My First Solo Trip｜In the Spring of Yunnan, I Learned to Be with Myself

The Reason for Leaving: A Plane Ticket, a Spontaneous Adventure

During the Spring Festival, my social media feed was filled with friends smiling at the foot of snow-capped mountains, running along beaches, and holding up coffee cups for selfies on foreign streets. I was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through these posts, feeling a vague sense of envy stirring inside me. Ask someone to travel with me? That's easier said than done—in the adult world, time slips through your fingers like sand, and plans for a trip with a few friends often end up stuck in the group chat with a "next time for sure."

In the early hours of March 2nd, I was wide awake, mindlessly scrolling on my phone. A flash sale ticket to Kunming suddenly popped up on my screen, the price so low it was irresistible. I don't know what came over me, but my finger had already pressed the "pay" button. Just like that, my first solo trip began—hastily yet resolutely, in the middle of the night.

Trip Overview

• Dates: March 3–9, 2026 (7 days, 6 nights)
• Route: Dongguan → Guangzhou → Kunming → Dali → Guangzhou
• Cost: A total of 5,536 RMB. The flights were the biggest expense—Guangzhou to Kunming cost 470 RMB, while flying back from Dali was over 1,000 RMB. My friends joked, "Flying out is a steal; flying back is getting ripped off."
• Travel Companion: Just myself
• Accommodation:
• Kunming: Atour Hotel (right next to the fire station and the司法局 (judicial bureau)—maximum安全感 (sense of security))
• Dali Old Town: Two guesthouses. The first one had a warm host but poor soundproofing and a broken shower head; the second was recommended by the first host and offered free use of an electric scooter and parking for a car
• What I Packed:
• Clothing: T-shirts, a fleece jacket, a light down jacket, long pants. The fleece jacket was a lifesaver—great for blocking the wind when riding a scooter
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, face mask, sunglasses. The UV rays in Yunnan are no joke
• Moisturizing: A small humidifier or saline nasal spray. I actually had nosebleeds for several days in Dali
• Insurance: Bought a policy on Alipay—a small expense for peace of mind

Spring in Kunming: A Gentle Encounter with Myself

Day 1: Almost Missed My Flight, but Earned the Title "Lucky Girl" at the Wetland Park

On the morning of March 3rd, I drove to the Gaozeng parking lot and booked a shuttle for 8:30 AM. I waited and waited, but no one showed up. After nearly half an hour, I finally got on, only to hit a traffic control on the way. At the airport, I shelled out 50 RMB for an "express fast track" and experienced a real-life version of "speed and fury," barely making it on board before the cabin door closed. At that moment, I thought: The first lesson of solo travel is learning to race against time.

After landing in Kunming, I took the metro for an hour, switching lines three times to get to my hotel. On the way, I ordered a takeout from a place called "上山喝茶 (Up the Mountain for Tea)," and by the time I arrived, a warm滇红拿铁 (Dianhong latte) was waiting for me. The Atour Hotel I stayed at was right next to the fire station and the司法局 (judicial bureau), so I felt completely safe. The welcome tea was also滇红 (Dianhong)—I could feel the locals' love for black tea from the very first sip.

It was around 4 PM, an awkward time of day. A local friend recommended I go to the Haihong Wetland Park to watch the sunset. I took a Didi there. The metasequoia forest hadn't turned red yet, but the evening light filtering through the branches onto the water was impossibly gentle. A flock of red-billed gulls gathered by the lake, and a roadside photographer pulled me over for a shoot—40 RMB for two photos. I also managed to snap a few satisfying shots myself. The most magical moment came when I first arrived: a small patch of gray clouds appeared, and a few drops of rain fell. I silently begged, "Please stop, please stop," and after riding my bike for a few minutes, it actually cleared up—right then, I felt like I was the "lucky girl" herself!

