Congrats! You’ve made it to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. You chose wisely, since Kunming and the surrounding area is just amazing - the mountains, the nature, the pretty villages, the friendly locals, the history, the rivers. The entire itinerary is planned very well, you know what to see and where to go. There’s only one question left to be answered and that is: where will you be staying? Although Kunming is considered a small city by Chinese standards, it is actually rather wide, so you want to make sure you book your accommodation in a good area. Find below a list of cheap and comfortable places that you can choose from.
1. Lost Garden Guesthouse (from USD 24)
The best thing about Lost Garden Guesthouse is its location: south of Cuihu (Green Lake) Park. Due to this, many of the touristic attractions are within walking distance. Among the expat community in Kunming, Lost Garden Guesthouse is also known for its good pizza. The relaxed ambiance, the quietness of the area and the hospitality of the owners make this guesthouse one of the coziest in the city.
Lost Garden Guest House
Address: No. 7 Yiqiutian, Denghua Street, South Cuihu Road
Price: from 24 USD
Garden Designated smoking area Fire extinguishers Airport shuttle Happy hour Sun terrace Internet services Free WiFi
2. Upland Youth Hostel (from USD 10)
Upland Hostel is a great place to meet other travelers. The rooms are big and the beds comfortable. It’s located just a few minutes walk from Cuihu Lake. There’s always a lively atmosphere in the bar and the inner yard. The staff also provides bike rental service. You can find a wide range of restaurants around, most of them small local Chinese joints, but there are also a few Western options.
Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel
Address: No.92 West Huashan Road, Wuhua District
Price: from 10 USD
Tour desk Indoor play area Lockers Smoke alarms 24-hour front desk Hiking Kid meals Parking
3. Cloudland International Youth Hostel (from USD 12)
Although it is a bit out of the central area, it is very easy to get here by both public transportation or taxi. The ping-pong and pool tables contribute to creating a lively and playful atmosphere. It’s for sure a good place to interact with other travelers and even with other locals who like to hang out in the bar. Supermarkets and restaurant options are available close-by too.
Kunming Cloudland International Youth Hostel
Address: No.23 Zhuantang Road, Wuhua District
Price: from 12 USD
Themed dinner nights Express check-in/check-out Mini-market on site Sun terrace Fire extinguishers Luggage storage Internet services Dry cleaning
4. Homestay in a cozy home (from USD 25)
This flat is situated in a green area of the city - Lianhua campus, about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) away from the central area. It is perfect for independent travelers. The room provided is the study room of Yichen and her husband, a very friendly Chinese couple. Staying here provides a good opportunity to interact more with local people and see the living conditions in Kunming.
warm homestay in a cozy homeKunming, Yunnan, ChinaTop guest reviews
Read more reviewsHost:
yichen & long were great hosts kind and warmto summerize they became more than just hosts - we felt like a part of family
5. The Hump-Mulan Guest House (from USD 6)
The Hump-Mulan Guest House is located a bit outside the central area, in between Dianci Lake and Green Lake. Everything is reachable by taxi (15 minutes drive to Green Lake and 20 minutes drive to the train station) or by local public transportation. The rooms are very bright and the design modern. It is both a guesthouse and a hostel, so Mulan Guest House (also known as The Hump Youth Hostel) offers both dormitories and family rooms.
The Hump-Mulan Guest House
Address: 8-4 Villa, East Xihua District, Xiyuan Road
Price: from 6 USD
Books, DVDs, music for children Daily housekeeping Cashless payment available Express check-in/check-out Cycling Car hire Soundproof rooms Designated smoking area
6. Apartment on Nanping street (from USD 35)
This two-room apartment is downtown, on Nanping Street, close to a lot of restaurants, cafes and shopping malls. It is also walking distance from Green Lake Park. The modern, colorful design creates a very cozy atmosphere and it is built on two levels - the living room and bathroom are situated on the first floor, whereas the two bedrooms are upstairs. The host is very helpful and friendly, easy to reach and always willing to assist.
【楠舍YN】昆明市中心南屏街,翠湖阳光loft跃层南向房公寓,可住4人,旅行从未如此方便。Kunming, Yunnan, ChinaTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
view from the apartment is greatoverall it was a lovely place to stay value-for-money comfortable for 4 and no hassle during check-in or check-outHost:
host is helpful and friendlywas a great hostthe host is responsive and helpfulhe was very helpful during my stay toois very responsive to my queries before and during my stayRead more reviewsLocation:
very lively location in the middle of the shopping districtexcellent location just around 15rmb taxi from train station to this placeeasy access to bus stops local shops and big shopping mallsexcellent location - plenty of restaurants and other local and western food optionsstylish apartment in central location and very easy communication and check-in
7. Studio on Xuefu Street (from USD 25)
Placed in a relatively central location on Xuefu Street, close to the Yunnan Normal University on Jianshe Road, this studio has a very playful design. The hosts also provide a nice collection of board games and even a playstation. The room is very bright and the bed very comfortable.
学府路 近翠湖 理工大 师大 云大 民大 休闲带桌游潮人个性公寓Kunming, Yunnan, ChinaTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bed is super comfortable and we really enjoyed the many games available with the ps2Cleanliness:
it is a nice sized studio apartment and is clean and well decorated and furnishedit was also super clean and is very well located in kunmingHost:
the host was very kind very helpful and welcomingthe host is very helpful and was easily contactable even late at nightRead more reviewsLocation:
it is easy to catch a bus or taxi
8. Blossom play&design Hotel (from USD 30)
Blossom play&design Hotel is a new hotel with modern design. Located about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) away from Cuihu Park, it is easily reachable by public transportation from the city center. There is a bus station close by too. The beds are very comfortable and the staff helpful and friendly.
Blossom play&design hotel
Address: 17 Floor,6 Building,Baoliliuhe,West of Renmin Road
Price: from 30 USD
Enjoy your time in the heart of Yunnan province
There are many places to explore both in Kunming and around it. The area is just wonderful and has a lot to offer. So now that you’ve finished planning your stay in Kunming, it’s time to start researching more about Lijiang, Dali and Shangri-la. You also have to check out all the amazing mountains in this area. This part of China is different to the usual touristic destinations of Westerners in China. You can get close to the nature, you can experience the village life, you can learn more by interacting with the locals. So don’t hesitate to start your adventure in this part of the world. It’s totally worth it.
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