Yunnan is regarded as the golf paradise in Asia, including the top 10 golf courses in China and even the top golf courses in Asia. Its unique beautiful plateau scenery and moderate weather throughout the year make it ideal for playing golf all year round.
Have no idea about how to choose between them? Read this article to discover the best golf courses in Yunnan, including Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali, and find out the best times to play and tips for planning your Yunnan golf trip.
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- 6 Best Golf Courses in Yunnan
- How to Book These Golf Courses
- Best Season to Play Golf in Yunnan
- How to Plan Your Golf Trip
- Would I Encounter Altitude Sickness?
6 Best Golf Courses in Yunnan
Most of the top golf courses in Yunnan are scattered in the popular tourist cities, such as Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali, especially in Kunming due to its spring-like year-round weather and well-developed amenities.
We have selected the six best golf courses in these destinations for you, which enjoy good fame in China and even Asia, while also offering driving ranges to golf beginners.
1. Kunming Spring City Golf & Lake Resort
This golf course is the most popular one in Yunnan, ranking among the top levels in China and Asia. It features two 18-hole courses (the Lakeview Course and the Mountainview Course) and offers excellent lawn quality as well as an international service.
Playing golf there, you could enjoy faster green speed, with the speed typically ranging from 10–12. In autumn and winter, it could even reach 14, allowing for a better playing experience.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort provides on-site hotels and restaurants. In addition to the golf courses, it is also one of the most beautiful resorts offering a campsite, trekking woodland, a farm, and a hot spring. If you also want to plan a family vacation, Spring City is an ideal option.
- Location: Yiliang County, about 1 hour's drive from Kunming city center or Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Suitable for: from entry-level to difficult
- Price: 1,200–1,500 CNY (about $165–206) per person
If you prefer better scenery, the lake course would be a better choice. And hole number 8 is the most beautiful one, particularly for sightseeing and taking photos.
2. Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club
Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf ClubAs the only snow mountain golf course in Asia, snow mountains can be seen everywhere there.
With an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,171 feet), the thin air and weak gravity allow you to hit the ball far (300 yards) with ease. It challenges the longest fairway in the world in the Guinness World Records. However, altitude sickness may occur.
It is also a beautiful golf course for sightseeing. You could even admire the sunrise on the snow mountain and the starry sky at night. In addition, on-site hotels are provided there.
- Location: at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, about 1 hour's drive from Lijiang Old Town or a 1½-hour drive from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
- Suitable for: medium-difficult or above
- Price: 900–1,200 CNY (about $123–165) per person
Starting at 10 am in summer is best, while an hour earlier in autumn and winter is best as the afternoon wind is stronger.
3. Kunming Lakeview Golf Course
Lakeview is located in the city center and has hosted numerous golf events, so it is a lively and vibrant venue that is convenient to reach and offers a complete surrounding dining and accommodation option.
It is regarded as one of the most beautiful courses, offering stunning views of Dianchi Lake and West Hill. Playing golf beneath the spring jacaranda blooms is a unique experience you could enjoy in Lakeview.
If you are concerned that the strong UV rays in Yunnan could cause sunburn during daytime play, Lakeview's course offers lights for night play, allowing you to play until 9–10pm. Additionally, the course is flat and great for putting, suitable for a moderate level of difficulty.
- Location: beside Dianchi Lake in Kunming, 30–40 minutes' drive from Kunming city center and Kunming Railway Station, or 45 minutes from Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Suitable for: medium–difficult or above
- Price: 1,200–1,500 CNY (about $165–206) per person
4. Kunming Sunshine Golf Club
It is also one of China's top 10 golf courses. The fairways are ecological and smooth with high-quality lawns, leaving you with a purer golfing experience, so accordingly, less recreation facilities to find. It also features an open-air driving range, unlike others with netting.
