8 Reasons Why Kunming Should Be on Your Travel List – A Place Where Diversity Meets Beauty

Kunming is home to over 25 ethnic minorities, making it a melting pot of different cultures. This diversity is reflected in the city's architecture, food, music, and festivals. The most famous minority group in Kunming is the Yi people, who have their own language, clothing, and customs.

The city of Kunming has a rich history, and there are several historical sites that are on the list of things to do in Kunming. The most famous is the Kunming World Horticultural Expo Garden, just thirty minutes from Grand Park Kunming by Park Hotel Group. It is a botanical garden that features beautiful architecture, themed gardens, and water features. Other historical sites in Kunming include the Yunnan Military Academy, a former military academy that played an important role in China’s modern history, and the Kunming Golden Temple, a famous Taoist temple known to be the largest bronze-tiled temple in China. The temple was built in the Ming dynasty period with burnished copper that makes it gleam like gold, hence earning the name Golden Temple despite the absence of gold used in its construction.

Kunming is also a spiritual and mystic city with numerous temples and religious sites. The most famous of these is the Yuantong Temple, one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Kunming. The temple's beautiful architecture and tranquil surroundings make it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Other popular temples in Kunming include the Bamboo Temple and the Black Dragon Pool.

This southern Chinese city is known as the ‘Flower City’ because of its year-round spring-like climate and the abundance of flowers that bloom in the city. The most famous of these flowers is the Yunnan camellia, the city’s official flower. The best place to see these beautiful flowers is at the Flower and Bird Market, which is one of the largest markets in Kunming. Here, you can find a wide variety of flowers and plants, as well as birds and fish.

There are several places in Kunming where visitors can enjoy stunning bird's eye views. The best place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city is from the top of the Western Hills, where you can see Dianchi Lake and the surrounding countryside. Other popular places to enjoy the view include the Dragon Gate, a series of stone steps that lead to a viewpoint overlooking the city, and the Jindian Park, which is famous for its pagoda and lake.

Kunming is a region with stunning landscapes and visitors can explore the natural beauty of the area by visiting the Stone Forest, which is a collection of limestone formations that resemble a forest. The Stone Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. Some other popular natural attractions include Green Lake Park, a beautiful park with a lake and several pavilions, and Dianchi Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan province.

Karst caves are another reason to visit Kunming. These geological formations are created by the dissolution of soluble rocks. The most famous of these caves is the Jiuxiang Scenic Area, which is a network of caves and underground rivers. Visitors can explore the caves by boat and see the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years.

Kunming is also known for its unique festivals, like the Water Splashing Festival, celebrated by the Dai people in April. During this festival, people splash water on each other to symbolise the washing away of the old year while welcoming the new. Another famous festival is the Torch Festival, celebrated by the Yi people in August. During this festival, people light torches and dance to ward off evil spirits.