Yunnan
China · Greater China
China’s south-western highlands, where deep gorges, snow mountains and old Naxi towns meet.
Why visit
Why visit Yunnan
Yunnan, in the south-west of China, is a province of contrasts: high mountains, deep river gorges and small historic towns, with a cultural mix that sets it apart from the rest of the country.
In its north-west, the area between Lijiang and Shangri-La is the best-known base for trekking, with the Jade Dragon and Haba snow mountains rising above the upper Yangtze.
Explore
What to see
Tiger Leaping Gorge, 23 kilometres long on the Jinsha, the upper Yangtze, between Qiaotou and Daju villages, is the region’s great trek, with a high path walked in two days between guesthouses. Lijiang and Shangri-La lie roughly 86 and 106 kilometres from the gorge respectively and make the natural bases on either side.
Hotels
Where to stay in Yunnan
Kunming CBDShangri-La KunmingA 75-key city hotel in Kunming with AvroKO interiors themed on Yunnan tea, a club lounge for every guest and a modern Yunnan restaurant.Explore →
Cangshan slopes, DaliThe Dali EDITIONMarriott's EDITION in Yunnan: 151 rooms and villas on the Cangshan slopes above Erhai Lake.Explore →Experiences
Experiences in Yunnan
The Journal
Latest on Yunnan
- Songtsam Opens a Wang Shu-Designed Retreat Above Dianchi Lake in Kunming
- Songtsam Introduces Tibetan Medicine to Its Himalayan Lodges
- Songtsam Reopens Its Cizhong Lodge as a Wine Hotel on the Upper Mekong
- Songtsam Opens a Lodge in the Canyon of the Nujiang
- Jingmai Mountain’s Old Tea Forests Join the World Heritage List
Before you go
Practical information
Best time to visit
For the gorge, September and October are the most comfortable, at roughly 12 to 25 °C with excellent visibility. November to March is clear but cold, April and May bring flowers, and June to August is rainy, with landslide risk.
Getting around
Buses run from Lijiang and Shangri-La to the Tiger Leaping Gorge trailheads; a private transfer is more flexible. Allow time for mountain roads.
Practical notes
The currency is the Chinese renminbi. Check trail conditions locally before trekking, especially in the rainy season, and plan for changeable mountain weather.
Continue exploring
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