Step into Dinosaur Valley and journey back to the Jurassic era! This iconic landmark in Kunming, Yunnan boasts one of the world's most extraordinary dinosaur fossil sites. Get up close with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that roar and move – kids will go wild! Don't miss the fossil excavation zone where you can play paleontologist. Pro tip: Visit at sunset when the dinosaur silhouettes create epic Instagram moments!

This luxury hotel is your perfect getaway! Nestled in the Dianchi Scenic Area, it offers stunning lake views and easy access to the Yunnan Ethnic Village. The hotel boasts top-notch facilities, including an indoor pool and fitness center, plus a kids' playground for family fun. Rooms are spacious and cozy, with large bathtubs and 24-hour hot water for ultimate comfort. Dining options range from authentic Yunnan cuisine to exquisite Cantonese dishes, and you can unwind at the lobby bar. With attentive service, friendly front desk, and free parking, it’s a stay you won’t forget!

Looking for a blend of Yunnan ethnic charm and Dian Lake scenery? This is the perfect choice! The hotel features a unique colorful peacock theme, offering stunning views of Xishan Mountain and Dian Lake, and is adjacent to a 2000-acre wetland park. The rooms face the lake directly, allowing you to wake up to the misty waters of Dian Lake—a true getaway luxury. With pool, fitness center, family-friendly amenities, and pet-friendly services, it’s ideal for all travelers. The service is impeccable, breakfast is delicious, and even has robot service—fun and convenient!

This is a family-friendly paradise with hot springs and a pool to relax your body and mind! Whether for family vacations or business trips, the hotel's multi-functional hall and meeting facilities can meet all your needs. The location is super convenient, close to the subway and train station, making travel a breeze. There's also a children's playground and kids' pool, ensuring your little ones will have a blast! With 24-hour front desk and free parking, your journey will be even more comfortable. Come and experience it now!

Tucked away in the 4A-level Xishan Scenic Area, this tea-inspired retreat is a sanctuary for urban souls. Surrounded by lush forests with 20x higher oxygen levels, every breath feels rejuvenating. Private hot spring baths pump mineral-rich mountain spring water (55°C) directly to your room—soak while gazing at Dianchi Lake’s shimmering lights! Rooms feature smart voice control for lighting and curtains, plus kid-friendly designs for family trips. Whether you crave tea ceremonies, lakeside barbecues, or forest hikes, this holistic escape has it all.

This is a place where you can discover the aesthetics of life and leisurely moments. Nestled by the picturesque Dianchi Lake, the hotel offers stunning views day and night. The design blends modern British influences with Southeast Asian and Chinese ethnic elements, showcasing artful details from Hermès orange accents to designer furniture. With luxurious bedding and soft lighting, you’ll enjoy a restful stay. The cozy café, bar, and tea room add charm to your day. Whether for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or business trip, this hotel promises high-quality memories.

Nestled at the foot of Xishan 4A Scenic Area, this haven blends natural hot springs with tea culture for ultimate relaxation. Each room features a private mineral-rich soak tub fed by mountain spring water—temperature and flow fully adjustable. Surrounded by forests with 20x higher oxygen levels, even breathing feels rejuvenating. Families love the whimsical themed rooms and dedicated kids’ zone with water slides. Enjoy outdoor BBQ pits, glamping sites, and a 200㎡ event space perfect for weddings or team building. Just 5 minutes’ walk to the subway, and 10 minutes’ drive to Dianchi Lake’s iconic sights. Whether for solo detox or group adventures, it’s a serene escape with city convenience!

Nestled at the foot of Western Hills and by the scenic Dianchi Lake, this hotel is a perfect getaway! Surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil streams, it offers luxurious hot springs and Instagram-worthy spots. Whether you're traveling with family or on a romantic trip, you'll enjoy top-notch service and extensive facilities, including a pool, spa, and kids' playground. Conveniently located near the subway and train station, with free parking available. The delicious breakfast, friendly front desk, and great value make it the ideal choice for your Kunming adventure!

