How to Plan Yunnan Winter Tour
Winter Experience in Yunnan mainly introduces the the best Yunnan Winter Tour Packages,the best attractions for winter travel and some travel tips for Yunnan Winter Travel. Traveling to Yunnan in Winter would be a great experience due to the general warm weather with bright sunshine, azure sky and less rainfall.
It is considered that winter belongs to low season for tours in Yunnan, but the truth that most foreign travelers don’t realize is winter is also the most tranquil season which people could visit Yunnan under a total leisure atmosphere, and feel the peace and joy from bottom of their hearts. Enjoy the fairy world of ice and snow, skiing, sunshine and beach, Spring Festival celebrations, shopping paradise, mountain snow scenes. You don’t know there are some charming places popular in winter, Dongchuan Red Land, Erhai Lake, Dianchi Lake, etc.
Where to Visit Yunnan in Winter
Visiting Yunnan in winter offers a unique experience with its diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. Here are some top destinations to consider during the winter months:
1. Kunming
- Attractions: Enjoy the mild winter climate at the “City of Eternal Spring.” Visit the Stone Forest (Shilin) with its limestone formations, stroll around Green Lake Park (Cuihu), and explore the vibrant culture and cuisine of Kunming.
2. Dali
- Attractions: Experience the serene beauty of Erhai Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Explore Dali Ancient Town, known for its preserved Bai architecture, cobblestone streets, and traditional culture.
3. Lijiang
- Attractions: Wander through UNESCO-listed Lijiang Old Town, a picturesque maze of narrow lanes and traditional wooden buildings. Admire the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) and visit ancient temples like the Mu Residence.
4. Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
- Attractions: Discover Tibetan culture in Shangri-La (formerly known as Zhongdian). Visit Songzanlin Monastery (Little Potala Palace), explore Tibetan villages, and enjoy the stunning winter scenery of Meili Snow Mountain (Kawa Karpo).
5. Xishuangbanna
- Attractions: Explore the tropical winter of Xishuangbanna, known for its ethnic diversity and rich biodiversity. Visit the Dai Minority Park, explore ancient temples like Manting Park, and experience local customs and traditions.
6. Yuanyang Rice Terraces
- Attractions: Witness the terraced landscapes of Yuanyang, especially captivating during the winter months when the terraces may be filled with water, creating mirror-like reflections of the sky and surroundings.
7. Tengchong
- Attractions: Relax in natural hot springs amidst the cold weather, explore volcanic landscapes, and visit historic sites such as Heshun Ancient Town and Beihai Wetland.
8. Puzhehei
- Attractions: Discover the karst landscapes and scenic lakes of Puzhehei, where winter offers a quieter time to appreciate the natural beauty and take boat rides through the picturesque scenery.
Tips for Visiting Yunnan in Winter:
- Weather: Yunnan’s weather varies from subtropical to alpine. Pack accordingly with layers, warm clothing, and comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
- Altitude: Some areas like Lijiang and Shangri-La are at higher altitudes. Take precautions to acclimatize gradually to avoid altitude sickness.
- Festivals: Check local calendars for winter festivals and cultural events, offering insights into local traditions and celebrations.
- Photography: Capture stunning winter landscapes, ancient architecture against snowy backdrops, and vibrant cultural scenes.
Visiting Yunnan in winter allows you to experience its natural beauty, cultural richness, and diverse landscapes in a quieter and more serene atmosphere compared to peak tourist seasons.
Popular Xishuangbanna Winter Tours
The best time to visit Xishuangbanna is during the dry season (from November to April), when the weather is agreeable and the temperature is mild. Dry season is also the peak tourism time of Xishuangbanna. Of course, you cannot stand the severity of the winter.
