Is Kunming expensive to visit?
Kunming is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $83, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced destination. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Xiamen and Shenyang.

The Stone Forest, Kunming, Yunnan, China
How expensive is Kunming?
For a trip to Kunming, travelers spend on average $83 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Kunming here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Kunming?
On average, a weekend trip to Kunming costs about $248 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $496.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Kunming?
A one week trip to Kunming costs about $578 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,157.
Is it expensive to backpack in Kunming?
With more than 3 hostels in the area, Kunming is a fairly popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $8 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Kunming here.) There's a wide range in prices for beds, as the cheapest hostels cost $7, but the most expensive can be more than $9 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kunming.
- $9 for a dorm bed at Kunming Cloudland International Youth Hostel
- $7 for a dorm bed at Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel
- $7 for a dorm bed at The Hump Route Hostel
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Kunming?
In Kunming, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $17.
- 1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour: $196
- Kunming Classic Tour: Daguan Pavilion, Yuantong Temple, Green Lake Park: $160
- Kunming City Tour: Dragon Gate, Huating Temple and Daguan Pavilion: $172
- One day Stone Forest and Nuohei Yi Village Tour: $183
- Private Dongchuan Red Land Sightseeing Day Tour from Kunming: $238
- Kunming Private Day Tour to Dali City Highlights by Bullet Train: $252
- Kunming Yunnan Ethnic Village Private Tour: $64
- Private Night Tour to Enjoy Dynamic Yunnan Show: $86
Is food expensive in Kunming?
In Kunming, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $38 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $37.
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88
- Half Day Private Tour of Kunming Flower Market and Flower Pastry Cooking Class: $165
Is transportation expensive in Kunming?
The prices of local transportation in Kunming can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $13 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $16. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Kunming
If you're planning a trip to Kunming, China, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.