Trip Summary
The tropical south of Yunnan, taken slow: Kunming's lake-and-lanes spring city, a flight to the Dai temples and rainforest canopy of Xishuangbanna, then the water-lily village maze of Puzhehei — peacocks, hammocks and pineapple rice included.
Trip Highlights
- Xishuangbanna's tropical botanical garden — 11 km² of rainforest
- Dai golden temples and peacock dances at Menghun
- Puzhehei's boat maze through lotus fields and karst
- Green Lake's black-headed gulls and winter sun
- Pineapple rice and bamboo barbecue in Dai villages
Day by Day
Day 1 — Arrive Kunming
Fly into Changshui (KMG). Evening among Green Lake's gulls and old-street snacks.
Flight in · Kunminginternational flights, destination pre-filledBook → Stay · Green Lake Parkgull-side baseBook → Car rental · Kunmingpick up at Kunming Changshui International Airport on arrivalBook → 
Day 2 — Spring city slow
Western Hills' Dragon Gate above Dianchi, Yuantong temple and Kunming old street; night flight or next-morning hop to Banna.
Stay · Green Lake Parksecond spring-city nightBook → Tickets · Western Hills & Dragon Gateskip-the-line entryBook → Day 3 — Fly to Banna
One hour south to Gasa (JHG); afternoon in Jinghong's night market and Mekong riverside.
Stay · Tropical Botanical Gardenrainforest-edge stayBook → 
Day 4 — Botanical garden
The full day inside the Chinese Academy of Sciences' rainforest garden: palms, the water-lily ponds, canopy boardwalks.
Stay · Tropical Botanical Gardensecond canopy nightBook → Tickets · Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardenskip-the-line entryBook → Day 5 — Dai villages & temples
Menghun's markets and Zongfo temple, a Dai village lunch of pineapple rice, evening water-splashing-square lights.
Stay · Tropical Botanical Gardenthird Dai-temple nightBook → 
Day 6 — To Puzhehei
Fly or rail back toward Wenshan; afternoon boats into the lotus maze of Puzhehei's karst lakes.
Stay · Puzheheilotus-lake farmstayBook → Tickets · Puzhehei Tourist Areaskip-the-line entryBook → 
Day 7 — Karst villages & out
Morning village walk and peak viewpoint, then the HSR to Kunming for the flight home.
Tickets · Stone Forestskip-the-line entryBook → 
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