Southwest China
Karst peaks, terraced rice paddies, and vibrant ethnic minority cultures
Quick Stats
location_city Cities in this Region
Guilin
Dreamy karst peaks rising from emerald rivers like a living scroll painting
Kunming
Spring City gateway to Yunnan's mountains, gorges, and ethnic diversity
Lijiang
Naxi old town of cobblestone streets beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Dali
Bai minority lakeside town between mountains and Erhai Lake
emoji_events Bounties in Southwest China
Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo
Float past fairy-tale karst peaks and bamboo-fringed banks on China's most scenic river.
Photograph the Longji Rice Terraces
Capture the 700-year-old Dragon's Backbone terraces cascading down mountain slopes.
Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge
Trek along one of the world's deepest gorges where the Jinsha River rages 3,790 meters below snow peaks.
Get Lost in Lijiang Old Town
Wander the UNESCO cobblestone maze of the Naxi people beneath snow-capped peaks.
Cycle Through the Yangshuo Countryside
Pedal past karst towers, water buffalo, and rice paddies on backroads too beautiful to rush.
Explore the Stone Forest
Wander a 270-million-year-old labyrinth of razor-sharp limestone pillars that resemble a petrified forest.
Watch the Impression Liu Sanjie Show
See 600 performers stage a spectacle on the Li River with karst peaks as the backdrop.
Cycle Around Erhai Lake
Pedal the scenic shore road of a vast highland lake backed by the Cangshan mountain range.
Try Guilin Rice Noodles for Breakfast
Slurp the silky rice noodles that fuel this city, dressed in chili, pickles, and horse meat.
Cross the Bridge Noodles at a Century-Old Shop
Assemble Yunnan's famous noodle soup tableside from a parade of fresh ingredients and boiling broth.
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Wander Bai minority lanes and photograph the 1,100-year-old triple pagodas mirrored in a lake.
Try Bai Minority Cuisine at a Local Home
Sit down with a Bai family for their famous 'three courses of tea' ceremony and local specialties.
Browse the Dounan Flower Market
Roam Asia's largest flower market where 10,000 species change hands in a fragrant frenzy.
Savor Naxi Baba Flatbread
Bite into the flaky, savory-sweet flatbread perfected by the Naxi people of Lijiang.