Kunming Old Town — Attraction in Kunming

Have you seen Kunminng old street or old town at NIGHT?

The moment I stepped off the train into Kunming’s bustling station, the crisp, spring-like air hit me—a welcome change after days of humid travel. Known as the "Spring City," Kunming lived up to its name with gentle sunshine and a cool breeze, even in summer. As a first-time backpacker in Yunnan’s capital, I was eager to explore.

Unexpected Street Food Adventures Hungry, I ventured into Wenlin Street, a foodie paradise. The smell of sizzling rushan (Yunnan cheese) and crossing-the-bridge rice noodles filled the air. I pointed randomly at a vendor’s skewers, not knowing what to expect—turned out to be grilled tofu with spicy dipping powder. My mouth burned, but the vendor grinned and handed me a sugarcane juice to cool down. Lesson learned: Yunnan loves its spice.

A Backpacker’s Mishap at the Hostel I checked into a quirky hostel near Jinma Biji Fang, where a German traveler warned me, "The showers are either ice or lava." True enough, my first attempt ended in a yelp. But the rooftop common area made up for it—over cheap Dali beers, we swapped stories with a Brazilian photographer and a Kunming local who insisted we visit the Stone Forest (But take the bus, not the tourist shuttle!).

Final Thoughts Kunming wasn’t just a transit hub to Dali or Lijiang—it was a city of warm locals, unexpected flavors, and laid-back charm. As my train rolled out, I scribbled in my journal: "Spring City, more like ‘Smile City.’ Definitely coming back."

Tips for Fellow Backpackers. Transport. Buses are cheap; use Dianping or Baidu Maps to navigate. Must-Try. Across-the-bridge rice noodles (ask the hostel to teach you how to eat it properly!). Avoid Scams: Ignore "tea ceremony" invites near the train station. Hidden Gem:Yuantong Temple*—a peaceful escape with giant koi fish.

Kunming stole my heart—one spicy tofu...

Just like any other town in China, it has a section with a retro old feel aptly called Old Town (though we are not sure if it is really old or new or has been periodically rebuilt). We did go see the Yuan Tong Temple which did have an authentic old vibe about it. We also had the obliglatory photos taken at the "flat iron" looking buildings near the Kunming square. Kunming Old Town is very photographable, plenty of instagram worthy shots. Of course no where near Li Jiang or Yading or any other Old Towns or sights along the way to Shangrila/Yading. However, you do get all the conveniences & comforts of a modern city like fast food, souvenir shopping, decent local food & clean toilets etc. Still gets a good rating cause we used this as a step to catch the fast train to...

Some pics from the past - an early morning holiday market in the downtown Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province. Afterwards I went to the railway station to get on the cheapest train to Shanghai. There is a photo of how that twelve hour standing ride was starting. At that moment I still could move my hands. Looks completely packed, but many more people were yet coming! A couple of passengers were boxed up through a window - it was possible at the first stop; already at the next stop train doors were no more opening. The most unforgettable experience ever! Even Indian trains are not a patch on Chinese budget ones. If you're traveling on a shoestring, I would recommend you to think a hundred times before you decide to take a Chinese train...