Kunming Surrounding Counties and Towns: Weekly & Special Local Markets Travel Guide

Yunnan’s markets, known locally as “赶集” (gǎnjí), are more than shopping places — they are living windows into the region’s culture. In Kunming, every day of the week brings a new market, from the vast Dounan Flower Market on Wednesdays to the lively Jinma Temple Fair on Thursdays. Beyond the city, rotating county markets like Luquan’s livestock fairs or Songming’s village gatherings reveal the rhythms of rural life. Some follow the lunar calendar, appearing only on special dates, while others focus on tea, flowers, or livestock. For travelers, exploring these markets means tasting local flavors, meeting ethnic minority traders, and stepping into the everyday heartbeat of Yunnan.

“From Yangjiadi (杨家地) in Kunming to Jiejie (鸡街) in Luquan (禄劝), the vibrant spirit of Yunnan is hidden in the weekly rotating market map. Monday at Helen International (海伦国际), Tuesday at ASEAN Forest (东盟森林), Wednesday at Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市), Thursday at Jinma Temple (金马寺)… This guide unlocks the authentic local markets of Yunnan — where everyday life, culture, and flavors come alive.”

Why Visit the Markets in Yunnan?

Markets (known as “赶集” gǎnjí in Chinese) are at the heart of Yunnan’s social and economic life. Unlike modern shopping malls, these weekly and date-specific markets rotate between towns and villages, bringing together farmers, merchants, and families. Here you will find:

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers directly from farms.

Local snacks and street food unique to each area.

Ethnic minority crafts, clothing, and household items.

A vibrant atmosphere full of bargaining, chatting, and cultural exchange.

Exploring markets is one of the best ways to experience authentic Yunnan daily life.

Weekly Market Schedule in Kunming

Here’s a day-by-day overview of where to find markets in and around Kunming:

Monday Markets

Yangjiadi (杨家地) – A lively community market popular with locals for fresh produce.

Wujiaba (巫家坝) – Traditionally an old airport district, now a busy residential market area.

Dabanqiao (大板桥) – A town market near the airport, good for agricultural products.

Helen International (海伦国际) – A more modern-style marketplace with a mix of food and small goods.

Xiaoxince (小新册) & Anhualu (安化) – Neighborhood markets for daily essentials.

Yunshan Village (云山村) – A village-style market with strong rural atmosphere.

Tuesday Markets

Different Happiness City (别样幸福城) – Community-oriented market with food stalls.

ASEAN Forest (东盟森林) – A newer commercial area that blends market and park.

Jintai International (金泰国际) & Shidai Junyuan (时代浚园) – Residential market streets.

Cheng Huangtupo (呈黄土坡) – Traditional farmer’s market.

Paomashan (跑马山) – Known for its hilly surroundings, featuring mountain produce.

Changshui New Village (长水新村) – Close to the airport, offering quick-stop shopping.

Plus smaller ones: Xiaotun (小屯), Puzi Village (普自村), Anliu Bridge (安流桥), Yangqiao (杨桥), Haikou No.200 (海口200号), Liujia (六甲).

Wednesday Markets

Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市) – The largest flower market in Asia, a must-visit for travelers.

Baishuitang (白水塘) – Known for vegetables and fruits.

Luozhang Village (罗丈村) – Traditional village market.

Xiaoba Yongan International (小坝永安国际) – Urban market with modern touches.

Kunshuan Park (昆船公园) & Xiangzi Park (箱子公园) – Community markets combined with leisure areas.

Changhong West Road (昌宏西路) – Street market known for food vendors.

Thursday Markets

Jinma Temple (金马寺) – Famous for its temple fair atmosphere and snacks.

Haiyuan Temple (海源寺) – Temple area with incense, food, and crafts.

Fubao Eco Park (福保生态园) – Farmers bring organic vegetables and specialty foods.

Luosiwan Jinyuan Garden (螺蛳湾锦苑花园) – Close to Kunming’s wholesale market hub.

Plus others: Dabanqiao (大板桥), Helen International (海伦国际), Golden Symphony (金色交响), Guannan Avenue (官南大道), Yunshan Village (云山村), Dachong (大冲), Luolong Park (洛龙公园).

Friday Markets

Smaller residential and community markets, good for local snacks:
Shuanglong (双龙), North Park East Third Ring (东三环北苑), Xiaomaixi (小麦溪), Danjin Garden (丹瑾园), Youlong (优龙), Xiaoxin Village (小新村), Changshui Hangcheng (长水航城), Dianchi Mingmen (滇池名门), Xiaotun (小屯).

Saturday Markets

Guanjie (关街) – Large and lively weekend market.

Anning Donghu (安宁东湖) – Scenic lakeside market combining leisure with shopping.

Qicai Tea City (七彩茶城) – Specialty market for Yunnan tea.

Qixingshan (七星山) – Famous for local mountain products.

New Guanjie (新关街, Dashanghui 大商汇) – Wholesale area with wide variety.

