Things to do in Yimen

Lüzhi Town

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Chuxiong Prefecture

World Dinosaur Valley

The Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley is a large-scale, dinosaur-themed cultural tourism park. It is located on Konglong (Dinosaur) Mountain in Chuanjie Township's Ana Village within Chuxiong Prefecture's Lufeng County. This is a place where the kingdom of dinosaurs, the world of the Jurassic age and the rise and fall of the planet's amazing creatures can be experienced. Dinosaur Valley is divided into two major areas: the “Dinosaur Dig Scientific Research Area” and the “Jurassic World Tourist Area.” The Dinosaur Dig has more than 60 Lufengosaurus skeletons, which have been pieced together by teams of paleontologists. It is very spectacular. In the tourist area, visitors can learn a great deal about the life dinosaurs led hundreds of millions of years ago. There are a large number of artificially constructed waterfalls, rivers, lakes and a vast number of Jurassic-era plants.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, is the sixth-largest freshwater lake in China. Its expansive and magnificent surface has earned it the reputation of "five hundred li of Dianchi Lake" since ancient times. As one of the larger plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi Lake is surrounded by numerous waterfront parks and wetlands, making it an unmissable stop when visiting Kunming. Every winter, large flocks of black-headed gulls fly all the way from Siberia to Dianchi Lake to spend the winter. This spectacle has occurred faithfully every year since 1985, and feeding the black-headed gulls along the lakeshore has become a highly popular winter experience in Kunming. Strolling along the sightseeing road on the east bank of Dianchi Lake is a great way to experience the lake up close. On one side is the vast, misty expanse of water, with the Western Hills stretching across the distance; in winter, the sightseeing road is especially lively, as residents and visitors alike stop by the lakeside to interact with the black-headed gulls. For a different perspective, you can take the cableway from the lakeside to Dragon Gate in the Western Hills and look down from above, taking in the entire Dianchi Lake at a glance. In the Caohai area at the northern end, you can also take a boat out on the lake and experience its vastness from the water. In recent years, through sustained governance, the water quality and lakeside ecology of Dianchi Lake have gradually improved, the wetland views along the lake are also continuously being restored, and the sightseeing environment has been significantly enhanced compared to the past.

2026 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Yunnan Nationalities Village

Yunnan Nationalities Village is located on the shores of Dianchi Lake in the southwestern suburbs of Kunming. It is a themed attraction that showcases the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan. Within the park, villages of more than ten ethnic minorities—including the Dai, Bai, Yi, Wa, Naxi, Tibetan, and Hani—have been reconstructed according to their traditional architectural styles. The residential architecture, religious beliefs, and folk customs of each ethnic group are concentrated in one place, allowing visitors to experience the distinctive cultures of multiple ethnic groups in Yunnan within a single day. Upon entering the attraction, the Dai Village is the first thing that comes into view. The village is surrounded by water on three sides, with lush tropical and subtropical plants providing shade, and stilted Dai bamboo houses scattered throughout. Walking along the red sandstone path, you can see a Myanmar-style Buddhist temple and a towering white pagoda. The white pagoda is a scaled replica of the Yunyan Pagoda in Yingjiang, Dehong, with dozens of smaller pagodas clustered around the main pagoda, and wind chimes on the pagodas ringing softly in the breeze. Boat tours are also available near the Dai Village. The Yi village is located on the west side of the National Unity Square and is one of the larger villages in the park. In the center of the village's Sun Calendar Square stands a totem stone pillar, carved with patterns such as the sun, flames, and tiger stripes. Surrounding it are scattered stone balls symbolizing the movement of the sun and moon, reflecting the Yi people's calendrical wisdom based on the sun as a reference. Since ancient times, the Yi people have worshipped the tiger as a totem. At the village entrance, there is a tiger-shaped rockery and a relief wall featuring three tigers. The village also restores the Yi people's distinctive flat-roofed earthen buildings and a traditional liquor-brewing workshop, showcasing the traditional production and daily life scenes of the Yi people. The Bai ethnic village is renowned for its traditional dwellings, whose architecture blends Han and Bai construction techniques. The three white pagodas in the village are scaled-down replicas of the Three Pagodas of Dali and are quite striking. The Bai village also displays butterfly specimens, and visitors can experience the Bai "three-course tea" — bitter tea, sweet tea, and aftertaste tea served in succession, symbolizing the life philosophy of enduring hardship before enjoying sweetness. In addition to the villages mentioned above, the park also features villages of the Miao, Mosuo, Yao, Naxi, and other ethnic groups, each with its own unique architectural style and cultural displays. Regular ethnic song and dance performances are often held on the plazas of each village, and the park also hosts large-scale ethnic cultural shows such as "Call of the Plateau." During traditional ethnic festivals such as the Dai Water Festival and the Yi Torch Festival, the attraction also holds corresponding celebrations, making it a great time to experience ethnic festival culture.

