7 Days Yunnan Golf Tour to Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
Golfing in Yunnan got more and more popular, attractive and professional during the last years. Yunnan, without doubt, is the best golfing destination within China. By the time of writing, nearly 20 state-of-the-art golf courses existed only in Yunnan, some of them are rated as best, longest or hardest of China, Asia or even the world. More golf courses are currently being designed and built.
Therefore, the variety of proper golf courses in Yunnan is big. Please find below a rough overview of Yunnan’s golfing options. Please also have a look at our golf tours.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort, Kunming
It open to the Public and have an 18-hole Golf Course that is said to have the Best Sunset views in Chester County! Here at Spring Hollow we would like to take the opportunity to let you know that we would be more than happy to help you with a party, golf outing, or dinner reservations!
Meadows that define some of the holes were left in place and they give the course a natural look and feel. From one side of the course to the other there is a 110 foot change in elevation. Water hazards in the form of wetlands, creeks, and ponds come into play on six of the golf holes. The frequent and often dramatic elevation changes affords the players not only challenging shot selections, but also beautiful views of the surrounding area.
After played one round golf at Lake Course, we have been visiting Jiuxiang Cave in the afternoon.
Located in the Yi and Hui Autonomous Township of Yiliang, the Jiuxiang Scenic Area not only has beautiful landscapes but also displays the custom and culture of the Yi and Hui minorities. Here, you can appreciate lush forests, narrow canyons and underground caves. The Myth, a film starring Jackie Chan, took this special landscape as a backdrop. The main scenic spots of the Jiuxiang Scenic Area are Green Shady Valley, Grand Underground Valley, Grand Lion Hall, Twin Waterfalls, Fairy Fields and Bat Cave.
Played one round golf at Mountain Course, drive to visit West Hill and Dragon Gate. Overnight at Kunming downtown.
In the western suburbs of Kunming lies Western Hills. They are also called ‘Sleeping Buddha Hills’. For looked at from a distance, they have the appearance of a giant sleeping Buddha. They have also been given another name – ‘Sleeping Beauty Hills’ for the hills when viewed together look like a beautiful young lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailling into water. You can see the outline of her face, chest, and legs clearly.
Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery. No wonder that the place has gained a reputation as ‘having the most pleasant environment in the world’.
Take speed train to Dali, pick up from train station, transfer to Dali Old Town, have lunch, then walk around at the old town, visit The Three Pagodas in the afternoon.
Three Pagodas located in Chongsheng Temple, is about 1 kilometers (0.6 miles) northwest of the Dali Ancient City. Facing Erhai Lake, Chongsheng Temple is located at the western border Cangshan Mountain. It’s said that 9 Kings of Dali Kingdom chose to be a Chongsheng monastery in the temple. The Three Pagodas inside the temple was built 1,800 years ago. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. As its name implies, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. This is unique in China. A visit to the pagodas should not be missed by any visitor to Dali City.
Then we go to the Erhai Lake, Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, ‘sea shaped like an ear’, in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named.
Cruise on Erhai Lake, we visited Xizhou Bai Ethnic Village and Zhoucheng Dyed Cloth Shop. Then drive to Lijiang in the afternoon.
Play one round golf at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club, visit Ganhaizi and Baishui River, take cable car to Glacier Park, enjoy the Impression Lijiang show.
The course is set in the bottom of a valley that faces the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that is 5596 meters (18,360 ft.) high. You can enjoy mountain views from almost every place on the course. The course is situated at 3100 meters (10,800 ft.) above see level, the second highest in the world and the highest in Asia. It is 8548 yards long, which is longest par 72 in the world.
An ‘”S” shaped neat par 5. The tee-shot is downhill and water come into play for the second shot. The landing area of the second shot is narrow and there is water in front of the green.
Lijiang is considered to be a pearl on the high plateau of Northwestern Yunnan Province, and is regarded as the world of “Shangri-La” (in Tibetan: a wonderful place like paradise) which people yearn to visit. Owing to its special characteristics of ethnic Culture, urban layout and historical authenticity, Lijiang Ancient City was listed as a World Cultural Heritage City by UNESCO in 1997.
Yunnan is the best place to have the golf holiday, you will experience the golf with different elevation from 500 meters in Xinshuangbanna tropical forest to 3100 meters in Lijiang.
Yunnan province in China is known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. In this blog, I will share my experience of a 7-day golf tour in Yunnan, where I explored the natural beauty of the region and enjoyed some thrilling rounds of golf at Kunming Spring City Golf Club, Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club, and Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club.
Day 1: Arrival in Kunming
Our journey began in Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province. We were greeted by the warm climate and vibrant atmosphere of the city. After checking into our hotel, we took a leisurely walk around the city, exploring the local markets and cafes.
In the evening, we attended a traditional Chinese opera performance, which gave us a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Day 2: Kunming Spring City Golf Club
After a delicious breakfast, we headed to Kunming Spring City Golf Club, located about 30 kilometers from the city center. The club features an 18-hole golf course designed by Alex C. Smith, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
We spent the morning playing golf and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The course was challenging, but the weather was perfect, and we were able to enjoy a few birdies along the way.
In the afternoon, we returned to the city and visited the West Lake, a picturesque lake surrounded by parks and temples. We took a boat ride around the lake and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the place.
Day 3: Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club
Our next stop was Dali, a historic city known for its ethnic minorities and stunning landscapes. After a short flight from Kunming, we arrived in Dali and checked into our hotel.
In the afternoon, we visited the ancient city of Dali, which features well-preserved architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. We explored the narrow streets, visited local shops, and tried some of the delicious local cuisine.
In the evening, we drove to Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club, located about 20 kilometers from the city center. The club features an 18-hole golf course designed by Ross Watson, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
We spent the evening playing golf and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The course was challenging, but the weather was perfect, and we were able to enjoy a few birdies along the way.
Day 4: Dali Exploration
In the morning, we visited the Dali Ancient Town, a historic town characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets, traditional Naxi homes, and ancient city walls. We explored the town and learned about the rich history and culture of the Naxi people.
In the afternoon, we visited the Three Pagodas of Dali, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We climbed to the top of the towers and enjoyed the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Day 5: Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club
Our final stop was Lijiang, a picturesque city known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Lijiang Old Town. After a short flight from Dali, we arrived in Lijiang and checked into our hotel.
In the afternoon, we visited Lijiang Old Town, a historic town characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets, traditional Naxi homes, and ancient city walls. We explored the town and learned about the rich history and culture of the Naxi people.
In the evening, we drove to Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club, located about 10 kilometers from the city center. The club features an 18-hole golf course designed by Kyle Phillips, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
We spent the evening playing golf and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The course was challenging, but the weather was perfect, and we were able to enjoy a few birdies along the way.
Day 6: Lijiang Exploration
In the morning, we visited the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a stunning mountain range located about 100 kilometers away from Lijiang. We took a cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
In the afternoon, we returned to the city and visited the Lijiang River, a picturesque river that runs through the city. We took a boat ride along the river and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the place.
Day 7: Departure
After a week of adventure and relaxation, it was time to say goodbye to Yunnan. We checked out of our hotel and headed to the airport for our flight back home.
Conclusion: Our 7-day golf tour in Yunnan was a fantastic experience that combined adventure, relaxation, and culture. The beautiful landscapes, historic architecture, and vibrant cultures of the region made for an unforgettable journey. If you’re looking for a unique golf vacation, I highly recommend visiting Kunming Spring City Golf Club, Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club, and Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club.
