5 Days Chuxiong Tour to Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley and Yuanmou Earth Forest

Arrival: Upon arrival at Kunming Changshui International Airport, your guide will greet you and assist you with the transfer to your hotel.

Kunming City Tour:

Green Lake Park (翠湖): Take a relaxing walk through this iconic Kunming park, known for its clear waters, willow trees, and traditional pavilions. It’s an ideal place to stretch your legs after your flight.

Flower and Bird Market（花鸟市场）: This bustling market showcases the local love for nature, with vendors selling birds, flowers, and a variety of plants. It’s a great place to pick up local souvenirs and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Evening: Check into your hotel in Kunming. You can either rest after the long journey or explore the local nightlife. The city has plenty of options, from street food stalls to trendy cafes and restaurants.

Meals: No meals included on Day 1 (meal recommendations available)

Morning:

Depart Kunming for Lufeng (approx. 2.5-3 hours, 150 km).

Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley（禄丰恐龙谷）: Explore one of the world’s most important dinosaur fossil sites. You’ll visit the museum where the Lufeng Dinosaurus and other dinosaur species were discovered, as well as walking through an open-air fossil excavation site. The valley is filled with life-size replicas and exhibits showing the creatures that once roamed this area 100 million years ago.

Lunch: Enjoy a local meal at a restaurant near the Dinosaur Valley. Try traditional Yunnan dishes such as over-the-bridge rice noodles or wild mushroom hotpot.

Afternoon:

Travel from Lufeng to Chuxiong (approx. 1.5-2 hours, 90 km).

Yiren Ancient Town（彝人古镇）: This town is known for its historical value and its unique architecture, with buildings designed in the traditional Yi ethnic style. Walk along its narrow lanes, visit local handicraft shops, and interact with the local people to learn about Yi culture.

Ten-Month Solar Calendar Park（十月太阳历文化园）: Discover how the Yi ethnic group has long used the Ten-Month Solar Calendar, a traditional system that guides agricultural activities throughout the year. The park includes a range of informative exhibits and sculptures depicting the calendar’s role in Yi daily life.

Chuxiong Museum: If time permits, visit this small museum, which offers insights into the region’s rich prehistoric and cultural history. It houses artifacts from various historical periods and a collection of fossils from the area.

Evening: Check into your hotel in Chuxiong and enjoy a leisurely dinner in the city. You can opt for local dishes such as steam pot chicken or grilled fish, specialties of the region.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner on your own

Morning:

Depart Chuxiong for Yuanmou (approx. 2.5 hours, 130 km).

Yuanmou Earth Forest: Upon arrival, you’ll visit this otherworldly landscape known for its earth pillars—tall, thin spires of earth that have been carved by centuries of erosion. The area is often called “the China’s Grand Canyon” for its similarly impressive formations, although on a smaller scale. Take a guided walk to explore the park, learn about the geological processes at work, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty.

Lunch: Enjoy a local lunch in Yuanmou, sampling grilled fish or rice noodles served with wild herbs and spices.

Afternoon:

Continue exploring the Yuanmou Earth Forest at your leisure. There are several viewpoints to take in panoramic vistas of the earth pillar formations. For those who are interested in photography, this is the perfect place to capture the unique landscapes.

Evening: Check into your hotel in Yuanmou for a restful night. If time permits, explore the local markets and try some of the local snacks like dried fruits or roast sweet potatoes.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner on your own

Morning:

Yuanmou Man Site and Museum: Visit this important archaeological site where the earliest fossils of Yuanmou Man were discovered. These fossils are among the oldest evidence of human presence in China, dating back over 1 million years. The museum offers detailed exhibits on the history of these prehistoric humans, the tools they used, and the environment they lived in.

Yuanmou Earth Forest (optional second visit): If you want to explore more of the Earth Forest, you can return to the park for additional time to hike and photograph the landscape.

Lunch: Enjoy a simple lunch before departing for Kunming.

Afternoon:

Transfer back to Kunming (approx. 3 hours, 170 km).

Depending on the time of arrival, you may have the option to visit other attractions like Yunnan Nationalities Village（云南民族村）, which offers a rich experience of the province’s diverse ethnic cultures.

Evening: Arrive in Kunming and check into your hotel. The evening is free for you to explore more of the city or relax.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch on your own

Morning:

You’ll have some leisure time for shopping or optional activities in Kunming. Consider visiting the Stone Forest（石林）, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its towering limestone formations, or simply enjoy a relaxed breakfast in one of Kunming’s charming cafes.

Transfer to Airport: Your guide will assist you with your transfer to Kunming Changshui International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel