Yunnan is where we live and where most of our trips spend their time: snow peaks and rice terraces, tea mountains and old towns, and more of China's ethnic cultures than anywhere else in the country. Our trips usually begin with China's icons and then slow down in Yunnan.
Yunnan, and the China around it
The places our trips go, from Kunming to the Tibetan plateau.
Find your Yunnan
Tap a place on the map to see what it's like and when to go. Pick a month to see what's at its best.
All months shown. June to August is Yunnan's rainy season and China's busiest travel time.
Yunnan
Kunming
The Spring City: mild weather all year, flower markets, and the gateway to the Stone Forest and the lakes.
Lijiang
A UNESCO World Heritage old town of cobbled lanes and canals, home to Naxi culture, beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Dali
A lakeside city framed by the Cangshan Mountains, with Bai villages, cycling around Erhai Lake and a relaxed cafe culture.
Shangri-La
Yunnan's doorway to Tibetan plateau culture: wide valleys, alpine grasslands and a place best taken slowly.
Lugu Lake
A clear alpine lake and the home of the Mosuo people and their traditions.
Yuanyang
The Hani rice terraces, at their most beautiful in the early morning and evening light.
Jianshui
Old bridges, temples and courtyard houses, a living museum of southern Yunnan.
Mi'le
Vineyards, hot springs and green hills, a countryside retreat close to Kunming.
Pu'er
The home of Pu'er tea: plantations, fresh brews and misty hillsides.
Xishuangbanna
Rainforest, Dai culture, wild elephants and the April water-splashing festival.
Tengchong
Volcanic landscapes, hot springs and tea on green hillsides near the western border.
Chuxiong
The heart of Yi culture, with festivals, folk art and warm village hospitality.
Dongchuan
The Red Land, where deep red soil and bright green fields make a painter's palette.
Puzhehei
Emerald lakes, lotus fields and karst peaks, like a Chinese landscape painting.
Wenshan
Gorges, waterfalls and forests for travelers who love the outdoors.
Zhaotong
Rugged alpine valleys and pastoral villages on Yunnan's less traveled northeast side.
Beyond Yunnan
Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu are the classic lead-ins: the Forbidden City and Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the giant pandas. Guilin adds karst peaks and the Li River. We also arrange extensions to Laos and northern Vietnam on request.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what draws you, whether that's tea, food, mountains, festivals or village life, and when you'd like to go. We'll suggest the places that fit.
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