Midsummer Fun and Fantasy: A Holiday That Returned Me to Childhood (A 3-Day 2-Night Guide to Colorful Yunnan Gudian Ancient City)

📍 Kunming · 👁 3 reads · ❤️ 205 likes

July, in Kunming.

A three-day two-night escape to Gudian Ancient City — wild, dreamy, and it felt like returning to childhood.

? I still remember the screams and the wind on the roller coaster, the music of the grand parade echoing in my ears, the bubbles in the amusement park and every smiling face still so vivid, and the Eye of Dianchi Ferris wheel?…

This hopeless girlish heart! When I was little, I was busy growing up and thought coming to an amusement park was childish; now grown up, I love falling back into childhood more and more.

The cute pet paradise in midsummer is so healing, even though the little alpaca? sneezed right in my face.

At the climbing gym in the 8000-Set Camp, the sunshine was just right. After sweating it out, lying on a swing and seeing a rainbow was my happiest moment in over a month.

After dark, the Illuminated Dianchi fireworks show in Happy World was enchanting. Even more enchanting was the little girl on her father's shoulders watching the fireworks, the dancers overflowing with joy at the bonfire party, the whispered words between young couples…

These moments of human connection flowing between people are what give me the strength to pick up my camera, and this childlike-journey restored a part of that strength in me.

So how should you explore the richly layered Colorful Yunnan·Gudian Ancient City? Come along with me and see!

I absolutely love everything about Colorful Yunnan·Happy World.

Simply put, Happy World is a next-level themed amusement park — besides classic rides, it has many attractions tied to ancient Dian culture. During the summer carnival season, the park opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM. Twelve hours, 81 attractions to enjoy—I wished I could clone myself, and sadly missed a few I was really keen on.

But every single one I did try turned out to be a hit, so I'll recommend them in the order I experienced them.

The main gate of Happy World features a giant flower peacock sculpture at the entrance. The whole park has seven zones. Facing the peacock, walk left and follow the clockwise route through: Dreamlike Childhood, Primordial Secret Land, Myriad Tribes, Frost Moon Cold Continent, Four Seasons Flower Sea, Dian Army Camp, and Illusory Dian Wonderland.

As a group of overgrown kids, we sampled attractions or shows in all zones except Dreamlike Childhood.

If you feel your look isn't playful enough, you can buy a cute hair accessory at a shop after entering—25 yuan kept me smiling all day.

Don't forget to try Happy World's cultural-creative ice cream (the mascot), 15 RMB each, a bit pricey but worth it.

｜Twin Towers Space Shot｜

I made a beeline for this right after the gate opened—no queue needed early on.

Up and down, in two seconds you shoot up 56 meters feeling extreme G-force, then plunge the equivalent of 19 floors in free fall. You also get a brief high-altitude view over all of Happy World—as long as you're not afraid of heights and dare to keep your eyes open.

After the ride, I was left wanting more; a little higher would have been perfect.

From Primordial Secret Land heading forward is Frost Moon Cold Continent—just hearing the name tells you this is a scream-factory for adults. Besides the park's most thrilling Snow Eagle Wing-Spread Roller Coaster, we also tried a new attraction: Snowland Magic Sound House.

｜Snow Eagle Wing-Spread Roller Coaster｜

Its main color is red, themed around Meili Snow Mountain, with a total length of 1024 meters. After climbing to 45 meters, you dive straight down—the sheer rush at that moment will make you shriek and release all your stress.

｜Snowland Magic Sound House｜

I call it the Dark Room. Once inside, staff gave some instructions, especially: "No light source in the room, no phone lights or flashing lights from photo gear…" Then they turned off the lights and left. We sat in a room that looked like a European castle, put on headphones?, in total darkness…

Immersed in 3D audio ghost stories of an old European castle, the power of stereo sound had me screaming nonstop while my friend next to me quietly chanted sutras?

But this kind of 100% immersive experience is really fun.

｜Elephant Play Dragon Roller Coaster｜

This one is mainly blue, and even more thrilling than the Snow Eagle!

