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How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) is an important national hub airport connecting Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe. What to do if you have a long layover in Kunming for 12 hours? Kunming is a beautiful city absolutely worth visiting. Here are some top things to do to spend a 12 hour stopover in Kunming.

Tct clients stone forest 05

1. Apply for a 144 Hour Transit Visa Exemption (1 h)

144-hour visa-free transit policy is carried out in Kunming from January 1, 2019. Kunming Changshui airport can ensure a visa free permit issue service for qualified 53 countries visitors in the world. During the stay, the passengers are only allowed to travel within the administrative area of Kunming. If you meet the conditions, don't hesitate to apply for a visa-free entry to Kunming for an interesting layover trip.
 

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

2. Store Your Luggage at The Airport (0.5 h)

Luggage Storage Facility provides passengers with long layovers a safe and secure place to store their belongings. If you don't want to drag your luggage while traveling, you'd better leave your luggage at the airport. The fee is about 20 yuan per bag per day depending on size. Kunming Airport is equipped with two luggage storage areas.

Location: On the west side of the F3 floor domestic departure hall and next to the staff passage; Next to the domestic exit on the west side of the welcome hall on floor b1.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

3. Currency Exchange (0.5 h)

Currency Exchange counters are easy to find in the terminal building, which can handle international exchange, foreign currency exchange, and cash traveler's checks and other services. You'd better exchange some RMB cash for attraction tickets and public transportation.

Travelex: International arrival port on the east side of the Welcome Hall on the B1 floor;

Transforex: F2 International Departure Business District.
 

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

4. Appreciate the Nature Wonder of Stone Forest (2~3 h)

Stone Forest, World Natural Heritage Site, is a typical scenic of karst topography. This natural wonder is a notable set of limestone formations which is formed by erosion over millions of years. Appreciate the artistic work of Stone Forest must be one of the top things to do during your Kunming layover tour. Passengers can take a shuttle bus on the left side of Exit 3 of the airport to reach the site, with the time of 2 hours.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

5. Visit Green Lake Park (1 h)

Green Lake Park, located at the foot of Luofeng Hill, is the most beautiful free park in Kunming downtown area. Take a stroll around Green Lake Park is a good choice for you to relax and enjoy the picturesque sceneries. Every year from November to March, you will have the opportunity to see groups of black-headed seagulls gathering around the lake.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

6. Visit Yuantong Temple (1 h)

Yuantong Temple, located on the south side of Yuantong Hill, is the largest and most active temple in Kunming with a history of over 1,200 years. Yuantong Temple is only 1 km from Green Lake Park and can be reached on foot. If you are interested in Buddhism culture, just visit Yuantong Temple to have a great experience among the excellent design of a mixture with Buddhist temple and beautiful garden.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

7. Visit Site of the Army Officials School in Yunnan (1 h)

Located on the west side of Green Lake Park, visit the Site of the Army Officials School was one of the earliest schools in China to train new army officers. The yellow Chinese-style architecture makes it stand out in the shade of the green. The whole building adopts Yunnan's most distinctive walk-through structure, with a spacious corridor, just like a small castle.

Site of the Army Officials School

8. Visit Grand View Tower (1 h)

Grand View Tower is a famous tourist attraction in Kunming with a history of more than 300 years. Grand View Tower sits on the shore of Dianchi Lake and faces the Western Hill across the Dianchi Lake. The antithetical couplet displayed at the entrance is the longest one in China, which was written by a famous Qing Dynasty scholar. Visitors can not only see the magnificent scenery, but also experience the strong cultural atmosphere.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

8. Taste Delicious Local Foods (1 h)

Kunming in Yunnan has its unique eating culture which highlights on the fresh taste of food. Yunnan cuisine is an amalgam of Han and Chinese minority cuisines. Crossing the Bridge Noodles, Guo Qiao Mi Xian in Chinese, is the most symbolic food of Yunnan eating culture. Popular dishes, such as Steam-pot Chicken and Rice in Bamboo Tube are also good gourmets to try.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

9. Go Shopping in Kunming (1 h)

As a landmark of Kunming, the Golden Horse & Jade Chicken Archway is a traditional piece of architecture. The around Golden Horse & Jade Chicken Square is a commercial center for tourists as well as locals, where you can find many stores offer handcrafts of various nationalities. When shopping in Kunming, the specialties such as Pu'er Tea, Batik and Dai brocade will be the top choices as souvenirs of your Kunming layover tour.

How to Spend a 12 Hour Layover in Kunming

Create your Unique Kunming Layover Tour

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, is the political, economic and cultural center and also the transport and communication hub of the province. How to spend a 12 hour layover in Kunming? You can arrange your itinerary according to your time and interests. A layover tour in Kunming will be unforgetable. Check tours below to easily plan your Kunming layover tour.
 

►One Day Tour from Kunming to Stone Forest:Stone Forest
►One Day Kunming City Tour: Western Hill & Dragon Gate, Huating Temple, Grand View Tower 

Read more Kunming Tours. You can also customize your unique Kunming layover tour at Free Online Tailor-made Tour, we are so pleased to help you create the most unforgettable memory for your layover in Kunming.

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