The Top Things to Do in Kunming
Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province, known as "The City of Spring". With its natural beauty and an incredible variety of ethnically diverse cultures, tourists have many things to do and explore in Kunming. Travelers typically want to spend 3 to 5 days in Kunming, and can visit many of the top attractions in the most livable city. In addition to the recommended points of interest, you can enrich your experience here to see why Kunming is called the Spring City and capture magnificent images in a photographer's paradise.
Visit the Stone Forest
Every traveler coming to Kunming would like to include Kunming Stone Forest on their must-see list. The Stone Forest, inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as the South China Karst, is considered a superlative natural phenomenon with sculpted pinnacle columns and a global landmark for pinnacle karst. Also recognized as a UNESCO Geopark and earned the high reputation of the First Wonder of the World, the Stone Forest, formed by erosion over millions of years, is composed of many types of peculiar stone peaks, pillars and stalagmites that They rise abruptly from the ground and extend as far as the eye can see. The Stone Forest Scenic Area is very extensive and is composed of five scenic spots: Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone Forest, Bushao Hill, Lizi Yuanjing, Wannian Lingzhi and Stone Forest Geological Museum.
Ascent the West Hill
There is a saying: If you don't visit Western Hill, you haven't visited Kunming; and if he does not come to the Dragon Gate, he has not been to the Western Hill. West Hill, located on the west bank of Kunming's Dianchi Lake, is nestled in mountains well covered with forests and full of sweet songs of lovely birds. With more than 2,500 meters above sea level, also known as Pico Verde Mountain, refers to a range of five straight mountains more than 40 kilometers. Seen from afar, its undulating horizon resembles a graceful young woman sleeping on her back, hence the name “sleeping beauty”. Lush trees and bamboos establish Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Monastery and Dragon Gate. It is said that once you ascend to the Dragon Gate, you will receive great success in your prestige. If the carp can jump over the prey, they will turn into dragons.
Boating on the Green Lake
Kunming Green Lake, or Emerald Lake, is a precious diamond located in the heart of downtown Kunming, where you can enjoy the authentic local life of Kunming locals. During the warm winter, from November to early March of the following year, more than ten thousand snow-white black-headed gulls come to the Green Park to spend the winter. It will be a harmonious and happy scene to see these birds playing together in the water, flying gracefully over the water and fighting over food when travelers throw bread at them. In spring, multiple and beautiful tulips of different colors in full bloom. In summer, lotus flowers bloom over the lake, decorating the Green Lake into a very attractive lady in a colorful dress. Green Lake is worth visiting all year round.
Visit Yunnan Ethnic Village
Yunnan Ethnic Village, located near Dian Lake and Haigeng Park, is a splendid ethnic village and an interesting window to introduce 26 ethnic groups of Yunnan Province. Upon entering this large village, you will find authentic minorities in their characteristic houses, such as the Dai, Bai, Yi, Wa, Miao, Hani, Tibetans, Zhuang, Mongolians, Bulang, Jinuo, Shui, Buyi, Dulong, Pumi, Man, hui and yao, among others. If they have enough time, tourists have a chance to enjoy some shows prepared by the ethnic groups represented in their villages. A visit to the Yunnan Ethnic Village will allow you to learn in depth the architecture, costumes, popular customs and ethnic festivals of the different ethnic groups in a very short time.
