Top must-visit destinations in Kunming, China

Kunming is the economic and cultural center of Yunnan Province and a portal to Southeast Asia and southwest China. A large number of travelers have been attracted there to enjoy its spring-like climate and spectacular scenery.

Stone Forest

Kunming Stone Forest, Shilin in Chinese, is a spectacular set of limestone groups and the representative of south China’s karst landscape. Known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as the 'First Wonder of the World', it is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan. An old local goes that if you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.

Dianchi Lake Scenic Area

The Dianchi Lake Scenic Area is located in the southwest part of Kunming City. Dianchi Lake is, beyond question, the center of the resort. There are numerous attractions along the lake captivating tourists. Among these are the Yunnan Nationalities Village, Grand View Park (Daguan Park), White Fish Park (Baiyukou Park), Haigeng Bank, Kwan-yin Hill, Western Hills Forest Park, temples and pagodas. Towns, big or small near the lake provide visitors with an opportunity to experience customs of the local people.

Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park)

Green Lake Park, aka Cuihu Park, situated almost in the city center and facing Yunnan University, is one of the most beautiful parks in Kunming city. It is at the foot of Luofeng Mountain and on the west side of Wuhua Mountain. Green Lake itself occupies 15 hectares (37 acres) in the 21-hectare (52 acres) Green Lake Park and used to be a part of Dianchi Lake, but has become an independent lake now because of the water level decreasing of Dianchi. Now the park is for daily leisure and playing with seagulls in winter for locals and travelers in Kunming.

Yunnan Provincial Museum

Yunnan Provincial Museum is located in the east section of Guangfu Road in Guandu District. As a comprehensive museum, it has rich collections of more than 200,000 pieces. For tourists, the museum can help them to know Yunnan's history and the rich ethnic culture; for history lovers, its rich collections give them the opportunity to better understand Yunnan and the ancient Dian Kingdom's (278 - 115BC) historical features as well as bronze culture.

Western Hills

In the western suburbs of Kunming lies Western Hills. They are also called 'Sleeping Buddha Hills'. From a distance, they have the appearance of a giant sleeping Buddha. They have also been given another name - 'Sleeping Beauty Hills' for the hills as it looks like a beautiful young lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailling into water. You can see the outline of her face, chest, and legs clearly.

Grand View Park

Daguan, which means 'the grand view', is the most befitting name for the Daguan Park and the Daguan Pavilion, which are on the terminus of Daguan Road in the southwest of Kunming city.

Golden Temple

Golden Temple, also known as Tongwa Temple, is the largest copper temple in China. As part of Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony), it's located on top of Mingfeng Hill (Singing Phoenix Hill).

World Horticultural Expo Garden

Sitting in the northeast suburbs and about 6 kilometers (3.8 miles) from the city center of Kunming, the World Horticultural Expo Garden is a venue for the 1999 Kunming International Horticulture Exposition. It is a first-class Daguanyuan (Grand View Garden), which has typical Chinese and local Yunnan characteristics. The World Horticultural Expo Garden is about 218 hectares (nearly 540 acres) in area, with vegetation coverage reaching 76.7%, including gradual slopes of 120 hectares (about 300 acres). And 10% to 15% of the garden is covered by water. Gardening works of many domestic and foreign places are on display here.

See more: Best attractions to visit in Guangzhou, China

Source: Internet