We did 3 nights in Kunming. The trip was enjoyable, with the highlight of our trip being the Stone Forest, however be prepared to spend a lot of your travel budget on these type of tourist attractions. That being said, the Stone Forest was gorgeous and you should definitely visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site if you are in the area. See our travels through our lens and maybe get some ideas for your next trip!
http://mikenatalieworldwide.com/2015...december-2014/
Hope this helps!

Thanks. Many tourists rush to Dali, Lijiang, etc., and don't spend enough time in Kunming, it's even more beautiful when the weather gets warmer and the flowers are gorgeous.

We had a great time in Kunming and could have spent more time there! Thanks for commenting!

Heard Spring City, Kunming, had the most scenic golf course in all of China. You guys play there?

We didn't unfortunately. With the limited time we had in Kunming, we squeezed in as much as we could.

Mike and Nancy..thank you for the video of Kunming and Stone Forest. Wanna see what Kunming and The Stone Forest was like with just a few tourists in the vastly different China of 1984?

We had to get in with a tour group which we always try to avoid..but it was the only legal way we could do it then. In 2007 we were able to travel independently in China. In 1984, there was only one US-based tour Group (Pacific Delight) with Kunming on the agenda...now there are so many more options.

In '07, late wife and I took in Beijing and vicinity, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and the terraced rice fields...three hour drive from Yangshuo.

Frankly, I thought the China of the 1980's was much more exciting and exotic...everyone wore the same blue Mao jackets, there were absolutely NO private automobiles, only busses and military vehicles...(we flew some scary old DC-3 planes back then)... and hardly any foreign restaurants...all Chinese. People crowded around us looking into out faces from up close...it was such a rarity to see westerners then.

Here below are the photos from 1984:

Stuart Tower, Californian

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ndStoneForest#

(and a sweet hello to Shanghainese on her post above!)

Stu:

And a hearty hello back! Went to China twice last year so taking a break till next year. If you come north, let us know. Cheers!

Stu,

Really cool post. That is a great contrast to the present day.

Thanks for commenting!

Mike and Natalie

Mike and Natalie:
might also add that traveling through all of the so-called Iron Curtain countries during the "cold war" of the 70's and 80's was equally memorable. Problems with petrol availability and food in near-empty markets was endemic. Subject to the whims of border guards held many anxious moments.

Check out more from our trip to Kunming, China at www.tothenationsworldwide.com

In Yunnan, there are many more beautiful areas besides Dali, Lijiang, such as Jianshui, Yuanyang, Luoping, etc, even in Kunming, in additional to Stone Forest, Red Land is another picturesque place to go!

Don't forget the best thing yo buy in Kunming is tea - specifically pu'er tea. They make some of the best tea in China (and the world) IMHO. the tea market is fascinating.