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Kunming is home to many of China's ethnic groups, so there's always a festival going on somewhere. Prepare to have your spirits lifted in this charming place, fondly referred to as the City of Eternal Spring.
1/6Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province and fondly known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to its year-round pleasant climate and blooming flowers
2/6Still standing after more than 1000 years, Yuantong Temple is Kunming’s largest and most famous Buddhist temple
3/6Wander around the other-worldly Yunnan Stone Forest which is easily reached from Kunming city centre
4/6For incredible views over the whole of Kunming, head to the Dragon Gate in the Western Hills
5/6Take a day tour to see the remarkable Jiuxiang Cave System, a unique karst geological park near Kunming
6/6Peaceful and expansive, Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and a favourite retreat from Kunming city life
1/6
Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province and fondly known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to its year-round pleasant climate and blooming flowers
2/6
Still standing after more than 1000 years, Yuantong Temple is Kunming’s largest and most famous Buddhist temple
3/6
Wander around the other-worldly Yunnan Stone Forest which is easily reached from Kunming city centre
4/6
For incredible views over the whole of Kunming, head to the Dragon Gate in the Western Hills
5/6
Take a day tour to see the remarkable Jiuxiang Cave System, a unique karst geological park near Kunming
6/6
Peaceful and expansive, Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and a favourite retreat from Kunming city life
Things to do
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
Shop
Home for Bo-tree Seed
This shop offers exclusively handmade knitwear, embroidery, and various engraved and polished ornaments, mostly made of seeds from the holy peepul tree. These fashionable accessories with an ethnic touch make excellent souvenirs.
Location
Level Three, Golden Eagle International Shopping Center, No. 569 Dian Chi Lu
The gigantic rocks of the Stone Forest rise from the ground like petrified trees or stalagmites. These curious-looking limestone formations are a wonder of the natural world, and are not to be missed.
Location
Shilin National Scenic Area
See
Daguan Pavilion
At the foot of Kunming’s Xishan Mountain and resting on the northern shore of the Dian Lake is the Daguan Lou (pavilion), a two-storey structure built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and famous for its 180 characters, in couplets, written by the poet Sun Rangweng. The inscription is perhaps the most famous work of its kind. Like the Stone Forest, this is another of Kunming’s must-sees.
Location
No. 72 Da Guan Lu, Xishan District
See
World Horti-Expo Garden
This Garden, which hosted the 1999 World Horticulture Exposition, remains as charming as ever. It houses an impressive array of flowers that come from various areas of China. Take a stroll through this floral haven to see a nation in bloom.
Location
No. 10 Shibo Lu, Panlong District
Eat
Bamboo Civet Time
Situated in a sanctuary of bamboo in the Green Lake area is the curiously named but cosy Bamboo Civet Time restaurant that has transformed down-to-earth Yunnan dishes into something out of the ordinary. Especially recommended are the Yunnan-style cold rice noodles, a refreshing alternative to the noodles in hot broth for which Yunnan is known.
Location
Cuihu Nan Lu, next to the Yunnan Provincial Library
The Golden Temple (Jin Dian) sits in beautiful gardens that once contained the home of Wu Sangui, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) general who played a key role in establishing the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The building itself is China's largest copper temple, while the park is also home to rare species of trees and shrubs.
Location
Mingfeng Mountain, an eastern suburb of Kunming
Book a trip
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