Nestled by the Dianchi Lake, this European-style villa offers a tranquil escape with四季鲜花的花园 and stunning views of the Western Hills. The rooms blend art and comfort, while the nearby Dianchi Dam—昆明最美湿地公园—provides endless exploration. Perfect for families and business travelers alike, the area boasts vibrant dining and leisure options. Don’t miss the chance to breakfast with migratory red-billed gulls in winter. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, this hidden gem has it all.

Nestled by the picturesque Dianchi Lake with views of the Sleeping Beauty Mountain, this hot spring resort offers a serene escape. Featuring elegant rooms, lush gardens with bridges and streams, it’s a perfect blend of comfort and nature. Enjoy the indoor/outdoor pools, spa treatments, and authentic Yunnan cuisine—ideal for both business trips and leisure stays. Family-friendly amenities and meeting spaces cater to all needs. Come unwind in this hidden gem!

Tucked away in the Dianchi Lake resort area, this boutique eco-friendly homestay boasts a panoramic water view with the Xishan Mountain as its backdrop. It's a paradise for coffee and food lovers, featuring professional baristas and mixologists, along with a private kitchen serving Yunnan, Cantonese, and Sichuan cuisines. The rooms are equipped with smart home systems and premium bedding, including unique options like starry sky rooms and bathtub rooms, perfect for couples, families, or group trips. Enjoy a barbecue party in the garden while savoring handcrafted cocktails under the Jiuyan Bridge nightscape. Just a 2-minute walk to Haigeng Dam, it's incredibly convenient. Come and indulge in this unforgettable experience!

This hotel is a perfect choice for both family trips and business travelers! Located near Dianchi Back Sea Rongchuang Cultural Tourism City, it offers easy access to Snow World and Ocean World. Enjoy smart room controls in some rooms, with stunning views of Dianchi Lake and Xishan Mountain. Facilities include a gym, game room, and business center, plus family suites and childcare services for a stress-free stay with kids. The large underground parking makes it ideal for road trips!

This hotel is absolutely stunning! Located next to the Xishan Scenic Area, its French-style castle design with orange and pink rooms creates a warm and romantic atmosphere. The view outside the window is breathtaking, offering a perfect blend of serenity and vibrancy. The hotel features a garden, swimming pool, and tea room, along with professional butler service to make you feel at home. Stroll by the starlit pool at night or join the tea brewing activity for a unique experience. Whether for a romantic getaway or a family trip, this is the perfect choice – don’t miss it!

This place is a cultural gem disguised as a hotel! Each room is themed after Yunnan's 26 ethnic groups, with authentic details that transport you to minority villages. Kids love the play area while adults relax in the garden barbecue pit or tea lounge. With airport transfers, pet-friendly policies, laundry machines, and kitchenettes, every convenience is covered. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Dianchi Lake views, steps away from 3 theme parks and wetlands. The staff’s warmth earns rave reviews—guests call it a ‘hidden treasure’ for its unique design and family-friendly amenities. Perfect for culturally curious travelers seeking an immersive stay!

This Instagram-worthy boutique stay boasts breathtaking Dianchi Lake views, just steps from Haigeng Dam with dazzling Jiuyan Bridge nightscapes. Its unique design features photogenic spots from the vintage tea room to the garden picnic area. Perfect for families—kids’ playground, movie nights, and snack bars keep children entertained while parents unwind by the hot spring. Surrounded by food streets and golf courses, it offers easy access to ethnic villages and wetlands. With thoughtful amenities like laundry rooms and clinics, guests rave about its unbeatable value!

This hotel is perfect for families and business travelers! Just 20 steps from the subway exit with free parking, transportation is a breeze. Traveling with kids? Enjoy the play area and child-friendly amenities, plus chances to interact with animals. Business guests can use the conference rooms and business center. Nearby you'll find Ma Street Market and Rongchuang Ocean World for fun. With excellent service, great facilities including a sauna and tea room, it's a high-value choice you don't want to miss!