Longquan Park

Longquan National Forest Park is located in Yimen County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, 80 kilometers away from Kunming, with an area of 10,600 mu. The park has three colorful peaks surrounded by clouds and mist, as well as the Longquan, which is known as the quiet, beautiful, clean and full of divine water. The mysterious Longquan Ancient Cave, lifelike natural sculptures, lush and prosperous ancient trees, etc.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Stone Forest Scenic Area

Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, Kunming, and is one of Kunming's key attractions. Stone Forest Scenic Area is a typical karst landscape, with stone peaks, stone buds, sinkholes, and underground rivers everywhere. The peak forest transforms into various forms—sword-shaped, tower-shaped, mushroom-shaped, and more—bizarre and magnificent. The entire scenic area consists of the Major and Minor Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui, Changhu, and other sections. These sections are relatively scattered, and regular tours are mainly concentrated in the Major and Minor Stone Forest area. The Major and Minor Stone Forests are located in the same area. Walk along the path for 20 minutes, and on your left is the smaller Minor Stone Forest Scenic Area with relatively gentle stone peaks. Amid a dense cluster of peaks stands the famous Ashima Rock, where the towering peak forest transforms into a graceful Yi girl named Ashima, as if beckoning to you. This is a favorite spot for visitors to take photos. Besides the pretty Ashima, the Minor Stone Forest area also features views such as Shenjun and Cushi Qingtian, each with its own distinct shape. This is a test of your imagination. If your imagination is not vivid enough, it is recommended to hire a guide, under whose guidance you will gain a whole new understanding of the peak forest before your eyes. As you slowly drive along the highway, the roadside unfolds in turn with Tang Monk Rock, Stone Prison, Phoenix Preening Its Feathers, Lingzhi Rock, and more—each vividly lifelike and exquisitely true to form, displaying the wondrous craftsmanship of nature to you in all manner of poses. Walking along the passageway, you will unexpectedly arrive at the Major Stone Forest area. After passing such wonders as "Two Birds Feeding Each Other," "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Stone Forest Wonderland," and "Stone Screen," you may be feeling a bit tired. Taking a short rest at Lion Pavilion and admiring the reflection of the peak forest in Lion Pond across the way is a serene pleasure in itself. After seeing so many peak forests, it is only natural to feel some aesthetic fatigue. It is time to enjoy the water scenery. Board a cruise on Stone Forest Lake and drift across the water, where mountain scenery and lake views come together in one place, and all your stress and worries simply melt away. Naigu Stone Forest, also known as New Stone Forest or Mozhai Stone Forest, is composed of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Baiyun Lake, Shifeng Mountain, and Yougu Xianpu Waterfall. Compared with the Major and Minor Stone Forests, this place presents another style. The peak forest here is overall grayish-black, with tall and densely packed stone pillars in castle, tower, and mushroom shapes. The simple and rugged grotesque rocks surge skyward like waves with magnificent momentum. Strolling through the black peak forest feels like entering a wild and primitive world.

No. 6 of Family-friendly Attractions in Yunnan

Yunnan Provincial Museum

The Yunnan Provincial Museum is a comprehensive museum showcasing Yunnan's history and ethnic culture, housing over 200,000 cultural relics (sets), with strengths in ancient Dian Kingdom bronzeware, Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom Buddhist statues, and historical calligraphy and paintings. The building itself is distinctive: its reddish-brown exterior is composed of irregular stone prism shapes, resembling a stone forest rising from the ground, making it memorable even before entering the exhibition halls. The permanent exhibition follows a chronological sequence, with six themed halls—"Ancient Yunnan," "Dawn of civilization," "Dominance in southern China," "Land of fragrant Buddhism," "Frontier expansion and defense," and "A century of upheaval"—taking visitors from prehistoric times to the modern era, offering a condensed overview of Yunnan's history. Located in a multi-ethnic border region, the artifacts here differ markedly from those in inland museums: bronzeware depicts vivid scenes of animal combat, rituals, and warfare, while the Dian Kingdom's unique shell containers resemble lidded bronze "piggy banks." The Buddhist statues bear the distinct regional style of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, warranting closer attention. The museum's crown jewels deserve dedicated viewing time: the Warring States period bronze ox-tiger table, unearthed from the Lijiashan tombs in Jiangchuan, features a small ox hidden beneath a large ox and a fierce tiger biting the ox's tail, earning the saying "In the north, there's the galloping horse treading on a flying swallow; in the south, there's the ox-tiger bronze table." The Dali Kingdom gilded Avalokitesvara statue with silver halo from the Qianxun Pagoda of Chongsheng Temple in Dali has a unique golden form. Other treasures include Song Dynasty Guo Xi's "Travelers among mountains and streams," Yuan Dynasty Huang Gongwang's "Visiting Dai in Shanxi," and the Ming Dynasty gem-inlaid golden crown. After the visit, you can stop by the nearby Guandu ancient town, making it possible to explore both sites in a day.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Kunming

