Kunming covers an area of 21473 square kilometers. There are 7 districts, 3 counties and 3 autonomous counties in Kunming, with a permanent resident population of 6.85 million and an urban population of 4.9902 million. The urbanization rate is 72.85%, and the permanent resident population is 2.19 million.

From January 1, 2019, Kunming will implement visa free transit policy for personnel from 53 countries, and the scope of activities for foreigners during the period of visa free transit is limited to the administrative region of Kunming city. Applicable countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxemburg, Maltese, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, BIH, Heishan, Macedonian, Albania, Belarus, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE and Qatar.

Kunming is one of the top ten tourist cities in China. The main scenic spots are Green Lake (Cuihu),Yuantong Temple,Dragon Gate,West Hill (Xishan Mountain),Dianchi Lake,Yunnan Nationalities Museum,Stone  Forest,Yunnan Ethnic Village,Dongchuan Red Land,Zhenqing Culture Square

You can takes the high-speed train at Kunming South Railway Station and get off at Shilin West Railway Station. Then hire a taxi to get to the Stone Forest Scenic Area.

Kunming is suitable for tourism throughout the year, and the best travel time is from March to October. This is the time when Yunnan ethnic minorities have the most festivals, and it is also the best season with the most fruits and flowers. It will make your travel more fruitful.

Food has always been a unique label of a city and an important part of tourism. Kunming's unique geographical has created a unique catering culture. The most popular Kunming cuisine as belows: Stinky Tofu ???, Xuanwei Ham ???, Ru Bing ??, Pineapple Rice ???, Braised Wild Mushrooms ????, Yunnan Mashed Potatoes ????, Rice Cake/Er Kuai ??, Steam Pot Chicken ???, Crossing Bridge Rice Noodles ????.

Kunming is a city with rich regional culture, and its specialties are also rich and diverse. One of the most distinctive things, such as: Yunyan cigarette, Pu'er tea, Wood carving crafts, Yunnan edible fungi, as well as special snacks: Cross bridge rice noodles are worth buying.

There are only two ways available between Kunming and Shangri-La: by flight or long-distance bus. Taking flights only needs around 1~1.5 hours which is more comfortable and convenient, while taking long-distance bus is the cheaper one.

By Plane
Dali airport has fights connecting with Kunming, Xishuangbanna and Guangzhou. You can take the Bus No. 7 to the airport from Xiaguan, or take a taxi at around RMB 80.

By Train
Several trains run daily between Kunming and Dali with a transfer time of 7-8 hrs and at a cost of RMB 70-100.

There are trains running between Dali and Lijiang (afternoon train from Dali and morning train from Lijiang). The transfer takes about 1.5hrs and RMB 30-50.

The bus No. 7, 8, 10 and 11 can get from Dali city to the railway station. Among them, bus No. 8 has stop at the Dali Old Town.

By Bus
Many buses run from Kunming bus stations to Dali city and it is around RMB 100 for this 3-4 hour transfer.

Lijiang to Dali buses also frequently depart on daily basis at around RMB 40-80.

Out of the Dali bus station at Xiaguan, you can directly take a taxi (RMB 40) or the bus No. 4 or 8 (around RMB 2) to go to Dali Old Town.

Walking is a nice way to explore the stoned streets of the old town.

Bicycle is a great choice to get around (RMB 15-35 per day). The bikes are easily rented at the Boai Lu (like Red Camellia Hotel, Lee's Guest House, etc).

There are over tens of bus routes connecting Dali places. Special buses transfer between the old town and Xiaguan as early as 6:30 am. The bus No.8 runs between Dali ancient town and the bus station.

The local specialties are Roasted Erkuai (a toasted rice cake warped with stuffing), Milk Fan (toasted or fried aired milk and yogurt mixture sheet), claypot carp fish stewed with tens of flora and meat mixtures, etc.

Dali Old Town, with its tourist popularity, is certainly gathers the main good cuisine restaurants and canteens.

If you like the total local flavor, you can choose Plum Well Canteen (?????, No.138 Renmin Road), Yihu Chun (???, No.22 Beimen Street), and Hongyuan Restaurant (????, No.15 Renmin Road), etc.

Dali is special with the batik and tie-dye handiwork, the cloth or silk dyed in colors from the pure plants. Zhoucheng Village, 23 km north of the old town, has a profusion of small home tie-dye handiwork workshops. Remember to bargain hard.

Huguo Road of the old town, also named foreigner Street, gathers loads of clothes shop and other specialties like the marble artworks, Jianchuan wood carving, etc.

Many western-style restaurants also serve as bars. Bird Bar (No.22 Renmin Road) and Bad Monkey (No.74 Renmin Road) are also drink-worthy.

Zhaoji Plum Wine (?????, branches in Fuxing Road ??? or Lvyu Road ??? ) with the sweet plum wine and pickles, Taibailou (???, No.52 Huguo Road) with Sandao Tea and butter tea are for the local-flavor seekers.

Spring (Feb to May) is regarded as the best time to travel around Dali with the mild weather and flesh greenness scenery. The Dali annual average temperature is mild between 12.2°C-18.9°C. Rainy season falls in May to October.

Yes, we can help you to book Kunming Dali train tickets but there is an extra service charge for booking service. As all the China train tickets are personalized, you will need to provide us the copy of your passport. I am a photographerWe will book the train ticket accordingly after we received the payment, our guide will give you the train ticket.

It is quite easy travel from Beijing to Kunming as there are over 10 daily flights depart at Beijing Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing Airport. But there is no direct flight from Shangri-la back to Beijing, you need to take flight from Lijiang or Kunming to Beijing. We suggest drive you back to Lijiang city when you finish your Shangri-la tour.