From Shangri-La to Kunming – Reflections, Markets & a Beautiful Goodbye

August 2, 2026

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After days of chasing snow-capped mountains, wandering through ancient towns and marvelling at the breathtaking landscapes of Shangri-La, it was finally time to return to where our Yunnan adventure had begun — Kunming.

Often described as the “City of Eternal Spring“, Kunming felt noticeably different from the destinations we had visited over the past ten days. There were no towering mountain ranges or dramatic Tibetan highlands here. Instead, we found leafy boulevards, relaxed city parks, cosy cafés that invited us to slow our pace and enjoy the moment.

As it turned out, that was exactly what we needed before heading home.

While we only had one short day in Kunming, it became one of the most memorable days of our trip. In this post, we’ll share:

✔️ Our comfortable ride on the High-Speed Rail (高铁) from Shangri-La to Kunming

✔️ A private 2.5-hour Kunming Citywalk & Photoshoot experience (Highly Recommend!)

✔️ Hidden gems to explore: Green Lake Park (翠湖公园), Wenlin Street (文林街), Kunming Old Town (昆明老街)

✔️ A heartfelt reflection on our first couple trip to China

🚄 Returning to Kunming by High-Speed Rail

Our day began bright and early as we boarded the High-Speed Rail from Shangri-La back to Kunming. Booked conveniently through Trip.com, we were delighted that they managed to secure Business Class (商务舱) seats for us on this final leg of our journey. After several days of travelling across Yunnan, the spacious reclining seats felt like a luxury.

For almost six hours, we watched the scenery outside transform from rugged mountain landscapes to rolling countryside and bustling city suburbs. It was one of those rare journeys where nobody was rushing. Instead, we spent the time scrolling through photos from the trip and reminiscing about our favourite moments. Looking back, the train ride itself became part of the experience rather than simply a means of getting from one destination to another.

💡 Tip: Arrive early for boarding and enjoy access to the comfortable lounge, complete with cosy sofas, light refreshments and complimentary drinks. When it is time to board, staff will make an announcement and personally guide passengers to the correct platform.

📸 Getting to Know Kunming Through a Citywalk Photoshoot

One of the best decisions we made in Kunming was booking a private Citywalk and Photography Experience through Xiao Hong Shu (小红书). Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, we booked a local photographer, 谈谈 (WeChat: @TANguitar_ | XiaoHongShu: @来杯奶茶摄影) to bring us around Kunming’s most photogenic sights. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip as she showed us a side of Kunming we would never have discovered on our own.

谈谈 led us through quiet lanes filled with colourful murals, hidden courtyards, charming cafés and one of Kunming’s most unusual landmarks: the famous Paper-Thin Building (若安对月楼).

Click HERE to view our photoshoot highlight.

What struck us most was how effortlessly 谈谈 (WeChat: @TANguitar_ | XiaoHongShu: @来杯奶茶摄影) blended photography with storytelling. Along the way, she shared snippets about the neighbourhoods, pointed out interesting architectural details and helped us notice little corners that most tourists would simply walk past.

As travel influencers and an avid photographer, the hubby is usually the one behind the camera. This time, however, someone else captured us simply enjoying each other’s company as we wandered through the city. No more meddling with cumbersome tripods and having blurry wefies!

Those photographs became some of our favourite ‘souvenirs’ from the trip because they captured genuine moments of connection. Sometimes the most meaningful travel memories are not the landmarks themselves but the people we experience them with. In a short morning, 谈谈 captured candid shots of the hubby and me exploring:

翠湖公园 (Green Lake Park) — peaceful waters and morning serenity
黄公东街 — quaint, photogenic streets
文林街 — artsy, laid-back vibes with cafés and character
昆明老街 — a blend of heritage and city life

It was such a lovely way to get acquainted to Kunming with limited time. 谈谈‘s schedules are filled up really fast so please book her immediately once your trip is confirmed!

🏨Where We Stayed: Moon Shine Courtyard Hotel, Kunming

We stayed at Moon Shine Courtyard Hotel (梦景望月精品酒店) booked on Trip.com, located near Nanping Pedestrian Street (南屏步行街), offering:

Cozy, quiet and very affordable rooms with modern touches
Easy access to Kunming’s markets and food streets
Helpful staff that did our laundry and offered a late checkout option (perfect for evening flights)

🌿 Discovering Kunming’s Everyday Charm

After the photoshoot, we continued exploring the city at our own pace.

🌳 Green Lake Park (翠湖公园)

Unlike many tourist attractions that feel crowded and commercialised, Green Lake Park felt wonderfully local. As we strolled around the lake, we watched elderly residents practising tai chi, groups of aunties dancing to traditional music and families enjoying a stroll below the willow trees. There was something comforting about seeing everyday life unfold around us.