Plus others: Huafu Peninsula (华府半岛), Dongchongding (东冲顶), Huilong Village (回龙村), Yucun (渔村), Yunda West Road (云大西路), Gaoqiao (高桥), Changshui Hangcheng (长水航城), Aziying (阿子营), Chejiabi (车家壁), Haikou No.300 (海口300号).

Sunday Markets

Majie (马街) – Traditional rural Sunday market.

Dayu Village (大渔村) – Famous for fish, vegetables, and rural products.

Guolin Jingu (果林金谷) – Fresh fruits and seasonal goods.

Plus others: Xiaobanquan (小板桥), Zhonghe Kangyuan (众和康园), Jiguang (季官), Dachong (大冲), Shangjiaying (尚家营), Yilu Village (义路村).

Special Date Markets (农历日集)

Certain markets are held only on specific dates, following traditional Chinese market cycles:

1st & 5th days: Lianran Street (连然街)

1st & 6th days: Yiliu Street (一六街)

2nd & 6th days: County Street (县街), Erjie (二街)

3rd & 7th days: Mingyi River (鸣矣河)

4th & 8th days: Bajie (八街)

5th & 9th days: Lubiao (禄裱)

Travel tip: These markets are usually larger and more festive, with ethnic minority traders.

Market Days in Surrounding Counties

Songming County (嵩明县)

Known for its rotating markets and rural traditions.

Hundred-Day Market: Xiaojie (小街)

Odd-Day Market: Longyuan (龙院)

Weekly:

• Monday: Tu Street (兔街)

• Tuesday: Yangqiao (杨桥), Qinglong (青龙), Mouse Street (鼠街)

• Thursday: Xiaoxin Street (小新街), Muyang (牧羊)

• Friday: Songyang (嵩阳)

• Saturday: Siying (四营), Aziying (阿子营)

• Sunday: Yanglin (杨林), Shangjiezi (上街子)

Luquan County (禄劝县)

Markets are tied to mountain villages and livestock trading.

Monday: Maoshan (茂山), Tanglang (汤郎), Dasonshu (大松树)

Tuesday: Samanzhou (撒满洲), Zehei (则黑), Yunlong (云龙), Yunlong Livestock Market (云龙牲畜市场), Cuihua (翠华)

Wednesday: Fangjian (方建), Jiduo (基多), Guicheng (贵城), Chongde (崇德), Malutang (马鹿塘)

Friday: Wumeng (乌蒙), Tiesuo Bridge (铁索桥), Tuanjie (团结), Jiulong Tuanjie (九龙团结)

Saturday: Shanluo (杉罗), Xunmagou (荨麻篝), Maoshan Livestock Market (茂山牲畜市场), Zhongping (中屏), Lishan (丽山), Zhaogui (招桂)

Sunday: Xueshan (雪山), Zhaowu (兆乌), Zhuanlong (转龙), Pingshan Town (屏山镇), Jiaoxi (交西)

Special “Chicken/Rabbit Days”: Jiejie (鸡街) livestock market.

Fumin County (富民县)

Market details currently not available.

Dongchuan District (东川区)

A major livestock and agricultural trading hub.

Hundred-Day Markets: Xincun Meat & Livestock Market, Vegetable Market, Shaba Market, Erjie (二街), Juancaogou (卷草沟), Dapingdi (大平地), Caiyuanzi (菜园子), Yinmin (因民), Luoxue Mine (落雪矿), Lanniping (烂泥坪).

Other rotating schedules:

• Mon/Fri: Jiangxi Street (江西街), Wulong (乌龙)

• Tue/Fri: Guhai (姑海)

• Tue/Sat: Boka (播卡)

• Thu/Sun: Buka (布卡)

• Fri: Dazhai (大寨)

• Sun: Xincun Grain & Oil Market, Timber & Livestock Market, Shanmu (杉木), Awang (阿旺), Daduo (达朵), Niuchangping (牛场坪), Xintang (新塘)

Jinning County (晋宁县)

Markets connected to Kunyang Phosphate Mine and local villages.

Hundred-Day Markets: Kunyang Phosphate Mine, Kunyang Fertilizer Plant, Anjiang (安江), Zhongyi Village (中谊村), Hebosuo (河泊所)

Even-Day Markets: Dajie (大街), Jincheng (晋城), Jincheng Livestock Market

Weekly:

• Friday: Tuanjie Township (团结乡)

• Saturday: Wumeng Township (乌蒙乡)

Special Dates:

• 1/6: Liujie (六街), Baofeng (宝峰)

• 1/7: Shijiangjun (石将军)

• 2/6: Erjie (二街)

• 3/8: Duanqi (段七)

• 4/9: Xinjie (新街)

• 5/9: Livestock Market, Kunyang (昆阳)

• 5/10: Huale (化乐), Shuanghe (双河)

Final Thoughts

Yunnan’s markets are not just about shopping — they are about experiencing the daily rhythm of local life. Whether you are exploring the flower wonders of Dounan Market, the bustling temple markets in Kunming, or the rural livestock markets of Luquan and Dongchuan, every stop offers a window into the diverse cultures of this land.

👉 Visiting these markets is a must-do cultural experience for travelers who want to see more than just tourist attractions.