Best Yunnan Winter Tour to Kunming-Dongchuan-Shilin-Jianshui-Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces

Winter is a decent time to travel Yunnan. The weather in Yunnan is good enough with bright sunshine, azure sky and less rainfall. Flowers are in full bloom, and you may feel like it is in spring not in winter. Usually, Kunming serves as the first stop of Yunnan trip due to its convenient transportation and pleasant weather. If you are a shutterbug, Dongchuan Red Land and Yuanyang Rice Terraces must be included on your list. On the way, you can pay a visit to the “First Wonder of the World” – Stone Forest and experience the profound cultural deposits of the ancient town of Jianshui. 

Highlights of Kunming Winter Tour

Kunming City

With its perpetual spring-like weather which provides the ideal climate for plants and flowers, Kunming is known as the “Spring City”. The warm sun in winter is more attractive, so it is suitable for sunbathing. Every winter, black-headed gulls from Siberia fly to Kunming and settle in Green Lake and Dianchi Lake, , forming a harmonious scene of human beings and nature. So from November to January, it’s the best time to watch thousands of black-headed gulls gathering above your head.

Besides, you can visit the highlights of Kunming city, such as  Birds and Flowers Market, Jinma Biji Archway, Nanping Street, Yuantong Temple, Western Hills, Yunnan Ethnic Villages, etc. 

Read more about Kunming City Travel Guide.

Dongchuan

Dongchuan, is a district of and the northernmost county-level division of Kunming city, which is famous for Dongchuan Red Land. Due to the warm and humid climate, the iron in the earth has been oxidized and deposit year after year. Every September to December, the bright red land with various crops, blue sky, white cloud and unpredictable light form the spectacular scenery hence the name ‘God’s Palette’. Thus it is a paradise for photographer.

Read more about Dongchuan Red Land Travel Guide.

Shilin

Shilin Yi Autonomous County is a suburban county under the jurisdiction of Kunming city. The Stone Forest is the most famous attraction of Shilin County. It contains Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Winter is the low season, but it’s more suitable to visit due to fewer tourists and enjoyable weather! If you will have a sunny day, you could take awesome pictures with light and dark effects. 

Read more about Stone Forest Travel Guide.

For more information, please read How to Plan a Kunming Tour?

Highlights of Jianshui Winter Tour

Jianshui County is a county under the administration of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, which belongs to the subtropical south of Yunnan with nice and warm climate.  So the best time to visit Jianshui is March to April and September to November, the climate is temperate at these months. Trying to avoid summer and autumn when raining and hot during the same period. 

Jianshui is famous for Jianshui old town, Shuanglong Bridge, Jianshui Confucius Temple, Zhu Family Garden, Tuanshan Village, etc. Jianshui old town is renowned as “Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses”, with ancient buildings and architectures dated back to over 1,200 years ago.

Read more about Jianshui Travel Guide.

Highlights of Yuanyang Winter Tour

Yuanyang County is one of the counties under the administration of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture. It becomes well-known for its spectacular rice terrace. Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces is marked by spectacular terraces that cascade down the slopes of the towering Ailao Mountains to the banks of the Honghe River. Part of the area in Yuanyang now owns the 45th World Heritage Site in China. It is available to visit Yuanyang all year round, but the best time to visit Yuanyang is in winter(from November to next April). In winter, there is only water in paddy field. With the change of sunray, terrace presents different beautiful scenery. Sea of cloud often appears at these months.

With a long history of more than 1300 years, the Best-known terraces include Laohuzui(Tiger Mouth) Rice Terrace, Duoyishu Rice Terrace, Bada Rice Terrace and Longshuba Rice Terrace. Every year, a crowd of photographers are attracted by the spectacular view of Yuanyang terrace like sunrise, sunset, sea of cloud. More and more people admire the charm of Yuanyang rice terrace.

Read more about Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Travel Guide.

Recommended Winter Tour to Kunming -Jianshui-Yuanyang

3 Days Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Photography Tour from Kunming
3 Days Jianshui and Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Group Tour
5 Days Kunming and Dongchuan Red Land Tour
6 Days Yunnan Small Group Tour with Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
6 Days Kunming Yuanyang Jianshui Photography Tour with Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
8 Days Yunnan Photography Tour with Dongchuan Red Land and Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces

Read more about Kunming Tour Packages.
Read more about Dongchuan Red Land Tour Packages.
Read more about Shilin Tour Packages. 
Read more about Jianshui Tour Packages. 
Read more about Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tour Packages.