☕ A Café Break by the Lake: Bon Appétit (BA翠湖店)

One of our favourite moments in Kunming was surprisingly simple: sitting down for coffee and cake at Bon Appétit Café opposite Green Lake Park. I ordered a rose cream cheese bagel to share while the hubby enjoyed a cup of rose latte which was so fragrant. I love the rose bagels so much I bought 2 more boxes and hand-carried them back to Singapore for my family!

🛍 Wandering Through Wenlin Street and Old Kunming

Before heading back to the hotel, we took a final stroll through Wenlin Street (文林街) and parts of Kunming Old Town (昆明老街). There were independent cultural and creative stores (文创店), quirky gift shops, artisan boutiques and plenty of opportunities for last-minute souvenir shopping. I can spend a full day just browsing on this street.

❤️ A Journey That Changed Our Perceptions

As evening approached, we collected our luggage from the hotel and made our way to Kunming Changshui International Airport (昆明长水国际机场) Sitting at the departure gate, I found myself scrolling through hundreds of photos from the past ten days.

The crystal-clear waters of Dali. The warm hospitality of Lijiang. The majestic mountains of Shangri-La. Strangers who became friends. The countless acts of kindness from locals who welcomed us warmly and the local guides who surprised us with Naxi costumes for our wedding anniversary.

Before this trip, China was never high on our travel wishlist. Like many Singaporeans, we had our own assumptions but Yunnan completely shattered them. What we discovered was a region filled with incredible natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, warm-hearted people and rich experiences that rejuvenated our senses.

✨ Final Thoughts: Thank You, Yunnan

As our plane lifted off from Kunming that evening, I felt an unexpected sense of gratitude.

Gratitude for safe travels. Gratitude for the precious memories David and I created together. Gratitude for the opportunity to experience a side of China that challenged our assumptions and exceeded our expectations.

This journey reminded us that some of life’s greatest adventures begin when we approach the world with an open mind and a willing heart. Sometimes, the most meaningful experiences are found in places we know little about and never expected to fall in love with.

Thank you, Yunnan, for the beautiful memories.

We came as curious travellers. We left with full hearts.

Until next time, China. ❤️

✨ Practical Tips for Travelling to Yunnan

After spending 10 wonderful days exploring Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Kunming, here are a few practical tips that made our trip smoother:

📱 Download Essential Apps Before You Go

China is highly digitalised and having the right apps will make your trip much easier. Our must-have apps include:

WeChat (微信): For communication, payments and various travel services
Alipay (支付宝): Essential for cashless payments almost everywhere
Didi (滴滴): China’s equivalent of Grab; reliable and affordable
Trip.com: For booking hotels, attraction tickets and High-Speed Rail tickets
Xiao Hong Shu (小红书 / Rednote): Fantastic for discovering hidden gems, local food recommendations, photography spots and other unique itineraries shared by fellow travellers

🚄 Book High-Speed Rail Tickets Early

Yunnan’s High-Speed Rail network is efficient, comfortable and affordable. Popular routes such as Kunming–Dali, Dali–Lijiang and Shangri-La–Kunming can sell out, especially during weekends and holidays. We booked all our train tickets through Trip.com and found the process seamless and stress-free.

🏔️ Prepare for High Altitudes in Shangri-La

If your itinerary includes Shangri-La, we recommending going to your family doctor before departure to discuss altitude sickness medication. While some travellers experience no issues, others may develop headaches, breathlessness or fatigue due to the elevation of over 3,000 metres. We found that staying hydrated, moving at a slower pace on the first day and getting plenty of rest helped tremendously.

🧥 Learn to dress in Layers

One thing that surprised us was how dramatically temperatures changed across Yunnan. On the same trip, we experienced:

Warm sunny afternoons in Kunming
Cool mornings in Dali
Chilly evenings in Lijiang and Shangri-La (in June)

A light-weight jacket, comfortable walking shoes and simple colour-coordinated pieces proved far more useful than packing bulky winter clothing.

💰 Carry Some Cash, But Not Too Much

Although China is largely cashless, we still brought a small amount of RMB on hand for emergencies, small purchases or situations where mobile payment systems might not work. That said, over 95% of our transactions were completed through WeChat and Alipay. It was that convenient!

📸 Leave Room for Spontaneous Activities

Perhaps our biggest takeaway from Yunnan is this: don’t pack the itinerary so tightly that there’s no room to slow down and enjoy the moment. Travel isn’t just about ticking places off a checklist. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences are the ones we never planned for.

We hope our Yunnan travelogue series has given you a glimpse of this beautiful region and inspired you to embark on your own Yunnan adventure someday.