Xishuangbanna Ethnic Minority Discovery Tours
- 5 Days XishuangBanna and Pu’er Ethnic Market Discovery Tour
- 6 Days XishuangBanna and Pu’er Ethnic Culture Tour with Tea Culture and Ethnic Villages Discovery
Xishuangbanna Tropical Forest Tours
- 4 Days Best XishuangBanna Tropical Forest and Ethnic Minorities Discovery
- 7 Days Kunming, XishuangBanna and Puer Family Tour with Tropical Forest and Ethnic Culture Discovery
Xishuangbanna Birding Tours
- 6 Days XishuangBanna and Puer Tropical Forest Birding Tour
- 10 Days Northeast and Soutwest Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Zhaotong and XishuangBanna
Xishuangbanna Cycling Tours
- 2 Days Xishuangbanna Cycling Tour along the Mekong River
- 7 Days XishuangBanna Tropical Forest Cycling Tour with Ethnic Minorities and Ancient Tea Culture
- 9 Days China-Laos-Thailand Tropical Forest Cycling Tour from Jinghong to Chiang Mai
Xishuangbanna Hiking Tours
- 1 Day XishuangBanna Nannuo Tea Mountain and Aini Ethnic Village Hiking Tour
- 2 Days Xishuangbanna Ethnic Villages Hiking Tour from Bada to Zhanglang
- 3 Days XishuangBanna Hiking Tour to Yao Ethnic Village and The Air Corridor
- 4 Days XishuangBanna Hiking Tour to Ganlanba Basin and Mekong River
- 6 Days XishuangBanna Yiwu Mountain Tea Culture Hiking Tour
- 6 Days XishuangBanna Damenglong Ethnic Villages Hiking Tour
Best Dongchuan Red Land Winter Tours
Dongchuan Red Land can be visited in four seasons. In winter, it is very beautiful, especially, covered with snow.
- 1 Day Kunming Dongchuan Red Land Tour
- 2 Days Dongchuan Red Land Photography Tour
- 2 Days Kunming Dongchuan Red Land and Jiaozi Snow Mountain Tour
- 3 Days Kunming Jiaozi Snow Mountain Hiking Tour with Dongchuan Red Land
- 5 Days Kunming City Tour With Jiaozi Snow Mountain And Dongchuan Red Land
Top Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Winter Tours
- 2 Days Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tour at a glance
- 4 Days Long Street Banquet Festival and Yuanyang Rice Terraces Photography Tour
- 7 Days Honghe Hani Ethnic Minority’s Long Street Banquet Festival and Yuanyang Rice Terraces Photograph Tour
- 8 Days China Students Education Tour to Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces
More about Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tours
Classic Yunnan Winter Tours
Apart from the northern part of Yunnan, most parts of Yunnan is definitely warmer but also here it is advisable to protect oneself against the chill, especially in higher elevation like Shangrila. The highest mountains and the coldest temperatures in winter can be experienced in the northern part of Yunnan which borders Tibet. Travelling around Lijiang, Dali and the places in the south of Shangrila would be a great experience. The weather 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.
- 4 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Group Tour
- 6 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang Tour
- 7 Days Kunming, Lijiang and Shangri-la Highlights Tour by Bullet Train
- 7 Days Kunming, Lijiang and Shangri-la Highlights Tour
- 8 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La Overland Tour
- 8 Days Best Yunnan Small Group Tour-Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La
- 8 Days Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La High Speed Train Tour
- 9 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La High Speed Train Tour
- 10 Days Yunnan Ethnic Villages and Ancient Towns Tour
Beautiful Luoping Rapeseed Flowers Tours
Luoping Rapeseed Flowers are in their fullest bloom for only ten days in a year. If it is warm early, the flowers will bloom early. It is not surprised to see the rapeseed flowers at the end of the winter.
- 5 Days Kunming Spring City and Luoping Rapeseed Flowers Photography Tour
- 5 Days Kunming Spring City and Luoping Rapeseed Flowers Photography Tour
Yunnan Classic Winter Bird-watching Tours
Generally speaking, the weather in most areas of Yunnan is mild in winter and cool in summer. It is suitable to visit Yunnan all year round. Therefore, thousands of various birds migrate to Yunnan, mainly from Sibiria during the winter months..
- 6 Days Northeast Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Dianchi Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao
- 8 Days Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Dongchuan Red Land, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve
- 9 Days Yunnan-Guizhou Winter Birding Tour with Dianchi Lake, Caohai Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve