Kunming travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, China.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Flower cakes
Price: CNY 40-50 per box (~$6-7.50)
Where: HappyMiss (No. 1, 1/F, No. 16 Yuantong Street); Jiahua bakeries
Pu'er, green and jasmine tea
Price: CNY 50-200 per 100 g (~$7.50-30)
Where: Jade Lake Tea City; TAETEA Puer & Cafe
Yunnan coffee
Price: CNY 50-150 per 100 g beans (~$7.50-22); CNY 15-30 per drip-bag pack (~$2.20-4.40)
Where: Nanping Pedestrian Street; SinloyCoffee
Yunnan ham mooncakes
Price: CNY 50-200 per box (~$7.50-30)
Where: Pan Xiangji, Jiahua, Guanshengyuan
Bai batik
Price: CNY 80-300 (~$12-44)
Where: Dongfeng West Road artisan stalls
Handmade ethnic bags
Price: CNY 10-500 (~$1.50-74)
Where: Nanping Pedestrian Street; Kunming Old Street
Yunnan chilli sauce
Price: CNY 20-50 per jar (~$3-7.40)
Where: Local spice stalls
Mushroom products
Price: Tea CNY 20-80 (~$3-12); magnets CNY 10-30 (~$1.50-4.50); broth cubes CNY 50-100 (~$7.40-15)
Where: Local specialty shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Dounan International Flower Market
Described as the largest fresh-cut flower market in China and Asia, established in 1998; reached by Metro Line 1 or bus.
Where: Chenggong
Hours: Retail by day; wholesale from about 20:30, best before 03:00
Zhuanxin Wet Market
Local wet market beside Yunnan University with grilled tofu, rice noodles and fruit shakes.
Where: Near Yunnan University
Hours: Busiest mornings and lunch; best around 11:00 on weekdays
Kunming Old Street
Old-town market street with a jewellery, flowers and birds market.
Where: Wuyi Road
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Bird and Flower Market
Traditional city market listed on Jingxing Street.
Where: Jingxing Street
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Mushuihua Market
Local market tagged as a destination on GoKunming.
Where: Fufa Road
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Yunfang Cultural and Creative Park
Arts and creative park tagged as a destination on GoKunming.
Where: Huancheng South Road
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Kundu Night Market
Evening market crowded with locals and visitors, selling grilled fish, skewers and beer.
Where: Kundu
Hours: From about 20:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Nanping Pedestrian Street
Best for: 75 Nanping Street, Wuhua District; local and international shops, Yunnan coffee and ethnic bags; street food side lanes
Wenlin Street and Wenhua Lane
Best for: Elephant Books, Mandarin Books, Wheatfield Bookstore, cafes and small art spaces near Yunnan University
Dongfeng West Road artisan stalls
Best for: Bai batik scarves at about CNY 80-300 (~$12-44)
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Spring City 66 (Henglong Plaza)
High-end mall with a sky terrace restaurant and bar.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Kunming MixC Mall
High-end international-brand mall near Chajie metro station.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Tongde Kunming Plaza
Mid-market shopping plaza near Baiyun Road metro.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Joy City Kunming
Commercial complex combining retail, catering and entertainment.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Wanda Plaza (Xishan)
Wanda mall in the Xishan District.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Wangfujing Outlet Town
Outlet shopping village beside the Dianchi convention centre.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Zhengyi Fang Shopping Center
Shopping complex in the Zhengyi Fang district.
Hours: Hours not published in the sources consulted; check locally.
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Malls such as Spring City 66 and MixC use fixed prices.
Bargaining is normal at Dounan Flower Market, Kunming Old Street and Nanping street vendors.
Dounan is best before 03:00 for wholesale trading, and public buses do not run at night.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Prices in malls are fixed; bargaining applies at markets and street stalls.