China · Culture

2-Day Kunming Culture Tour with Markets, Temples and Old Streets

2 Days Round trip from Chenggong District Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Indulge in a sea of colorful flowers at Dounan Flower Market, the largest in Asia
02 Admire the ancient charm and architectural treasures of Guandu Ancient Town
03 Stroll lakeside at Haigeng Park and experience the breathtaking scenery of Dianchi Lake
04 Marvel at centuries-old culture at Yuantong Temple and enjoy the elegance of Cuihu (Green) Lake
05 Explore the passionate history at the Yunnan Military Academy and the bustling Jingxing Flower and Bird Market

Experience the best of Kunming over two days with a professional guide as you explore the city's vibrant markets, historic quarters, lakeside scenery, and cultural landmarks. Visit Dounan Flower Market, Guandu Ancient Town, Haigeng Park, and the Western Hills on the first day, then discover Zhuanxin Wet Market, Yuantong Temple, Green Lake, the Yunnan Military Academy Museum, Old Street, and Kunming's lively shopping districts on the second. This tour combines Kunming's spiritual heritage, local daily life, and natural beauty with in-depth commentary throughout.

Experience the best of Kunming over two days with a professional guide as you explore the city's vibrant markets, historic quarters, lakeside scenery, and cultural landmarks.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Kunming

Languages English, Mandarin

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Dounan Flower Market, Guandu Ancient Town and Western Hills

First stop: Dounan Flower Market
- Pick you up from the hotel and then go to Dounan Flower Market. The favorable climatic and geographical conditions have enabled Dounan Village of Kunming to become the biggest flower wholesale market in Asia. Praised as "the epicenter of China's flower market," Dounan Flower Market is home to over 300 species and 4-6 million flowers or more, with a daily turnover reaching as high as 5.5 million RMB. Over 20 big companies, such as Yunnan Airlines, purchase flowers from Dounan Flower Market on a large scale, and millions of flowers are airlifted daily to more than 10 domestic cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.
Second stop: Guandu Ancient Town
- Then we visit Guandu Ancient Town. Guandu Ancient Town is one of the birthplaces of Yunnan culture and also one of the main historical and cultural landscapes of Kunming tourism. As early as the Nanzhao Dali Kingdom, it had already been a large market and an important transportation hub on the northeast bank of Dian Lake. Guandu Town used to be a fishing village during the Tang Dynasty. Ancient Guandu is an ideal place for appreciating the beauty of Dian Lake.
- 1 hour, admission is free.
Third stop: Haigeng Park
- Haigeng Park is mainly a natural scenic spot and a lakeside bathing beach with green willows, sky-piercing eucalyptuses, and blooming flowers. The park and the nearby fishing villages merge harmoniously into one. On bright sunny days, the water stretches out in a boundless expanse; white clouds float lazily across the blue sky while gentle waves ripple, sails drift with the current, and seagulls skim over the water. On moonlit nights, a gentle breeze caresses you while the silver moonlight shimmers on the wrinkled surface of the lake; the dim reflection of the Western Hills flickers in the lake, while the lights of fishing boats flare. Haigeng is a natural lakeside park where you can enjoy the enchanting beauty of nature, go swimming in summer, and go angling in all four seasons.
Fourth stop: Sleeping Beauty
- The Western Hill, also known as "Sleeping Beauty Hill," is located in the western suburbs of Kunming City. It has also been given another name - "Sleeping Beauty Hills" - because, when viewed together, the hills look like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailing into the water. You can clearly see the outline of her face, chest, and legs. Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing visitors with an excellent setting to enjoy tranquility and marvelous scenery. No wonder the place has gained a reputation as "having the most pleasant environment in the world." Here, there are wonderful scenic spots such as Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion, and Dragon Gate. After visiting this Sleeping Beauty, return to the hotel.

