Transfer from Kunming airport or railway station to your hotel. The day is left open for rest or a short neighborhood walk. Meet your guide to review the route and discuss photography priorities before leaving the city the following morning.
8-Day Yunnan Rice Terraces & Puzhehei Tour
Kunming - Jianshui - Yuanyang - Puzhehei - Kunming
Private planning around your dates and interestsTOUR OVERVIEW
A route that works on the ground
Travel from Kunming to Jianshui, Yuanyang and Puzhehei in 8 days, pairing Hani rice terraces and heritage lanes with two nights among karst lakes.
- Start
- Kunming
- Finish
- Kunming
- Travel rhythm
- Overland discovery with clearly marked transfer days
- Best time
- November to March is famous for water-filled terraces and reflections; late spring and early autumn offer greener fields.
Terraced hills and karst lakes in one southeast loop
This southeast Yunnan loop joins two contrasting landscapes: the terraced slopes of Yuanyang and the lake-filled karst country of Puzhehei. Jianshui breaks the outward drive with temple courtyards and local food. Two nights in each landscape destination give photography and outdoor visits room to move with the weather. Compare this itinerary with our wider collection of Yunnan tours.
8 days / 7 nights Itinerary at a Glance
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Route
- Kunming - Jianshui - Yuanyang - Puzhehei - Kunming
- Long-distance travel
- Confirmed daytime rail connections and private transfers
- Tour format
- Customizable private tour
Trip Highlights Code: YN-02-08
- Walk through Jianshui’s historic center and visit traditional courtyards.
- Spend two nights near the Yuanyang terrace viewpoints.
- Use a dedicated transfer day between Yuanyang and Puzhehei.
- Finish with lakeside paths and a train return to Kunming.
Plan with Confidence: Clear inclusions, confirmed travel arrangements and a personalized itinerary before booking.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
INTERACTIVE ROUTE MAP
8-Day Yunnan Rice Terraces & Puzhehei Tour
Drag to explore, use + / − to zoom, and select a numbered stop for details.
Drive to Jianshui with a lunch break en route. Visit the Confucius Temple or Zhu Family Garden, then walk around the old town. Try local tofu dishes at a restaurant recommended by your guide, with meals selected to suit your preferences.
Pause at Double Dragon Bridge before the drive into the Yuanyang hills. Check in near the terrace area rather than in distant lowland accommodation. If timing and visibility are suitable, enjoy a first viewpoint visit in the late afternoon.
Plan the day around selected Duoyishu and Bada viewpoints, with a rest between early and late outings. Walk through a Hani village with respect for residents’ homes and working fields. Cloud, mist and the farming cycle determine the appearance of the terraces.
Use this day for the longer road journey to Puzhehei, with regular stops and a proper meal break. Do not attach a timed boat ride to arrival. Check into your accommodation and enjoy a short walk only if the group has the energy.
Explore village lanes and accessible lakeside paths beneath the limestone hills. A boat outing can be quoted when operating conditions are suitable. Photographers can choose a viewpoint walk; travelers wanting less climbing can remain around the flatter lake paths.
Enjoy a final gentle outing before the station transfer and a daytime train to Kunming. Lotus flowers are seasonal, while the village and karst scenery can be appreciated outside the flowering period. Stay in Kunming to protect your onward departure.
Your driver takes you to the airport or railway station with time for check-in. No distant sightseeing is planned before departure. An extra Kunming day can be added if you would like a separate Stone Forest excursion.
Private Tour Reference Prices
Estimated starting prices in USD per adult for the full 8-day / 7-night itinerary, sharing twin or double rooms.
2 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,990from / person
4 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,490from / person
6 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,350from / person
Headline price basis: Four adults traveling together, using two twin or double rooms. City stays use comfortable 4-star hotels; village and remote stays use selected local guesthouses or boutique accommodation. The Accommodation tab shows the overnight bases.
Transport included in the estimate: Private road travel to Jianshui, Yuanyang and Puzhehei; Puzhehei–Kunming second-class rail.
For this route: Includes one principal Jianshui heritage site and the standard Yuanyang terrace viewpoint ticket. Optional Puzhehei boats and a Stone Forest extension are extra.
Single-room supplement: From USD 350 per person for the full itinerary, added to the applicable twin-sharing group price. Solo private tours, odd-numbered groups and children receive a separate quote.
Dates and confirmation: These are planning estimates for standard-season travel, excluding Chinese public holidays, peak summer dates and major local festivals. Hotel and transport availability, room upgrades and itinerary changes can affect the price. Your dated quotation confirms the final total and inclusions before booking.
Get a Quote for My DatesTypical Overnight Bases
Only places used by this itinerary are shown below. The final hotel list follows confirmed transport, season and room availability; upgrades and room preferences can be customized.
Kunming
2 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteJianshui
1 night · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteYuanyang
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quotePuzhehei
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quote
2 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteJianshui
1 night · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quoteYuanyang
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quotePuzhehei
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quote
✓ Price Includes
- The reference price budgets for the following services; your dated quotation confirms the final arrangements
- 7 nights in twin or double rooms: comfortable 4-star city hotels and selected local boutique or guesthouse stays; cruise cabin where specified
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Private arrival, departure and sightseeing transfers on the base itinerary
- English-speaking local guides on scheduled sightseeing days; no full-time escort on independent leisure or rail/flight sectors
- Standard admission and mandatory scenic transport for the base sightseeing program, as specified in Prices
- Private road travel to Jianshui, Yuanyang and Puzhehei; Puzhehei–Kunming second-class rail.
⊘ Price Excludes
- International flights and transport to the first city or from the final city; domestic flights except any allowance expressly listed in Prices
- Lunches, dinners and drinks except the meals specifically included above
- Optional activities, alternative excursions and upgrades identified in the route-specific price notes
- Single-room supplements, extra nights, upgraded rooms and changes to the base itinerary
- Personal travel insurance, entry-document costs, personal purchases and discretionary gratuities
Who Is This Tour For?
This route suits travelers interested in landscapes & photography who want 8 days to explore Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Kunming.
Hotel standard, walking pace and optional experiences are agreed before confirmation. Share your priorities so the final route remains practical for your group.
Travel Tips for This Itinerary
- Terrace reflections, green rice and harvest colors occur at different times of year.
- The Yuanyang to Puzhehei drive is a transfer day with limited sightseeing.
- Ask for room access details if stairs or uneven village paths are difficult.
- Review our guide to China high-speed train travel before any rail sector.
- Check current entry requirements early with the China visa guide.
- Read our practical China travel tips for packing, payments and daily preparation.
- Daily hotel breakfast is included in the estimate. Other meals are included only where specified under Prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the terraces always filled with water?
No. Their appearance follows the agricultural cycle and weather. Share the photographs you hope to take so the team can discuss a suitable travel period.
Can we start or finish in Puzhehei?
Yes. The loop can be adjusted around confirmed rail connections, with the final hotel nights and transfers revised accordingly.
How many nights does this itinerary include?
The published 8-day route includes 7 overnight stays. The Accommodation tab lists the actual bases and night counts. Extra arrival or departure nights can be quoted separately.
What does the starting price mean?
The estimated starting price is USD 1,490 per person for four adults traveling together and sharing twin or double rooms in standard season. The Prices tab also shows estimates for two and six adults, the single-room supplement and route-specific inclusions. Send your dates for a confirmed quotation.
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