Visit the hot springs at Anning - 34 kms from Kunming.
The West Hills 西山 Xi Shan provide a good view of the city and have a few ancient Daoist Taoist caves of sculptures. Take bus #5 West to the end of the route, then Bus #6 or a minibus. In total the trip should take no more than an hour and a half. From the #6 bus stop either take a minibus up to the main gate or walk about 3 hours. There is an entrance fee to the grottos ¥30.
Travel further north-west to the old towns of Dali 4 hours or Lijiang 8 hours, both very popular with foreign tourists. See Yunnan tourist trail for discussion.
Fuxian lake - one of cleanest and deepest lakes in China hard to believe when you see how locals wash their motorbikes on the beach. One hour by bus from Kunming. Great one day trip. In Kunming get to South bus station buses 170, 156; taxi Â¥40, really far from downtown. Regular buses to Chengjiang æ¾æ± for Â¥15- Â¥20 every hour. There you can take local transport/taxi to lake or walk. Lake is 3-4km far from Chengjiang bus station. Last bus back to Kunming at 7PM. You also can camp on the beach, recommended not too close to city. Lake is huge, clear, beautiful! You can walk around within a weekend or just a half, to South end of lake, there are also villages with transport to Kunming.
Yuan Yang rice terrace to the south.
