Ailao Mountain, a stunning destination in Yunnan, is often explored by car, but for those without their own vehicle, public transport offers an equally rewarding experience. This guide provides a detailed public transportation route that allows you to enjoy Ailao Mountain’s breathtaking landscapes, including the Jinshan Forest Park, Shimen Gorge, and the Swallow Cliff Waterfall, all using buses and taxis. Perfect for travelers looking to explore Ailao Mountain without the hassle of driving, this guide ensures a seamless and scenic journey with clear instructions and helpful tips.
Friday: Arrival in Gasa Town
17:30: Take the bus from Kunming South Bus Station (昆明南客运站) to Gasa (戛洒). The bus ride lasts about 3.5 hours and costs 106 RMB.
21:00: Arrive in Gasa Town.
Saturday: Exploring Jinshan Forest Park and Shimen Gorge
8:30: Depart from Gasa Bus Station and take the bus to Jinshan Forest Park (金山森林公园). The bus heading to Zhenyuan (镇沅) will stop at the park, and there are only two buses each day. Tickets cost 20 RMB, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. The bus driver is friendly and can provide you with his contact information in case you need to return later in the day. The return times are 13:00 (phone number: 13987940099) and 17:00 (phone number: 15912971059).
Jinshan Forest Park is a small circular route that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The forest has a mysterious atmosphere, but as long as you stick to the marked trails, it is safe. Beyond the park, there are two ancient Tea-Horse Roads. One trail (the left one) leads to a viewpoint, which is about 300 meters down and back. Another path (the right one) goes uphill, which is much longer (around 3 hours). We only did the shorter viewpoint route.
13:00: Return to Jinshan Forest Park Bus Station and depart for Shimen Gorge (石门峡). The bus ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 10 RMB. The departure time may vary because of the weather and traffic conditions. Call the driver beforehand to check the exact time.
Shimen Gorge is a beautiful spot, but you can only return via the same route. The hike is 5 kilometers round-trip, but we were caught in a heavy rainstorm and had to turn back. The staff warned of possible flooding, and the water levels rose quickly.
17:15: After returning from Shimen Gorge, take a short bus ride (around 15 minutes, 5 RMB) to Yunhai Sunrise Viewing Platform (云海日出观景台). Though the drop-off point is not marked as the Yunhai Sunrise Viewing Platform, tell the driver where you want to go, and they will stop at the nearest intersection. There are local guesthouses in the area.
Sunday: Visiting Yunhai Sunrise and Swallow Cliff Waterfall
Yunhai Sunrise Viewing Platform is best visited between late October and early March for the most spectacular sunrise views over the sea of clouds. Although the timing wasn’t ideal when we visited, the scenery was still quite beautiful.
8:30: From Yunhai Sunrise Viewing Platform, head towards Swallow Cliff Waterfall (燕子岩瀑布). The hike is approximately 6.8 km and takes around 4 hours round-trip. The first part of the path is easy to navigate, but the return hike involves a 600-meter elevation gain, so be prepared for some uphill climbing. The path is free of charge, but it can be difficult to find without local guidance. Look for the boundary marker labeled “Zhongzhai (中寨)” and ask locals for directions.
Swallow Cliff Waterfall is stunning from the viewpoint along the path, but if you want to get closer to the waterfall, you must cross a stream. We chose not to cross, as heavy rain the previous day had caused the water to rise and flood the rocks. However, the view of the waterfall from the trail was still incredible.
13:15: After visiting the waterfall, take a bus from the Yunhai Sunrise Viewing Platform intersection back to Gasa (嘎洒). The fare is 10 RMB, and the journey takes about 1 hour.
14:30: Arrive in Gasa and either return to Kunming by bus or arrange a carpool to return to the city. Alternatively, you can take the 16:00 bus from Gasa to Xinpingshijie and continue your journey back to Kunming.