It doesn't climb a chain lift to the top; instead, it launches at 105 km/h like a bullet. Before you're fully ready, you shoot off with a "whoosh—" — that push-back sensation, the launch excitement, then the dives, rolls, and high-speed twists… my voice finally went hoarse.

If you're a bit scared, I suggest doing Snow Eagle first to get your nerves ready, then psych yourself up for Elephant Play Dragon.

｜Eye of Dianchi Ferris Wheel｜

The Eye of Dianchi is in my Dianchi top 3. At 108 meters tall, it's Yunnan's first super-high Ferris wheel and Kunming's tallest.

It's located in Four Seasons Flower Sea, visible as soon as you enter.

A full ride takes about 21 minutes, offering views of the highland gem Dianchi Lake and the whole "Colorful Yunnan·Gudian Ancient City" resort.

From below, every part of the wheel perfectly complements the blue sky—the fairy-tale colors never get old, and my camera can't get enough.

Even the hub I love:

View of Dianchi Lake and a corner of Happy World from the Eye of Dianchi:

｜Tiger Leaping Gorge Splash Plunge｜

Tiger Leaping Gorge Splash Plunge features tiger statues on both sides of the main path, themed after Yunnan's famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. At the 35-meter-high "tiger's mouth," your boat swoops down like an escape from the tiger's jaws. After battling the waves, just when you think it's safe, other visitors pay coins to blast water guns wildly at us…

You get a little wet, but it makes a summer good mood even fresher and brighter.

｜Illusion Mirror Maze｜

The mirror maze is next to Elephant Play Dragon. You go through a tunnel with mirrors on all sides; because the space is fully reflected, it seems huge, but there's actually only one way out. After finally finding your way, you enter a room full of funhouse mirrors… The photos you take there are absolutely stunning.

Note: don't rush when looking for the exit—mind your head!

｜Sky High Swing｜

｜Colorful Yunnan Train｜

I missed this one due to time—it's a slow, elevated train circling the whole park, offering a bird's-eye view of entire Dianchi. I heard a full circle takes half an hour, and sitting on it watching the sunset must be gorgeous. Definitely not to be missed next time.

｜Ancient Dian Grand Parade｜

If you ask me my top three favorite things in Happy World, the Ancient Dian Grand Parade is hands down one of them.

Actors dressed as all kinds of characters, magnificent floats, and ancient Dian elements, set to wonderfully upbeat (earworm) dynamic music—together they create this parade with distinctive Dian cultural flair. Don't miss it!

Note: The parade is at 3:30 PM; it's outdoors and lasts a while, so enjoy happily but protect yourself from the sun.

(This guy is hilarious—his balloon costume was my absolute favorite)

(Under the blue sky, every street in Happy World looks so dreamy)

｜Ancient Dian Wind and Cloud Chronicle｜

This show is staged at the Ancient Dian Stunt Theater in the Dian Army Camp, a grand building full of ancient charm.

It's a live-action performance set against the backdrop of "Ancient Dian Warfare," telling a story of conflict and reconciliation between the ancient Dian Kingdom and neighboring tribes over 2000 years ago. The performers are stunt actors doing horseback combat, wire work, and using high-tech stage machinery…

Personally, I think it's well worth watching—especially with suitably grand music and narration, it transports you to that era of clashing metal and charging steeds, making your blood boil, as the flourishing ancient Dian Kingdom in its economic, cultural, and military prime seems to appear before your eyes.

I got goosebumps several times—it's deeply moving.

After the main story, there's a short group song and dance.

｜Wild Kenya｜

Wild Kenya is a special show during the summer carnival season, performed at the sunken plaza beneath the Eye of Dianchi.

The performance is rich in African flavor, full of rhythm, strength, and beauty. As soon as the music starts, you feel the most primal enthusiasm—it's powerfully infectious.

｜Colorful Yunnan｜

At the National Grand Theater, Colorful Yunnan is a showcase of ethnic-style song and dance, bringing together traditional arts of Yunnan's ethnic minorities and using modern stage technologies—3D holographic projection, a 90-degree curved LED screen, wrap-around wall projections—presenting the extraordinary traditional charm and stunning modern beauty of Yunnan's customs and magnificent landscapes. Absolutely worth seeing!