The mountainous layout makes the course relatively challenging. If you seek a high-difficulty challenge, try the toughest holes from 13–15 (devil's triple hole). The greens are also well-defined, so chipping would be easier as long as you hit the right area.
With fewer crowds, caddies could offer a one-to-one service for you, and its driving range is at the top level of Yunnan's courses. It is more friendly for golf beginners.
- Location: Kunming urban area, within 30 minutes' drive of the city center or about 40 minutes from the airport
- Suitable for: from entry-level to a highly challenging level
- Price: 1,200–1,500 CNY (about $165–206) per person
5. Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club
Dali Stone Mountain Golf Club is the only golf course in Dali. There are 36 holes, divided into mountain view and lake view courses, with a moderately challenging difficulty level.
You could see the beautiful scenery of Cang Mountain and Er Lake as well as a distant view of Dali Ancient Town while playing. It also offers on-site villa hotels but some facilities might be a bit outdated, although they are still in good condition.
It is closer to nature and best for taking photos, with a fairy-tale and romantic vibe. You could find an internet-popular film base with many photogenic settings, a farm with many lovely animals, a horse ranch, and a parent-child amusement area, making it pleasant to enjoy for a family with kids.
- Location: at the side of Cang Mountain, Dali; about 15 minutes' drive from Dali Ancient Town, or 1 hour from Dali Railway Station or Dali Fengyi Airport
- Suitable for: medium–difficult or above
- Price: 900–1,200 CNY (about $123–165) per person
6. Kunming Country Golf Club
Kunming Country Golf Club is also a high-end golf course with a hilly layout, offering great service with many sophisticated caddies. You could enjoy a more stable and affordable budget there, but it doesn't offer more recreational facilities, such as spas and hotels, unlike other golf resorts.
The course could be a bit challenging to play. Its fairways and greens are quite spacious, and the greens are divided into three tiers, making three putts more likely. If you want to test your golfing skills, this course is a great choice as it requires high-level putting skills.
- Location: Kunming urban area, 40 minutes' drive from the city center or about 20–30 minutes from the airport
- Suitable for: difficult level
- Price: 900–1,200 CNY (about $123–165) per person
How to Book These Golf Courses
Booking 3–5 days in advance is highly recommended since some popular courses would easily run out of rounds during weekends or vacations.
We recommend some platforms like TEMA Golf or BaiGolf. You could log in to their apps or websites for convenient golf rounds or package ticket booking and even get occasional discounts.
Alternatively, if you want to plan a golf trip while visiting, you could contact us to customize your private tour. Based in China for more than 26 years, our experienced advisors can help you to arrange this.
What Is the Best Season to Play Golf in Yunnan?
Yunnan is ideal for golfing all year round, but spring and autumn have more clear days and comfortable daytime temperatures of about 17–25°C (63–77°F).
Winter could be ideal if you also want to admire snowcapped scenery and splendid sunrises over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. November to December would be better as the grass is still green. However, the wind may be strong in Lijiang and Dali.
Summer from June to August is particularly pleasant with cool temperatures, but it is also the rainy peak season. You'd better take a raincoat while playing. Additionally, it is also important for you to take UV protection due to the strong UV rays all year round in Yunnan.
How to Plan Your Golf Trip in Yunnan
Typically, it requires 7–8 days for a classic Yunnan trip. If you're a first-timer to Yunnan and want to combine a golf trip, we suggest spending 1–2 extra days at a golf club. To make your trip more relaxed, you could arrange it at the end of your trip.
For example, arrange a golf trip to Spring City Golf & Lake Resort at the end of your Kunming trip and enjoy leisurely golf playing and a spa experience to refresh yourself.
Would I Encounter Altitude Sickness?
Among the golf courses we have recommended, you're not likely to encounter altitude sickness while playing golf in Kunming and Dali.
However, Lijiang, with a higher elevation, may cause mild altitude sickness. If you feel uncomfortable, some hot ginger tea and portable oxygen would help to ease it, and these are also provided by the golf course.