Kunming Old Town, Museums & Fuxian Lake
Stay on Wenlin Street, slowly explore the Southwest Associated University site, old streets and museums, then take a day trip to Fuxian Lake.
Aimed at visitors who have already been to the Stone Forest or who want a slower trip. The first three days cover the university area around Green Lake, the Nanping Street old town, and the Chenggong Museum and Dounan area. On Day 4, charter a car to the north shore of Fuxian Lake to see the Chengjiang fossils and Luchong Lake. The last day visits Heilongtan, the Botanical Garden and Golden Hall in the northern suburbs before heading to the airport. The Stone Forest and Xishan are left out to make room for more time in the old city and with local life.
Fuxian Lake is crowded on summer holidays, while spring and autumn offer the clearest lake colours. Red-billed gulls can be seen in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Green Lake & the Southwest Associated University site
Kunming City（Green Lake Park (Cuihu)、Yunnan University (Donglu Campus)、Former Site of National Southwestern Associated University、Wenlin Street & Wenhua Lane）
Take the metro from the airport to the Wuyi Road area, about 1 hour. Walk around Green Lake for the rest of the day.
The former site of Southwest Associated University is on the Yunnan Normal University campus and is closed on Mondays. Bring ID to enter the campus.
Stay: Cuihu Lake, Wenlin Street
Day 2 · Nanping Street old town, temples & pagodas
Kunming City（Kunming Old Street (Wenming Street)、Jingxing Flower and Bird Market、Zhenqing Taoist Temple、Kunming City Museum、East and West Pagodas）
Walk or take a bus about 15 minutes from Green Lake to Nanping Street. Connect the sights on foot within the area.
The Kunming Municipal Museum is closed on Mondays. In the evening, have crossing-the-bridge rice noodles on the old street.
Stay: Cuihu Lake, Wenlin Street
Day 3 · Provincial Museum, Guandu & Dounan
Kunming City（Yunnan Provincial Museum、Guandu Ancient Town、Dounan Flower Market）
Take the metro about 40 minutes to the Yunnan Provincial Museum, then a taxi to Guandu Ancient Town. In the evening, take the metro to Dounan.
The Yunnan Provincial Museum requires advance booking and is closed on Mondays.
Stay: Cuihu Lake, Wenlin Street
Day 4 · Day trip to the north shore of Fuxian Lake
Fuxian Lake & Chengjiang（Chengjiang Fossil Site Museum、Luchong Scenic Area、Red Sand Beach）
Charter a car or self-drive from the city to Chengjiang, about 1 hour. Driving between the north shore stops takes 20–40 minutes each. Return in the evening.
Lakeside buses run infrequently, so a bus-only round trip is not recommended.
Stay: Cuihu Lake, Wenlin Street
Day 5 · North suburb gardens & Golden Hall, then departure
Kunming City（Black Dragon Pool Park、Kunming Botanical Garden、Golden Temple (Taihe Palace)）
Take a taxi about 30 minutes to Heilongtan. The Botanical Garden is right next to it, followed by Golden Hall. Then take a taxi to the airport, about 40 minutes.