｜Flying Over Colorful Yunnan｜

"Flying Over Colorful Yunnan" at the Flying Cinema is my number one must-do in Dianchi. Highly recommended!

It's a dome-screen film, shot over three years with an investment of over 50 million RMB, themed "Beautiful Yunnan," featuring more than 30 scenic spots, created through full aerial filming plus CG and 4D technologies.

In 10 minutes, you truly feel like you're soaring over Yunnan—especially when you pass through clouds by Meili Snow Mountain and an avalanche is right under your feet…

(No photos allowed inside, so no pictures)

How to solve the food problem?

We had lunch at Barbecue Tribe—specialty grilled items, both meat and veggies, the dry dipping sauce was spot-on (bashi). Recommend the grilled pork belly. Dinner was at King Dian Food Mansion, offering traditional and delicious Dian cuisine, like King Dian Beef Soup Pot and Small-Knife Duck.

Besides Yunnan delicacies, of course there are fast-food chains like McDonald's.

The sun was perfect in the 8000-Set Camp climbing gym; after sweating, lying on a swing and seeing a rainbow was my happiest moment in over a month.

The full name is Bosu·8000-Set Ancient Dian Outdoor Camp, on the southern shore of Dianchi Lake, completed in 2019, covering about 50,000 square meters—a genuine outdoor paradise.

It focuses on outdoor activities: fun climbing, ropes (SRT), dirt bikes (balance bikes, BMX), water sports, plus outdoor skill training, professional physical-exam prep, live-action CS, balance bike races, themed summer/winter camps, drone competitions, team building, parent-child activities…

Come see what it's really like:

(Lots of graffiti boxes at the camp entrance, great for photos)

Climbing gym entrance:

The climbing facilities are divided into adult and kids' zones by height and age; the "circuit board" wall in the picture is specially for children.

I've had plenty of experience with regular climbing, but this fun "skewered" climbing was my first time—I couldn't get past the third hold…

Aerial shot of the camp activities:

There's also a path lined with "wild grass" and huge curved mirrors on both sides—very photogenic.

After intense exercise, you'll definitely be hungry. Besides outdoor sports, the camp's outdoor dining is worth a try: traditional Dian dishes, specialty barbecues, local snacks… The tent area is available for camping, and just outside is a great barbecue spot!

Dora Cute Pet Paradise in midsummer is so healing, even though I only got to wander for an hour due to time, and even though the little alpaca? sneezed right in my face…

Dora Cute Pet Paradise is located at the eastern foot of Hongshan, covering 117 mu. The park has 17 play zones including Squirrel Tribe, Black-Nose Sheep League, Kangaroo Gathering, Capybara Hot Spring, Sheep Herding Show, Hobbit Block, Alpaca Pasture, and Equestrian Zone, with 35 species and nearly 300 cute animals…

Here both kids and adults can interact closely with small animals and unleash their inner child.

Throughout the park, each animal area provides free feed for visitors, letting you freely feed the animals and get closer to them for intimate interaction.

But when feeding sheep, make sure to follow the staff's advice and watch out for their horns—I was chased all over the place:

The cutest, cutest, CUTEST alpaca—it's the one that sneezed in my face:

A little guinea pig shedding its fur:

Hobbit-style little houses in the cute pet paradise:

If other parts of Dianchi are for letting go, laughing, and getting your heart racing, then the Hot Spring Villa is a poetic haven where you slow down. With an infinity pool overlooking the whole Dianchi area, light luxury, unhurried, and at ease—immersed in the glow of Dianchi sunset, it's at least my number-one sunset spot in Kunming.

Unlike artificial urban hot spring pools, Gudian Hot Spring Villa taps into the unique geothermal resource right by Dianchi Lake, drilling down 2,622 meters to draw natural hot spring water. Its mineral content, pH, and temperature all meet world-class spring standards.

The villa covers about 150 mu, composed of outdoor mountain-forest hot springs and an indoor leisure center. 72 outdoor pools are distributed across four themed zones: Ancient Dian Secret Realm, Cloud-Flower Fragrant Path, Tea Zen Tranquility, and Jade Terrace Elegance—each with its own charm. Winding paths, murmuring streams, greenery and blossoms nestle the springs, offering endless delight through the four seasons.

