New Travel Destination in Kunming: Fuxian Lake Dolphin Bay Hotel
The domestic epidemic is finally winding down. My anxious heart, which had been hanging for so long, could finally relax. After being cooped up for ages, for the May Day holiday we chose a super fun place to check out—this Dolphin Bay Hotel!
Location: The hotel is near Fuxian Lake, about an hour's drive from Kunming along the shores of Fuxian Lake in Yuxi. It's Yunnan's only purely cartoon-themed family hotel.
Ambiance: The moment you step into the lobby, you feel like you've entered a colorful fairy-tale castle. The vivid color scheme is a feast for the eyes. The aquarium bar in the lobby will remind you of Atlantis—this must be Yunnan's own Atlantis! There are also limited-time mermaid shows at the aquarium bar, so don't miss them. The outdoor swimming pool is huge, and you can even take mermaid courses or private yoga sessions.
Highlights: The property is enormous. Beyond getting up close and touching dolphins, you can also see dinosaur fossils and skeletons. Plus, you can do your own barbecue. All of this is available at the Cambrian Town Happy World in Yunnan. This is the first hotel I've ever experienced with such offerings—it's absolutely amazing!
Facilities: The facilities are extremely comprehensive. Even the packaging for toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shower caps is exquisite—there's a sense of surprise everywhere. There are 715 rooms alone. The rooms are divided into several categories: there are brightly colored, fun cartoon-themed rooms that kids adore, and understated luxurious business suites. There are also four restaurants and bars with distinct styles.
Tip: I recommend at least three days at Dolphin Bay Hotel because there's so much to experience. The Chengjiang Fossil Museum alone deserves a full day. If you don't rush, you can put the dolphin show and barbecue on one day, then another day for swimming and night views, with good food and drinks all arranged. That way you won't get too tired and can enjoy everything. Weekends tend to be more crowded.
Our itinerary for reference:
I came from Dali, so taking the high-speed train was very convenient—it took just two and a half hours to reach Kunming. I met up with three friends at Kunming Railway Station, and we booked a car to Dolphin Bay Hotel. The drive from Kunming to the hotel took over two hours, and the scenery along the way was beautiful. Upon arrival, we checked in first.
May 1 was the first day of the soft opening, so there were many guests. They even put on a hilarious show, and two giant dolphin mascots at the entrance held a welcome ceremony. In short, the moment we walked in, a strong May Day festive vibe filled the air.
After checking in, we went to our room to rest. Even the room key card design was super cute. As soon as you entered, you could let go of any heavy feelings and instantly feel healed. There were desserts and fruit on the table, which gave me a home-away-from-home feeling—so warm and full of love.
After a nap, my friends and I went to explore the dining options. For dinner, we ate at 'Shanhai Xuan', a Chinese restaurant on the top floor at an altitude of 1836 meters, offering a superb view overlooking Fuxian Lake. The restaurant specializes in classic Cantonese cuisine, with plenty of creative dishes.
Our group tried many of their new menu items, all very delicious. There were also many desserts, and the durian pastry left the deepest impression. The pastry chef shaped the durian pastry into a swan, with an incredibly flaky exterior. One bite revealed a rich filling of durian meat—absolutely scrumptious. The setting was elegant, and dining at Shanhai Xuan was a true delight.
After dinner, of course we took a stroll. The night view had its own unique charm: the tiles on the roof sparkled brilliantly, and the fountain in the square danced to the rhythm of the music, shooting water high and low. Children played around the fountain. There was also an outdoor swimming pool—if you brought your swimsuit, you could enjoy a fancy swim.
The day ended like this, filled with novelty at every turn.
The next day I woke up early because we planned to visit the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural Museum. The sightseeing bus right outside the hotel took us there in no time—it's very close. As soon as we arrived, the museum's interior design blew us away.
One of its doors was shaped like a half heart, and because the floor tiles were so polished, you couldn't miss the heart shape—such a unique design.
Before entering, we saw a blue arched door shaped like a bridge, on which the history of human evolution was displayed. After watching the entire evolutionary journey, we walked further inside and were greeted by a huge dinosaur. The model was so lifelike, and the sounds were incredibly real, making you feel as if a real dinosaur was right in front of you, transporting you back to the Jurassic era.
Besides the lifelike models, there were also dinosaur fossils—stones thousands of years old. If you looked closely, you could make out the textures of dinosaur bones. There were even complete dinosaur skeletons on display, assembled to create a stunning visual impact that left us in awe. This journey took us back to ancient times—truly incredible.
Other halls also offered interesting discoveries, like the taxidermy hall. It displayed many animal specimens arranged to mimic their natural habitats, making you feel like you were on the African savanna. Lions, elephants, wild deer, and many more—it felt even better than a zoo!
If time allowed, I would have loved to spend a whole day here, studying fossils or observing the animal specimens. But before we knew it, the morning had slipped away.
At noon we dined at the Crystal All-Day Dining Restaurant, and the food was excellent—salads, sushi, steak, pasta, and more. All ingredients were very fresh and tasty. If you’re a couple, it feels like a romantic date: the dishes are exquisite, delicious, and above all, beautifully presented, making for great photos.
After lunch, we rested a moment and then went to see the dolphins. Fortunately we went early, otherwise there might have been a queue.
The dolphins were extremely popular. After putting on the required footwear and going through thorough disinfection, we were allowed to enter.
The moment we entered, we saw trainers working with the dolphins. The performing dolphins showed off their best tricks—leaping, chasing, and playing. Dolphins are incredibly intuitive. If you look closely, you'll notice that each large pool houses a different species, and all these dolphins were brought over from Japan.
In addition to the dolphin show, you can also take a boat out to feed the dolphins small fish. The dolphins open their mouths toward you, waiting for you to feed them—before doing so, your hands must be disinfected. Some mischievous dolphins will push the boat, moving it to the center of the water without any paddling. The interactive experience was a joy. Perhaps dolphins need human company not to feel lonely; I don't know if I was playing with them or if they were filling the void in my heart.
While feeding the dolphins from the boat, you can also take photos with them. I've visited aquariums and the ocean many times before, but this was the first time I touched a dolphin. I was a little nervous but excited. While posing for a photo, I gently stroked its skin; the texture surprised me—it felt like a bicycle inner tube, which was fascinating.
Hemingway once said, 'If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.'
I believe this trip to Dolphin Bay Hotel is just like that—a meaningful journey that will stay with me forever.
Dolphin Bay Hotel will officially open on May 30, with great promotions. If you want to experience it, you'll have to book fast!
Travelogue Contents: 1. Day 1: Enjoying the unparalleled night view; 2. Day 2: Morning at Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural Museum. Travel Information, Hotel Index, Guide Index, Flight Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index, Join & Cooperate, Distribution Alliance, Friendly Links, Corporate Gift Card Purchases, Insurance Agency, Agency Cooperation, Hotel Affiliation, Destination and Scenic Area Cooperation, More Cooperation, About Ctrip, About Ctrip, Ctrip Hot Topics, Contact Us, Recruitment, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Security Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Announcement.