After exploring Haihong, I rode a shared electric scooter to the metro station. Kunming is perfect for biking! I tried both Meituan and Qingju—Meituan was cheaper but had no phone mount, while Qingju cost a bit more but had newer bikes with a mount for navigation. A ride pass cost only 5 RMB a day, way more freeing than the metro.

In the evening, I headed to Nanping Old Street, where I had a bowl of小锅米线 (small-pot rice noodles) at a place called "云连小吃店 (Yunlian Snack Shop)" for 12 RMB—an incredible value. The old street was packed for the Lantern Festival, with a long line snaking around陈嬢嬢的汤圆 (Aunt Chen's Tangyuan) stall. I didn't even bother to get a number. But watching the locals crowd around the little stand, waiting for a bowl of tangyuan, felt oddly heartwarming. The old street is pretty commercialized, so it's fine just to wander around.

From the old street, I biked to Green Lake. The night sky was lit up by fireworks going off in every direction. At a bar called "鹧鸪酒馆 (Partridge Tavern)," I ordered a sweet fruit cocktail. The place was full of women chatting, and no one was smoking. I didn't feel awkward sitting there alone. There's something just right about being in a bar in an unfamiliar city, surrounded by the buzz of strangers.

Day 2: Strawberries, Cafés, and a Chance Encounter with a Kind Photographer

In the morning, I had过桥米线 (crossing-the-bridge rice noodles) at a nearby place called "福华园 (Fuhua Garden)." I noticed a lot of elderly customers, which probably meant the food was authentic. Across the street, I bought a牛肉酱饵块 (beef sauce Erkuai)—salty, chewy, and the more I chewed, the more flavorful it got.

I biked to Xihua Park, where an 800-meter-long path of垂丝海棠 (pendulous crabapple blossoms) was in full bloom. The pink branches drooped low, touching each other like a natural canopy. I went during lunchtime, when the crowds were thin, and had the entire flower-lined path to myself. I spent ages walking and stopping, taking photos with my selfie stick.

On my way from Xihua Park to Xunjin Street, I came across a small truck selling strawberries. I bought a basket for 25 RMB. The strawberries were incredibly fragrant and sweet. Who would have thought that this basket of strawberries would accompany me through all of today's Kunming itinerary—from Xihua Park to Xunjin Street, from Xunjin Street to Huanggong East Street, and then to Green Lake? In the end, I shared them with the front desk lady at my hotel. I joked to my friends, "This basket of strawberries has been to more places today than all of you have been to work."

Xunjin Street was my biggest surprise of the trip. The yellow-walled murals on Jingde Lane, the colorful walls on Tiepi Lane, and the old colonial-style houses turned into low-key, laid-back cafés. I ordered a coffee and sat by the roadside, soaking up the sun, watching dogs and people go by—it was incredibly relaxing. This area was much quieter and less crowded than Huanggong East Street.

When I biked to Huanggong East Street, the number of people had noticeably increased. The 200-meter-long alley was packed with young people taking photos. The yellow walls and green chairs, the "这很昆明 (This Is So Kunming)" wall, the三角梅 (bougainvillea) flower wall—every spot had a queue. It was too crowded, so I ducked into a shop that still had seats and ordered a drink called "菌香椰枣奶盖熟普 (mushroom-infused, date, and cheese-topped ripe pu'er tea)." The name sounded odd, but it tasted surprisingly good—the richness of the ripe pu'er paired with the sweetness of the dates, with a hint of mushroom in the aftertaste.

From Huanggong East Street, I wandered to Green Lake. The lake looked completely different by day than it did at night. The tulips and cherry blossoms were in full bloom under the sunlight, and the Qing Dynasty pavilion at the center of the lake was reflected in the water. I approached an older gentleman who was taking photos for a young woman (after seeing his shots, I noticed his composition and framing were excellent) and asked him to take a picture of me. Afterward, he said, "A young lady traveling alone? Have a wonderful trip." It warmed my heart.