Day 02

Markets, Temples and Historic Streets of Kunming

First stop: Zhuanxin Wet Market
- Pick you up from the hotel and then visit Zhuanxin Wet Market. Big-name supermarkets continue to pop up across Kunming, but traditional produce markets remain special places of daily pilgrimage for many locals. On any given morning, if you are up early enough in the city center, the throngs of elderly people boarding buses often have a common destination - Zhuanxin Wet Market. The place maintains a reputation as not only the largest but also the best destination for buying fresh meat, produce, and nearly any other regional edible in the Spring City. For years, it has also had a few secrets up its sleeves that many knew absolutely nothing about. Built 20 years ago, the market has become a Kunming institution. Everyday items like onions, bell peppers, spicy peppers, ginger, coriander, and garlic are, of course, available in enormous quantities. But what sets Zhuanxin apart is its profusion of other, shall we say, rarer or more surprising choices.
Second stop: Yuantong Temple
- Yuantong Temple is at the foot of Yuantong Hill in the northern part of Kunming. With a history of more than 1,200 years, it is one of the grandest as well as the most important Buddhist temples in Yunnan Province. King Youxun of the Nanzhao Kingdom built it during the late eighth century as a continuation of Pu Tuo Luo Temple, and the restorations carried out from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) onward have not changed its unique mixed architectural style of the Yuan (1271 - 1368) and Ming (1644 - 1911) dynasties.
Third stop: Green Lake (Cui Hu)
- Green Lake Park was established in the 17th century on the west side of Wuhua Mountain and is sometimes described as a "Jade in Kunming." Two long banks divide Green Lake into four parts. The banks are covered with an abundance of willow trees and dotted with a variety of vibrant lotuses. This contrast between the pale green of the willows and the array of colors in the lotuses makes the park a popular destination for nature lovers. One can almost feel the freshness in the air. The serenity and beauty make it an excellent place for a picnic, a morning stroll, or simply a time to sit and reflect. Kunming Green Lake Park, or Cuihu Park, is Kunming's most magical place. Located in one of the busiest parts of the city, it does exactly what an urban park should do: offer a break from crowded streets and honking cars, and give people a place to meet and talk, sing, dance, drink tea, or just watch the ducks swim by.
Fourth stop: Yunnan Military Academy Museum
- Yunnan Military Academy was founded in 1909 in Kunming. This academy is among the first batch of military schools in China. In total, the academy had 22 different classes and more than 9,000 trainees until 1935, the year it ceased operating due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. World-famous military leaders, such as Zhu De and Ye Jianying, graduated from Yunnan Military Academy. The residence of Zhu De is now a museum just beside the academy, on the other side of Green Lake Park. Students from Korea, Vietnam, and other countries were trained here as well. Yunnan Military Academy was the most influential school before the establishment of the Huangpu Military School. It made great contributions to a series of conflicts in China's modern history.
Fifth stop: Old Street
- The Kunming Old Street area still retains a large number of historical buildings and cultural relics from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. The oldest one holds nearly 900 years of memories and stories of the city. The old houses in Kunming Old Street are mainly composed of courtyard houses, while also combining the characteristics of folk houses of the Bai and Yi ethnic groups. These old houses represent the type of Kunming dwelling architecture during that period, exemplifying the integration of Central Plains culture and Yunnan ethnic culture. They also represent the unique characteristics of Kunming that distinguish it from other cities.
Sixth stop: Jingxing Bird and Flower Market
- There are many bird and flower markets in Kunming city, but Jingxing Bird and Flower Market in downtown is a top popular bird and flower market in this city and also a label of the daily life of Kunming people. This market took shape in the 1980s and has around 700 stores selling an abundant variety of goods. Walking through this market, you will not only be delighted by the countless flowers in various colors with pleasing aromas, but also enjoy the crisp chirping of many species of birds. It is truly a new way to feel local life while hearing Kunming people chatting in their special dialect and selecting your favorites among nice antiques, jewelry ornaments, handicrafts, and more.
Seventh stop: Nanping Business Street
- Nanping Business Street attracts not only local people, but also more and more visitors from all over the world. Having become an emerging landmark of Kunming, Nanping Business Street is absolutely a must-see, containing both historical commercial culture and modern shopping surroundings. Nanping Business Street was extensively renewed to make the scenes of this old walking street beautiful. Combining folk art statues to promote the historical and cultural charm of Kunming, the street is a blend of tradition and modernity. While the old Nanping Street was known as the "Wall Street" of Kunming, today's Nanping Shopping Street has earned the fame of being the "Southwest First Street." Walking along this street, visitors will feel the mixture of Kunming's history, culture, and innovation.