Discover a hidden gem by Dianchi Lake in Kunming! This lakeside retreat offers stunning views and steps away from Yunnan Ethnic Village. Enjoy homemade breakfast, cozy beds, and ultra-friendly hosts. Practical perks? Think free parking, pet-friendly policy, and even laundry service! Rated 4.8/5 for its unbeatable value, it’s perfect for watching Jiuyan Bridge’s night lights after a day of hiking. Your soulful escape starts here!

This hotel offers great value for money, perfect for both business trips and family vacations! Located in Taiping New Town, Kunming, it boasts convenient transportation with free parking and valet service, making it hassle-free for self-drive travelers. The serene environment provides a peaceful retreat, while the spacious and comfortable rooms come with 24-hour hot water and full Wi-Fi coverage. It’s ideal for families with kid-friendly amenities and well-equipped meeting rooms for business needs. Enjoy relaxing moments in the tea room or garden. The breakfast and dining options are delightful, and the friendly front desk staff ensures a warm welcome. A top choice for your stay in Kunming!

Nestled halfway up the lush Xishan Mountain, this hidden gem offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and Kunming's city lights. Unwind in private hot spring pools under starry skies, or take a dip in the stunning infinity-edge swimming pool. Perfect for families with its kids' playground and BBQ areas, it also caters to couples with romantic garden tea houses. Adventurers will love the local's-only hiking trail leading to ancient temples. With Yunnan cuisine, versatile meeting spaces, and just 8 minutes to Haigeng Dam, it's an urban escape blending nature with luxury.

This homestay is truly unique! Handmade decor and国际化设计 showcase thoughtful details, with premium latex mattresses ensuring a good night's sleep. Just 5分钟 walk to the instagram-famous dam with四季 stunning views – perfect for morning jogs or sunset strolls. Surrounded by parks and attractions,甚至 take a cable car up西山龙men. Convenient transport options include地铁, buses, and共享单车. Enjoy diverse cuisines like Cantonese, Hunan, and Yunnan dishes in nearby商圈 – ideal for family vacations!