On a whim, I stopped by "纸布石书店 (Paper, Cloth, and Stone Bookstore)," a place full of quirky charm. Finally, I ended up on Wenlin Street and randomly walked into a restaurant, where I ordered干巴菌炒饭 (dried porcini mushroom fried rice) with a craft beer. The aroma of the mushrooms, the scent of the beer, and the evening breeze of Kunming—a perfect end to the day. Back at the Atour Hotel that night, the midnight porridge came with a cold pork dish that was so good I wanted to take it to go!

The Slow Pace of Dali: Finding Peace with Myself Among the Mountains and Waters

Day 3: Arriving in Dali, Warmed by a Bowl of Wild Mushroom Hotpot

I slept in until I naturally woke up. I had originally planned to visit the Dounan Flower Market on my last day, but I decided on the spot to fly back from Dali instead—what a missed opportunity!

I took a Didi to Kunming Station. Make sure to arrive early! The road into the station narrows from two lanes to one, causing traffic jams, and the station itself was crowded. There are plenty of trains from Kunming to Dali, some even discounted. I took the 12:20 PM train, which was originally 145 RMB but discounted to 114 RMB. Compared to the Guangzhou-Shenzhen railway, this was a steal. After 2 hours and 19 minutes, I arrived in Dali.

At the exit, there was a "Dali Old Town Express" bus, clearly marked in yellow, for 5 RMB directly to the ancient town. It leaves as soon as it's full. The only downside was that you had to exit the station, cross a pedestrian overpass, and catch the bus on the other side—a bit of a hassle with luggage, but it was cheap!

The guesthouse I stayed at was outside the South Gate. I found it on Douyin on a whim and booked it. The soundproofing was average, and the shower head was broken, but the host was very nice. After getting ready, I borrowed the guesthouse's electric scooter and went looking for a café called "小满咖啡 (Xiaoman Coffee)" to try甲马拓印 (a traditional woodblock printing craft). The café wasn't on the navigation app. I circled around a few times, asked a couple of delivery drivers and couriers, and finally found it right on the roadside—it was a case of "hiding in plain sight." The owner was a beautiful woman. I ordered a木姜子 (Litsea cubeba) special blend. The cheese foam was thin and not greasy, and the whole drink was perfectly balanced. It wasn't expensive either. I usually only drink Americanos or pour-overs and am hesitant to try random specialty drinks, but this one was a hit. The owner said they'd been seeing a lot of Cantonese customers lately. I replied, "Well, 'Guangdong走地鸡 (free-range chickens)' aren't called that for nothing."

I went to the wild mushroom hotpot restaurant recommended by the guesthouse host. My only regret was that it wasn't mushroom season, so everything we ate was frozen, lacking that fresh, earthy quality. But the broth had a rich, medicinal herb flavor, and the overall experience was still good. The first time I felt the inconvenience of solo travel was when I realized I couldn't finish a meal meant for two!

Near the hotpot restaurant, I found a quiet bar called "木鱼 (Muyu)." The owner seemed like an introverted person, and the place was decorated very comfortably. I ordered a cocktail blind box. It had a refreshing taste, and the bar was smoke-free—a big plus. I listened to the music, finished my drink, and went back to rest, completely satisfied.

Day 4: Plant Dyeing and a Ride to Longkan Pier

In the morning, I rode my little electric scooter to the North Gate of the old town. On a whim, I bought a 6.9 RMB Americano and then randomly spotted a rice noodle shop with parking out front. His店 (rice noodle shop) served eggs with runny yolks, along with some side dishes—pretty good. The only issue was that I couldn't find a seat for myself and had to share a table with others.

Across the street, an old man was selling blueberries for 30 RMB per kilogram. I asked him to weigh out 10 RMB worth, specifically picking the biggest ones. But he secretly mixed in a bunch of small ones—that old man wasn't playing fair!

