Yunnan Family Vacation! 8 Days and 7 Nights of Fun in Xishuangbanna and Pu'er

During the National Day holiday, I took my child on an 8-day, 7-night family trip to Yunnan, immersing ourselves in the life we longed for. The beautiful memories have lingered in my heart ever since. I had previously been to Dali and Lijiang, which have a unique leisurely charm, but Xishuangbanna and Pu'er offer a different kind of allure. They are truly family-friendly destinations where children can have fun and gain knowledge. 🎪 This itinerary is entirely designed around the child's interests, incorporating many interactive experiences so that children can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also actively participate, deeply imprinting these wonderful memories in their minds. ⚠️ A quick note: This trip fully considers the travel conditions during the National Day holiday. For example, flying to Kunming on the first day is because direct flights to Xishuangbanna are more expensive, so this arrangement saves a lot of money. The Xishuangbanna visit is split over two days because October 2nd is the peak of the National Day holiday with many tourists, which would affect the experience, while on the 7th, there are significantly fewer visitors, allowing for a more relaxed visit. So please adjust the itinerary flexibly according to your own situation 📅 ✈️ Itinerary: 🧳 DAY 1: Arrive in Kunming by plane at noon. Stay at 26Life Zuji Ethnic Inn, which features rooms themed around Yunnan’s 26 ethnic groups, full of rich ethnic style. You can also rent ethnic costumes for free to take photos. The child happily ran around the inn wearing colorful ethnic clothes, taking endless photos. The inn is near the commercial area, making dining and shopping very convenient. In the afternoon, a short walk of a few hundred meters takes you to Kunming Old Street, Duiyuelou, and Nie Er’s Former Residence. Walking the old street with the child, you can feel Kunming’s historical charm and taste local specialties like flower cakes and crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, which the child enjoyed immensely. 🧳 DAY 2: Take the high-speed train early morning to Xishuangbanna, arriving smoothly at noon. In the afternoon, visit the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden, a treasure trove of plants. Those strange plants seen in science books now appear right before the child’s eyes. The child curiously touched leaves and observed flowers, asking question after question. It is recommended to hire a professional guide who can explain the growth habits and characteristics of the plants in detail, allowing the child to learn while playing. Stay overnight at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, which has excellent facilities and spacious, comfortable rooms so the child can rest well and recharge for the next day. 🧳 DAY 3: Head to Jino Mountain for a rainforest hike. There are 4km and 8km routes; for children, the 4km is recommended. Although the path includes water and mud, making it a bit challenging, the child found it especially fun. Swinging high on swings in the valley, climbing sturdy strangler figs, riding bamboo rafts through streams, and even daring to try eating ants—each experience thrilled the child. While enjoying a Jino ethnic rainforest feast, we unexpectedly encountered a small green snake 🐍, which made the child both nervous and curious, becoming a memorable little episode of the trip. 🧳 DAY 4: Visit Manyuan Village, one of China’s top ten most beautiful villages. Follow a Dai ethnic sister to learn how to make pineapple rice. The child carefully stirred the ingredients and steamed the dish, tasting the fruits of their labor, which felt especially sweet. The child also experienced picking fresh flowers to make Dai paper and handmade Dai pottery, enhancing their hands-on skills and creativity. 🦚 At noon, enjoy a special peacock-themed meal with exquisitely presented dishes and delicious roast chicken, which the child ate with great relish. Then visit the filming location of the show "The Life We Long For," where the serene environment and beautiful scenery allowed the child to imitate scenes from the show and take photos. In the afternoon, head to Pu'er Little Panda Manor for check-in (see homepage for more tips). At night, participate in a night insect-watching activity. The child held a flashlight and, guided by staff, searched for insects, learning about fireflies, stick insects, and other creatures, deepening their curiosity about nature. 🧳 DAY 5: Early morning visit to Sun River Forest Park, an excellent place for family interaction, where you can get close to little pandas, rhinos, and other animals. The child carefully fed the little pandas and couldn’t stop smiling at their adorable appearance. ⛰️ In the evening, arrive at Jingmai Mountain to visit the ancient Nuogan Village, experiencing the historical depth of the village and the customs of the Bulang ethnic group. Stay at the "Beyond Things" Inn, and in the evening, enjoy roasting tea around the fire with the child, chatting and drinking tea in a warm atmosphere, savoring precious family time. 🧳 DAY 6: 🌲 In the morning, stroll through the ancient tea forests of Jingmai Mountain and experience traditional Bulang life in Wengji Ancient Village, touching the textures of thousand-year-old trees and feeling the passage of time. Then follow a professional master to learn coffee roasting, from selecting coffee beans to roasting. The child participated throughout and learned the coffee-making process. Also visit the Bulang Princess Tea Factory to learn how to make tea cakes, pressing the tea cakes by hand and engraving their name, gaining a unique souvenir. 🧳 DAY 7: Early morning, watch the sea of clouds at Jingmai Mountain. In autumn, the sea of clouds usually dissipates around 9 a.m., while in winter it lasts until noon, so you don’t have to get up early to enjoy the spectacular view. The mist swirling among the mountains looks like a fairyland, and the child was amazed. 🐘 Then return to Xishuangbanna and visit Wild Elephant Valley to observe elephants’ living habits up close, watch elephant performances and bathing, and the child can feed the elephants and interact closely with them. 🍍 Stay overnight at Pineapple Resort Hotel (see homepage for more tips). In the evening, visit the Starlight Night Market, bustling with various specialty goods and delicious food. The child picked out favorite handicrafts and tasted tropical fruits, experiencing the unique charm of Xishuangbanna. 🧳 DAY 8: Finally, sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Take photos with the child at the hotel to record this wonderful family time. At noon, pack up and take the plane back home, ending a joyful trip to Yunnan.