Hotel in Green Lake area, Kunming, Yunnan, Yunnan
Kunming Cloudland International Hostel
A popular international hostel near Kunming's Green Lake in a traditional courtyard building, offering dorm beds and affordable private rooms with excellent common areas, a rooftop bar, and a knowledgeable travel desk. The hostel is a hub for backpackers planning onward journeys to Laos, Vietnam, or other Yunnan destinations.
Kunming Cloudland International Hostel is one of Yunnan's best-known backpacker bases, housed in a renovated traditional courtyard building on Baita Road near the western shore of Cuihu (Green Lake) Park in Kunming's Wuhua District. The Green Lake neighborhood is a pleasant, leafier quarter of the city — several blocks from the busier commercial center — with the park serving as a gathering point for local residents who practice tai chi and ballroom dancing on its shores each morning. The hostel is approximately 20 minutes by metro or taxi from Kunming South Railway Station and around 40 minutes from Changshui International Airport.
The building's traditional courtyard has been opened up into a social hub: a café-bar area, hammock spots in the garden, communal tables, and a rooftop terrace that functions as an evening gathering point for travelers swapping itineraries. Accommodation spans 4-, 6-, and 8-bed mixed and female-only dormitories and a small number of private double rooms. Rooms are clean, beds are firm, and individual lockers are standard in all dormitories.
The travel desk is one of the hostel's core assets. Staff have extensive first-hand knowledge of overland routes from Kunming into Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, as well as detailed logistics for reaching Yunnan's highland destinations: Lijiang, Shangri-La, Dali, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The hostel is a recognized first stop for travelers beginning a Southeast Asia overland journey, and printed route guides and current visa information are maintained at the front desk.
A shared kitchen enables self-catering, and bicycle rental is available for riding the Green Lake circuit or exploring the nearby Yunnan University campus area, which has a dense concentration of affordable restaurants and cafes. The rooftop bar is Cloudland's most social feature and typically the place where long-haul journeys across Asia are planned and revised.
Amenities
- dorm beds
- wifi
- rooftop bar
- kitchen
- tour desk
- luggage storage
- bike rental
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +86 871 6363 0099
Location
Baita Road, Wuhua District, Kunming
25.0567, 102.7041 — View on map
Highlights
- Courtyard building in the pleasant Green Lake neighborhood near Cuihu Park
- Rooftop bar and hammock garden serving as central social gathering spaces
- Expert travel desk for overland routes into Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and highland Yunnan destinations
- Dormitory and private room options with individual lockers throughout
- Bicycle rental for exploring the Green Lake park circuit and Yunnan University restaurant area
Tips
- The hostel fills during Chinese national holidays and in the December–February cool season when Kunming attracts travelers escaping colder regions; book ahead
- Green Lake Park is most atmospheric in early morning — the café terrace opens early for guests wanting to join the park's morning exercise crowds
- Ask the travel desk about current border crossing conditions before planning overland trips into Laos or Vietnam, as regulations and schedules change
- The Yunnan University area, a 10-minute walk south, has some of Kunming's best-value restaurants including crossing-the-bridge noodle specialists
- Kunming's metro is the fastest way into the city center and to both main railway stations — the nearest station is within 10–15 minutes on foot
FAQ
Is the hostel conveniently located for the city center?
The hostel is in the Green Lake area of Wuhua District, approximately 2–3 kilometers from Kunming's main shopping streets. The metro provides convenient access to the center, both railway stations, and the airport.
Does the hostel have information about onward travel to Southeast Asia?
Yes, the travel desk maintains current information on overland routes to Laos via the Mohan/Boten crossing, to Vietnam via Hekou, and other border crossings from Yunnan, including up-to-date visa requirements and transport options.
Can the hostel store luggage for guests?
Luggage storage is available for guests who have not yet checked in, as well as for those making day trips. The front desk can advise on availability and any associated fee.
Are private rooms available alongside dormitories?
The hostel offers a limited number of private double rooms in addition to its dormitory options. Private rooms book out faster than dorms and advance reservation is recommended during peak travel periods.
Accessibility
The traditional courtyard building has multiple step thresholds between sections and the rooftop bar is accessed by stairs. The property does not have elevator access and is not suited to wheelchair users or guests with significant mobility limitations.