An Unexpected Budget Trip to Kunming in 2020

Prologue: Why is it unexpected? Because I initially planned to go to Liuzhou, but due to a train delay from Anshun to Guiyang, I missed the train from Guiyang to Liuzhou. Not willing to go straight home, I refunded the ticket in the waiting room and bought a hard seat on the Z287 from Anshun to Kunming. Don't ask why I didn't buy a sleeper—because if not now, when? I wanted to be wild. But I'd recommend a sleeper berth.

Day 0: November 27, Z287 Anshun 21:42 – Kunming the next day 4:08 (actually arrived nearly 5:00)

Day 1: November 28, Haigeng Park, Yunnan Provincial Museum, Kunming Old Street

It was my third time in Kunming. I really like this city. Since I arrived a bit early and the first bus wasn't until 6:00, I searched for a 24-hour McDonald’s not far from the station. I ordered a century egg congee and a deep-fried dough stick, and took a rest.

Kunming is in the west, so the sun rises quite late. It was still dark at 6:00, but buses were already running. To be honest, I didn't know where I wanted to go. Since it was winter, I decided to head to Haigeng Park first to see the seagulls.

It was a bit far—over an hour by bus. By the time I arrived, it was fully light. Early morning at Dianchi Lake, very few people, nice.

Last time I took many photos of seagulls at Dianchi, so this time I hardly took any. I didn't stay long either and moved on to the Yunnan Provincial Museum. The bus also took over an hour, so I rested on the bus.

There were a few special exhibitions this time. I spent about an hour there.

Since I hadn't rested well the previous night, I decided to have lunch and go back to the hotel for a nap.

I bought roast goose rice near the hotel—affordable and tasty.

I slept until after 4:00 PM, then went to Kunming Old Street and Nanqiang Street to check in. There I bought grilled tofu, grilled potatoes, and other snacks.

Finally, I ended the day with a bowl of Sanxian rice noodles from the time-honored Jianxinyuan.

Day 2: November 29, East and West Pagodas, Yunnan Victory Memorial Hall, Yunnan Uprising Memorial Hall, Green Lake Park, Waterfall Park

China's rapid high-speed rail construction has greatly shortened distances between cities. The high-speed train from Kunming to Anshun takes just over an hour. I bought G2842 Kunming 17:59 – Anshun 19:52 to go home, and explored during the day.

Hotel breakfast was rich. I almost finished before remembering to take a photo.

I set off for the East and West Pagodas. If I remember correctly, the West Pagoda is also called Huiguang Temple Pagoda, and the East Pagoda is called Changle Temple Pagoda. There are camellias in Changle Temple, which bloom beautifully, but unfortunately I couldn't see them.

Next, I visited the Yunnan Victory Memorial Hall, which I had missed on my two previous trips for various reasons. As usual, pandemic prevention required masks, temperature checks, and health codes.

The Yunnan Modern History Museum is in the same building.

I passed the Lingxing Gate of Kunming Confucian Temple.

Then I went to the Yunnan Uprising Memorial Hall, next to Green Lake.

I strolled in the park to rest and had lunch.

Green Lake Park felt like it had even more seagulls than Dianchi Lake.

Since it was still a bit early before my train and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go, I visited a popular Instagram spot—Waterfall Park.

I had an early dinner: char siu and roast duck rice.

With that, my two-day Kunming trip came to an end. Time to go home.

Postscript: This impromptu trip to Kunming showed me another side of the city. Kunming has a really pleasant climate—still sunny at the end of November. The streets feel very relaxed, and the food is delicious. I'll visit again if I have the chance. As they say, either the body or the soul must be on the road. Budget travel is one way. The two-day trip cost less than 400 yuan, breakdown as follows:

Round trip Anshun–Kunming: 278.5 yuan (including the refund fee for the Liuzhou trip I didn't take); Kunming city buses: 10.5 yuan; Ibis Hotel: redeemed one night with points, effectively free; Meals: 84 yuan.