Introducing Kunming

The capital city of Yunnan known in China as the ‘City of Eternal Spring', Kunming is at almost-tropical latitude but 6600 feet altitude which gives it a very temperate climate. It and may be visited at any time of the year. The mix of ethnic minorities and unique history of Kunming make it a popular destination. Apart from its inborn charms, Kunming serves as a hub from which to explore Yunnan province. It is now a perfect destination for international travellers seeking ‘Old China’ in comfort.

Attractions

The Stone Forest - Located in southeast Yunnan province, the Stone Forest is described by people as having ‘the most fantastic scenery in China’. It was formed 300 million years ago and consists of 870,000 acres of typical karsts that are the most frequently visited for their concentration of stone formations. Some 200 million years ago this area was submerged under a thick layer of limestone at the bottom of the sea. Later, the movement of the earth's crust caused the sea bottom to thrust upward and became land. Consequence of the solvent action, long deep cracks developed in the limestone, and rainwater running through the cracks gradually eroded the stone into the present shapes.

The Dianchi Lake - The Dianchi Lake, 92,000 acres in area, 145 feet in depth and 1.2 miles in altitude is the eighth largest lake in China. For its exceptional charms the lake is nicknamed ‘Sparkling Pearl Imbedded in a Highland’. Its shores are strewn with scenic spots and places of folklores. Sailing on the lake, with the boat swaying gently on a vast expanse of liquid silver, proves to be a most enchanting experience. At night, the moon casts a gauzy veil over the lake, and the silence of the scene is broken only by the soughing of a refreshing breeze. Known for its longest antithetical couplet in China, the Grand View Park, also called Daguan Park, is found within a walking distance from the Western Hills. It shares the same Dianchi lake water with the Western Hills, which are on the opposite side. 

The Western Mountains Scenic Area - Lies among the Biji Mountain chain to the west of Kunming. From the east or north banks of the Dianchi Lake, you can see the Western Hills, looking just like a young girl lying with her face to the sky and her long hair drifting into the water of the lake. The local people call her the ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The folk legend says that she is dreaming of her lover's return and her tears have formed the vast Dianchi Lake. In the morning, it is an ideal place to greet the rising sun. In the evening, you can admire the sparkling lights of downtown Kunming. These scenes all make you feel like a god about to rise to the heavens. 

The Yunnan Ethnic Village - Situated 4 miles south of Kunming, is a 2,000 acres theme park bordering on the south by the Dianchi Lake and on the west by the famous Western Mountains Scenic Area. The famous historical and cultural city of Kunming is in the north of the villages. Each of the 26 ethnic peoples of Yunnan will have a village built on the premises. There will also be a square symbolising unity among various ethnic groups, a theatre for the performance of ethnic songs and dances, a folklore museum, and a museum of ethnic waxworks. When completed, the Yunnan Ethnic Villages will become an epitome of Yunnan as a multi-ethnic province, and an immense garden in south Chinese horticultural and landscaping traditions. 

Kunming Botanical Gardens - Seven miles from Kunming, together with the Black Dragon Park, these gardens constitute a national scenic area. The gardens have introduced precious flowers, traditional medicinal herbs, important trees and endangered plants of the province. Also they have cultivated many plants for domestication and the protection of their migration. The gardens have collected some 4,000 species of plants and established 10 special plant gardens and experimental districts. The camellia garden is unique in the country and has collected 40 species of camellias. Yunnan Province boasts more than 100 species of camellia. These gardens were one of the earliest gardens to collect the cedar.

The Alu Ancient Cave - With an area of 396 acres, the cave is a formation of karst caverns 105 miles east of the Stone Forest. It is composed of nine peaks and 18 caverns. A distance of 3 miles has been open to the public, covering Luyuan cave, Jade Pillar Cave and an underground Karst River. In the caves are various stone formations resembling bamboo shoots, flowers, curtains and windows. Remarkably true to life, some stand in solitary loftiness, others in clusters.

The Golden Temple Park - On the Mingfeng Mountains, four miles to the east of Kunming, there is a fine building made of bronze. This is the largest Taoist bronze-tile. Temple in China and has been preserved almost intact. It is commonly known as Jindian. The Golden Temple was first built in the 30th year of Emperor Wanli's rule (1602) in the Ming Dynasty. The temple walls were made with cast panels covered with exquisite and diverse designs.

The Nine Villages Scenic Region - Fifty miles away from Kunming, it is a beautiful scenic region which is famous for its caves, mountains, rivers, deep valleys, minority customs and cultures. It has a mild climate all the year round. The average temperature throughout the year is 14.6°C. The Nine Villages Scenic Region consists of 5 major scenic spots: Diehong Bridge, the Sanjiao Cave, the Dasha Dam, the Alulong and the Mingyue Lake. Among them, the most outstanding and beautiful is Diehong Bridge Scenic Spot, which includes six major scenic spots: the Green Shady Valley, the White Elephant Cave, the Goddess Cave, the Lying Dragon Cave, the Bat Cave and the Tourist Cableway.

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