Yunnan Stone Forest & Terrace Tour

● Kunming – Downtown Lake Park – Suburban Forest Park

● 4+ Stars Hotel

● None

Welcome to Yunnan!

● Morning/Afternoon: Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and rest. Later, explore Cuihu park in downtown Kunming, where seasonal blooms and migratory birds (e.g., black-headed gulls from November to March) create a serene urban oasis. Stroll along winding pathways, admire traditional pavilions, and interact with local residents enjoying tai chi or folk music.

● Evening: Visit a forested mountain park on the city’s outskirts, known for its lush trails and panoramic views of the plateau. Hike to a historic overlook or ancient temple nestled in the greenery, where mist often lingers over the valleys below.

Travel Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes for park trails; carry a light jacket (15–20°C in spring).

● Kunming → Stone Forest Area (Private Car, 2hrs) – Karst Landscape Exploration

● 4+ Stars Hotel

● Breakfast

Morning:

● Depart Kunming for the UNESCO-listed karst wonderland, a vast expanse of limestone peaks shaped by millions of years of erosion. Take a scenic tram through the "Boulder Forest," marveling at spires, caves, and natural arches that form a labyrinthine landscape.

Afternoon:

● Explore the iconic stone formations resembling mythical figures or natural sculptures, including the legendary "Ashima Rock," a symbol of local ethnic folklore. Learn about the geological history and indigenous Sani people’s culture through guided walks or interactive exhibits.

Evening:

● Dine on local specialties like stone-pot chicken or wild mushroom hotpot at a restaurant overlooking the stone forest.

Recommended Activity: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the karst peaks; visit the cultural village to watch Sani folk dances.

Travel Tip: Book tram tickets in advance to avoid queues; bring sunscreen for exposed trails.

● Stone Forest → Jianshui (Private Car, 3.5hrs) – Historic Town & Traditional Architecture

● Heritage Courtyard Inn

● Breakfast

Morning:

● Journey to Jianshui, a 1,200-year-old city renowned for its Ming-Qing dynasty architecture and Confucian heritage. Wander through the cobblestone streets of the old town, admiring preserved city gates, ancestral halls, and traditional courtyard homes.

Afternoon:

● Visit a classical garden blending Jiangnan elegance with Yunnanese craftsmanship, featuring rockeries, ponds, and intricately carved pavilions. Explore a Confucian temple complex, one of China’s largest, with ancient cypress trees and stone steles honoring scholars.

Evening:

● Relax at a riverside teahouse, sipping Pu’er tea while listening to traditional pipa music. Sample Jianshui’s signature dish, steam-pot chicken, cooked in a clay pot atop boiling water for tender, flavorful results.

Travel Tip: Rent a bicycle to explore the old town at your own pace; visit the Twin Dragon Bridge at sunset for golden reflections.

● Jianshui → Yuanyang Rice Terrace Area (Private Car, 4hrs) – Hani Cultural Immersion

● Local Ethnic Resort

● Breakfast

Morning:

● Drive through misty mountain roads to Yuanyang, a UNESCO site where terraced rice fields cascade like "earth’s fingerprints" across the slopes. Stop at overlooks to photograph the terraces glowing in morning light, often shrouded in ethereal fog.

Afternoon:

● Trek through Hani ethnic villages, where traditional thatched-roof homes (mushroom houses) cling to the hillsides. Visit a craft workshop to learn about Hani embroidery, bamboo weaving, or indigo dyeing. Interact with locals in a village market, sampling snacks like sour soup fish or sticky rice cakes.

Evening:

● Dine at a resort with panoramic terrace views, savoring Hani cuisine under starry skies.

Recommended Activity: Join a guided hike at dawn to Multicolored Terrace, where sunlight paints the water in hues of gold and pink.

Travel Tip: Wear layered clothing for temperature changes (10–18°C); carry a rain poncho for spring showers.