Kunming Travel Guide

Commonly dubbed the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ on account of its year-round temperate weather, Kunming in Yunnan province of China is a city characterized by its colorful hill tribe residents, lively festivals, excellent cuisine and wealth of cultural attractions. As the capital of the region, the city is a significant visitor destination, attracting backpackers and culture-seeking tourists alike. However, tourism has yet to spoil the charm of this traditional Yunnanese destination.

Cultural sights are abundant around Kunming with historic structures such as the East Temple and West Temple pagodas making for popular sightseeing, while the city’s traditional markets offer an excellent view of cultural living which has changed little in 100 years. For an insight into the lives of the indigenous peoples of the region, a trip to the Yunnanese Cultural Park is a must.

A zoo and an aquarium are on hand for when you feel the need for a break from the cultural side of the city, and are the ideal places to work up an appetite for a tasty lunch or dinner at one of the city’s many excellent eateries. Yunnanese food is known for its excellence and as it’s especially mild, it generally sits well with Western palates. Kunming’s restaurants are renowned for offering highly authentic Yunnanese dishes at very reasonable prices, making the food a big draw.

Kunming Attractions

East Temple and West Temple pagodas: these historic structures, built in the Qing and Tang dynasties respectively, top any well considered sightseeing list.

Kunming City Museum: gain some background on the city and its fascinating history via exhibits and displays which include traditional Chinese clothing and prehistoric findings.

Kunming Aquarium: a typical layout and collection of marine creatures can be found at Kunming’s aquarium; a good place to visit if you have little ones in tow.

Yunnanese Cultural Park: the everyday lives of ethnic minorities in Yunnan province are detailed at this interesting museum. Clothes, tools, domestic dwellings and other objects of the 26 hill tribes resident in the region are available for viewing.

Stone Forest: a 2-hour drive will take you to this UNESCO-protected site of unique karst rock formations.