Tucked away by Dianchi Lake, this boutique retreat offers water views and is just a 2-minute walk to the famous Haigeng Dam. Enjoy smart home systems and luxury bedding in themed rooms, from meditation suites to executive spaces. Savor fusion cuisine blending Yunnan flavors with Western dishes, or unwind with a starlit beer night in the courtyard. With home theater KTV, game rooms, and tea lounges, it’s perfect for families or group gatherings. Let the serene landscape wrap you in tranquility.
Everything you need to know about Dinosaur Valley
Dianchi Hot Spring Resort is an excellent choice, located just 15 minutes from Kunming Dinosaur Valley and nestled along the shores of Dianchi Lake. The resort features indoor and outdoor hot spring pools, a dedicated children’s play area, and lush botanical gardens, offering a peaceful retreat for families. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Western Hills and the lake from their rooms, while evenings bring stunning light shows and breathtaking night sky views.
Additionally, Yunnan Ethnic Village International Resort stands out with its authentic multi-ethnic architectural design. It offers cultural experiences such as traditional ethnic performances and handicraft markets, enriching the visit after exploring the Dinosaur Valley. Both hotels are praised for their comfortable accommodations and convenient access, making them ideal bases for discovering Kunming’s natural wonders and cultural heritage.
From Kunming Dinosaur Valley, several convenient options connect you to top-rated nearby hotels. The most efficient is the dedicated shuttle bus that departs directly from the park entrance to Dianchi Hot Spring Resort, taking only about 15 minutes with frequent departures.
For greater flexibility, use local ride-hailing apps like Didi Chuxing or T3 Mobility, which offer direct rides to the resort in approximately 20 minutes, costing around ¥40. Alternatively, the Kunming Changshui Airport Express passes through the Dianchi area, making it ideal for travelers arriving at the airport and heading straight to accommodation.
Another scenic option is renting an electric shared bike and riding along the Dianchi Greenway to Yunnan Ethnic Village International Resort, enjoying lakeside views and wetland scenery en route. All recommended hotels provide complimentary shuttle services, ensuring seamless transfers. HopeGoo transportation or hotel shuttles in advance—especially on weekends and holidays—is highly advised for a smooth journey.
Near Kunming Dinosaur Valley, visitors can enjoy a range of unique nature experiences. The Jurassic-themed ecological trail winds through primeval fern forests, featuring interactive fossil displays and immersive sound-and-light effects that transport guests back to the Triassic period.
The Dianchi Wetland Exploration Camp offers guided birdwatching tours and ecological lectures, where visitors can spot rare migratory birds such as the red-beaked gull and white crane, combining wildlife photography with environmental education.
For families, the Night Fossil Digging Experience is especially popular—trained guides teach participants how to excavate replica fossils using authentic tools in simulated geological layers, blending fun with science.
Nature enthusiasts can also join insect night walks, where flashlights reveal glowing fireflies and nocturnal creatures in the forest edge, highlighting the hidden rhythms of nighttime ecosystems.
All activities are led by certified naturalists, emphasizing scientific learning and outdoor discovery, making them ideal for both children and adults seeking hands-on engagement with Earth’s ancient history and biodiversity.
Guests staying at Dianchi Hot Spring Resort can enjoy a local Yunnan breakfast set, featuring signature dishes like Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, small-pot rice noodles, mushroom soup dumplings, and freshly baked buns, paired with freshly brewed Pu'er tea—a true taste of Yunnan cuisine. The dining area blends Bai wooden carvings with courtyard landscaping, offering serene views of the Dianchi sunrise and morning mist over the lake.
At Yunnan Ethnic Village International Resort, breakfast rotates daily by ethnic theme: Monday’s Yi-style fire-pit chicken congee, Tuesday’s Naxi sour cabbage fish noodles, Wednesday’s Dai pineapple rice and coconut sticky rice balls. All meals are prepared live by local chefs using ingredients from the hotel’s organic farm, ensuring freshness and authenticity.
Both hotels offer customized breakfasts, including child-friendly cartoon-shaped pastries or high-protein options for fitness guests. Some suites even include private balcony breakfast service, allowing guests to savor coffee and fruit platters while overlooking the lake at dawn.
These breakfast experiences go beyond flavor—they reflect local cultural heritage and sustainable food practices, giving travelers a meaningful start to each day in Kunming.
Recommended stays include Yunnan Dianchi Hot Spring Resort, just 15 minutes from Dinosaur Valley, offering private hot springs, lush garden landscapes, and spacious rooms with views of Lake Dianchi. The resort features a dedicated kids' play area, family workshops, and on-site childcare services, ideal for multi-generational travel.
