spiral shape. From the viewing platform, you can see curved ridges, yellow and green rapeseed flowers, and brown soil forming a natural picture—very suitable for taking photos with strong light and shadow contrast.

In the afternoon, head to Jinji Peaks, the most iconic rapeseed field area in Luoping. Thousands of cone-shaped hills are scattered among the flower fields. You can rent a bicycle to ride through the fields or climb to the viewing platform at Lingyan Temple to take sunset photos, where the peaks and flower fields look beautiful in the evening light.

Day 4: Luoping Day 4: Luoping Day 4: Luoping

Day 5: Luoping

  • Jiulong Waterfalls – Duoyi River
  • 4+ star hotels
  • Breakfast/Lunch

 

After breakfast, go to Jiulong (Nine Dragons) Waterfall Scenic Area. There are 10 waterfalls in layers. The main “Shenlong Waterfall” is 56 meters high and 112 meters wide. On misty days, you may see rainbows.

Take the cable car to the top and walk down the wooden path, visiting places like “Lovers' Waterfall” and “Double Dragons Playing with Pearl.”

In the afternoon, drive to Duoyi River Scenic Area. Take a bamboo raft along a 12-km river section. On both sides are Bouyei villages built by the water, with old trees and over 40 waterfalls hanging like silver chains.

If visiting during the third day of the third lunar month, you can join the Bouyei Water Splashing Festival.

Return to Luoping in the evening. Recommended local dish: “Sour Bamboo Fish,” made by stewing river fish with bamboo shoots. The taste is sour, spicy, and fresh.

Day 5: Luoping Day 5: Luoping Day 5: Luoping

Day 6: Luoping - Kunming

  • Kunming Departure
  • Breakfast

 

After breakfast, drive back to Kunming

Back in Kunming, if time allows, visit Dounan Flower Market, the largest fresh flower market in Asia. Roses, lilies, and carnations are sold by weight—you can buy fresh flowers as gifts.

Then transfer to Kunming Changshui International Airport to end your trip.

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