Across the way, the Gudian Museum is still under construction and not yet open:

The Muyuntai restaurant at the hilltop offers exquisite afternoon tea, with floating baskets so you can enjoy it while soaking in the infinity pool~

If you arrive early in the afternoon, why not soak for a while, then lie in the lounge and bask in the sun, slowly waiting for the sunset and evening glow.

Beyond the infinity pool on the hill, the other pools are also thoughtfully designed.

The pool at the foot of the entrance is called Auspicious Deer, and there are several other pools themed around vivid miniature sculptures, including Four Oxen Gilt Knight and Ox-Tiger Bronze Table, inspired by the bronze culture of ancient Dian.

Muyuntai restaurant, perched atop Gudian Hot Spring Villa, satisfies every need—from cozy breakfasts and rich Chinese/Western dinners to delicate afternoon tea—all of high quality.

Our last night in Dianchi ended with the midsummer bonfire carnival party and the enchanting Illuminated Dianchi fireworks show.

The fireworks were so captivating, but even more captivating were the little girl on her father's shoulders watching the fireworks, the joyful dancers at the bonfire, the whispered words between young couples…

These moments of human connection flowing between people are what give me the strength to pick up my camera.

Gudian Mid-Hill Hot Spring Hotel sits right next to the Gudian Hot Spring Villa, with 36 guest rooms, all standalone hot spring courtyard villas.

In addition to the private outdoor natural hot spring pool, each room includes a living room, bedroom, bathroom, dry sauna, therapy room, mahjong room, and in the courtyard there's a private garden, lounge area, even a daydreaming pavilion… Every villa comes with its own parking space.

The hillside villas come in three layouts: two-bedroom one-courtyard, twin-bedroom one-courtyard, and single-bed room one-courtyard. We stayed in the twin-bedroom Yunshan Pavilion:

Dai-style afternoon tea in the courtyard:

If your budget allows, you can also consider Crowne Plaza Gudian Ancient City.

It's near Colorful Yunnan·Happy World, a high-end hotel under IHG. Along with all the standard amenities of a luxury hotel, its specialties are themed IP kids' rooms and pet-friendly rooms…

Kids' room (different styles for boys and girls!):

From the balcony you can see Gudian Happy World:

Pet-friendly room—bring your pet; cat trees, dog rooms are ready, plus a small dog-walking yard behind:

Swimming pool, tennis court, and other facilities:

The hotel also has a 3,300-square-meter outdoor lawn:

Outdoor pomegranate trees add to the scenery:

Another reason I love Crowne Plaza: its dinner buffet is amazing! After a full day of fun, treating your stomach is the perfect vacation ending.

Gudian Resort Hotel is located in the Vitality Town of Colorful Yunnan Gudian Ancient City resort. Compared to the other two hotels, it's more down-to-earth and great value. If your budget isn't that big, this is the undoubted choice.

All rooms are huge 85-square-meter two-bedroom one-living-room suites, with designs like standard suites, premium suites, homestay suites, and parent-child suites—the experience really feels like living at home.

Being in Vitality Town, all kinds of daily needs are conveniently met.

The parent-child suite is quite cute:

I'm Xiaoka, a traveler always eager to explore, a travel writer, photographer, female drone pilot, scuba diver—my footprints span numerous countries across Europe and Asia, and I've deeply explored all 34 provinces and regions of China… I hope to share the world through my eyes sincerely~

Travel Guide Contents

1. Preface

2. Wild Fun · Revel in Happy World—Don't Miss These Rides

3. Charm · Experience Ancient Dian Culture—Don't Miss These Shows

4. Release · Sweating It Out at the 8000-Set Camp

5. Healing · Scared of Getting Sneezed On by a Cute Alpaca?

6. Poetic · I Guess This is Kunming's Top Sunset Spot

7. Dreamy · The Curtain-Call Fireworks, Enchanting and Adorable

8. Recommended Hotels

9. ① Gudian Mid-Hill Hot Spring Hotel

10. ② Crowne Plaza Gudian Ancient City

11. ③ Gudian Resort Hotel