Another top choice is Hyatt Regency Kunming World Horticultural Exposition, located amid scenic highland lakes and featuring an indoor pool, wellness center, and eco-conscious architecture. Both properties emphasize nature-integrated design and provide seamless access to the valley via free shuttle services, ensuring comfort and convenience for travelers seeking quality and tranquility.
Yes, visitors can take Bus C82 or the Dianchi Tourist Express Line, which runs from major hubs like Daguanyuan Park to the "Dinosaur Valley Station," taking approximately 45 minutes with a fare of only 10 RMB. For faster travel, ride-hailing apps such as Didi Chuxing or T3 Mobility offer direct trips in about 30 minutes, costing around 60–80 RMB.
Many tour agencies also offer all-inclusive day-trip packages that include round-trip transport, entrance tickets, and guided tours—perfect for visitors without a car. Note that metro service does not yet reach the site, so buses and taxis remain the primary options. Use Amap or Baidu Maps for real-time schedules and avoid weekend crowds by HopeGoo in advance.
Beyond viewing fossil exhibits, don’t miss the Dinosaur Valley Interactive Theater, where guests become paleontologists in immersive live shows involving simulated fossil digs—ideal for children’s engagement and learning.
The Prehistoric Ecosystem Sandbox uses advanced sound and light technology to recreate the Triassic landscape, offering a vivid, multisensory journey through ancient times. Weekly family craft workshops let kids make mini dinosaurs, press fossil rubbings, and explore creativity.
On weekends, the Night Explorer Guided Tour illuminates footprints along forest trails with dramatic lighting and expert storytelling, adding mystery and educational depth. These activities blend science education with interactive fun, making them perfect for all ages.
Yes, both Yunnan Dianchi Hot Spring Resort and Hyatt Regency Kunming World Horticultural Exposition provide complimentary shuttle services to Dinosaur Valley, with scheduled departures at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM daily from the hotel lobby. The trip takes about 15 minutes, and vehicles are luxury executive sedans with air conditioning and reclining seats.
Shuttle access is often included with premium room bookings or available upon request at reception. For groups or large parties, private shuttles can be arranged in advance. To ensure availability, please notify the hotel at least two hours before departure. This service eliminates traffic stress and allows guests to focus on exploring the prehistoric wonders seamlessly.
The Dinosaur Valley Entrance Plaza features towering dinosaur sculptures and is especially striking during golden hour when sunlight highlights textures and shadows. The central "Tree of Life" fountain, with its dynamic water projections and LED displays, performs hourly and makes for a stunning video capture.
The Jurassic Forest Trail is lined with ferns and lifelike trees, creating a mystical atmosphere perfect for nature-themed photos and family portraits. The Sky Suspension Bridge spans a stream, offering panoramic views of the valley below—ideal for dramatic wide-angle shots with dinosaurs in the background.
Don’t forget the Fossil Discovery Monument, designed like a real excavation site, set against mountainous backdrops—perfect for artistic compositions. All these spots are within walking distance of main pathways, making them accessible for quick photo breaks.
Must-try dishes include Firepot Chicken, a traditional Yunnan stew cooked over open earth ovens, served with wild mushrooms and red rice—featured at Xiangye Restaurant inside the park complex.
Also sample Dianchi Snail Rice Noodles, known for their tangy broth made from fish bones and herbs, topped with fresh bean sprouts and crispy spring rolls. Nearby, Laojie Steamed Buns serves handmade buns freshly steamed in bamboo baskets—light, fluffy, and packed with flavor.
For a bold taste, try Yi-style Roast Suckling Pig, slow-smoked over wood fires with aromatic herbs and chili paste, delivering crispy skin and juicy meat. Most restaurants accept mobile payments, and prices are very reasonable—making it easy to enjoy authentic Kunming flavors without breaking the bank.
See what other travelers say about Dinosaur Valley

Staying at the InterContinental Kunming was an absolute delight from start to finish. The room was spotlessly clean and beautifully appointed, with thoughtful touches that made us feel right at home. The staff went above and beyond—friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. Facilities are top-notch: the indoor pool, spa-like hot spring, and well-equipped fitness center were perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. The lobby’s artistic design sets the tone for the whole experience—elegant and inviting. Surrounded by lush greenery and a serene garden atmosphere, the hotel feels like a peaceful retreat. A short stroll takes you straight to Hai'eng Dam, with easy access to ethnic villages and Hai'eng Park—ideal for sightseeing or just relaxing. Breakfast was exceptional—wide variety, fresh ingredients, and delicious flavors. The Chinese restaurant stood out especially; their claypot rice was rich, aromatic, and unforgettable. We originally booked just two nights but ended up extending our stay because we loved it so much. If you're looking for comfort, charm, and great value in Kunming, this is the place to be.
Explore more amazing destinations