Major city · China
Gejiu个旧
Skip Gejiu unless you have a specific reason (tin mine history, a quiet lake walk). Half a day is enough: walk Jin Lake, then move on to Jianshui or Yuanyang.
Gejiu is a small Yunnan city built on tin mining, now a quiet prefectural capital. Its main draw is Jin Lake in the centre and a few parks on the outskirts. Most travellers pass through on the way to Yuanyang's rice terraces or Jianshui's old town. One night is more than enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, humid)
- Airport
- KMG
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gejiu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gejiu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyGejiu is safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKMG Kunming Changshui (About 4–6 h by bus; no direct flights to Gejiu.).
- Getting aroundCity buses (¥1 (≈ under US$1), wooden seats) run a loop around Jin Lake.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (noodles, rice)¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within centre¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Kunming to Gejiucheck¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMG Kunming Changshui (About 4–6 h by bus; no direct flights to Gejiu.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gejiu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
20 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
19 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses (¥1, wooden seats) run a loop around Jin Lake. Taxis are cheap (¥5–10 within the centre). Walking is fine for the lake area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus from Gejiu bus station, about 2–3 h
Rice terraces; best at sunrise or sunset.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus, about 1.5 h
Confucian temple, old town, and the double dragon bridge.
Mengzi
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus, about 1 h
Prefectural capital with French colonial architecture.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Jin Lake
Central, walkable to the lake and bus station.
Near the bus station
Convenient for onward buses; fewer dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × CN¥60 | CN¥60 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Bus from Kunming to Gejiu1 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥80 |
| Local bus ride1 × CN¥1 | CN¥1 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥29 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥320 per person per day, bed included | CN¥320≈ US$45 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus from Kunming to Gejiucheck | ¥80 (≈ US$12) |
| Local bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi within centre | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Simple meal (noodles, rice) | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottle of water | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses to Kunming can take 4–6 h depending on driver behaviour.
- English is very limited; have your destination written in Chinese.
- Tin mines are not open to visitors; do not attempt to enter.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Gejiu个旧
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Kunming → Gejiu: ¥80 (≈ US$12), 4–6 h (check)
- Taxi from bus station to Jin Lake: ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián)
- 汽车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus station? (qì chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gejiu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Jin Lake and Manhao scenic spot with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages with last orders and dish tags.
- Bus schedule page with verified departure times from Gejiu to Kunming, Yuanyang, Jianshui.
Sources
Ask about Gejiu
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