Kunming Xishan Scenic Resort

Kunming Xishan Scenic ResortLocated on the west side of Kunming, adjacent to Dianchi Lake and about 15 km from the city center, this area features dense forests and a fresh, elegant environment. It also offers a panoramic view of the vast Dianchi Lake, making it a popular spot for Kunming locals and travelers to hike and enjoy the scenery. The mountain'sLongmen - Longmen GrottoesIt is even more ancient and precious, a must-visit place for travelers who love culture. The attraction boasts numerous scenic spots,Huating Monastery,Xishan scenic area - Taihua temple,Nie Er's tomb,Longmen - Sanqing PavilionAnd so on, each with its own unique characteristics. Starting from the attraction entrance, the uphill road is paved with asphalt. Along the way, you can occasionally catch glimpses of Dian Lake and encounterHuating Monastery,Xishan scenic area - Taihua templeAncient temples dot the landscape, and the fresh mountain air makes strolling through the area quite pleasant. From the entrance to the mountaintopLongmen, approx. 2-hour walk. We recommend taking the shuttle bus directly to the attractionLongmenActivitiesLongmenThen, take a leisurely walk down the mountain, which is more relaxing.LongmenRefers to the western mountainLongmen - Sanqing PavilionThe stone carving project between the mountain peak and the Datian Pavilion. The hundreds of steps along the way, as well as the reliefs, stone carvings, and caves visible throughout the route, were all meticulously crafted by Qing Dynasty artisans using primitive tools. The entire project took 72 years to complete and is truly spectacular. The Datian Pavilion is the highest point of the Dragon Gate, featuring a dedicated viewing platform where visitors can overlook the vast 500-li Dianchi Lake. Beyond the viewing platform, the Lingxu Pavilion awaits, which sits at an even higher altitude than the Datian Pavilion and offers a more expansive view. However, the path there is notably open and flat. After the visit, you can take the Dragon Gate Cable Car back to the Taihua Mountain Villa halfway up the mountain. Following the mountain path beside the villa, a short walk downhill will bring you toNie Er's tomb. Inside is a white marble statue of Nie Er and an exhibition hall equipped with on-demand audio players with headphones, where visitors can enjoy Nie Er's musical works and take a short rest. Continuing forward leads toXishan scenic area - Taihua templeandHuating Monastery. The two temples were built in the Yuan and Tang dynasties respectively, featuring bell and drum towers, the Heavenly King Hall,Main hallThe main buildings ascend along the mountain slope, appearing tall and majestic. Between the two temples, there is a "Mount Xi scenic area - Taihua ancient trail"Connected, the stone-step mountain path is wide and flat. Walking along it brings a sense of tranquility and distance, while also avoiding the crowds going up and down the mountain. Continuing downward, you pass byXishan scenic area - Magnolia garden,Sheng'an pavilion, you can return to the attraction entrance.

Kunming Travel Cableway

The Kunming Tourist Cableway (formerly the Dianchi Xishan Cableway) uses the world's most advanced cableway equipment produced in France and Italy. Half of its length spans over the surface of Dianchi Lake, making it a rare cableway that crosses both water and mountains. Riding the cableway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. You can take the cable car at No. 16 Hubin Road (near the Dragon King Temple). Going up, it is like walking into a wonderful viewing corridor, where you can take in the scenery of Dianchi Lake and take photos of Dianchi Lake from a wide angle. Dianchi Lake is at your feet, and the majestic Xishan Mountain is above your head. The cable car also allows tourists to visit Dianchi Lake and Xishan Scenic Area conveniently.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan and Guizhou

Dongfengyun Scenic Area

Mile's “Dongfengyun” town is a characteristic town with cultural tourism, health care and art as its core. The tens of thousands of acres of vineyards and hundreds of acres of lavender fields Souvenir the Attraction add color to the town. All year round, there are flowers in full bloom in spring, evergreen trees in summer, yellow ginkgo trees in autumn, and quiet and peaceful things in winter. Play in the charm of Dongfeng, flower field windmills, lakeside trails, and special-shaped buildings, bringing you a visual feast of art. Sculptor Luo Xu took the red soil from this plateau and used the red bricks from this land to implant unique-style buildings into the original landforms, and built a group of red brick art buildings in various shapes. The kaleidoscope displays the only two sets of "Thousands of Chorus Pottery Figurines" in the world, and the Half Cloud Art Living Room creates a Zen and quiet Refreshment environment. International Art Center, Agricultural Reclamation Museum, Flower Hill, Seal Workshop... Here, architecture tells stories and art conveys emotions.  Eat at Dongfengyun, where the Seal Shop and Cultural and Creative Market, which combine local snacks from Mile, bring you a food carnival. Stay at Dongfengyun, MGallery Art Hotel, with 5 different themes to meet your business, administration, parent-child, vacation, and honeymoon needs; Niuduoluo Music Farm, takes you into a different rural life; Art Inn, with modern intelligent technology, allows you to experience the butler-style immersive stay experience cared for by artificial intelligence. Here, life becomes poetry, allowing time to flow slowly in the poetry and paintings of art, and allowing the soul to rest quietly in the long river of years. The wind rises, the clouds fall, wine is consumed among the flowers, and life is filled with the rare charm of the east wind.