Direct buses from Kunming leave in the early evening and arrive late morning the following day, that's probably the easiest.
The two ways you described also work, but won't save you any time.
The weather now is pretty good depending where in the valley you are, (warm-ish day, cold-ish nights) should be mostly sunny, and the river is a beautiful blue colour.
what a great place, just a short walk from the subway station but looks like a hidden wonderland in the middle of the forest.
always cool people and cheap drinks, best parties in kunming!
Project Yishi Drolma - from Tibetan nomad to trail runner
发布者awesome article