With my coffee and blueberries, I rode my scooter past the Three Pagodas of Dali, through a rough, bumpy road, and arrived at "南瓜小屋 (Pumpkin House)." I was way too ambitious. I spent 98 RMB on a plant dyeing project for a flip calendar that required making 13 pages! Both the design and the quantity took me ages. Under the sunlight, with a gentle breeze blowing, surrounded by the rhythmic sound of hammering, sipping my coffee and eating blueberries, I felt completely relaxed. I was so immersed that I saw off wave after wave of customers who finished before me. After I was done, I took photos in the beautifully decorated shop. It was a wonderfully laid-back day.

After finishing the dyeing, I rode to the Cang'er Highway. The entire road was lined with flowers, and it was absolutely stunning. But I couldn't understand why some people were standing in the middle of the road to take photos—cars were coming and going, and it was dangerous. While riding on Cang'er Highway, I saw a young woman holding her phone case, but her phone was missing. I rushed up to tell her, only to find out she had taken the phone out of the case to use for navigation—a big misunderstanding, but kind of funny.

Longkan Pier was way too crowded, full of beautiful women taking photos, all dressed very lightly. Photographers were everywhere, trying to rope in customers. It reminded me a bit of the open, empty feel of the Qingdao seaside, but the crowds made it impossible to just sit quietly. I didn't stay long and rode back to the old town. I bought some terrible beef tendon snacks and couldn't take it anymore. I stumbled upon a craft beer bar and sat down for a drink. Another easy, breezy day.

Day 5: A Vegetarian Meal at Jizhao Nunnery and Souvenir Shopping at the Bed Sheet Factory

The guesthouse host warned me that riding the electric scooter up the slopes of Cangshan might damage it, so he suggested I take a Didi to Jizhao Nunnery. I set the destination to "Cangshan Gantong Cable Car Parking Lot." As I got close, traffic slowed to a crawl, so I got out and walked. I saw a memorial archway and started hiking right away—up the stairs and down the slope. No entrance fee was required, but I had to register my information at the gate.

After a slow 20-minute walk, I arrived at Jizhao Nunnery and bought a meal ticket for 20 RMB. By 11:10 AM, the line for food was already long. I snagged a spot with a beautiful view, ate my meal, listened to the chanting, and soaked up the sun—this was the slow life at its finest. The food was light and tasty, though there was one bean dish that was way too salty. Remember: don't waste food; take only what you can eat.

Halfway down the mountain, I spotted a shared electric scooter and hopped on without hesitation. Riding with the wind and sun in my face, flanked by pink flower fields, I coasted all the way down—it was so comfortable and healing.

I stopped by a café in Dali Old Town called "free soul coffee," where you could make a free coffee-scented soap with your purchase. It was a fun little activity.

I wandered into the Bed Sheet Factory market. At the entrance, I came across an unplugged coffee stand, ordered a pour-over, and chatted with the owner for a while—a random NPC encounter. The shops in the Bed Sheet Factory were all very interesting. I bought a plant decoration that instantly made me feel calm just by looking at it. Later, for a friend's birthday, I even placed a WeChat order for a plant-based cake decoration, and my friend was thrilled. These items made great souvenirs—I hadn't seen anything like them anywhere else.

Coming out of the Bed Sheet Factory, I walked a bit further and found a community canteen, where I got a taste of local Dali flavors. On my way back, I bought blueberries for 55 RMB per kilogram—super sweet. I tried a new product from Jiahua's flower cakes, but it wasn't good; the original sea salt version is still the best.

Day 6: Driving Around Erhai Lake and Meeting a Fellow Cantonese in Xizhou

I rented a car through the Qunar app, bought the highest level of insurance, and rented it for 24 hours, returning it at the airport. The rental fee plus gas came to about 250 RMB. The guy who handled the handover was very helpful, and picking up and returning the car was easy.

