From “Sightseeing” to “Living Life”

In Shadi Village in Jinning District, the gate of “Dianxi Huajian Homestay” opens on time every morning. Xu Huashuo, originally from Yantai, Shandong, has lived here for several years, going from a tourist to a “new villager.” He says what made him to stay was not only the blue sky, rice paddies and lake breezes, but also the slower, quieter and more authentic pace of life here. Similar stories are unfolding across Kunming.

Shadi Village. Photo provided by Cailong Club user@维梅

Shadi Village. Photo provided by Cailong Club user@忆影拾光

In Wukeshu Village, Shilin County, long-stay visitor Zhang Haiming has not only settled here long-term but has also invested in three homestays, hoping more people can experience the lifestyle of “living amid the scenery.” An increasing number of people are coming to Kunming not just for a quick visit, but choosing to stay longer and immerse themselves in local life, turning travel into a part of everyday living. Data shows that in 2025 Kunming ranked first in Yunnan Province in tourist arrivals, tourism expenditure, inbound visitors and long-stay travelers. The Spring City is emerging as one of China’s most popular destinations for extended stays.

Wukeshu Village. Photo provided by WeChat Official Account Shilin Media Convergence Center

Rural Renewal: New Business Models Boost the Appeal of Rural Tourism

As demand for long-stay travel grows, different parts of Kunming are exploring new models for rural development. Songming County aims to become the “First Stop in Kunming for a Yunnan Sojourn,” attracting backpackers, leisure travelers and long-stay visitors, turning villages into scenic destinations, farmhouses into guest rooms, and local specialties into “golden goose.” 

Songming Pudu Small Mountain Sea. Photo provided by WeChat Official Account Read Songming

In Yanta Village in Anning, the community has repurposed and renovated vacant old houses, restoring century-old courtyard residences and transforming traditional central Yunnan dwellings into courtyard-style retreats that combine homestays, rural libraries and expert workstations. Visitors can even rent an entire courtyard building and experience everyday life in a traditional compound.

Photos provided by rednote@碧荷叶

Haiyan Village, with a history of more than 600 years, has revitalized its ancient fishing heritage through homestays, local cuisine, cafés and art spaces, giving new life to idle old houses and turning the village into a popular destination along the shores of Dianchi Lake. From homestay courtyards to café spaces, and from intangible cultural heritage experiences to artistic creation, an increasing number of new cultural and tourism businesses are emerging in Kunming’s countryside, allowing rural areas to preserve their nostalgic charm while embracing new ways of living.

Photos provided by rednote@安东尼奥的生活记录

Kunming’s confidence in developing rural tourism stems from its unique ecological environment. In recent years, the city has intensified efforts in rural development and ecological conservation. By focusing on the renovation and upgrading of key villages along the shores of Dianchi Lake, Kunming has promoted the integrated development of agriculture, culture and tourism, bringing new vitality to distinctive villages set amid scenic landscapes.

Tourists relax and unwind in Leju Village. 

Currently, 46 key villages along Dianchi Lake are cultivating boutique homestays and intangible cultural heritage experiences programs. New forms of tourism are emerging, including branded homestays in Niulian Village, high-end homestay clusters in Haiyan Village, and tie-dye experiences in Fuan Village.

Wolong Ancient Fishing Village, Chenggong District. 

Meanwhile, Kunming continues to advance the “Four Good Rural Roads” initiative. By 2025, the city’s network of green scenic rural roads will exceed 2,900 kilometers, with 100 percent of townships and administrative villages connected by paved roads, supporting the development of residential tourism.

Cycling along the Dianchi Lake Greenway, visitors can pass through wetlands, villages and flower fields, stop at rest stations for a cup of coffee or an intangible cultural heritage experience, and see “ecotourism” gradually evolve into a deeper, more immersive travel experience.

Photos provided by rednote@昆明文旅

With the growth of the travel-residence economy, an increasing number of people are choosing to live in Yunnan and seek new opportunities for their careers. As Wang Ning, Secretary of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, wrote in a reply letter, people are moving from “traveling” to “residing,” and then from “residing” to “creating.” Some open homestays or coffee shops, others run pottery studios, while still others bring new vitality to rural areas through livestreaming and cultural creativity.

From short-term visitors to “new villagers” integrating into local life, and eventually to “travel entrepreneurs” putting down roots, Kunming continues to attract people from across the country to settle here and pursue their dreams.

Photo provided by rednote@昆明文旅

Those living in Kunming can watch black-headed gulls skim across Dianchi Lake in the morning, sip tea and read in rural courtyards in the afternoon, and wait for the sunset in ancient fishing villages at dusk. As more people choose to settle in the countryside, Kunming is turning its beautiful landscapes to extend beyond travel destinations and become part of everyday life—offering a slower, warmer way of living.

Photo provided by rednote@昆明文旅