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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Dayao [2025]
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Yulong Snow Mountain
4.5
/5
17990 reviews
9.1
From £6.27
Based on 707 reviews
Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864001335596
Address: 15 km north of Lijiang Old Town, Yulong County, Lijiang City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
Take a cable car for panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains
Cableway to 14780 ft glacier park
Saved by 3314 users8221 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, located in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, is a National 5A-level scenic spot. [__LINK_ICON] It is the southernmost snow-capped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere, with its main peak, Fanzidou, reaching an elevation of 5,596 meters. The scenic area boasts stunning natural scenery, including attractions such as Glacier Park and Blue Moon Valley. It is also a sacred mountain for the Naxi people, whose patron saint, "Sanduo," is the embodiment of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. [__LINK_ICON]
Booking tickets was very convenient. You could place your order by 3 PM the day before. You didn't have to fight for tickets for the Baoda Cableway, and the value was good. While you couldn't choose your booking time, the times provided by the travel agency were good. The cableway departed at 9:30 AM and Yunshanping departed at 1:30 PM. The departure times were staggered, allowing you to plan your own itineraries for other attractions and meals. You didn't have to join a tour group, and the departure time didn't have to be early. The cableway times couldn't be rescheduled, which was a bit unkind. I had to go to the hospital that morning and missed my cableway reservation, so I had to wait until after 3 PM. Even if I wanted to go to Yunshanping earlier, I couldn't change it. There are convenient buses connecting the scenic areas. Yunshanping wasn't as scenic as Yaoniuping, but Blue Moon Valley is directly accessible by bus. It's beautiful and worth a visit, and the value was the best. We reached the summit at 4,680 meters in the rain and snow, and didn't experience altitude sickness. Renting cold weather gear is essential, as the weather on the plateau can be unpredictable. The buffet was filling, with both meat and vegetable dishes, mostly Chinese stir-fries, and the food was average. The transportation from Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is very convenient, and the return trip is also very cheap. It is recommended that individual tourists do not join a group, and it is more free and convenient to go on their own. In fact, you can play on your own after entering the scenic area. The signs in the scenic area are very clear. The snow mountain is very shocking, and nature is sacred. It is worth visiting.
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Stone Forest Scenic Area
4.7
/5
15622 reviews
8.8
Based on 54 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +86087167711439
Address: Extension of Shilin Middle Road, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
See the bizarre karst peaks
Ashima rock: unique & captivating
Saved by 1455 users7811 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The environment is good and the scenery is unique. After following the tour guide, I was really impressed by the wonders of nature. The toilets in the scenic area are clean and equipped with combs, hair dryers, etc. In addition to the natural scenery, the scenic area also arranges many ethnic performances, which is worth a visit.
The lotus flowers were in full bloom; any later would have withered. The Stone Forest is huge. My parents are over 70, so the entrance fee and the sightseeing bus are free. However, the park is so large, and I was worried they might get hungry at noon, so I just visited the Stone Forest and climbed to the pavilion at the top before heading back. As long as they don't have any regrets, that's fine.
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Dianchi Lake
4.7
/5
8631 reviews
8.5
Based on 296 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +86087164310175
Address: 1318 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Surrounded by mountains & Daguan Tower
Majestic plateau freshwater lake
Saved by 1051 users4187 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery on the mountain is particularly beautiful, and there are various seasonal flowers. There is an ancient temple on the mountain, and there are kittens, birds, squirrels and other animals everywhere.
Dianchi Lake, the birthplace of the ancient Dian Kingdom, has been a vibrant cultural hub for thousands of years and boasts a rich history. Nestled alongside the Xishan Mountains, Dianchi Lake boasts abundant natural resources and breathtaking scenery. The surrounding Daguan Park (Daguan Tower), Haigeng Park, Xishan Scenic Area (Longmen), and numerous wetland parks offer excellent recreational opportunities. However, the entire Dianchi Lake is surrounded by a circuit, making it difficult to reach the lake's edge for scenic views.
No.
4
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Dongfengyun Scenic Area
4.5
/5
9314 reviews
8.5
From £8.36
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608736292698
Address: Hudong Highway, Maile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Scenic platform & trail
Enjoy a choir of thousands and terracotta art
Saved by 421 users8049 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This place is definitely worth a visit, the scenery is stunning, and Miledong Fengyun is truly a hidden gem! The red brick buildings look rugged, but the details are ingenious, like the curvature of the curves and the shape of the windows, which make for a truly artistic photo. The sea of flowers isn't just lavender; different flowers bloom in different seasons, like poppies in spring and cosmos in summer. There's always something new to see every time you visit!
Strolling through Dongfengyun is like stepping into an artistic fantasy world where reality and dreams intertwine. The red brick "kaleidoscope" buildings stand silently in the sunlight, like flames growing from the earth, carrying the fire culture of the Yi Axi people and evoking the mellow memories of Mile as a wine-producing region. The buildings, devoid of steel or nails, embody power and poetry in their most primitive form. A sea of lavender blossoms sways gently in the breeze, its purple waves echoing with the distant red brick sculptures, evoking a Provence in central Yunnan. Stepping inside, the shimmering light and shadow cast by the dome softens your steps and calms your heart. This is more than just a photo backdrop; it's a poetic corner where the soul rests. Art, nature, and humanity blend quietly here, leaving you spellbound.
No.