Based on a recommendation from Xiaohongshu, I went to Xiabopeng. It was also a village road, but it was less crowded, and I could park. A 50-meter walk brought me to the famous "internet-famous" dead tree, with no queue. I found a photographer, paid 100 RMB for 7 photos, and completed my photo shoot for the day. This place had far fewer tourists than S-Bend or Caicun Village—beautiful scenery, few people, very comfortable. The scenery along the Erhai Lake ecological corridor was pretty similar, so after resting up at Xiabopeng, I drove straight to Xizhou Ancient Town.

What's popular in Xizhou is the "wind-blown wheat fields," but I think every city has scenes like this, so it wasn't anything special. Although it was quite commercialized, buying a coffee and sitting on the second floor, overlooking the wheat fields and thinking quietly, was still very pleasant. Later, I switched to another coffee shop and sat at the pour-over counter, where I met two outgoing young women who enthusiastically shared their knowledge of coffee beans with me. A brief encounter, but it left a sweet memory. The funniest part was that at this coffee shop, everyone's first reaction after hearing me speak was, "Are you from Guangdong?" I thought my Mandarin was pretty standard!

I also ran into a Guangzhou native who was living in Dali with his little dog. A fellow Cantonese—pretty interesting.

Driving along the route from Dali Line to the Ring Road to Shuanglang Ancient Town, and then to the east side of the lake, I stopped wherever I liked. There were roadside coffee stands where I could sit and gaze out over Erhai Lake—very relaxing. Unfortunately, the neighboring country was burning something, and the smoke filled the Dali sky, making it gray and hazy. I didn't get to catch the sunset.

On the way back, I went to Dali Old Town to make a bean pod craft. The ladies at the shop were all very nice, helping me with the "smiling mouth" opening and stepping in whenever I got stuck.

Day 7: Returning the Car, Going Home

I woke up, drove to the airport, and returned the car. Dali Airport is quite small and doesn't have much to explore, so there's no need to arrive too early.

Final Thoughts: The Meaning of Solo Travel

I chose Yunnan for my first solo trip because I felt it offered a blend of nature and city life, allowing me to experience life at a slow pace. It's not too remote; Kunming and Dali are relatively popular destinations. The altitude isn't as high as Lijiang, so my body could handle it, and it's relatively safe.

The only downside to solo travel is probably not being able to share good food with someone. The night before I left, I was so anxious about not having a plan that I couldn't sleep. But that didn't stop me from being a lazy P-person who doesn't make plans—I basically only planned the next day on the day itself.

I'm grateful to all the kind people I met along the way. But most of all, I'm grateful to myself for having the courage to take that first step.

I later discovered a WeChat public account for Cangshan photography that had a lot of activities—I missed it! What a pity. At the time, I also thought I'd fly back from Kunming, saving the Dounan Flower Market for the last day and also having time to explore Kunming Airport. Who knew I'd end up flying directly from Dali, missing the flower market again. As a P-person who handles everything on the fly, you have to accept the consequences of last-minute decisions.

Some Tips

1. Dali and Kunming are really dry and sunny. Make sure to moisturize and use sun protection.
2. Dali often has traffic jams. Riding an electric scooter is highly recommended. If you're staying on the west side of Erhai Lake, an e-scooter is the most convenient way to get around.
3. When eating alone, choose single-person meals like rice noodles, Erkuai, or small-pot rice noodles. Try to avoid hotpot and other dishes meant for sharing.
4. For accommodation, choose a place near the South Gate of the old town. It's convenient and relatively quiet.
5. For photos, you can hire local photographers. It's not expensive, and you'll get professional shots.
6. Carry water with you at all times. Yunnan is surprisingly dry.

Afterword

Over seven days, I walked through the flower seas of Kunming, rode through the fields of Dali, ate a bowl of vegetarian rice noodles to the sound of chanting at Jizhao Nunnery, and found beloved souvenirs at the Bed Sheet Factory market. I learned to talk to myself, to enjoy the time spent alone, and to find my own rhythm in an unfamiliar city.

It turns out that traveling alone isn't lonely at all. When you learn to be with yourself, the whole world becomes your travel companion.