Yunnan Nationalities Village (云南民族村) in Kunming offers a unique cultural experience, bringing together 26 ethnic minority villages from across the province. Each village has its own distinctive customs, architecture, and traditions, making it a perfect place for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of Yunnan. With lively performances, fascinating exhibitions, and the opportunity to try ethnic food, this cultural park is a must-visit for both tourists and locals. Here’s your ultimate one-day itinerary to explore the vibrant ethnic villages and enjoy the captivating performances at Yunnan Nationalities Village.
Basic Information about Yunnan Nationalities Village
Address: Yunnan Nationalities Village is located at 1310 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming, approximately 12 kilometers from the city center, with a taxi ride taking around 20 minutes.
Opening Hours: The park is open daily with two sessions: daytime from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM) and evening sessions from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM (note that only some villages are open in the evening).
Ticket Prices: Daytime tickets: 90 RMB per person; Evening tickets: 50 RMB per person.
Detailed Itinerary for Yunnan Nationalities Village
10:00 AM – Arrival and Entrance: Take a taxi to the East Gate 1 of Yunnan Nationalities Village. Upon entry, you’ll immediately find yourself in the Hani Village. Here, you can rent traditional ethnic costumes and have your hair and makeup done for about ¥150 (costumes are available for the Hani, Miao, and De’ang ethnic groups).
Explore Kunming’s Ancient Street: Before entering the village, you’ll pass through Kunming’s Old City, where you can find ethnic clothing for sale. You can buy traditional Dai clothing online in advance (we purchased ours for ¥25).
11:00 AM – Dai Village Performance: After a few minutes of walking, arrive at the Dai Village and enjoy a live performance from 11:00 to 11:20 AM. If you arrive early, you can watch the Achang ethnic performance from 9:30 to 9:50 AM instead.
Explore Dai Village: After the performance, take time to explore the Dai Village, which features a peacock garden, unique architectural styles, and a restaurant serving Dai cuisine. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a Dai restaurant, where a meal for three people costs about ¥156.
12:20 PM – Wa Village Performance: Walk for around 10 minutes to the Wa Village for a performance from 12:20 to 12:40 PM.
1:20 PM – Yi Village Performance: Another 10-minute walk takes you to the Yi Village, where you can watch a performance from 1:20 to 1:40 PM.
Relax or Explore Nearby Villages: Afterward, take time to relax or explore nearby villages at your leisure.
4:30 PM – Mosuo Village Performance: Head to the Mosuo Village for a performance from 4:30 to 4:50 PM.
5:00 PM – Bai Village Performance: Take a 5-minute walk to the Bai Village to enjoy a performance from 5:00 to 5:20 PM.
5:30 PM – Exit via South Gate: Finally, exit the park through the South Gate after watching the Bai performance. The South Gate is connected to Haigeng Park, which you can visit if you have time.
Performance Timetable at Yunnan Nationalities Village
Morning Performances
| Time | Performance Location |
|---|---|
| 9:30-9:50 | Achang Courtyard (阿昌庭院) |
| 10:10-10:30 | Knife Pole Square (刀杆广场) |
| 10:30-10:50 | Wa, Bai Villages (佤族, 白族) |
| 10:50-11:10 | Hani Village (哈尼) |
| 10:40-11:00 | Yi Village (彝族) |
| 11:00-11:20 | Dai, Lahu Villages (傣寨, 拉祜) |
| 11:20-11:40 | Knife Pole Square (刀杆广场) |
| 11:30-11:50 | Mosuo, Achang (摩梭, 阿昌) |
| 12:20-12:40 | Wa Village (佤族) |
| 12:40-13:00 | Bai Village (白族) |
| 13:20-13:40 | Yi Village (彝族) |
Afternoon Performances
| Time | Performance Location |
|---|---|
| 3:50-4:10 | Dai Village (傣族) |
| 4:00-4:20 | Wa Village (佤族) |
| 4:10-4:30 | Yi, Achang Courtyard (彝族, 阿昌庭院) |
| 4:30-4:50 | Hani, Mosuo, Lahu (哈尼族, 摩梭, 拉祜) |
| 5:00-5:20 | Knife Pole Square (刀杆广场), Bai Village (白族) |
Large-Scale Performances
| Performance Name | Time |
|---|---|
| Dianchi Grand Dance “Call of the Plateau” (滇池大舞合《高原的呼唤》) | 14:30-15:20 |
| Elephant Interaction & Photos | 10:30-11:00, 13:00-13:30, 16:00-16:30 |
| Elephant Show | 11:00-11:30, 13:30-14:00, 16:30-17:00 |
Useful Tips to Maximize Your Experience
- The park offers convenient transportation options, including electric carts, small trains, and four-person pedal bikes.
- For those who prefer to walk, simply follow the signs or use a walking navigation app to explore different ethnic villages.
- The park is also known for its stunning scenery, particularly during autumn when the leaves change colors, providing a beautiful backdrop for photos.
- Don’t forget to rent or buy ethnic costumes for great photo opportunities. The park offers a wide range of costumes from ethnic groups such as the Hani, Yi, Miao, and Dai.