Top 10 Things to do in Kunming, China

November 1, 2017 Madelene Haan

Kunming is the capital and largest city of Yunnan province in southwest China. Known as Yunnan-Fu until the 1920s, today it is a prefecture-level city and the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province as well as the seat of the provincial government. Kunming is also called the Spring city due to its weather. The headquarters of many of Yunnan's large businesses are in Kunming. It was important during World War II as a Chinese military center, American air base, and transport terminus for the Burma Road. Located in the middle of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, Kunming is located at an altitude of 1,900 metres (6,234 feet) above sea level and at a latitude just north of the Tropic of Cancer. Kunming has as of 2014 a population of 6,626,000 with an urban population of 4,575,000, and is located at the northern edge of the large Lake Dian, surrounded by temples and lake-and-limestone hill landscapes.
Restaurants in Kunming

1. Kunming Dragon Gate

At the top of Xishan, west of Kunming's suburb, Xishan District, Kunming 650100, China +86 871 6842 6668
Excellent
46%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 271 reviews

Kunming Dragon Gate

Reviewed By lsmkw - San Francisco Peninsula

Cable car to top closed for maintenance until Dec. 25, 2017...boo-hoo. I was told there is a bus to the top but that navigating down to the Dragon Gate and to the bottom is "a little confusing". Since it's all in Chinese, I'm already confused...I didn't go.

2. Yuantong Temple

Yuantong Jie, Kunming, China
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 183 reviews

Yuantong Temple

Reviewed By lsmkw - San Francisco Peninsula

At first, great temple, but there are a lot of them...the further back I explored the more impressive the design with great temple interior in the main building. Going back further, up some stairs, a smaller temple filled with pilgrims (?) chanting - enchanting. Worshippers everywhere - well used by locals. Free bathrooms. 6 RMB admit (no senior discount for foreigners); short walk on commercial street to Green Lake Park.

3. Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)

West of Kunming's suburb, Xishan District, Kunming 650100, China
Excellent
37%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 161 reviews

Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)

Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore

I took subway line 3 and exited at final Western Hills Station. From the station, there were buses heading to West Hill (12.5rmb one way). As I was there before 8am, the buses were not operating yet. Hence I decided to hike to West Hill. There were many locals having their morning exercises along the long, wide and winding road - jogging, brisk walking, tai-chi. It turned out to be a long walk, 6km to arrive at the West Hill Tourist Service Centre, which I believed is the back entrance. Paid admission fee 40rmb to enter the West Hill Park.
I headed to Lin Xu Pavilion, which was very quiet, only a few locals there. Standing on top of the mountain provided a great panoramic views of Dianchi Lake and Kunming City. Within West Hill, there were many temples & pavilions, with lots of local tourists. There were lots of steps to climb.
Not to be missed is the famous Dragon Gate Grottoes, though very crowded. At the exit, I took a cable car to Hageng Park, 40rmb. Overall, recommended to spend half a day here.

4. Dongchuan Red Land

Xintian Town,Dongchuan District, Kunming 654109, China
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 138 reviews

Dongchuan Red Land

Reviewed By KLshine - KL

Direct buses to Red Land from North Coach Station only 2 leaving at 7:50 & 8:30. We made the 8:30 arriving1pm at Huashitou. Plenty family run motels at this place and Ctrip has many picks. All motels has their little restaurants providing simple home style meals. It was foggy but thankfully by 3 pm it cleared. The motel owners and other motels provide the same sevice of driving guests to 10 scenic points for ¥200. Afternoon sunset 7 spots and morning sunrise 3 spots. We car pooled with another couple and saw the best the next morning with a stunning sunrise. Check out motel toilets some are squat ones which may not suit some of us. All in all the arduous bus ride with locals turned off our foreign friends metbob this trip. The same bus will take u back to Kunming with a note to your motel to remind the driver.

5. Green Lake (Cui Hu)

No.67 Cuihu South Road, Wuhua District, Kunming, China
Excellent
35%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 666 reviews

Green Lake (Cui Hu)

Reviewed By almi_guerrero - Lugano, Switzerland

This lake with flowering Gardens and good infrastructure is a perfect spot for the whole family to chill out in the afternoon and relax. You can either listen to locals playing instruments, watch Tibetans performing traditional dances and young and old doing all kinds of workout and games. You can hire pedalos and there are also all kinds of shops that sell tea, fruit, sweets, etc. Right in the vicinity of the Kunming university, it is definitely recommendable to spend a moment of relax and tranquility.

6. Yunnan Nationalities VillageBenzilam

8km 4 3/4 miles south of Lake Dian, Kunming, China
Excellent
38%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 431 reviews

Yunnan Nationalities VillageBenzilam

Reviewed By lsmkw - San Francisco Peninsula

Gigantic place with a "village" for each ethnic group found in China. Construction/design of villages looked authentic and the village representing Tibet brought me back to our wonderful travels there. However, the staff of all villages were mostly on their phones, eating or napping. I can't blame them: slow, cold day in December; they were doing what people do everywhere when idle. Off season and mid-week, there weren't many shows (the schedule was in Chinese, so maybe there were lots of them, but I missed most). The two I saw, music and dance, were good - I would have liked to see more. (Wander in; no additional cost) There were lots and lots of shops; plenty of places to eat; free bathrooms and, of course, village design and idle workers in costumes.

7. Yunnan University

No.2 Cuihu North Road, Wuhua District, Kunming 650031, China 0871-5034114
Excellent
29%
Good
61%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 100 reviews

Yunnan University

Reviewed By Severine B - Ghent, Belgium

A peacefull place with a lot of green. You can walk around for some sightseeing, there are some old buildings. We ate our picnic in the park. There are a lot of beches and tables.

8. Kunming Golden Temple

Jin Dian Gongyuan, Mingfeng Hill, Kunming 650021, China
Excellent
34%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 143 reviews

Kunming Golden Temple

Reviewed By Mi C - Bangkok, Thailand

This temple is part of a much larger park area with numerous interesting natural sights.
The temple itself if not one of the most impressive although it has a nice vibe and plenty of cute Gardens to stroll around.
Its easy to reach by public transport from the city center. I would recommend about half a day here.

9. Dian Lake (Dian Chi)

Southwest of Xishan District, Xishan District, Kunming 650228, China
Excellent
24%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
24%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 231 reviews

Dian Lake (Dian Chi)

The shores of the sixth largest Freshwater lake in China have many scenic spots.

Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore

This is a big lake in Kunming. There are many attractions nearby such as Yunnan Nationalities Village, Daguan Park, Haigeng Park, Western Hills, etc.
I suggest going to Haigeng Park to enjoy the lakeside view or take a cable car to top of Western Hills to have a bird's eye view of the lake. When viewing at Western Hills top, part of the lake was greenish in color, beautiful indeed.

10. Nanping Business Street

Wuhua District, Kunming 650021, China
Excellent
24%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 85 reviews

Nanping Business Street

Reviewed By GetGav

The Nanping Business street area is a mix of modern shopping and the town's historic commercial centre. Walking is easy on wide pedestrian malls in the newer area. When I visited, there were blind masseurs offering their services on the street. Their hands were so nice, I did it twice! The best part in meandering into the historic streets nearby where there are a plethora of local craft and food stores. A must do in Kunming.

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