5
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Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge
4.6
/5
5491 reviews
8.4
From £4.70
Based on 1,226 reviews
Tiger Leaping Gorge | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8608878806982
Address: Tiger Leaping Gorge(Hutiaoxia Town), Shangri-La County, Diqing Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
World-class hiking & iconic rock
World-class hiking: mountains & rapids
Saved by 1129 users3155 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was raining when I went (☂️╹д╹). The scenery was beautiful, but the water was a bit yellow.
Luckily, there was a coffee shop where I could buy a juice and even take a photo (＾◡＾)っ☕️
The gushing waters were nothing we’ve seen before. The scenery was gorgeous and magnificent. It was an awesome day, an awesome experience. It’s not expensive too. However when we went to the ticket office to exchange tickets bought from trip.com, the staff had problems looking for our tickets. Better to just buy there at the ticket office
No.
6
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Yunnan Nationalities Village
4.4
/5
14065 reviews
8.4
From £15.15
Based on 513 reviews
Dianchi Lake Scenic Area/ Sunac World | >100 km from downtown
Phone +86087164311255
Address: 1310 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
12 villages & 26 cultures
Experience lively folk shows & festivals
Saved by 795 users6142 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's a large scenic area. It is recommended to buy a shuttle bus ticket, which can be used multiple times. There are many ethnic architectural landscapes and many free ethnic performances. It is worth seeing.
The project of climbing the knife mountain is really exciting. I even went to verify whether it is a real knife. The other scenery is okay. It is just that the houses of other ethnic groups in Yunnan are built into a park.
No.
7
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Cangshan Mountain
4.5
/5
6649 reviews
8.4
From £13.58
Based on 337 reviews
Cangshan Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8608725365006
Address: Xiyinxian Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
10 temples & 20 natural attractions
Unique geological landscapes displayed
Saved by 692 users3947 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Gantong Cableway rises to an altitude of about 4,000 meters. The scenery is great and there are many tourists. It is worth seeing. The exquisite chess game is in this place and you can also feed the squirrels.
Cangshan, meaning "dark green," is also known as Dian Cangshan. The Tang Dynasty book "Manshu" by Fan Chuo describes Cangshan as "the summit is several thousand feet high, its rocky ridges azure." Therefore, Cangshan means "green mountain rocks."
But who could have imagined that Cangshan is nearly 4,000 meters high? Wearing a vest and shorts, I took a hired car all the way up the mountain. As soon as I got the car, the only thing I felt was the cold!
I persevered up the mountain to the lake, where the scenery was beautiful. Ximatan, or Ximatan, is said to be the place where Guanyin released a black dragon. Another legend goes that when Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, conquered Dali, he led his troops across Cangshan and stationed at Ximatan to wash horses, hence the name. The high altitude, the thin air, and the chill were oppressive. My only thought was to get down the mountain quickly!
No.
8
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Lugu Lake Scenic Area
4.7
/5
10591 reviews
8.3
From £7.32
Based on 889 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +86088815908880150
Address: Lugu Lake Town, Ninglang County, Lijiang City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Experience unique Mosuo walking marriage
Plateau lake at 2.685 km
Saved by 763 users6951 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The B&B we stayed in is right in the heart of Daluoshui Village, Lugu Lake. Standing on the balcony, facing Lugu Lake, was very pleasant. Zhuoma, the B&B's housekeeper, was very welcoming and answered all our questions. The hotel's service was excellent and I'm very satisfied. I'll definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to visit Lugu Lake!
#Driver Team Self-Drive Tour of the Western Sichuan Grand Loop
A rich, relaxing, and joyful day. On our second night at Lugu Lake, after group activities, each team found their own fun. [Happy][Happy] Tomorrow we'll depart for Xichang.
No.
9
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Potatso National Park
4.4
/5
8851 reviews
8.3
From £24.86
Based on 505 reviews
Pudacuo National Forest Park | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8608878232533
Address: Pudacuo National Park Scenic Spot, Hongpo Village, Shangri-La, Diqing, China (near Shuoduhu Road)
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Winter mist & May-June
Winter mist on Shudu Lake
Saved by 751 users3504 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Should provide location map for pick up. Was informed that staff with uniforms will be waiting for return trip.
There was no clear signage for what bus to take to where. If i hadn’t done my research about being able to go to bitahai within the park, I would have totally missed a beautiful part of the park. As well, Bitahai was closed off where the lake begins. You can only see the grassland and a portion of the lake from afar. A bit disappointing. Overall the park is very nice. Good easy hiking trails as well as plank walkways
No.
10
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The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Area
4.7
/5
12444 reviews
8.2
From £7.63
Based on 522 reviews
Dali Ancient City | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864009001558
Address: Southwest corner of the intersection of Santa Road and Wenbi Road, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Three Pagodas Reflection Pond views
Perfect spot for tower reflections
Saved by 561 users5894 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I heard that it is the only 5A scenic spot in Dali. I happened to live nearby, so I wanted to come and have a look. There are battery cars in the scenic area, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to walk. The sister who gave the explanation was also very nice. She kept reminding us that the altitude is a bit high and we should walk slowly. The explanation was also very good.
This time I brought my mother to play. We chose to take the battery car to the highest point in the scenic area, and then slowly walked down. The whole process was not tiring. The scenery is beautiful, and we also encountered wild foxes. It is worth checking in!
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