Kunming

Kunming is Yunnan's capital, known as the City of Eternal Spring for its mild year-round weather, and a practical base for the Shilin Stone Forest and onward trips in Yunnan.

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Yunnan's provincial capital sits at about 1,891 metres on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, on the northern shore of Lake Dian, the province's largest lake. The city earns its nickname from weather that stays mild through the year, with few days of extreme heat or cold. Flower markets, Yunnan cooking and the red-billed gulls that winter on Green Lake from December to March make it an easy place to spend a few days.

Shilin Stone Forest, a World Natural Heritage site, is the main day trip from the city. Kunming is also a transport hub for Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La, reached by bus several times a day and by rail, so it works as a base for onward travel in Yunnan. The rainy monsoon season runs from May to October, and November to April is the drier window. Two or three nights leaves time for Shilin and the lakeside parks.

Kunming in five

Use Kunming as the gateway to Dali and LijiangMost Yunnan itineraries start here, then continue west to Dali and Lijiang by rail or air. Book the onward leg on 12306 or with a flight early, since seats on peak days fill.Dali
Give Shilin a half or full dayUNESCO lists the Shilin Karst in Yunnan as part of the South China Karst, with stone forests that are a reference site for pinnacle karst. Go on a clear morning and allow time for the walkways.
Dress in layers for spring-like daysKunming's mild highs mean daytime layers and cool evenings. Rain falls in summer, so pack a light waterproof then, and winter days are sunny and dry.
Spread the climb before LijiangLijiang's old town sits higher than Kunming, so build the ascent into the route instead of flying straight up. The Lijiang guide has the altitude figure and the advice.Lijiang
Link Kunming with Guiyang by railKunming sits on the rail network that runs east toward Guiyang, so a southwest loop with Yunnan and Guizhou is possible without flying. Check 12306 for timings.Guiyang

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KunmingPut the places you like in Kunming on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Kunming Changshui (KMG)
Getting there: Flights across Asia; rail from Dali, Lijiang, Guiyang and Guilin
Getting around: Metro, buses and taxis; pay by QR code
Best base: Near the lake and the metro, close to the main rail station
Time needed: 1 to 2 nights before Dali and Lijiang

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Mild, dry
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Mild, sunny
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Warm, spring
AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, dry
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Rains start
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Rainy
JulyRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low17°Rainy
AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Rainy
SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, wet
OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, clear
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, dry
DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Cool, sunny

Average daily high and low in Kunming, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kunming

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 84%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 49%

Yunnan

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today25°17°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 49%.
Wed25°16°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu26°17°18%Thursday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 18%.
Fri25°16°45%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 45%.
Sat22°16°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 69%.
Sun20°12°87%Sunday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 87%.
Mon14°9°79%Monday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 79%.

Updated 12:49 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Shilin Stone Forestroad or tour from KunmingUNESCO-listed karst pinnacles within the South China Karst, a half or full day.
Daliby railErhai Lake, Cangshan and an old walled town in western Yunnan.Read the guide
Dian Lake and the Western Hillswithin KunmingLakeside walks and temples on the city's western edge.

Before you go to Kunming

Kunming and Shilin toursGuided day trips with transfersCompare tours

Hotels near the lake and metroEasy bases before Dali and LijiangCheck availability

eSIM for KunmingMaps and rail tickets on the moveRead the guide

Insurance for KunmingMedical and cancellation coverRead the guide

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Rules for Kunming, checked

Check visa and entry rules for your passport on the National Immigration Administration website before you fly.Source
Hotels register foreign guests, so carry your passport at check-in.
List fresh fruit, plants, seeds and animal products on your arrival form. Check the China Customs website for the current list.Source

Plan around Kunming

All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide Dali

Erhai Lake and the Cangshan range

Read the guide Lijiang

UNESCO old town beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Read the guide Guiyang

Guizhou's capital and karst gateway

Read the guide Xishuangbanna

Tropical south Yunnan, by flight or long rail leg

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide

Kunming FAQ

Is Kunming worth visiting?

Yes as a gateway and for the nearby Shilin Stone Forest, which UNESCO lists as part of the South China Karst. The city itself is a mild, green stop rather than a monument city.

How many days do you need in Kunming?

One to two nights. One day covers the lake and the center, and a second day adds Shilin. If you are only changing trains for Dali, one night is enough.

What is the best time to visit Kunming?

March, April, October and November. The climate is mild year-round, but summer is the rainy season. Winter is dry and sunny, with cool mornings.

Do I need to worry about altitude in Kunming?

Kunming is a plateau city, but the bigger step up comes later in Yunnan. The Lijiang guide covers altitude, and the Shangri-la guide covers the highest stop on the usual route.

How do I get from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang?

By rail or flight. Rail tickets are sold on 12306 with passport details, and flights go to Dali and Lijiang airports. Book early for national holidays.