Joanna James
Kunming isn't just the capital of Yunnan, it is also the cultural, political and economic centre of the region. You are bound to find many things to do while you visit, so let's have a look at them.
Located to the southwest part of the city, you'll find numerous attractions right along the lake. Notable ones include the Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Baiyukou Park, Xishan Forest Part, Kuanyin Hill, Haigeng Bank as well as Daguan Park and many temples and pagodas. This lake is the sixth biggest freshwater lake in the country with an area of 340 square-kilometres. It is over 40 kilometres in length and stretches from Kunming right into the countryside of Yunnan. During fine weather, you'll notice fishing boats as well as small cargo vessels weaving across the lakes between the villages.
Known as Shilin or the Stone Forest, these are a set of karst formations that can be found in the Shilin Yi Autonomous County, which is around 90 kilometres to the east of Kunming. These tall rocks quite similarly to stalagmites, emanate right from the ground. Since they look like trees, they create the illusion of a forest which is why it is called the Stone Forest. Two parts of this area, the Suogeyi Village and the Naigu Stone Forest have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2007. These beautiful gigantic formations are considered to be over 270 million years old which have been caused by the dissolution of limestone. An interesting part of the culture here, one of its legends state that it is the birthplace of Ashima, a beautiful girl from the Yi people.
Right next to Dianchi Lake, you will notice the Western Hills that rise above the city. It is popularly known as the 'Sleeping Buddha Hills' due to its perceived resemblance to a giant sleeping Buddha from a distance. The hills boast a rich environment for flora and fauna as well as providing most tourists with a sense of tranquillity and serenity. There are many scenic spots that you can visit from here, like the Taihua and Huating Temple, Sanqing Pavilion as well as Dragon Gate. The moment you search for hotels, Kunming should present you with a wide variety to select from, like even Grand Park Kunming for example.
Located about 90 kilometres from central Kunming, you will come across the Jiuxiang Scenic Area. This place is extremely famous for its iconic karst caves, rivers, deep valleys and mountains. There are around 100 caves here with around 60 being explored. Covering an area of about 20 square-kilometres, the place consists of five major spots which are the Diehong Bridge, Sanjiao Cave, Dasha Dam, Mingyue Lake and the Alulong.
With a mild climate all year round, Kunming is often referred to as Spring City. Located at Jingxing Street, the Flower and Bird Market has evolved into a popular spot for leisure, trading and shopping since its inception in 1983. You will find various stalls here that feature flowers, fish and birds as well.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
